By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Zimbabwe has been named the World’s Best Country to Visit in 2025 by Forbes, in a ranking that celebrates destinations offering rich culture, natural beauty, and growing global appeal.
The southern African nation was listed alongside Lithuania, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Argentina, Morocco, Norway, Moldova, Hong Kong, and Denmark in the prestigious Forbes report, which drew insights from the leading travel platform Kayak.
According to Forbes, the selection highlights countries that embody a world rich in texture places that blend nature, history, and cultural depth.
The magazine painted Zimbabwe as a land of breathtaking contrasts.
“From golden plains where ancient stone cities rise to thunderous gorges carved by millennia of ice, 2025 has unveiled a world rich in texture think Zimbabwe’s thunderous gorges, Lithuania’s midsummer meadows, and Sri Lanka’s jungle-wrapped railways,” reads the report..
The feature described Zimbabwe as “a mosaic of rugged wild terrain and deep ancestral heritage where jagged granite outcrops rise above sun-scorched golden plains and skies stretch wide over rustling acacia groves.”
It also highlighted the Great Zimbabwe ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as a powerful reminder of the country’s layered past, while Victoria Falls was lauded for its awe-inspiring beauty and “mist that catches the sun in fleeting rainbows.
The Eastern Highlands, known for their serenity and mist-laced mountain trails, were celebrated as ideal for nature and wellness travel.
Travel data from Kayak shows Zimbabwe’s tourism appeal is rising sharply. Flight searches to Bulawayo have surged by more than 80%, while Harare recorded a 56% increase in searches for the upcoming summer season.
The inclusion of Zimbabwe in Forbes’ list is expected to further boost the country’s profile as a premium travel destination.
The ranking reflects not only Zimbabwe’s natural wonders but also the resilience of its people and renewed global interest in authentic African experiences.
Beyond Victoria Falls and Great Zimbabwe, the country offers a diverse range of attractions.
Hwange National Park, the largest wildlife reserve in Zimbabwe, is home to one of Africa’s biggest elephant populations and countless other species.
Matobo Hills, with its balancing granite rocks and ancient San rock art, tells stories of early civilization and spiritual heritage.
Lake Kariba, one of the world’s largest man-made lakes, attracts anglers, boaters, and nature lovers alike, while the mystical Chinhoyi Caves and the Nyanga Mountains in the Eastern Highlands draw adventure seekers and hikers.
For Zimbabwe, being named World’s Best Country to Visit in 2025 signals a powerful opportunity to revive tourism, attract foreign investment, and showcase the country’s heritage to the world.
It positions Zimbabwe as not just a safari destination, but a vibrant mosaic of culture, adventure, and natural splendor a nation ready to welcome the world once again.