High Tea in the Savannah, Catering by Victoria Falls Hotel

Tea belongs in a teacup, not beside elephants. This unusual Victoria Falls outing pairs a Victoria Falls Hotel-style high tea with a game drive through Chamabondo National Park. I like the waterhole setting, where elephants or giraffes may appear while you sip Tanganda tea, and I like the return through the bush at sunset. The main consideration is cost: the experience is $165 per person, and the park fee is extra.

You leave at about 3 p.m. and spend roughly three and a half hours on the road and at the safari camp. The group is capped at 10 people, pickup and drop-off are included, and the early park entry is meant to save time at the gate. Just keep your expectations sensible: wildlife sightings are possible, not promised, and poor weather or low bookings can cancel the outing.

Key points to know before booking

• High tea beside a waterhole: Scones, cream, jam, sandwiches, cakes, fruit, and Tanganda tea are served in a safari camp setting.
• A real game drive is included: The outing passes through Chamabondo National Park in an open game-viewer vehicle.
• Late afternoon timing matters: The 3 p.m. start gives you wildlife viewing before sunset, followed by warm orange and red evening light.
• Small group size: A maximum of 10 people makes the vehicle and tea setup more manageable than a large coach excursion.
• Hotel catering in the bush: The Victoria Falls Hotel, described as Africa’s second-oldest hotel, supplies the high tea.
• Park fees are extra: Your $165 price covers transport, the drive, and refreshments, but not the national park entry charge.

Why this high tea safari is different

Victoria Falls has no shortage of safari drives, sunset outings, and polished hotel teas. This experience ties those familiar pieces together in a way that feels deliberately old-fashioned and distinctly Zimbabwean.

The idea is simple. You ride into the bush, look for animals, stop near a waterhole, and sit down to a formal English-style tea. The contrast is the charm. Fine cakes and sandwiches feel almost comical beside thorn scrub, grazing animals, and a safari vehicle, yet that odd mix is exactly what makes the outing memorable.

The tea is catered by the Victoria Falls Hotel, one of the area’s grand old institutions. You are not simply handed a packet of biscuits in the back of a vehicle. The setup includes scones with cream and jam, sandwiches, cookies, cake, fruit, and tea or coffee. Tanganda tea is specifically included, along with water.

Past participants have also described wine, beer, and syrup being available, but the confirmed inclusions list names tea or coffee, water, and the high tea food. If drinks beyond those listed matter to you, ask before departure rather than assuming they are included.

The 3 p.m. departure and early park entry

The advertised start is 3 p.m., with pickup and return to your hotel included. That timing is useful because it avoids the harshest midday heat and carries you into the hours when the light becomes more attractive.

The operator says the team leaves before other companies and handles park formalities in advance. In practical terms, that is meant to reduce time spent at the entrance and give you more time inside Chamabondo National Park.

That early handling of formalities is a nice touch, but it is still worth confirming your pickup time and having your park fee ready. The park entry charge is not part of the $165 price, so your total cost will be higher than the advertised rate.

The ride lasts about three and a half hours from pickup to return. That is long enough for a proper game drive and a relaxed tea stop, but not so long that the outing takes over your entire day. It works well if you are staying in Victoria Falls and want an afternoon activity after visiting the falls or finishing a morning excursion.

Looking for wildlife in Chamabondo National Park

The first part of the outing is a game drive through Chamabondo National Park. The included vehicle is a game viewer, the type of open safari vehicle designed for better visibility than a standard car.

The park is home to elephants, lions, buffalo, zebras, leopards, antelopes, and smaller plains animals. That list gives you a good sense of what the drive can offer, but it should not be read as a promise that you will see every species. Animal sightings depend on location, season, weather, and plain luck.

The guides are an important part of the experience. Taf is praised for being helpful, while Prince Tee is singled out for explaining the wildlife and bush life during drives. The company also works with Matt Dee and other members of the Savannah Adventures team.

You should expect interpretation along the way rather than a silent ride from one viewing point to another. The guide can help connect what you see with the wider bush environment, from large mammals to smaller plains game. That matters because a safari is not only about checking off the Big Five. A zebra herd, antelope, or a well-placed elephant can make the drive worthwhile.

Several accounts describe sightings of elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and multiple Big Five animals. One outing reportedly saw four of the Big Five. That is an excellent result, but it is best treated as a lucky possibility rather than a normal outcome.

Leopards and lions are particularly unpredictable. If you book mainly to guarantee a lion sighting, you may be disappointed. If you enjoy the search, the changing light, and the guide’s explanations, the experience has a better chance of meeting your expectations.

High tea beside the waterhole

The central stop is a safari camp beside a waterhole. This is where the experience shifts from ordinary game drive to something more theatrical.

The tea setup includes sandwiches, scones, cream, jam, cakes, cookies, fruit, and Tanganda tea. The food is served in a traditional high tea style, though the supplied details do not specify the exact menu items or whether dietary requests can be accommodated. If you have allergies or special food needs, contact the operator before booking.

The waterhole gives the stop a practical purpose beyond eating. Elephants and giraffes have been seen near the setup, and other animals may approach during the stop. You can enjoy your food while keeping an eye on the bush around you.

