Let Nosipho Bhebhe, Trip Experience Leader on Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari, show you Victoria Falls beyond the itinerary with visits to a vulture park, snake park, and more.
Wherever we travel, sharing a meal in a family home offers a truly authentic glimpse of everyday life—which is why our travelers often cite Home-Hosted experiences as a highlight of their adventures. But travelers may not realize just how much these exchanges benefit the families themselves—especially women in destinations where men are the primary wage earners.
Nosipho Bhebhe, Ultimate Africa Trip Experience Leader since 2015.
Such is the case in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe—and Nosipho Bhebhe, a rare female Trip Experience Leader on Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari, understands the income gap all too well. Her own journey has taken her from homelessness in Zimbabwe to earning enough income to build her own house. "As a female working in a male-dominated industry, I mentor these women into believing they can be anything they want to become," she says. Far more impactful than simply serving dinner, this income-generating program empowers women to become entrepreneurs. "If I can do it, so can they, and there is nothing a man can do that they can’t do themselves—if not better."
While it’s common for women to work in this region, their opportunities are limited. "As long as a job requires women to work outside town for an extended period of time, their husbands do not allow them to take those jobs as they are considered only for men," Nosipho says. "As a result, women will be found in low-risk jobs that are not considered dangerous and, as a result, pay less." In Victoria Falls, this typically entails buying clothes and commodities from neighboring countries where they are cheaper—such as Botswana, Zambia, and Namibia—and reselling them for a profit. Other women may find freelance work as local travel guides, or work in farming.
Hosting travelers essentially enables women to operate small businesses out of their homes—and gain invaluable cultural insights in the process. (Keep reading to hear from several of our hosts firsthand.) "All the families have children or even grandchildren," says Nosipho. "Meeting American travelers benefits the children in that they now aspire to be more than teachers and nurses, as they learn about different professions from the travelers. The children have become self-confident and enjoy meeting people of different backgrounds—which makes them more ambitious and open-minded."
As for the travelers? "They get to learn about the warmth and hospitality of the people of Zimbabwe," says Nosipho. "They may come from great poverty but never wear it on their faces. They work hard every single day to improve their circumstances." Because most households in the township are multi-generational, travelers also experience the importance of family ties—as well as each family’s relationship to the community. "Houses are very close together—so close that your neighbor’s playlist becomes your music, and the neighborhood chickens become your wakeup call."
Because many travelers like to bring gifts in appreciation of their hosts’ hospitality, Nosipho has some suggestions. "Stationery, soccer balls, and arts and crafts items for the children," she says. "They can also bring anything unique to their state, such as jams, spices, sauces, or anything for the kitchen."
But truly, as you’ll read below, the opportunity to host is priceless in itself.
A Transformative Experience": The Impact of Home-Hosting
"Home-Hosted dinners have been a transformative experience for me and my family. They have broadened our cultural understanding and appreciation. Sharing meals and stories with people from diverse backgrounds has opened our eyes to new perspectives and traditions. Our dinner table has become a hub of meaningful conversations, laughter, and connection. It has taught me to value hospitality and empathy by welcoming different people to our home and I have learnt to be more open-minded, patient, and understanding.
As a housewife, I have gained financial freedom and become educated on how I can save. Using Home-Hosted income this year, I managed to take my family for an ‘Around Zimbabwe Tour’ for a holiday. I have also managed to help my husband with our building project as I managed to buy two bags of cement every time I was given my money for hosting."
— Xolile Gotosa
"Ever since I became a part of this initiative, I have witnessed a lot of great changes in my life and within my family. I always tell my friends who are not part of this program that I am employed, and I work from home. Through the stories that I have shared with all my guests, I have learnt a lot about different cultures, and it has been an eye-opening experience and inspired me to see the world beyond what I thought it was.
I have also learnt that although the world has many different cultures and races, we are all one, and I have learnt understanding. The Home-Hosted dinners have also had a positive impact in how I manage my money as well as assisting my family in so many ways. I managed to help pay my first-born child’s tuition fee at university.
I for one would like to say it has made my husband to realize that mushamukadzi—which means "a home is a home because of a woman"—really applies to our home."
— Grace Chigaru
"Interacting with travelers from diverse cultural background has helped me to understand perspectives and customs within the American culture. Through hosting I have learnt to be attentive and listen to understand needs, stories, as well as other people.
It made me realize the importance of our different cultures and food. I am so proud to be part of the program. I am able to put food on the table for my family and support extended family members back home in the village. I gained confidence to speak with people from all aspects of life.
Through hosting I managed to buy curtains for the kitchen that we always wished to have in the house."
— Prudence Siluwe
Dine in the home of a Victoria Falls family and experience the power of cultural exchange firsthand during Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari.
