Rural tourism: Unlocking Matabeleland’s path to inclusive growth
by MARTIN CHEMHERE
HWANGE – RURAL tourism is fast emerging as one of the most promising drivers of inclusive development in Zimbabwe — and nowhere is its potential greater than in Matabeleland.
Long overlooked in national tourism strategies, the region’s cultural vibrancy, dramatic landscapes, and deep-rooted traditions position it as a natural home for community-based tourism.
Stretching from the granite domes of the Matobo Hills to the vast plains of the Lowveld, Matabeleland offers authentic experiences rooted in nature and culture.
Here, travellers can hike through sacred hills, watch traditional Ndebele dances, explore ancient rock art, or stay in rural homesteads to experience local cuisine and daily life.
Community-based projects such as the Bubi–Lupane Rural Tourism Initiative are setting a new standard. Residents host visitors, guide nature walks, and share traditional crafts — with proceeds reinvested into schools, clinics, and water projects.
Similarly, Matobo National Park has embraced a participatory model, employing local guides and empowering nearby communities to benefit directly from tourism revenues.
Experts say the potential economic ripple effects are huge. Rural tourism can create jobs, particularly for women and youth, diversify income sources, and incentivize the conservation of both wildlife and heritage.
However, progress remains stifled by decades of government neglect, poor roads, and limited investment in tourism infrastructure across Matabeleland.
To unlock growth, stakeholders call for targeted policies that prioritise rural infrastructure, marketing support, and training for community operators. The private sector, too, must play its part by forging partnerships with rural entrepreneurs.
If properly supported, rural tourism could transform Matabeleland from a neglected periphery into Zimbabwe’s next frontier of sustainable development — where culture, community, and conservation thrive together.
