Victoria Falls Rainforest Reopens
The Victoria Falls Rainforest has reopened to the public after a brief closure prompted by elephants entering the site, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has confirmed.
ZimParks said the closure, introduced earlier as a precautionary safety measure, lasted approximately two and a half hours.
During that time, rangers closely monitored the animals and guided them safely out of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The authority said that once on the ground, its teams established that two elephants had entered the rainforest, revising the initial report of a single animal.
Both elephants have since moved away from the site, which has been assessed and declared safe for visitors.
Normal operations have now resumed at the attraction, regarded as one of the world’s great natural wonders and among Zimbabwe’s most visited tourist sites.
ZimParks said it was also carrying out repairs to sections of the rainforest that were damaged during the incident, to maintain the safety and comfort of visitors going forward.
The authority thanked tourists, tour operators and members of the public for their patience during the closure, adding that it remained committed to protecting visitors while conserving Zimbabwe’s wildlife.
Encounters between elephants and visitors are not uncommon at Victoria Falls, given its location along routes regularly used by wildlife moving to and from the Zambezi River.
Temporary closures, however, are typically resolved quickly, as was the case on this occasion.