http://www.flickr.com/photos/whatleydude/3902871701/

Intro

Despite of the grim headlines about Zimbabwe that cover newspapers all over the world, this land is one of southern Africa’s most beautiful countries. And although being forced to sacrifice so much, Zimbabweans have not lost their humour or resolve. With so few visiting the country, those who do can expect royal treatment. They need you. While the world’s media focuses on the fall of Zimbabwe, visitors will see a very different image of the country. From the absolute wilderness of Mana Pools National Park, the ruins of Great Zimbabwe and the mountains looking over Mozambique in Eastern Zimbabwe, to fine dining in Harare or bungee jumping over Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe offers something for everyone.

However, security for travellers in Zimbabwe remains uncertain; check the BBC for updates on the crisis and Safe Travel for current government warnings. All travellers should use common sense, bypass obvious dangers and respect any local advice regarding safety.

Weather

The country has a tropical climate with a rainy season usually from November to March. The climate is moderated by the altitude. The summers in Zimbabwe are known to be hot and rainy in the mountainous regions and in the forest areas. The winters are generally dry and cool. There is little rain in the southern regions of Zimbabwe. Summer is from November to April and winter from July to August.

Language

Shona, Ndebele and English are the principal languages of Zimbabwe. Despite English being the official language, less than 2.5%, mainly the white and Coloured (mixed race) minorities, consider it their native language. The rest of the population speak Bantu languages such as Shona (76%), Ndebele (18%) and the other minority languages.

Tourist Attractions

• Check out Harare and Bulawayo and explore the variety of artistic talent that can be found in Zimbabwe. Many Zimbabweans make a living out of traditional arts, such as pottery, basketry, textiles, jewellery and carving. The work is brilliant and Zimbabwe has some of the best sculptors in the world.
• Visit the world-renowned Victoria Falls, which the local Kololo tribe calls Mosi-oa-tunya – ‘the smoke that thunders’ – is one of Africa’s most scenic and enchanting sights. The falls are 1.7km wide and drop between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge.
• One can bungee jump the highest commercial jump in the world at Victoria Falls as well as go white water rafting down the massive Zambezi River.
• The Great Zimbabwe Ruins is sub-Saharan Africa’s greatest archaeological site. It’s also an astonishingly peaceful place to relax for a couple of days of camping and exploring.
• There are 10 national parks and 10 recreational parks around the country, plus several botanical gardens, sanctuaries and 14 national safari areas for hunting (an activity that helps to finance the conservation program and is strictly controlled).
  • Hwange National Park is the easiest to reach out of all of Zimbabwe’s game parks and offers the biggest variety and concentration of game. It is also the country’s largest game reserve, with over 100 animal species, and more than 400 types of birds. In this vast game reserve are some of the largest herds of the huge African elephant and buffalo on the continent.
  • Mana Pools National Park is one of the only parks where visitors are allowed to venture out alone on foot. Access to Mana Pools is difficult; the best way to arrive here is by canoe safari along the Zambezi River.
  • Chimanimani National Park is home to Zimbabwe’s wildest and most rugged mountain wilderness. There are no roads in the park; however, there are many hiking tracks that offer the best bush walking in Zimbabwe.
  • Lake Kariba, at the border to Zambia, is one of the world’s largest manmade lakes and a favorite amongst Zimbabweans. Around the lake you can find great fishing, boating, game viewing and camping.
  • Matobo National Park is noted for its spectacular granite rock formations and its wealth of ancient rock paintings. Cecil Rhodes’ tomb can be visited at Malindidzimu (View of the World).
  • Nyanga National Park is an area of high grasslands, evergreen forests, waterfalls, cliffs and lakeside cottages. Trout fishing is very popular and the trout hatchery is well worth a visit. Visitors can also climb Mount Inyangani, the country’s highest peak.

For more information, please visit iexplore Zimbabwe.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimbabwe

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/Zimbabwe

http://www.iexplore.com/dmap/Zimbabwe/Where+to+Go

http://www.zimembassy.se/travel.html

Tourism Map

Product List