Zimbabwe is a land locked country located in the Southern part of Africa. Its Capital city is Harare and languages used are Shona and English though it has a total of 16 languages. Zimbabwe is known for its Landscapes and diverse Wildlife in Parks, Reserves and Safari Areas.
Besides Tourism, Zimbabwe practices Mining and Agriculture as Economic Activities. Zimbabwe is widely known for its iconic Land Mark, the Victoria fall, Wildlife Safari that have the sightings of the world’s big five animals.
Also the history and culture of the Zimbabwe makes it well known. Natural Scenery as the Zambezi River and the cultural element contribute in making of the famous Zimbabwe. Also, deposition of platinum, gold and Lithium stands out as one of the major economic activity in Zimbabwe.
For Security side, all cities are common of pick pockets, mugging and bag snatching. Although it is common, the percentage of crime rates in Zimbabwe is quite low due to the large number of solo travelers are vulnerable.
That aside, if you are planning to visit Zimbabwe, here are the 10 places you may opt for and cannot disappoint. You may visit Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Mana pools National Park, Great Zimbabwe National Monument, Lake Kariba, Vumba Mountains and many more.
In a two week Itinerary, a traveler might enjoy all the destination that I am about to list. If you opt to visit Zimbabwe, you will enjoy both wildlife adventure, historical heritage and panoramic Landscapes. You should definitely put it in your bucket list. Ravina Tours and Travel, can create a package for you without leaving anything unturned.
Victoria Falls.
Victoria Falls is the world’s largest sheet of falling water located in Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is approximately 1708 Meters wide and dropping roughly 100 meters. Victoria Falls is well known to be one of the major attraction site in Zimbabwe. Not leaving behind, it is among the seven Natural Wonders of the world.
Standing on the Zimbabwe side of the fall, it offers a perfect view of the falls as those of the curtains. Also it has a maintained path along the cliff edge that can offer up to 15 different views of the fall. Standing at the peak of the flow, one might get completely drenched.
Another activity one can enjoy is visiting the Devils pool. It is a natural pool at the edge of the fall that is accessible when the water is low. You can visit on off peak to experience it. Also Adrenaline sports as the bungee jumping, white water rafting and zip lining.
You can go to the ‘flight of angels’ basically helicopter flights to access the aerial view of the fall. These are just some of the activities that you are assured to enjoy during your visit in the Victoria Falls.
Bear in mind that the best time to visit the fall is February to May when the water volume is Maximum then you will understand why it is among the seven Natural Wonders of the world.
Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park is the largest Reserve in Zimbabwe with 14,651 Km2. It is located in the Northwest of Zimbabwe. The park is known to be home for over 40 000 Elephants, Lions and endangered African Wild dogs due to its grasslands and mopane woods.
To get to Hwange, it is 3 to 4 hours road drive from Victoria Falls. Also it can be accessed by a light charter from the Victoria Falls international Airport. One should not be stressed on visiting this amazing land of Zimbabwe.
Generally Hwange supports over 100 mammals including the big five in it and over 400 bird species. The park has over 60 artificial water holes that enable proper and undisturbed viewing of the animals even during the dry season.
Ngweshla Pan, Kennedy Vlei and Nyamandhlovu are waterholes that attracts 100 of elephants. Ngweshla Pan is more popular as it never runs out even in dry seasons when the rest of the water ponds are dry. Do note, Lions are photographed daily in this park and during the night drives you are assured to see leopards in the park.
The benefit of travelling to Hwange is that it welcomes all kind of travelers. Whether you are on budget or on luxurious states, all are welcomed because it has accommodations that is open to affordability of someone’s pocket.
If you are planning to visit the Park, go during the dry season so that you can enjoy the wild animals in the Water Pond. This is from June to October. Ensure you visit this place for amazing Safaris.
Mana Pool National Park
Mana Pool National park is a conservation Area and a National park that is far North of Zimbabwe. The park is famous for the wildlife beside the river. Elephants Crocodiles and hippos gather early in the morning at the long pool.
You can get to the area from Harare or Victoria falls with a flight to Kariba Airport. From there, you can take a charter Flight to one of the airstrip in the Mana Pool National Park.
The pools are the four ox bow lakes that formed the Zambezi River. It is best for photographers and Safari guides due to beautiful pictures that come out from the animals in the place. Just as Crescent Island in Kenya, Visitors are allowed to walk and canoe in the Park.
Elephants, Wild dogs, Leopards and Lions are often spotted around the Moana Pools. The famous experience that has been noted over the past few years is how elephants stand on their hinds to reach the acacia.
Predators like Lions often stay at Chitake Spring, a water source of a lot of animals, is popular to being a drinking stop for most animals. This is what makes the Zimbabwe Safari interesting as animals as Elephants, buffaloes and antelopes gather to drink water while predators are always nearby ready to hunt.
