Abstract
This thesis evaluates how the laws and policies support responsible and sustainable ecotourism in Zimbabwe. The study focuses on three study sites that are important for tourism and conservation, Victoria Falls, Hwange, and Binga, these were chosen because they show different environments, community settings, and governance challenges. This study used a qualitative, multiple-case approach, data were collected from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with government officials, tourism operators, community representatives, and non- governmental organisations, together with a detailed document analysis of key tourism, wildlife, and environmental laws and policies. Interview recordings were transcribed and coded thematically. The findings from interviews were then compared with the content of the laws and policies to check and strengthen the conclusions, the study finds that Zimbabwe has a broad legal foundation for ecotourism, including the Parks and Wildlife framework, the Environmental Management framework, the Tourism framework, and community programmes such as CAMPFIRE. However, some provisions are outdated, some roles overlap across agencies, and enforcement is uneven, enforcement is stronger in high-profile areas but weaker in remote districts. Communities are not always involved early in policy design, and there is no dedicated ecotourism policy to connect the different instruments, the study found that where communities receive clear benefits and have a voice in decisions, compliance improves, and conservation outcomes are stronger. The study also reviewed that small operators lack knowledge, training, or resources, compliance is weaker. Overall, the legal frameworks support ecotourism in principle, but gaps in coordination, clarity, and capacity reduce their impact in practice. This study recommends practical steps to close these gaps, which include updating tourism and conservation laws with clear ecotourism standards and climate-resilient measures; improving coordination and clarifying roles among agencies; securing fair and transparent benefit-sharing for communities; and building capacity through guidance, training, and public awareness for small operators and local stakeholders. Stronger monitoring, data sharing, and grievance processes are also needed to track results and solve problems early. Combined, these actions can make ecotourism in Zimbabwe more sustainable, fair, and resilient, while protecting nature and supporting local livelihoods.