Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
The growing demand of luxury amenities with high-end services for holidaymakers in both major cities and small towns may soon be met.
A wave of exquisite sanctuaries has emerged, placing these sought-after experiences right at the doorstep of urban dwellers.
With a focus on providing cost-saving travel experiences, comfort, convenience and exclusivity, players in the hospitality industry are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to innovate.
These new amenities, often presented in the form of private villas or suites, boast spacious accommodations adorned with upscale furnishings, private pools and stunning views.
Holidaymakers can now enjoy personalised concierge services for reservations, event planning and local recommendations.
For the more adventurous, these hospitality hubs also offer access to spa and wellness facilities.
This has ensured that visitors have a wealth of high-quality treatments, fitness centres and wellness programmes at their fingertips.
Staffers at Nyama Choma Resort
You can even access these services at your doorstep for a reasonable price.
Some of these new retreats come with on-site gourmet restaurants run by renowned chefs and extensive wine lists.
Others place value on custom excursions, especially tailored tours and activities, such as private guided tours, cooking classes, or adventure sports.
In this world of technological revolution, smart room technology, high-speed internet and state-of-the-art entertainment systems are also guaranteed.
One such retreat, nestled in the heart of Rainham Farm, 23 km from the Harare city centre, is Nyama Choma Resort.
Skyline River Resort, formerly Skyline Motel, Mudziyashe Resort in Helensvale, Mt Hampden Artificial Beach, and Mwanga Lodge along the Harare-Shamva Road are some of the best places offering top-notch services for holidaymakers.
However, it is the eight-month-old Nyama Choma Resort that has recently been added to this list.
A gateway for nature walk lovers and a tranquil haven for holidaymakers who want their privacy restored, Nyama Choma Resort is a must-try for visitors in Harare and its environs.
Their manicured lawn, jaw-dropping structures and hospitable staff will easily win your heart.
The sound of lively birds chirping merrily in tall trees, monkeys roaming around the chalets, peacocks wandering in the area, and various sculptures scattered about will take you on a journey through nature.
The real African feel is what one is guaranteed at this place.
Offering a wide range of services from conference rooms, accommodations, weddings, restaurants and African delicacies, to meeting rooms and serene bar areas for imbibers, Nyama Choma Resort is undoubtedly the answer to your needs.
For those madly in love with team building or bonding, the retreat has also been endorsed by many with a taste of class.
With a variety of services on offer, including accommodation and conferencing, it’s hard to believe this place is in Harare.
Their thatched chalets, named in vernacular after popular animals like lion, giraffe and elephant among others, will make those who believe in totems and wildlife feel at home or honoured when choosing accommodation.
Those in love are always guaranteed fun with games such as quad bikes, a common phenomenon.
Kids’ games ranging from rides, swings, nhodo, pada and tsoro are also available.
Nyama Choma Resort supervisor, Persuade Huni, believes city dwellers don’t need to travel long distances in search of fun when players in the hospitality sector are reinventing the wheel.
“People in big cities like Harare, Mutare, Gweru, and Bulawayo tend to overlook the potential of players in the hospitality industry. There are hospitality gurus who think outside the box to the extent that one will be left wondering why they are not endorsed. If you take a nature walk here up and down, you will be guaranteed fun and ambiance because we have everything you can think of,” stressed Huni.
Running mainly on solar energy and utilising borehole water, the fun is guaranteed 24/7.
“For those with a small budget but are longing for an atmosphere where they can relax and enjoy themselves, this is the place of choice. You can’t be left out in this new wave; you need to relieve stress by hanging out at a place offering this serenity and services.”
Huni, whose haven promotes African culture and cuisines, noted that the new wave was a way to go.
“We are investing in these ventures because Africa is the future. Our story must be told by us, and we should not wait for outsiders to come and tell our story.
“In this case, our story is simply that of hospitality, upholding Ubuntu and preserving our heritage. We also need to refresh the mind and enjoy the hospitality on offer,” she said.