This is always a must do in most peoples bucket lists. You may opt to visit during the dry season when animal sighting is best from the water points.
Great Zimbabwe National Monument
This great Zimbabwe National Monument is a hilltop archeological ruin of the Bantu History. The name of the monument is from a Shona word meaning Monument and is the oldest sites among others in Zimbabwe.
It was built without Mortar in the 11th to 15th Century and was the Capital of Zimbabwe Kingdom that controlled Gold and Ivory trade across the East Africa. The city could accommodate up to 18000 people together with the rulers.
It cover 722 Ha of land and divided into 3 parts; the hill complex, great Enclosure and the valley ruins. The Great Enclosure were built with over 900, 000 granites making it among the impressive pre- colonial constructions in Africa.
The great Zimbabwe bird that is always the symbol of Zimbabwe flag and its currency is carved from soap stone and found in the ruins. You can sight the famous bird in the monument once you visit and also get to see some original Zimbabwe artefacts.
You will definitely love the archeological site especially if you are much into history. Once you visit the place, then you will understand why it is known to be the largest site in Zimbabwe. You may opt to visit for a full day or half day depending with your perspective of the monument tour.
Lake Kariba
Located on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Lake Kariba is the largest artificial Lake in the World. It stretches about 277 Km to the border of Zambia Zimbabwe. It was constructed by the Kariba Dam on the Zambezi River.
Kariba has its own Airport. One can go by a charter flight from Harare or Hwange National Park. An advantage of the short flight is that you get to have an aerial views of Lake Kariba before approaching it.
The Kariba Lake is currently home to diverse wildlife as crocodiles and hippos. Also, you get to hear variety of birds singing and chirping along the lake and one feels like a warm welcome from them. It is truly an amazing place.
Some of the activities that one can enjoy in Lake Kibura include Matusodonia National Park. One can access the area by boat riding. It is in the southern shores of Lake Kariba. It is one of the few places in Africa that you can enjoy wildlife both on water and land.
Here, you can get mesmerizing views of the elephants as the wade inside the water, or stand still by the lake shores with a sunset background. You could only imagine the views one can get. Although it is rare to see Buffalos, Lions and Leopards, they are present in the Matusodonia National Park.
Secondly, you can go to a boat Safari at Sanyati Gorge. Sanyati Gorge is perfect for birdwatchers. It has abundance of birdlife that live in the forest. It has a record of over 300 birds. King fishers and herons are commonly seen. Apart from the birdlife, you may also spots some antelopes. The water promises beautiful view of the wilderness, forest and the cliff.
The boat safari also offers views of the buffaloes and the elephants while the crocodiles are always waiting at the riverbed for them to hunt. Hippos are often seen floating on the surface of the water offering nothing but panoramic views.
A third activity that you may enjoy in Lake Kariba is fishing. Tiger fish are the most common fish that are found in the Lake. Remember, it is an activity and not an economic factor, so basically whenever you catch a fish you need to release it back in the water.
Mostly, people join the Hwange National Park with this beautiful Lake. It gives a combined of terrestrial and aquatic adventure because one can view the wild animals as the Lions and aquatic as crocodiles all in one.
Also it favors travelers that seek for pure stillness and calmness. Viewing how the water moves calmly and the sound of stillness from the Lake is always enchanting. If you may opt for calmness then Lake Kariba is the perfect spot for you.
Matobo National Park
With an area of 424 square Kilometer Matobo national Park is located in Southwest Zimbabwe. It is also known as the Matopos. The park is well known for being home to both the white and black Rhinos. It has over 200 species of trees, hence one can study the different types and trees and birds in the park.
It has an airport called Bulawayo. One can take a charter flight from Harare to the Park.
Also, the abundance of Leopards makes the park unique due to the hyrax found therefore they have enough meal. Other animals that you may spot are, Hippos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests and ostriches. Matobo National Park offers a wide range of black eagles.
Matobo is also uniques because of the founder of Britosh colony, ‘Cecile Rhodes’. Malindidzimu is where Cecile Rhodes was buried together with his two friends Charles and Leander. The area now is a world’s view attracting tourists.
Matobo has the world rock art of Bush man with over 3000 documented paintings. The art reveals of dancing, rain making ceremonies and hunting back in 13 000 years. White Rhino shelter is accessible as it show the actual painting of giraffes and hunters in detail.
It is one of the Park in Zimbabwe where you can track a white rhino on foot. Visitors often forget about the experience of rhino tracking walk with the rangers by their side. Imagine walking besides a rhino, cant that make headlights of your safari?
Don’t miss to put this destination in you Safari to Zimbabwe. Thinking of the incredible animals as the leopards, that are rarely seen, here, you will find the automatically makes it a destination one can never think of missing it.
