Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is one of the few countries in the world that possesses a rich history and abundance of wildlife. Along with its top highlight – Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe is home to excellent safaris, national parks, historical sites, and a plethora of activities.

Victoria Falls – the country’s main attraction – lies on the border of Zambia.  The waterfall’s namesake town is the perfect place to base yourself in the area. The massive waterfall can be viewed from a helicopter ride, or you can peek from its edge – known as Devil’s Pool. The nearby Victoria Falls Bridge also offers stunning views and adventurous activities like bungee jumping and bridge swing.

Zimbabwe’s capital Harare is an attractive city. Great eateries and local craft markets define the city. Its major highlights include the National Heroes’ Acre, National Gallery of Zimbabwe, National Botanic Gardens and National Archives of Zimbabwe. On the other hand, Zimbabwe’s second city – Bulawayo – is a historic place dotted with colonial architecture.

National parks are the main highlights of Zimbabwe and the Hwange National Park is its crown jewel. Spanning an area of over 14000 sq kilometres, this is the largest park in the country. With large area comes abundant wildlife! The national park’s elephant population is, however, the main draw. Unsurprisingly, this is Zimbabwe’s best safari destination. Coming to other national parks – Matobo National Park, located near Bulawayo city, stands out with its unique granite scenery. Considered a spiritual home, the park also features a few rock arts from the Stone Age. When it comes to wildlife, its population is dominated by black eagles and black and white rhinos. Zimbabwe’s northern region houses two popular national parks – Matusadona and Mana Pools. While Matusadona National Park is home to the Big 5, the UNESCO listed Mana Pools National Park is known for jungle safaris. What differs Mana Pools from other national parks is that it allows visitors to explore the park on foot without a guide. Located in Zimbabwe’s eastern region – Nyanga National Park is another highlight on the country’s endless list of national parks. The park houses the highest point in Zimbabwe – Mount Nyangani – which is a popular hiking destination. Scenic waterfalls and breathtaking scenery are other reasons why people visit this park. Southern Zimbabwe’s highlight South Gonarezhou National Park is also one of the country’s top-tier parks. In fact, this is the second-largest national park in Zimbabwe after Hwange. Along with the park’s stunning scenery, abundant flora and fauna play a vital role to boost the natural appeal of South Gonarezhou National Park.

Zimbabwe is also famous for its rich history and historical sites. The ruined city of Great Zimbabwe – located in the country’s southeastern region – is its main historical drawcard. These mysterious ruins are considered to be from the 11th to 15th century. This UNESCO world heritage listed site is a great place to investigate the ancient cultures and architecture of Zimbabwe.

With so many national parks, historical sites and cultural importance,  Zimbabwe is a gem of southern Africa. Travelling to this country will hands-down award you with some of the best flavours of Africa.