Music is more than just background noise for me. It’s a travel essential, right up there with sunscreen, a power bank, and a good edge control. Whether I’m road-tripping through the Garden Route, visualising my future trip to Zanzibar, or journaling at a coffee shop in Johannesburg, music shapes how I feel, remember, and dream during my travels.
And listen, my sister always jokes that my playlist is so predictable. “You’re such an aunty when it comes to music,” she says. And you know what I own it. I will die on the hill of Zim music supremacy. Period. There’s just something about it that feels like home even when I’m far from it.
Here are five ways I use music to enhance my travel experiences, plus my current go-to Zimbabwean jams I think everyone needs on their playlist right now.
1. Music sets the mood before I even pack
Before a trip I always build a playlist based on the vibe of the place I’m going. If it’s coastal and calm I lean into mellow Afro-fusion. If it’s a girls’ trip expect full-on amapiano bangers. But my constant Zim music gets me excited for the journey and helps me visualise where I’m headed.
I’ll be in my room packing my suitcase already in a Knysna daydream with Tamy Moyo’s Husiku Hwese playing in the background. The music gets me emotionally ready to experience the world African style.
2. Music helps me romanticise the journey
Whether I’m staring out of a plane window or stuck in Joburg traffic en route to a staycation music makes the moment feel like a scene in a movie. It gives it depth. Suddenly I’m not just waiting to arrive I’m present soaking it all in with main character energy on full blast.
Zimdancehall especially gives me that vibe. It’s gritty honest rhythmic it makes even the potholes poetic.
3. Music anchors my memories
Certain songs become bookmarks in my memory. I’ll hear Womera by Shashl a year from now and instantly remember what I wore who I was with and how the sun felt on my skin during that road trip. Music turns moments into memories. It glues feelings to locations.
So now I never travel without saving a special playlist for every destination.
4. Music bridges my homesickness
No matter how amazing a destination is I always carry a little bit of Zimbabwe in my ears. I crave that sound of home the languages the beats the slang the soul.
People always ask “How are you so in touch with Zim music even though you’re based in SA” The answer is simple TikTok. Zimbabwean TikTok is thriving and I always end up discovering new artists old gems and niche sounds that fuel my playlist.
5. Music connects me to other Africans
Sharing music is how I connect with people I meet while traveling. I’ve put so many friends onto Zim artists they had never heard of before and it always leads to conversations about culture stories and identity.
Music breaks the ice especially when it’s authentic and Zim music never fails to represent who I am a woman grounded in her roots exploring the world with pride.
My Current Top 5 Zimbabwean Tracks
If you’re wondering what’s been on heavy rotation lately here’s my personal Zim playlist I’ve been manifesting trips with journaling to and vibing with on quiet evenings:
🎶 Door Ratovharwa – Donator Calvins
An instant mood-lifter. That energy is unmatched.
🎶 Husiku Hwese – Tamy Moyo
Soft sultry emotional this one lives in my heart rent-free.
🎶 Marulez – Jnr Spragga
A rising star who sounds like Soul Jah Love reincarnated. I said what I said.
🎶 Admire Kadembo – Nisha Ts
A lyrical storyteller. The hook stays in your head and your heart.
🎶 Womera – Shashl
My soundtrack for slow soft luxurious travel days.
Coming Soon Every Friday: Curated African Playlists
Starting this week I’ll be curating African music playlists every Friday on the blog and my socials. From Zimdancehall to East African soul and West African Afrobeats this is my way of sharing the sounds that move me.
Please pray for my strength to stay consistent because consistency is a journey on its own. But I’m committed to giving you sounds that celebrate who we are where we come from and where we’re going.
Let the music lead us home.