Zimbabwe is a country known for dramatic ups and downs. It is a landlocked southern African country with spectacular landmarks from the savanna grasslands to the magnificent Eastern highlands,which will just blow your mind away. Its diversity of wildlife includes the big 5 other animals (elephant, lion, buffalo,rhino and giraffe) and over 3000 species of birds. The fascinating cultural heritage and history has always has had a surprising twist almost like a tall tale!
Attractions
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls – the holiday resort is the adventure capital of Africa. Its existence is due to the world’s largest curtain of falling water over a 1053m cliff plunging into a gorge splitting two countries from the fourth longest river in Africa.This spectacular site is one of the 7 wonders of the world and UNESCO world heritage site. The smoking waterfall, the iconic Victoria Falls bridge and the Victoria Falls Hotel both have a colonial aura as they were established with the inspiration of Cecil John Rhodes whose thought was,”to build the bridge across the Zambezi where the trains as they pass will catch the spray of the falls on their way from Cape to Cairo.”
Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe is an ancient city that existed in the 12th century in the present day Masvingo town in the south eastern province of Zimbabwe.The architectural skill is matched to no other of its time and its level of civilisation is unique . lt is this ancient city and great monument that Zimbabwe derives its present day name. The city was the iron age capital of its time for 3 centuries and was inhabited by 20000 Kalangas of the Shona tribe. lts architecture, political, social and economic organization and structure is what attracts the modern day historian to this ruined city. Around it are also similar ruins of notable interest to a time traveller looking back in time.
Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park is the largest park in Zimbabwe with 14,651sq km of African savanna occupied by ridiculously large amounts of wildlife, home of the big 5, some 400 species of bird life and counting. It has the most spectacular game viewing platforms and luxury lodges ecologically set up camps that do not upset the balance of nature or dent the wilderness environment. Hwange National Park offers a safari experience that allows an intimate encounter with wildlife while only leaving footprints no harm is done to wildlife its like you “were but not there” !This treasure nest of wildlife is located in the North Western corner of Zimbabwe, just an hour’s drive from the mighty Victoria Falls. Hwange has 3 entrances with the best being via Bulawayo Road Robin Camp which is 45km from Victoria Falls.
Chinhoyi Caves
Zimbabwe indeed carries a unique package of world heritage sites and land forms. Nestled along the Lusaka-Harare road close to Chivero national park is am impressive structure of pools ,caverns and caves which have been artificially lite but whose depth is yet to be explored.The caves have embedded fossils that a thrill to watch and its highlight being the sleeping pool which is a crystal clear lake that runs underground with depths of 130m and above.Its a divers delight in the landlocked southern African country of Zimbabwe!
Eastern Highlands
It seems Zimbabwe was neatly packing the very best within its borders.Along the eastern border running from north to south for some 300km lies a rugged landscape of peaks ,waterfalls,rolling hills ,breath taking valleys, rivers and lakes with its own unique climate lies the Chimanimani, Vumba and lnyanga mountains. A 360 view like no other!
Lake Kariba
Talk about daring engineering …the Victoria Falls bridge and then one of the biggest man-made lakes in the world. In 1958 the need for Hydro electrical power resulted in creating an” inland sea ” in a landlocked country to carter for the growing demand for electrical power.The dam resulted in a town that became an attractive tourist destination with great sightings of wildlife from Mutusadonha national park which became a sanctuary for all animals displaced by the construction of the dam.
Zimbabwe has other national parks including:
Gonarezhou National Park
Mana Pools National Park
Matobo National Park
Matusadona National Park
Nyanga National Park
Chizarira National Park
Harare
The capital city of Zimbabwe is known as Africa’s Sunshine City. lt has a wide choice of restaurants offering a variety of cuisine including French, English, lndian, Greek, Chinese, Italian and Japanese as well as Zimbabwean and other African dishes. ln the heart of the city is the National Gallery which has national art collections and Shona soft stone sculptures.Also worth seeing is the National Heroes Acre, the botanical gardens, the Balancing Rocks in Epworth and the Mbare Musika. Within city range are Botanical gardens and just on the outskirts of the city of Harare are wildlife game parks for one’s outdoor experiences. The international Festival of Arts Festival combined with Harare lnternational Carnival are a vibrant expression of arts, culture, theatre, dancing music, fashion and food the country is known for.
Botswana
Botswana is a vast land of stunning untamed beauty totally isolated from mass tourism to give the best safari experience. It is home to uniquely beautiful landscapes and dramatic natural contrasts,but the real attraction is its authentic African wildlife experience.
Attractions
Okavango Delta
Okavango delta is known as Africa’s Eden. Its a huge expanse of water flowing from the Angolan highlands cutting through the center of the Kalahari desert. This Eden is studded with emerald green islands and reed banks with an incredible variety of bird life as well as elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffe,hippopotamus and crocodile. Visitors can go on game drives, nature walks or boats rides the best being the traditional mokoro boats.
Chobe National Park
Chobe in Botswana is the only place in the world where you will find the elephant population larger than the human population in the same place. Chobe offers amazing safaris on land and on water with excellent sightings of herds of elephants, buffaloes, sable and other herbivores.The predator population which is also larger in comparison to neighboring game reserves in the area just makes the entire scene dramatic and show you what it means to be in the wild , as they also make their presence known. The bird enthusiasts will love this safari paradise as different species of birds flock to the Chobe river. Chobe has five star Eco-lodges that you will never want to leave coupled with the excellent service and hospitality will make your experience memorable.
Zambia
The beauty of Zambia’s vast untamed wilderness is that it always offers something new to discover in every corner. The beautiful landscape gives intimate moments with untouched wildlife. It is indeed the gateway to Africa’s wonder.
Victoria Falls , Zambia
The Victoria Falls Zambia is 1708 m wide from the eastern cataract to the devil’s cataract with an average depth of 92m at the devil’s cataract and 108m in the eastern cataract. The beauty of Victoria Falls, Zambia is you get a closer and intimate experience ,the thundering roar of the water drumming in your ears , feel the spray of the falls on your skin and even walk the length of the Zambian side of the falls and actually swimming right at the edge of the world…The Livingstone Island is a peninsula which opens up when the season is dry and water levels have decreased. During this time the island is open you can have breakfast, lunch and high tea right at the waterfall.
The Devil’s Pool its one of the most prestigious and number one natural pools in the world. Its a definite must do activity in the right season. lt is a pool right at the edge of the world.
Luangwa Valley
It is Zambia’s untamed Africa, so undeveloped and remote with the famous big five lion, elephant, buffalo,giraffe and rhino it is the perfect place to detox and unwind.
Livingstone Town
This is one of the smallest and oldest towns in central Africa.Livingstone is the only town which has retained its colonial name and its colonial buildings.The town stretches 10 sq km on either side .Livingstone is the tourist capital Zambia and was the country’s capital for 30 years .The town gained its prominence as a result of being the major point of entry for imports across the Victoria Falls from the then southern Rhodesia.
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is a small park covering an area of 66 sq km located in the upper part of Zambezi river. It is divided into two sections the landscape of the Victoria Falls in Zambia and the wildlife.The most frequently seen mammals are the baboons and velvet monkeys. Other wildlife also found within the parks parameters are the giraffe, white rhino, elephant, buffalo, impala, puku, and warthog. There is also a varied bird life including the famed taita falcon, a rare bird which nests in the gorges. Others are the shrike and sun-bird.