ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe has been in and out of the news over the last decade and usually for socio-political instability. While that’s been going on, the country’s epic landscapes, immense elephant herds and exhilarating Zambezi adventures continue to lure the thrill seekers and adventure lovers alike.
Zimbabwe is renowned for it’s off-the-beaten track safaris from Hwange National Park to Mana Pools offering visitors intimate walking safaris and superb game viewing and with some of the most respected guides around. Not to mention the elephant in the room “Mosi-oa-Tunya” which David Livingstone felt must have been gazed on by angels.
Zimbabwe receives the second highest number of tourists in Southern Africa however it fails to convert this into income or employment as effectively as its neighbours. Gender disparity threatens the overall sustainability of the ecotourism in the region and a patriarchal society largely marginalise women. Tourism has had a positive impact on the income of women however, women continue to have limited access to formal employment opportunities and continue to have little impact on decision-making at a community level.