Zimbabwe
An astonishingly beautiful African country, rich in natural and mineral resources and home to a hard-working population. Despite the political turmoil in past years, it remains a popular and rewarding destination. Much of Zimbabwe’s tourism industry pivots around its incredible natural splendour. Tourists are attracted to the huge diversity of environments, and the amazing cultural, wildlife and landscape heritage.
Encompassing many ecosystems, landlocked Zimbabwe is home to the Victoria Falls, ‘the smoke that thunders’, the Eastern Highlands mountain range, Lake Kariba, the largest ancient structure south of the Sahara at Great Zimbabwe and National Parks host to a great variety of wildlife species.
It is a country of superlatives, thanks to Victoria Falls (the largest waterfall in the world) and Lake Kariba (the largest man-made lake in terms of volume). National parks such as Hwange and Mana Pools teem with wildlife, making Zimbabwe one of the continent’s best places to go on safari.
The Victoria Falls – one of the Natural Wonders of the World and possibly the most impressive waterfalls on the planet. Take a helicopter flight over the falls known as ‘the flight of angels’.
Hwange National Park – the largest and oldest National Park in the Country.
Lake Kariba – one of the continent’s great lakes, rich with wildlife.
House-boating on Kariba – great for birding, fishing, and game viewing.
Ghonarezhou – one of the first protected biodiversity areas in the world to engage the local population in conservation programmes.
Bulawayo – Zimbabwe’s ‘second city’ and acts as the gateway to the granite boulders and Matopos National Park.
Eastern Highlands – a scenic rural setting offering hiking, fishing and inspiring scenery.
Great Zimbabwe – the second greatest stone structure in Africa, the origins of which are still a mystery and the source of much academic debate.
Tribal Art – Shona sculpture has a global reputation and tourists can see the many famous artists at work.
Zambezi Escarpment – the northern reserves and safari areas situated along the Zambezi River and Lake Kariba are prime game viewing locations with exceptional accommodation and activities such as overnight canoeing trips, white-water rafting and numerous adrenalin-pumping activities in the Victoria Falls area
GOOD TO KNOW
ZIMBABWE AREA
390 580km²
POPULATION
16 million
Capital of ZIMBABWE
Harare
Currency
USD (American Dollars) and
ZAR (South African Rands)
Climate
Zimbabwe has cool winters with cold nights from May to August, moderating in September and October, hot and rainy weather in the summer between November to April.
People
Shona (76%), Ndebele (18%), Batonka (2%), Shangaan (1%), Venda (1%) and Europeans and Asians
Official language
16 official languages.
English widely spoken
Time
GMT + 2hours
“Africa – you can see a sunset and believe you have witnessed the Hand of God.”
Jodi Picoult