The Safari Show Set To Ignite Industry Growth

As Zimbabwe’s tourism sector continues its remarkable resurgence, the spotlight is now firmly fixed on an event designed to solidify its future: The Safari Show 2025. Set to take place on November 29th at the picturesque Parklands Business Venue in Harare, this gathering is far more than a trade exhibition; it is Zimbabwe’s ultimate networking event, driven by a singular, powerful ambition: To Improve Safaris in Zimbabwe.

In an industry built on personal connections and shared passion, The Safari Show is setting the stage for professionals to forge local business connections, share expertise, and collaboratively plan the next generation of unforgettable Zimbabwean Safaris.

The invitation is comprehensive: all local travel agents, destination management companies (DMCs), professional hunters and guides, safari operators, service providers, and anyone interested in pursuing a career in the bush are invited to join the ultimate year-end get-together and business platform. The event
promises a full day of action, running from 8 am to 6 pm. Attendees are encouraged to show their enthusiasm by adhering to the fun dress code— animal print—and securing their entry for just a fee.

The driving force behind The Safari Show is Sophie Phillips, who created the event with the intention of fostering collaboration and benefitting the entire industry. Her deep roots in the sector—being married to a guide, the daughter of a camp owner, and the sister to a hunter—provide her with a profound understanding of its challenges and potential, making the safari industry “the centre of her life”.
Phillips’ goal is for the show to be a day of learning, a catalyst for real change. She hopes the event will inspire concrete outcomes: that major business decisions are made, that crucial systems are created for
efficiency, and that the industry actively encourages new hunters and guides to join the ranks.

Fundamentally, The Safari Show is a dream realized: a space for collaboration, innovation, and visibility for the entire Zimbabwean Safari Industry, focused on the shared goal of “Growing Zimbabwe together”.

Promoting Local Excellence:

One of the most critical purposes of the show is the deliberate mandate “To promote LOCAL”. Recognizing that Zimbabwe is rich with talented local operators and suppliers who are often
overlooked, The Safari Show is a powerful call to action: “Let’s support one another and support
local businesses”.

This focus ensures that the value generated by tourism remains within the national economy.
benefiting the communities that preserve the wild areas. The other primary purpose is “to connect people,” literally bringing the key players together in one space. It serves as a centralized platform where
Safari lodges, tour operators, suppliers, travel agents, hunters, and guides can meet face-to-face.

For travel agents, in particular, the show is an unmissable opportunity to see firsthand what the Zimbabwean tourism landscape has on offer, allowing them to better sell the destination
globally.

Growing Zimbabwe together:

The driving force behind The Safari Show is Sophie Phillips, who created the event with the intention of fostering collaboration and benefitting the entire industry. Her deep roots in the sector—being married to a guide, the daughter of a camp owner, and the sister to a hunter—provide her with a profound understanding of its challenges and potential, making the safari industry “the centre of her life”.

Phillips’ goal is for the show to be a day of learning, a catalyst for real change. She hopes the event will inspire concrete outcomes: that major business decisions are made, that crucial systems are created for
efficiency, and that the industry actively encourages new hunters and guides to join the ranks. Fundamentally, The Safari Show is a dream realized: a space for collaboration, innovation, and visibility for the entire Zimbabwean Safari Industry, focused on the shared goal of “Growing Zimbabwe together.

Whether companies are looking to grow, release a new business into the wild, make new connections, or simply generate sales, The Safari Show promises to put brands “front and centre” in the country’s biggest safari spotlight.

Spotlight On Major
Safari Areas:

Attendees are promised exciting revelations about key destinations, with a special focus on the spectacular resurgence of the Matusadona National Park. A major collaboration, designated as a GOLD SPONSOR, will be showcased, bringing together Matusadona National Park itself and a powerful consortium of operators and service providers: Matusadona National Park, Fothergill Safaris, 16 Degrees South, Spurwing Island, Changa Safari Camp, Rhino Safari Camp, and Mack Air Botswana.

This stand is set to provide vital information on the incredible excitement and progress happening in the park, offering agents and operators the tools to rediscover and resell this vital wilderness area. Adding to the buzz is the showcase of Tiger Bay, a brand new luxury safari and fishing resort.

Set on the shores of Lake Kariba at the mouth of the Ume River, Tiger Bay offers a distinctive product that combines world-class tiger fishing with classic safari experiences in an unspoiled wilderness rich with wildlife and birdlife. Tiger Bay is appealing to both Free Independent Travellers (FIT) and group adventurers, offering fully inclusive luxury accommodation built upon a sustainable, conservation-driven model that resonates with eco-conscious travellers seeking authentic experiences in Zimbabwe.

At their dedicated stand, they will be actively seeking partnerships with tour operators and travel agents, highlighting key conservation initiatives such as the Tiger Bay Honey Project, and offering a literal taste
of Kariba through branded experiences and unique giveaways.

Beyond Business:

While the business goals are serious, the spirit of The Safari Show is celebratory, serving as a vital “end-of-year get-together.” It is designed to be a fun, safe space where colleagues can reconnect, share a beer, and rekindle old friendships. It’s a family-friendly affair promising good food, prizes, business and fun, recognizing the hard work and passion that define the safari lifestyle.

Whether you are a seasoned professional with thirty years in the industry, an agent eager to discover new offerings, a guide seeking deeper connections, or an individual contemplating a career in the bush, The
Safari Show is the quintessential time and place to elevate your involvement.

Through connecting agents, guides, operators, and service providers, the event is proving that the best way to move the industry forward is by ensuring that all things safari are in one convenient location. The date, November 29th, 2025, marks not just an event, but a commitment to the enduring future and excellence of the Zimbabwean Safari Industry.

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