Zimpapers Logo

Robert Mukondiwa

Lonely Planet, one of the most respected international brand and a global leader in the provision of travel information has released its list of best countries to travel in 2019 and Zimbabwe has made the list!

One of only two countries to be selected in Africa alongside the Island nation of Sao Tome and Principe, Zimbabwe has one better by making it into the holy trinity of destinations-placed third out of the list of ten behind Sri-Lanka and Germany.

Comprised of a host of journalists, researchers and key influencers in the world, making the list of Lonely Planet’s best countries to visit is a tough achievement and nations that make it are guaranteed of a surge in interest and tourist arrivals.

And there is a little bit of magic in the air about Zimbabwe as a pick. The citation is one that can only be beaten by a place in heaven.

“Not only is (Zimbabwe) one of Africa’s safest destinations, it’s one blessed with ultra-friendly locals, Big Five filled national parks, World Heritage-listed archaeological ruins, forested mountains and, of course the mighty Victoria Falls!”

Our serene charm bowled over Lonely Planet and the end result was a great third placing owing to the tranquil nature of Zimbabwe as a tourist destination worth visiting.

While the other countries were assisted by having beaches that could further shine a light on them as places to go, landlocked as the gem that is Zimbabwe is, third place after an arduous and thorough process of vetting means the tag as one of the best nations to experience on planet earth is a proud tag Zimbabwe should carry.

And with fresh impetus in boosting the image of the nation after the ‘open for business’ thrust, Zimbabwe is clearly now open for basking in the beautiful sun, the sunshine from friendly faces, archaeological gems in places like Khami and Great Zimbabwe as well as the mystic beauty of the forested Eastern Highlands and everything else in between!

Yet all this is nothing new to Zimbabweans who themselves have always celebrated their own beauty.

After all, the national anthem in the second stanza celebrates these gems proclaiming “Oh lovely Zimbabwe, so wondrously adorned, with mountains and rivers, cascading flowing free”.

The world may have not known about this beauty but now Lonely Planet has shared our secret, with anticipation rampant that many will pour in through the borders to experience the world of wonders that is Zimbabwe.

On its twitter handle, the Netherlands Embassy in Zimbabwe has since retweeted Lonely Planet’s praise of Zimbabwe as a touristy destination, adding that Zimbabwe’s beauty was probably the world’s best kept secret, and thanks to the efforts of tourism marketing authorities as well as visitors to Zimbabwe, that secret is a secret no more.