Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is the authentic home to the best attractions and facilities in the whole Southern African region. The sector has recorded over two million tourist arrivals since 2009 and projects over three million visitors in 2012. In 2010 the Ministry of Tourism and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority launched the new ‘branding Zimbabwe’ image to position the destination as a “A World of Wonders” that features among other enticing resorts the mighty Victoria Falls or Mosiyatunya, internationally recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Another big attraction not to be missed is Great Zimbabwe, an enduring heritage site from which the country derives its name; Zimbabwe means ‘House of Stone.’
The United Kingdom remains the major source market for tourist arrivals in Zimbabwe. This is a result of the deep historical ties that exist between Britain and Zimbabwe from missionary and colonial years. Such connections cement networking with the travel trade and the media. However, Zimbabwe has promoted its tourism to attract visitors from the rest of the world. In particular, the Zimbabwe World of Wonders brand has worldwide recognition in mainland Europe, the USA, Latin America Asia and Africa. Since the formation of the inclusive government in 2008 and the adoption of the United States dollar as the official currency in the country, financial stability and economic recovery have boosted the confidence of travellers and business to Zimbabwe. The use of credit cards has made travel for the visitor easier as transactions in major international currencies are now viable. Tourist visas for many countries are easy to get at either from the point of origin or at the port of entry.
The major attractions Zimbabwe offers the visitor are multi-fold. It is this diversity of tourist activities that is unique to the country. On the one hand, visitors are spoiled for choice by the country’s natural heritage; the world famous Victoria Falls, the very ancient but magnificent Great Zimbabwe ruins built by the local Rozvi people in 1450-1500, Khami Ruins and the exquisite and scenic Eastern Highlands. On the other hand, the visitor is treated to some of the most pristine wilderness and wildlife remaining in the world. The fauna and flora are renowned as the best to view enabling the visitor to be at peace with nature and themselves, a truly unforgettable experience of a lifetime. The fauna is quite as diverse as it is captivating; elephant families, prides of lions, zebras, giraffes, wild dogs, hyenas, lizards, crocodiles, monkeys and baboons . Time and time again many visitors to Zimbabwe’s National Parks such as Mana Pools have experienced the old-age pass- time activity of game viewing through safe and well organised dawn-and-dusk game viewing activities in combination with picnics among wild animals. The flora is equally impressive; wild flowers, indigenous trees and an arresting under forest growth.
Zimbabweans are well known as excellent hosts. They have a reputation of making their visitor feel at home, something that is inbuilt in their culture. One American woman from California walked into the office behind her husband in tears. Her husband, a doctor, had seen pictures of Zimbabwe so decided to surprise his wife for their wedding anniversary with a visit to Zimbabwe. The wife did not like the idea now that she knew where she was going on arrival in London.
Two weeks later, however, she came back with a big hug and a kiss on both cheeks and she said that if she had all the money in the world, she would buy the people of Zimbabwe, for in 35 years of her marriage, her husband had never experienced such hospitality in all the places she visited. Her wish was to climb up the mountain and tell the world how beautiful Zimbabwe is. Indeed, visitors to Zimbabwe have gone back time and time and again Another visitor remarked, “You can never have enough of Zimbabwe”.
National parks
The Zimbabwe National Parks offer the visitor something to suit diverse tastes and budgets with the lodges and camping sites located in some of the most spectacular areas in the world. Indeed, the parks form the largest asset of the tourism industry and their full importance and potential has not been tapped into in terms of what they offer to the tourist. Examples of the Zimbabwe national park heritage include the Victoria Falls National Park, open to visitors throughout the year. It is located in north-western Zimbabwe and it protects the south and east bank of the Zambei river in the area of the world-famous Victoria Falls.
