For most rural communities living adjacent to protected areas in Zimbabwe, small-scale agriculture was the main source of income. However, due to low annual rainfall, frequent droughts, high-input costs, restricted access to bank loans, reductions in government subsidies for farmers, and an unfavorable macroeconomic environment, they are facing increasing levels of poverty. Policymakers view wildlife-based tourism as a broad strategy to fight poverty and improve livelihoods in rural communities. This study aimed to ascertain the role of pro-poor tourism (PPT) in community development and its potential for poverty alleviation in communities living adjacent to Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 key informants, including government officials, private tourism operators, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community leadership. Thematic analysis was used to generate meanings from the interview data. The results show that there is potential for rural livelihood diversification in protected areas by utilizing tourism opportunities to raise income levels. This study’s findings point to a potential connection between tourism and poverty alleviation. In addition, wildlife in protected areas provides the foundation for successful PPT, which other attractions and supporting amenities should complement.