A Zimbabwean safari company is making a bold bid to scale up in Africa’s competitive tourism industry, striking a deal that could transform its operations from a domestic player into a regional contender.
Drummond Safaris, best known for its luxury lodges, has secured a cross-border expansion package structured by Outcomes, a United Kingdom headquartered consultancy specialising in business networking and market entry strategies. The deal, finalised earlier this month, will see Drummond expand into East Africa, with plans to connect wildlife circuits across the continent into a single safari route.
“This is about building scale for African businesses,” said Mr Kudzai Owen Mnangagwa, chairman of Outcomes.
“Drummond Safaris has a strong brand in Zimbabwe, and by connecting them with regional partners and new capital, we are positioning the company to compete on a continental level.”
The announcement comes at a time when African tourism is recalibrating. International operators — from South African giants like &Beyond to global luxury chains such as Wilderness and Singita — have increasingly consolidated their reach, creating cross-border packages that bundle destinations across East and Southern Africa. Analysts say smaller, homegrown operators must find ways to scale or risk being edged out.
“This move allows Drummond to offer travelers a seamless experience across three of Africa’s most iconic wildlife regions,” said Drummond Safaris in a statement.
“It’s not just about more destinations — it’s about creating a richer, more connected safari journey.”
Tourism is a crucial economic lifeline for much of southern Africa, but it has been volatile in recent years. Zimbabwe’s industry, in particular, has struggled under the weight of political instability, infrastructure challenges, and currency volatility. Yet arrivals have rebounded since the pandemic, and regional integration is being touted by officials as a way to extend visitor stays and spending.
Neither Outcomes nor Drummond Safaris disclosed financial details of the arrangement. People close to the negotiations said the consultancy helped the safari operator secure investment commitments and negotiate cross-border regulatory approvals.
The strategy mirrors moves elsewhere on the continent, where operators in Kenya and Tanzania have partnered to market the East African safari circuit as a single experience. For Drummond, the challenge will be to scale operations without losing the boutique reputation that has made its Zimbabwean properties popular with high-end travelers.
“If Drummond can pull this off, it positions them as one of the few Zimbabwean operators with true continental reach,” added Mr Mnangagwa.
“But execution will be everything.”
With the deal, Drummond Safaris joins a small but growing group of African-owned companies betting that regional integration — rather than dependence on a single country’s tourism market — is the future of safari.
