Zimbabwe has been listed as one the top world’s must-visit destinations. As the world is packing its bags for Vic Falls, Matobo, Nyanga, and Kariba, we the locals must also see and enjoy our country.

This festive season, let’s ditch the predictable gochi gochi or the much maligned chicken and rice with coleslaw and discover the beauty around us— on our own terms, without needing a visa, or setting ourselves up for the deadly January disease.

1. The $10–$50 Escape: Day-Trips and Nearby Wonders

You don’t need to book a lodge to have a memory. Pack a cooler box, a Bluetooth speaker, and a few friends — and explore what’s just an hour or two away.

Harare locals:

• Domboshava Caves & Hills: Sunrise hike, rock paintings, and that unbeatable golden-hour selfie.
• Kuimba Shiri Bird Park Entry under $10, bring your own food and braai.
• Haka Game Park: Picnic under the msasa trees while zebra graze nearby.

Bulawayo crowd:

• Matobo Hills National Park: Entry $5, breathtaking landscapes, and spiritual calm.
• Hillside Dams: Free entry — perfect for picnic photos and sundowners.

Mutare & Manicaland:

• Vumba Botanical Gardens: Tranquil, misty, and romantic. Entry $2.
• Christmas Pass Viewpoint: Pack breakfast and watch the sun rise over Mutare.

Kadoma, Chegutu, Kwekwe, Norton and Harare

The Odyssey in Kadoma offers their venue on Christmas Day. Bring your own goat, chickens, whatever and have fun. Or you can just lounge around, catch up with family and friends and let them do the food.

Pro tip: Carry your own food and drinks. Most of these spots charge picnic or cooler fees cheaper than restaurant meals.

2. Budget Overnights: Sleepover Adventures ($20–$60 p/n)

Fancy hotels are great, but let the international tourists do those— Zimbabwe is full of hidden lodges, Airbnbs, camping sites and eco-retreats where you can unwind without draining your 13th cheque.

Zimparks has some lovely places that are booked by the unit, rather than the number of people. For example a 3 bedroom house can go for US$75 a night- so 3 couples sharing would only have to cough up $25 each to enjoy nature and privacy in some of the most beautiful parts of the country

• Go with a group: Shared transport, shared laughter, shared expenses.

3. Cheap Thrills: Low-Cost, High-Fun Activities

• Road Trip Bingo: Spot landmarks, play local music, stop for roasted maize and mazhanje.
• Sunset challenges: Pick a different hill or dam from which to watch the sun set every evening of the week.
• Village tourism: Visit rural relatives with fresh eyes — take walks, join milking, photograph sunsets, and rediscover simplicity. And yes, do beach shoots in the dry river beds. LOL! Just watch out for flash floods.
• Urban explorers: Harare’s First Street murals, Mbare market, and Avondale flea markets are alive with stories.

Sometimes adventure is just a change of mindset.

4. Eat Out Without Going Broke

• Street food with style: Yes, Zindoga, Mereki, Rera etc still remain fun places tpo hang out with your people or meet new friends.
• Budget fine dining: You will be surprised at the number of restaurants on the right side of town where you can spend  $10 per person and enjoy some great cuisine

No Christmas rule says the food must be eaten in your own kitchen!

5. The Local Bucket List

So, if Zimbabwe is your default destination this Christmas, consider yourself lucky to have already arrived at the premium destination and tick off one from each category this festive season:

6. Festive Wisdom

You don’t have to fly to enjoy paradise — when you live there. Create moments that smell of msasa, sound like mbira, and taste like sunshine and Mazoe Orange. Real travel isn’t about distance — it’s about discovery.