Besides Nyama Choma Resort, Harare South boasts Skyline River Resort — formerly Skyline Motel — known for hosting yesteryear musicians, including the likes of Safirio Madzikatire, Zex Manatsa and Thomas Mapfumo among others.
It has been renamed after serious renovations to ensure that it soothes holidaymakers’ tastes, courtesy of astute businessman Shadreck Tiripano.
The resort boasts eight huts, eight chalet rooms, and four deluxe rooms, a restaurant offering fine dining options, a kiosk with traditional meals and braai options.
This is meant to ensure that fans have something to keep them entertained.
“Skyline River Resort is a one-stop shop for all types of clientele. The resort has a rich history, and the Tiripanos are proud to revive it while adding a bit of sophistication and charm to the facility,” said Tiripano in a recent press statement.
With a wide range of activities like a zip line facility, quad bikes, a children’s play area and horse riding, the area is slowly regaining its status.
The rebirth of Skyline River Resort is good news for holidaymakers and artistes who have been lamenting the shortage of venues to hold shows.
In Mt Hampden, there is a lot of life happening in the area, which was once popular as a farming community. It might sound like an April Fools’ Day prank, but they now have their beach — albeit an artificial one.
Of course, some might ask why glorify an artificial beach, but the concept has worked for joint proprietors. Top celebrities like Jah Prayzah, Feli Nandi and Madam Boss have endorsed the haven, which boasts a series of activities like canoeing, boat cruises, sunbathing, quad biking and weekend meals among others.
The new wave has long been embraced by hospitality gurus in the so-called small towns.
Bindura, Mazowe and Shamva are some of the small towns close to Harare with similar facilities popular with holidaymakers.
Bally Vaughan, also known as Mwanga Lodge, is one place that can easily meet holidaymakers’ tastes. Kangara Resort, located 30 km from Bindura, is one of the hottest retreats popular with merry-makers. Owing to its popularity, many groups or teams have been flocking to the area just to experience the place.
Harare-based economist, researcher, and academic Vincent Ruzvezve shared his thoughts on this new wave. “The driving force behind the resurgence of this phenomenon in recent years is pushed by the demand for meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) tourism and party tourism.
These business conferences and events have played a significant role in promoting domestic tourism.
“A visit to Nyama Choma, a culinary resort in the Rainham area, 23 km west of Harare along Kirkman Road (now Solomon Mukujuru Road), offers a range of services including bed and breakfast, accommodation, and picnic activities with special amenities designed to accommodate people from different walks of life. These facilities are good for family functions, weddings, church functions, company meetings and staff training.
“Tourism is a demand-driven activity, determined by several factors, namely economic and socio-psychological factors,” stressed Ruzvezve.
He emphasised that the influx of these tourist sites in the outskirts of Harare resulted from the demand for their services.
“Income influences consumption and spending power on tourism; higher income leads to more people seeking leisure and short getaways.
“On the other end, demographic changes through urbanisation and population growth play an important role in increasing the demand for leisure. In the case of Harare, its expansion causes more residents to seek leisure options close to home rather than traveling to distant resort sites like Gonarezhou National Park.
“Many resort areas like Nyama Choma Resort have natural attractiveness and beauty, including forests and wildlife, which appeal to both local and international visitors, enhancing the attractiveness of these resorts.”
He added: “Most of the resorts are increasingly diversifying their offerings to include activities such as hiking, fishing, and cultural experiences, making them more appealing to a broader audience. Further, there has been a cultural shift towards valuing leisure and vacations, with more people prioritizing travel as a way to relax and connect with nature.”
Ultimately, the demand for exquisite holiday amenities in the vicinity of most cities or small towns is a triumph for the hospitality sector. Domestic tourism is poised for a major boost since most of the top-notch services holidaymakers are yearning for can be easily accessed at their doorsteps.
Low and middle-income earners can now receive personalized service without parting with fortunes. Major life experiences are awaiting at these hubs, which are often found in scenic locations. After all, you can’t be left out, as this hospitality wave seeks to provide guests with an unforgettable and indulgent experience during their holidays or major milestones like birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and engagement parties.
