Our Story
Five generations of this land. Two generations of safari. One family that knows Zimbabwe from the inside.
"Other operators research Zimbabwe.
We were raised by it."
Every waterhole, every trail, every lodge we recommend — we've walked it, slept in it, and returned to it. Not as inspectors. As family. This isn't a travel company that chose Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe chose us, five generations ago.
Our Heritage
Alan Elliott was one of Zimbabwe's most respected safari guides. For over four decades he walked the wildest corners of this country on foot, reading the bush the way others read a newspaper.
He founded Touch the Wild on a radical idea: that the best way to experience Africa is slowly, quietly, and on its terms. He was among the first to take international visitors walking through Big Five territory in Hwange and helped establish ethical wildlife practices in Matobo Hills.
Alan passed away in August 2025. His knowledge — every sound, every track, every shift in the wind — is the foundation everything at ZimTravellers is built on.
"The bush doesn't care about your itinerary. It has its own schedule. Your job is to pay attention."
Josh didn't grow up near the bush. He grew up in it. At one week old, he was taken to a tent at Makalolo Camp in Hwange — no fences, no walls, just canvas between him and whatever walked past at night. His mother breastfed him with cobras curled under the camp bed. That was normal.
He spent his childhood learning to track from the people who'd lived alongside wildlife for generations, reading animal behaviour before he could read books. In 2012 he took over the family's Matobo Hills Lodge and spent over a decade building it into one of the region's most respected properties.
But travellers kept asking for more — not just one destination, but Zimbabwe done properly. Victoria Falls to Mana Pools, Hwange to the Eastern Highlands, with someone who could connect every corner into one seamless journey. ZimTravellers is the answer: a family's lifetime of knowledge, made available to you.
Why ZimTravellers
Our Belief
Not by hiding it — by sharing it properly. With the right people, in the right places, at the right pace. No conveyor-belt safaris. No overcrowded lodges. Just the Zimbabwe we know, shared the way it deserves.
Your Travel Experts
Founder & Managing Director
Raised in a tent in Hwange. Fifth-generation Zimbabwean. Over thirteen years operating lodges. When you enquire, Josh designs your trip personally — drawing on a lifetime that started at one week old in the bush.
Chat on WhatsApp
Co-Director
Norwegian entrepreneur with a background in business development. Anette ensures every touchpoint meets international standards — because she understands what discerning European travellers expect. She is one.
Get in touchOur Zimbabwe
10 regions. 74 experiences. One extraordinary country.
Start Here
Every journey begins with a conversation. Tell us what moves you — the wildlife, the culture, the silence — and we'll shape something that fits.
