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ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa with it`s breathtakingly lovely landscapes and abundance natural resources that includes wildlife in several National parks. Its northern border, is shared with Zambia, is demarcated by the Zambezi River, further downstream, by the spacious waters of Lake Kariba, which is one of the World`s largest man-made lake by volume. The Limpopo River forms the country`s southern frontier with South Africa, the other national neighbours are Botswana in the west and southwest, Mozambique in the East. Zimbabwean people are peace loving and very friendly.
From the mighty Victoria Falls and beautiful Hwange National Park in the west to the Great Zimbabwe ruins, Matobo National Park, Mana Pools National Park, Eastern Highlands, Save Valley Conservancy & Gonarezhou National Park, Lake Kariba & Matusadona National Park all great places to visit all year round including the Cities of Harare and Bulawayo.
Top Destinations in Zimbabwe include:
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is a top tourist destination in Southern Africa, a Unesco World heritage site and the largest waterfall in the world. It is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, located at the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. On the Zimbabwean side of the falls lies a wildlife-rich Victoria falls National Park and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the Zambian side. From the Zimbabwean side of the falls is a forest path which runs along the edge of the falls and offers a number of spectacular vantage points. Victoria Falls is an adventure capital of Africa with an array of air, water and land-based activities including Bungee jump off the Victoria Falls bridge, Boat Cruise on the gorgeous Zambezi river. It is considered to be one of the most attractive Safari destinations in Southern Africa with its close proximity to Hwange National Park and Chobe National Park (Botswana).
Accommodation
- Victoria Falls Hotel
- Victoria Falls Rainbow
- AʼZambezi River Lodge
- Kingdom Hotel
- Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
- Ilalla Lodge
- Victoria Falls Safari Club
- Elephant Hills Resort Hotel
- Stanley and Livingstone
- Imbabala Safari Lodge
- Batonka Guest Lodge
- Cresta Sprayview
- Bayete Guest Lodge
- Victoria Falls Safari Suites
- Masuwe Safari Lodge
- The Elephant Camp
- Matetsi River Lodge
Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park is Zimbabweʼs largest national park and is one of Africaʼs finest for wildlife. The park is situated on the main road between Bulawayo (Zimbabwe’s second city) and Victoria Falls making it easily accessible after visiting Victoria Falls.Hwange boasts one of the largest concentrations of game animals in Africa. It is one of best places in the world to see elephants, thanks to the population of over 10,000s of these majestic animals.The game animals in Hwange includes herds of buffalo, zebras, giraffe and the powerful predators of leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs etc.
Hwange is home to more than 400 different kinds of bird, including bateleurs and raptors. It has public and private camping facilities which gives a glimpse of incredible wildlife.
Accommodation
- Somalisa Camp
- Davison Camp
- Varneys`s Camp
- Bonani Tented Lodge
- Somalisa Acacia Camp
- Hwange Safari lodge
- The Hide
Lake Kariba & Matusadona National Park
The mighty Zambezi flows into the waters of Lake Kariba, one of the worldʼs largest artificial lakes. Covering an area of 5,400 square km, Lake Kariba is a paradise for a more relaxed kind of holidaymaker, the one who likes enjoys riding around in boats and spending some hours in the sun. Located in a remote and slightly tricky place to get as compared to Zimbabweʼs other wildlife destinations. However, the journey is rewarded with an incredible safari experience. As well as being home to the Big Five, the largest island on the lake has impalas, hippos and an array of birdlife. Along the lake`s shoreline are creeks and inlets, marinas, resort hotels and lodges.
Along and beyond the fringes of the Lake Kariba are some of Zimbabwe`s finest game sanctuaries, among them the Matusadona National Park, haven for elephant, buffalo, zebra, hippo giraffe and a multitude of antelope. It is also a sanctuary for black rhinoceros. Visitors enjoy vehicle and walking safaris, rhino tracking, and excursions to a crocodile farm. The more interesting camps and lodges of Lake Karibaʼs shoreline are located in and around Matusadona National Park.