Gonarezhou National Park
Just after the Hwange National Park, Gonarezhou is the second largest National Park in Zimbabwe. It is also known as the home of the Elephants. Beside it being home to Elephants, you get to see spectacular Landscapes in South Africa including the Chilojo cliffs.
Before it became a National Park as it is, it started as a settlement for the Shangaan People, then in 1935, it was a game reserve and announced to be a national park in 1975. It is in the South East Corner of Zimbabwe at the border of Mozambique.
It has species as the elephants, Cheetahs, Leopards and lions that are often seen roaming on the land. It is a home to endangered species as the Lichtenstein’s Hartebeests that are commonly seen there.
Chilijo Cliff is a 180 metre high red sand stone escarpment that rises above the Runde River. It is among the striking natural feature in South Africa especially when photographed on blue sky at sunrise when the cliff glows in orange red.
It has 2 different rivers, the Runde and Sand that supports hippo and Crocodiles. Nile Crocodiles are vulnerable in the 2 Rivers. It is also a perfect sport for bird watching with a total of 500 species of birds recorded.
This park has over 116 species if identified reptiles, 50 fish species and 34 amphibians. The park is less travelled to unlike the Hwange National Park. So if you are looking to enjoy wildlife at a less crowded place, then opt to visit the Gonarezhou National Park
Vumba Mountain
The Vumba Mountain is also known as the Bvumba. It is located in the Southeast of Mutare. With a height of 1911 m, it offers views of Mozambique botanical gardens, together with the forest perfect for activities as hiking.
In the local Language, Bvuma literally means mist. The area is known as the mountain of mist because, every morning a mist must be present and clear out during the rest of the day. At times it may be misty for days. The area is known for this cool climate.
The first activity that can be enjoyed in Vumba is visiting the Hivu Activity Park. There is a lot that one can enjoy in the park as visiting the nursery that is there and enjoy the little plants grown in the area. You may opt to visit the garden ta and have bites of some delicacies offered.
Secondly, you may opt to visit a botanical garden that offers different species of plants. Walk around while carrying out bird watching. This is the place that you can make a lot of memories with you to showcase back home.
Another perfect activity that one can highlight is the nature walk carried out in the Park. People from Vumba offer nature walks around the place while you enhance your knowledge of the locality.
Although it is visited year round, for perfect adventure and feeling is advised during the dry season for better adventure during the hiking Safari.
Chimanimani National Park
Chimanimani is located in the Eastern part of Zimbabwe perfect for hiking activities because of its mountainous feature. It is about 17110 Ha in size full of beautiful scenic view, aesthetic culture and natural falls.
The park has neither road nor vehicles meaning you have to hike around. So it is recommended for one to carry a pair of binoculars, comfortable hiking shoes, and wildlife reference book. But, due to the new software technologies, your smart phone could be more appropriate for wildlife reference since it is not heavy.
Also ensure you carry camping tents, torch as meals supply that can sustain you for the duration that you are planning to visit the par. It is advisable not to camp near river side during the rainy season but somewhere a bit high on the land.
The Park surprises you with the clear mountain stream that is perfect for swimming, get to enjoy the spectacular views in Mozambique and plant species are found nowhere else in the world. The area is so silent the only sound you can here is either of the wind or a waterfall.
The chimanimani town is found outside the park. You get to enjoy the culture of the people and place through the community guides who welcomes you to their homes and bush men caves. Driving through the forest, tea estates and mist rounded hills is experience from Mutare towards the Chimanimani. This already proves of how Zimbabwe is a spectacular place to visit.
Matusadona National Park
Matusadona National Park is in the northern part of Zimbabwe located on the southern part of Lake Kariba. It was proclaimed a National Park in 1975 covering a total of 1470 square Kilometer. The park was renamed from the Matusadona Mountain.
The park offers habitat to endangered species as the Lion, Elephant, buffalos, zebras and antelopes. The water way in then park provide a habitat for fish, hippos and crocodiles. It have over 300 species of recorded birds.
Besides being enriched with wildlife activities, the park also support in education and livelihood of the people in the community. By this, it has enhanced its economic development. The local also conserve the environment to attract the tourist even more.
The investment of Tourism has a positive impact to the park of introducing it in the map. This park offers exceptional experience.
If by any chance you are interested to visit an area which is enriched with different vegetation as savannah, grassland, woodland and many more then Zimbabwe is the perfect package for you. It welcomes all kind of tourist, bird watchers, safari lovers, nature lovers and researchers, all can get satisfied by putting Zimbabwe as a destination.
All that is requested from you is to reach out to Ravina Tours and Travel through the email info@ravinatoursandtravel.com or contact us on whatsapp +254 722 103340 and wait for the most memorable experience in Zimbabwe.
