Barefoot luxury hotel, spa and resort operator Six Senses is set to open its first property in Africa in 2025. The location will front Princess Elizabeth Island on the approach to Victoria Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the world.

Guests at Six Senses Victoria Falls will stay in one of 44 partially concealed, tree-level eco-lodges. Each of the understated accommodations will provide a bird’s eye viewing platform of the verdant nature and wildlife, including elephants, hippos, buffalo, big cats and primates.

The destination will provide spa and wellness experiences in the savannah thanks to the inclusion of a signature Six Senses Spa.

Facilities will include four treatment rooms, a gym, a yoga deck, outdoor hot pools, a panoramic sauna and an integrated retail and concept store.

Additional amenities will branch off of the location’s main welcome pavilion. These will include a lounge lobby, raised restaurant and lounge, speciality dining and braai bar and sunset look-out bar.

Alongside on-site signature experiences such as the Earth Lab, Alchemy Bar and Grow With Six Senses children’s activities, Six Senses Victoria Falls will provide guests access to the river and the falls on a Six Senses cruiser, as well as the game reserves and pay homage to Zimbabwe’s heritage and artisan culture.

A property with purpose

The resort will open as part of The House of Chinhara initiative which was launched to recover the majesty of Zimbabwean tourism by elevating the available accommodation count and quality for visitors to the Victoria Falls National Park.

In line with its commitment to conscious travel, Six Senses is working with the development team of Worth International, comprising SIP Project Managers, DSA Architects International, and CKR Consultant Engineers, on a modular scheme to realise the stilted wooden lodge structures.

This will match the weightless aesthetic with mighty engineering innovation to ensure the lightest possible footprint while still withstanding a heavy knock from a passing elephant. Fabricated off-site to minimise construction impacts, the arrangement of lodges and villas will be connected by raised walkways and bridges.

In addition to the 22 lodges with private terraces, there will be 15 deluxe lodges with suspended pools. Plans are also afoot for 17 individual pool villas, nine of which offer multi-bedroom accommodation.

Six Senses’ vision is to seamlessly blur the lodge’s interior and exterior design to encourage a reconnection to nature and moments of mindfulness.

The brief to the DSGN interior design consultancy team is to capture the eclectic and authentic spirit of Zimbabwe.

The lodge’s timber floors and natural finishes will serve as a canvas to showcase ceremonial and bespoke furnishings and artwork. The aim is to “achieve timeless sophistication and comfort overlayed with colours, textures and craftsmanship”.