Accommodation & Safari Camps
- Bumi Hills Safari Lodge
- Hornbill Lodge
- Rhino Safari Camp
- Changa Safari Lodge
- Somalisa Acacia Camp
- Zambesi Cruise Safaris (House boats)
- Kavinga Safari Camp (Matusadona)
Matobo National Park
Matobo National Park is 44 000 hectares (108 749 acres) swathe of woodland that sustains, among other wildlife, an impressive leopard population and some fine birds of prey, including large numbers of black eagles, which count the common rock lizard among their prey and has some of the worldʼs most impressive granite scenery. The park was awarded World Heritage status in June 2003. As well as wildlife, including Zimbabweʼs highest
concentration of white and black rhinos are found in the game park.
The lunar landscape of balancing rocks, known as kopjes, giant boulders stacked on top of each other, as if they are about to topple over, is an incredible sight. This site has an incredible history for centuries Matobo Hills were both the home to and sanctuary for the group of San people, arguably the greatest of all prehistoric artists. Their legacy, rich in both talent and spiritual
significance, is still strikingly evident in the many caves and rock shelters of the national park, among the Nswatugi chamber, whose paintings of giraffe and kudu are especially noteworthy.
The grave of Cecil John Rhodes is located in this park. Excellent roads provide access to the Matobo National Park and this national park is in the perfect location for people to visit on their way to Hwange and Victoria Falls.
Accommodation & Safari Camps
- Matobe Hills Lodge
- Amalinda Lodge
- Big Cave Camp
Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe is an ancient city in the south eastern hills of Zimbabwe, it is located near Lake Mutirikwe and the town of Masvingo. It is recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe during the countryʼs Late Iron Age. Construction on the monument by ancestors of the Shona people began in the 11th century and continued until the 14th century, spanning an area of 722 hectares (1,780 acres) which, at its peak, could have housed up to 18,000 people.
Great Zimbabwe served as a royal palace for the Zimbabwean monarch and would have been used as the seat of political power. One of its most prominent features were the walls, some of which were over five metres high and which were constructed without mortar. Eventually the city was abandoned and fell into ruin. There are three distinct architectural groupings known as the Hill Complex, the Valley Complex and the Great Enclosure.
Formed of regular, rectangular granite stones carefully placed one upon the other, all the structures were built without the use of mortar. Despite this, the remarkable buildings have survived for seven centuries. The stone walls are up to 6 metres thick and 12 metres high with a section of wall running 60 metres long. Zimbabwe means house of stone and is derived from the Great Zimbabwe ruins.
To the northwest of Great Zimbabwe lies Lake Mutirikwi formerly known as Lake Kyle, a 90-square kilometre reservoir created to feed the Lowveld`s ever-thirsty citrus and sugar cane plantations. The lake is home to hippo, crocodile and other wildlife which has been introduced over the years.
Accommodation & Safari Camps
- Lodge of the Ancient City
- Great Zimbabwe Hotel
- Norma Jean`s Camp
Save Valley Conservancy & Gonarezhou National Park
The Save Valley Conservancy is one of the largest private game reserves in Africa. Located in the South Eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe, bordering on the Save River on its eastern side, the Conservancy comprises 750,000 acres of diverse wildlife habitat.
Visitors to the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC) have the opportunity to see all of Southern African game species, including the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino). The SVC is home to one of Africaʼs largest populations of black and white rhino, and to a healthy population of rare African Painted Dogs.
These critically endangered species are carefully monitored and protected within the Conservancy. Over three hundred species of birds can also be found in the Conservancy during the year, including many raptors.
The Conservancy is a vast and varied natural landscape. Unlike some game reserves where animals are confined to smaller spaces and well habituated to humans, the animals in the Conservancy are wild. This sometimes makes them harder to find them, but finding them and observing their behaviour
is truly an adventure.
Gonarezhou National Park is farther to the east, occupying 500 square kilometres (193-square mile) corner of the country bounded on the two sides by Mozambique and South Africa. It is part of The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park aims to bring together some of the richest and most established
wildlife areas in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe, including South Africaʼs world-famous Kruger, Zimbabweʼs Gonarezhou and Mozambiqueʼs Limpopo national parks.
