Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has called Zimbabwe magnificent and praised its people for being exceptionally friendly following a trip to Nyanga, Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park.
The 73-year-old British billionaire, who founded chemicals group INEOS, was travelling with his partner Catherine Polli. He played golf at Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga, visited Victoria Falls, went on safari in Hwange and said he planned to end his trip at Mana Pools.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority circulated a video of Ratcliffe speaking from the golf course at Troutbeck, where wildlife regularly wanders across the greens.
“You’ve got animals on the golf course, so you’ve got impala and warthog and bushbuck, and it’s just one with nature really,” he said.
Ratcliffe, who has visited Zimbabwe before, recalled canoeing the Mana Canoe Trail along the Zambezi River.
“Many years ago, I canoed the Mana Canoe Trail down the Zambezi; I did it twice actually… about 80 or 100 kilometres down the river in a canoe, which was quite exciting. So I know Mana Pools quite well,” he said.
He gave Zimbabwe’s hospitality top marks, praising the friendliness of its people and the quality of its coffee.
“Ten out of 10, it can’t be more friendly. The coffee is good; in fact, the coffee is excellent here… and again, friendly faces everywhere. That’s why I love Zimbabwe,” he said.
He described the country as safe and singled out its major attractions.
“Zimbabwe is a magnificent place; it’s full of friendly people, it’s very safe. It’s got two, the only two I know, magnificent national parks, Hwange and Mana Pools, and of course you’ve got Victoria Falls, which is one of the wonders of the world. Nobody would ever forget going to Victoria Falls,” he said.
The trip meant Ratcliffe was not at Elland Road to watch his Manchester United side draw 1-1 with Leeds United.
It has been a difficult start to the 2026/27 season for United, who have gone six games without a win in all competitions. The Leeds result followed a Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
More: ZimLive
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