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Chinhoyi is one of the popular towns in the country thanks to its proximity to the Chinhoyi Caves and it is also located along one of the country’s busiest highways. Because of this it requires decent accommodation for travellers.

In this respect Sunrise Guest House, a three star upmarket lodge situated just outside Chinhoyi’s Central Business District, has risen to the challenge.

The lodge is a creation of 60-year-old Chinhoyi businesswoman Mrs Dorcas Tracy Zimbiti who got the idea during a holiday visit to Namibia in 2008
“I travelled to Namibia for a holiday with my family in 2008 and spent a memorable two weeks at a neat, smart and professionally run lodge owned by an old widower who had just ventured into the hospitality industry after retiring from her job.

“There, I found my holiday very refreshing and worthy every cent I spent because it did not only help refresh the mind away from the economic hiatus that was bedevilling our country then, but it was very educative on how one should plan for his or her life after retirement,” she said.

This inspired Mrs Zimbiti to sub-divide her 1 000-square-metre residential stand in the leafy Orange Grove suburb to build what today has proved to be one of the most popular and ideal lodges for visitors to Chinhoyi Caves.

Since opening its doors to the public in 2010, it has carved its reputation as a preferred home for tourists and other visitors to Chinhoyi Caves.

After stretching muscles touring the steep and mesmerising caves, one deserves a decent sleep and relaxed atmosphere to appreciate the beauty of nature the caves are endowed with while sleeping in very comfortable conditions.

Sunrise Guest House with its furnished rooms becomes the accommodation of choice. The huge queen beds spoiled with pure white linen matching with the white tiled floors and blended with satin curtains gives the guest a sense of smartness that you rarely feel when away from home.

The nine-bed guest house boasts seven en-suites with full DStv television sets and two equally smartly furnished rooms.

Mrs Zimbiti, herself a very busy woman and an elder with the Zaoga Church, is always on her toes in her quest to satisfy guests.

“I value the visitors’ needs and demands.

“I am a Christian and believe that cleanliness is nearest to Godliness and this is why I am always present to ensure that our guests get excellent service,” said the humble mother of four who is the director of Guest House.

Mrs Zimbiti confesses that she cannot forget the two weeks she was on holiday in Namibia, as she learnt how to successfully run a guest house.

“The family guest house we were booked in for two weeks was just awesome, smart and serene.

“I then told myself that I could also take advantage of the huge volumes of tourists visiting Chinhoyi Caves to announce myself into the hospitality industry.

“The business is rewarding and people are finding it good to put up at our guest house and we are always striving to keep our standards high and I think this is the reason why we get so much business,” she said.

An ardent Christian, Mrs Zimbiti said she always gets her strength to keep going from the book of Proverbs, Chapter 13 vs 2 which reads:

“A righteous man shall leave inheritance for his children but the riches of a wicked are laid up for the just.”

She confesses that she finds the verse very motivating and encouraging.

“Of course I want to also thank my loving husband who always gives me support in all the adventures I embark on to discover my capabilities. He was supportive when I first came up with the idea to venture into the hospitality industry and today we are now enjoying the proceeds from what started as a simple project just to try our luck,” she said.

Mrs Zimbiti said she was planning to expand and was currently constructing an upmarket hotel in Chinhoyi CBD as well.