Accommodation & Safari Camps
- Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge
- Gonarezhou Bush Camp
- Chilojo Bush Camp
- Singita Pamushana
- Save Valley Conservancy
Mana Pools National Park
Perhaps the least tamed and, in its own way, the most beautiful part of Zimbabwe is the Zambezi Valley below Kariba, ranked as one of Africa`s last great wilderness areas and treasure-house of wildlife. Mana Pools is a great venue to enjoy close encounters with the wildlife. Its name comes from the word for ʻfourʼ in the Shona language, after the four inland pools that are left from the oxbow lakes.
Wildlife gathers around the banks of the Lower Zambezi, elephants, lions, zebras, leopards and cheetahs all stopping for a drink, creating the perfect photo opportunity. One of the things which makes this national park so unique is it allows you to head out on a walking safari.
Lodges & Safari Camps
- Kavinga Safari Camp
- Ruchomechi Camp
- Little Vundu Camp
- Chassa Camp
- Nyamatusi Camp
- Kanga Camp
Eastern Highlands & Mutare City
The Eastern Highlands is a land of rolling hills followed by mountains that sweep up in a grandly imposing series of heights that extends for 300 kilometres (190 miles) along the Zimbabwean border with Mozambique.
Rolling hills are carpeted in green, lush forests, rugged peaks rise-up from swirling mists and waterfalls cascade into deep gorges, rivers and lakes. The mountains fall into three groups, northmost of which Nyanga range, Zimbabwe`s highest peak, the 2 593-metre Inyangani (8 508 feet), towers over the low-lying plain that stretches eastward to the Indian Ocean, and over the fertile Highveld farmlands to the west.
To the south of Mutare is the Bvumba range, less formidable than its northern neighbour but scenically just as lovely and famed for its magnificent floral wealth. Finally in the far south, are the Chimanimani mountains made of dense forests and their distinctive plant life.
Mutare is Zimbabweʼs fourth largest city, the capital of the Eastern Highlands area, it is an attractive city embraced by high mountains, found at the foothills of the Eastern Highlands. Set in a valley and surrounded by rolling green hills, the city has a relaxed rural feel.
Mutare means ʻmetalʼ, the cityʼs name coming from its history as a fort when gold was discovered in the nearby Penhalonga Valley.
Much of the Eastern Highlands region is conserved within maintained national parks that over the visitor a wide variety of attractions, walks through the countryside that delights the eye at every turn, fishing in the cold, clear, trout-filled mountain streams, golf courses that rank among Zimbabwe`s finest and country inns and lodges which are supremely comfortable.
Accommodation & Lodges
- Leopard Rock
- Troutbeck Inn
- Mutare Holiday Inn
Harare
Harare is the capital of Zimbabwe and the base from which visitors explore the rest of the country. It is the gateway to the countryʼs incredible wildlife destinations.
Nature-lovers are drawn to the beautiful public gardens, National Botanical Gardens which is situation about 4km from Harare City Centre which has 900 various species of tree and shrubbery to admire and is it a great place to spend a day.
The city has plenty of attractions for visitors to enjoy, a city with many skyscrapers, it also has many spots of natural beauty. If you visit in September or October youʼll see the purple blossoms of the jacaranda tree in full bloom.
Harare is also a place you can learn about Zimbabweʼs craft work, a source of national pride in Zimbabwe on display in National Gallery.
Accommodation & Hotels
- Rainbow Towers
- Cresta Lodge Harare
- Holiday Inn Harare
- Monomotapa Hotel
- Meikles Hotel
Bulawayo
Bulawayo is Zimbabweʼs second city capital of the Matebeleland region and it is rich in cultural history.
Founded in the 1840s by the Ndebele King Lobengula, it was colonised in 1894. The striking colonial architecture still stands today with tree-lined avenues and streets. The cityʼs attractions
include the Bulawayo Railway Museum, the Natural History Museum, Zimbabweʼs largest, a number of galleries and a cathedral.
It is one of the best places to experience Zimbabweʼs cultural diversity as well as a relaxed atmosphere.
Accommodation & Hotels
- Holiday Inn Bulawayo
- Cresta Churchill Hotel
- Bulawayo Rainbow