Zim tourism returns to vibrancy

Running from October 8-11, Sanganai/ Hlanganani takes place when the Sunshine City, with jacaranda trees in bloom in every street and avenue, looks its most beautiful.
The Rainbow Towers Hotel, surrounded by green lawns and fragrant iceberg rose bushes, provides an elegant venue for the huge variety of tourism products that Sanganai/Hlanganani displays annually.
Last week, some stalls were set up within the marble halls of the HICC (Harare International Conference Centre), while others spilled out into the hotel gardens.
Nommy Vuma, from prize-winning operators, Africa Albida, could barely keep up with enquiries for the many upmarket destinations she represents.
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is fully booked from December 15, although you might yet be able to book a table at Ma Kuwa-Kuwa Restaurant, where Chef Brian is best known for his delicious warthog tenderloin with fig and port wine compote. Ngoma Safari Lodge, recently opened on the banks of the Chobe River, will lure adventurous tourists, while closer to home the soon-to-open Santanga eco-park will offer an interactive six-hour experience of history, wildlife and culture.
New kids on the block Khanondo Safaris and Tours are about to go big in Victoria Falls, with Zambezi cruises, elephant rides, canoeing and fishing. Frontman, Forward Mutero, who graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a degree in tourism, loves living in Vic Falls and is confident that Khanondo (named after the dung beetle) will succeed. VIP transfers are a company speciality; so if your idea of luxury is cruising the miombo woodlands in a metallic blue Mercedes or Prado, get in touch.
Those who love road trips are likely to pass through Gweru, a business and agricultural town located in the epicentre of Zimbabwe. If you decide to break your journey here, where better place to spend the night than the Midlands Hotel in Gweru?
An enthusiastic young woman pointed out the comforts of the hotel’s top suite, with its elaborately carved king size bed and ultra-firm mattress. The resident chef specialises in British and Chinese cuisine, with particular expertise in stir fries.
Back in the day when the writer would attend championship dog shows in Gweru, it was important to stay in a hotel that accommodated dogs. The lady at the expo assured me that well-behaved hounds can be admitted to the Midlands Hotel, adding that a regular guest at the hotel, who always visited with her dog, Fluffy, came to be known as “Amai Fluffy”.
For David Beckham wannabes and those who would like to “pull up in style”, Glory Car Hire proudly displayed their Bentley convertible, the only one of its kind in Zim. But if you’re into long-haul travel and flying to far-flung destinations, Emirates Airlines will be operating out of Harare from February next year.
A number of visitors were attracted by Tanzania’s colourful presentation of safari destinations and a display of coffee, beers, spices, carvings and fabrics. Saadani, the only East African wildlife sanctuary to have an Indian Ocean beachfront, offers luxury tented camps, where bathers can share the beach with elephant strolling lazily across the sand.
The Sunshine City’s stand, gaily decked with orange and yellow swags, platters of fruit and flowers, was deserted. It was the last day of the expo, and the exhibitors might have wandered off to inspect the leopard, buck and zebra rampaging around the national parks and Eastern Highlands displays. I would have liked to compliment them on their well-ordered and beautiful city.
If there is an index for goodwill, natural beauty and tourism, Zimbabwe should rank among the highest levels.