Still, wildlife does not operate on a dining schedule. You might watch an elephant arrive as the tea is poured, or you might see nothing larger than birds and distant plains game. The setting remains attractive, but the animal sightings are never guaranteed.

I like this pause because it gives you time to appreciate the setting without the constant movement of a game drive. You can put down the camera, eat a scone, and actually look around. The tradeoff is that sitting near wildlife requires attention and respect. This is still the African bush, not a hotel garden, so you should follow the guide’s instructions and avoid wandering away from the designated area.

The food receives especially strong praise. The fruit, tea, plating, cakes, and overall presentation are repeatedly described as a high point. For people who enjoy afternoon tea as much as wildlife, this may be the best part of the outing.

The sunset ride back through the bush

After tea, you return through the park as the sun drops. The operator emphasizes the sunset colors, with strong yellows, oranges, and reds across the evening sky.

The ride back is not merely transport to Victoria Falls. It is another chance to see animals moving toward waterholes or emerging from the bush. The late light can also make familiar scenes look different from the drive out.

Sunset is one of the strongest reasons to choose this timing. The colors can be striking, and the cooler air is more comfortable than a midday drive. At the same time, the fading light eventually makes wildlife harder to see. If your top priority is detailed animal photography, the earlier portion of the drive may offer better visibility.

The experience ends with drop-off at your hotel. Pickup and return are included, which simplifies the evening and removes the need to arrange your own transport after dark.

What the $165 price really covers

At $165 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an afternoon near Victoria Falls. You are paying for more than a basic game drive, though. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a game-viewer vehicle, guiding, and a full high tea service in the park.

The Victoria Falls Hotel catering adds a special touch. You are also paying for the small-group format, with no more than 10 people, and for a carefully timed outing that combines wildlife, food, and sunset.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise book both a game drive and a high tea. It may feel less convincing if you only want to see animals and would be happy with a simpler safari meal.

Remember to add the park fee. Since that charge is excluded, ask for the current amount when you book so you can judge the full cost accurately. The advertised rate also does not clearly promise alcoholic drinks, despite one account mentioning wine and beer. Confirm those details if they affect your decision.

Group size, guides, and the feel of the outing

A maximum of 10 people is a useful limit. You are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and there should be a better chance to hear the guide’s explanations and see from the vehicle.

The company’s guides receive warm praise for their enthusiasm and personal attention. Taf and Prince Tee are the names most closely connected with the positive feedback. If you have a guide preference, you can ask, but there is no guarantee that a particular person will lead your outing.

The mood seems friendly and informal rather than stiff. That suits the unusual concept. You get the elegance of a hotel tea without pretending that the bush is a drawing room.

This outing is a good fit for couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a softer, more social safari experience. It also suits people who have already seen Victoria Falls and want a different afternoon activity.

It may not suit you if you want a full-day safari, a highly specialized wildlife photography trip, or a guaranteed list of animals. The tea is the point as much as the game viewing.

Practical details that affect your decision

Confirmation is provided at booking, and a mobile ticket is offered. Most people can participate, according to the supplied information, but no detailed accessibility information is provided.

The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Because the outing begins at 3 p.m., use the local Zimbabwe time when calculating the deadline.

Bring a camera, but do not let photography take over the experience. The waterhole, high tea table, animals, and sunset all create strong photo opportunities, yet the best moments may happen when you lower the camera and watch.

Who should book the High Tea Safari?

Book it if you want a polished but unusual afternoon that combines wildlife with a proper food service. The waterhole setting and sunset return give the outing more character than a standard drive, while the included pickup keeps the evening easy.

It is especially appealing if you already like the Victoria Falls Hotel’s traditional high tea or want to try that style without spending the whole afternoon indoors. It also makes sense for a small group that values food presentation, a personal guide, and a relaxed pace.

Think twice if $165 feels high before the park fee is added. You should also reconsider if a high tea stop sounds like a distraction from wildlife viewing. This is not a pure safari. It is a safari with a carefully staged tea break, and that is either the fun or the flaw.

Should you book this safari?

I would recommend the High Tea Safari to anyone who wants a memorable Victoria Falls experience rather than the most economical game drive. The strongest features are the waterhole setting, Victoria Falls Hotel catering, small group size, and sunset ride through Chamabondo National Park.

Book with realistic expectations about wildlife. You may see elephants, buffalo, giraffes, lions, leopards, zebras, or antelope, but no safari can promise a particular animal. Confirm the park fee and any extra drinks before paying, then reserve early if your schedule is fixed, since the experience is booked well ahead on average.

FAQ

What time does the High Tea Safari start?

The stated start time is 3 p.m. The experience lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included in the experience price.

Is the park entry fee included?

No. The national park fee is not included in the $165 per-person price.

What food and drinks are included?

The high tea includes sandwiches, cookies, cake, a variety of fruits, Tanganda tea, water, and coffee or tea service. Scones with cream and jam are also described as part of the spread.

How many people can join the experience?

The group has a maximum of 10 participants.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are also offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.