Purpose-Led Travel in Zambia and Zimbabwe: How Two Retirees Found Meaning by Slowing Down

Two retirees reveal how slow, purpose-driven travel through Zambia and Zimbabwe created deeper meaning, richer human connections and a more fulfilling experience beyond traditional fast-paced tourism (image source)

Two retirees have shared how a deliberately slower, purpose-led travel approach transformed their recent journey through Zambia and Zimbabwe into a deeply meaningful experience one shaped less by rushed itineraries and more by presence, reflection and genuine human encounters. Speaking after their month-long trip anchored around Victoria Falls, the pair said they intentionally abandoned the traditional “airport trophy” travel mentality of seeing as many sites as possible in the shortest time. Instead, they prioritised fewer destinations, longer visits and flexible days that allowed moments to unfold naturally.

Their itinerary centred on key anchor experiences Victoria Falls, local markets in both Livingstone and Victoria Falls town, and guided community interactions and they built the rest of their days around open time rather than rigid schedules. The retirees described this approach as “freeing,” noting that it reduced decision fatigue and created room for spontaneous connections with residents, guides and conservation workers.

In Livingstone, they visited viewpoints at different times of day to observe how the light, water spray and sound changed the character of the Falls. They returned repeatedly to certain spots where guides shared personal stories about family history, Tonga cultural traditions and environmental pressures shaping the Zambezi ecosystem. They emphasised that these unhurried conversations with artisans explaining their crafts, conservation staff outlining wildlife protection challenges, or market vendors discussing urban livelihood pressures became the heart of the journey.

The retirees said these interactions grounded the landscape in human context, making the experience more intimate and emotionally resonant. “Slowing down isn’t falling behind it’s choosing depth over speed,” they reflected. “The more we let go of plans, the more meaningful the travel became.” Experts in retirement and lifestyle planning say such purpose-driven travel can reduce stress and increase satisfaction by aligning time use with travellers’ personal values, such as curiosity, empathy and conservation. They argue that older travellers in particular benefit from less demanding itineraries that prioritise rest, emotional engagement and low-pressure exploration.

Practical steps for slow travel include trimming the number of daily activities, building intentional rest periods and returning to favourite locations rather than constantly seeking new ones. In Zambia and Zimbabwe, this meant spending full days along the Zambezi River, taking slower-paced river cruises, engaging in longer discussions with guides, and visiting cultural exhibits with ample time to absorb details. The retirees say their biggest takeaway is that purposeful travel offers a sense of fulfilment that typical bucket-list tourism rarely delivers. They describe it as a shift from “collecting attractions” to “collecting meaning.”

“Let adventure unfold don’t force it,” the pair said. “When you give time and attention to the people and places you encounter, the journey becomes deeper than any itinerary can capture.”