It covers 23.4km, extending from the larger Zambezi National Park about six km above the falls to about 12 km below the falls. A notable feature of the park is the rainforest which grows in the spray of the falls, including ferns, liana vines, and a number of trees such as teak and mahogany not seen elsewhere in the region. Visitors have the chance to view elephant, buffalo, white rhino, hippos and a variety of other antelope during drives and walking safaris. Crocodiles may be seen in the river, and Crocodile Ranches offer a safer view of these dangerous animals. Accommodation is provided in campsites in the Zambezi National Park and in the numerous resorts and hotels in and around the town of Victoria Falls, which forms part of the western boundary of the park.
The Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s biggest game reserve and situated to the West of the country, spanning the main road and railway line between the beautiful city of Bulawayo and the Falls. The park was demarcated and established in 1928. It covers nearly 15,000 square kilometres. It is also on the edge of the Kalahari Dessert, an area of erratic rains and scarce water resources, but holding unique vegetation to the severe weather conditions. The park hosts more than 120 different mammal species that include large herbivores and eight species of large carnivores. In fact, all of Zimbabwe’s protected species have an excellent survival rate in this park. For instance, the African wild dog thrives in the park to an extent not known elsewhere in the world and numbers have soared. Elephant figures have also increased exponentially in the area sparking conservation debates that pity vegetation against these majestic animals. Nonetheless, elephant conservation in Zimbabwe is a government priority.
Nyanga National Park
The geographical spread of national parks is not only limited to Western Zimbabwe because Nyanga National Park is located in the Eastern part of the country. This was of the first parks to be constituted in the country on high altitude and green hills and perennial rivers, a contrast to the Kalahari Sand Forests of Western Matabeleland. Seeing the park alone feels you with nostalgia because of the rolling wooded lands. A prominent feature of the park is Mount Nyanga, the highest point in the nation. Other areas worthy viewing are the Mutarazi Falls also Zimbabwe’s highest Falls, located to the South of the park. In addition the Honde Valley, Chimanimani and Vumba (mist) Mountains are important tourist attractions of the park. The cool green hills and grasslands are serviced by first-class country hotels, casinos and courses such as those of the Leopard Rock Hotel and a Botanical Garden offers some of the best views in Africa. The region is also well known for coffee plantation to which visitors are treated.
Matopo National Park
The Matopo National Park is situated in the Matopo Hills and is also known as the burial area of Cecil Rhodes, the man who colonised Zimbabwe in 1890. The defining aspects of the park are the granite kopjes and wooded valleys. The park covers some beautiful scenery that includes spectacular balancing rocks with notable ones being found at Tuli, Njelele, Maleme and Mpopoma River Valleys.
Great Zimbabwe Ruins
The Great Zimbabwe Ruins are a must-see for visitors to Zimbabwe. They were the capital city of the ancient Rozvi Kingdom, which existed from 1100 to 1500 but collapsed due to Portuguese interference. The monument was constructed by local Shona people and at its peak had a population of over 20,000 people. Its prominent features are the stone walls, which have endured many centuries intact despite being built with no mortar. Visitors are encouraged to allow a good four hours to tour the old city, which also involves climbing hills for ecstatic views of the Great Enclosure, the Conical Tower and Caves.
Great Limpopo Trans Frontier Park
Zimbabwe is also part of the the largest animal sanctuary in the world, which is linked with Mozambique and South Africa. The total area is said to be over 35,000 square kilometres. The Trans Frontier Park brings together the best natural wildlife conservation sites in Southern Africa. Various development schemes in the park continue to take place, especially infrastructure to cater for tourists. This tourism project has been hailed as a real success story for countries working in partnership and no doubt boosts tourist earnings and employment.
Investment in tourism
In Zimbabwe tourism investment opportunities exist in the construction industry for more hotels and lodges in nine designated Tourism Development Zones created specifically to meet the Government’s stated goal of increasing hotel rooms from 6,248 rooms in 2010 to 15,000 rooms by 2015. Investment opportunities are also available in the air service industry, the building of shopping malls, conference centres, transport, food, sport, entertainment and other industries. No doubt, Zimbabwe is a safe and secure tourism investment destination.
The Award received from Business Destinations is both testimony and a fitting tribute to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality, who have tirelessly worked with local and international parties in branding Zimbabwe.
