“Zimbabwe” in Nigeria: A Beehive of Touristic Activities.

The popular Zimbabwe Tourist Village found at Uke in Nasarawa State, along Abuja-Keffi Expressway, began as a palm wine joint, at a detached location over twenty-five years ago before it was relocated to its current place, as its former location could not contain the influx of visitors who came to enjoy at it.

The Tourist Village was named Zimbabwe by a former school teacher who was fond of the place decades ago. According to one Dan Masani of Uke, nicknamed Lo-Africa Vani, the former school teacher who was also a non-indigene that taught in one of the secondary schools in the village, would jokingly tell his colleagues that he was going to “Zimbabwe” to enjoy himself. That was how the name of the place was known as Zimbabwe.

At Zimbabwe, there are also petty markets where palm wine and burukutu are sold. The palm wines are supplied fresh to dealers by the palm wine tappers. The palm wines are usually without adulteration.

Today, the tourist village has grown in heaps and bounds. Its landmass has grown into hectares, and it houses over 300 shops. It is also still booming with its original pride, palm wine. As early as 6am on a daily basis, palm wine tappers are already at business. The retailers buy from them and sell to consumers and visitors who want to relax in the village. A litre of palm wine is about N300. Other food items being sold at the centre are bush meats (both prepared and raw), pepper, yam tubers, food stuffs, tomatoes, live fowls, roast chicken to mention but few. Beers, soft drinks, whisky, red wine as well as pounded yam and other African dishes are sold.

Zimbabwe Tourist Village is located close to a quiet following river. This made the place fun for fishing, swimming and even bird viewing. Many tourists do go there to catch fun. The whole settings of the environment are all natural and highly ventilated.

The Zimbabwe Tourist Village, Uke, is always a beehive of activities at festive periods and weekends. At least, ten thousand holiday makers visit it at weekends alone. A handful of tourists also rest at it on daily basis.

A holiday maker, Ando Yusuf, whom was met there, said he does visit Zimbabwe to while away time anytime he was on work break, because the environment was conducive and natural. The abundance of fresh air, fresh fish, fresh palm wine and roast chicken has always been the enticing factors.

It is amazing to know that the Zimbabwe Tourist Village has a state capital called Swamphill Harare. A worker at the place, James Ina, said Harare is akin to a State Capital. Swamphill Harare is unique and serves as the home of the influential people that come to Zimbabwe. Because of this, things sold at the capital city-Swamphill Harare have some minute difference in price to the ones sold at Zimbabwe. The Swamphill Harare is mainly for the elite class.

The Zimbabwe Tourist Village has hosted a large number of visitors and is still seen as a place for relaxation due to the pure African hospitality it gives to every visitor.