Zimbabwe

Located south–west of Bulawayo, Matopos is renowned for its extraordinary granite outcrops with bizarre balancing rock formations eroded over the millenia. Proclaimed as a UNESCO World Heritage site back in 2003, this small but superb 424sq km park includes populations of black and white rhino, surrounded by stunning landscapes, diverse flora and impressive views. It is also home to the worlds largest population of black eagles as they soar the skies.  Visitors can enjoy walking in the park (there are no lion or elephants but plenty of leopards) and a wealthy array of Bushman art.  Famous for World’s View named by Cecil Rhodes it is also his burial site. A number of safaris include Matopos in their itineraries.

As one of Zimbabwe’s highlights, as well as being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mana Pools borders Zambia (separated by the Zambezi River) and considered a truly wild African park.  Animals abound with large populations of elephant, buffalo, lion, rhino, along with numerous species of antelope. It’s not unusual to see buffalo and elephant (amongst others) swimming between islands.  Stunning scenery from mountainous escarpments acting as a backdrop, riverine areas and flood plains along with huge acacias make this an ideal destination for walking or canoe safaris.

At 226km long and up to 40km wide, it is Africa’s largest man–made dam and by volume the worlds artificial lake, Kariba powers electricity to both Zambia and Zimbabwe but its fair to say that the majority of visitors are more interested in cruising along on houseboats enjoying tiger fishing, birding and wildlife than the great engineering feat!  Kariba Town holds little interest to many though acts as service point for houseboats and trips from which you can explore the lake and its islands.

Located in the north–west and close to Victoria Falls, (2hours drive), this is Zimbabwe’s largest national park (approx. 14,650sq km) and home to huge herds of elephants along with over 100 species of other mammals and nearly 400 bird species.  There is a selection of accommodation ranging from government run to luxury lodges spread around the park (the pivotal area around Main Camp) and private reserves adjacent to the park.  Overland safaris, private safaris and fly in options can all include Hwange.  Set up as a private park back in 1929, there are plenty of waterholes, a variety of vegetation and game–viewing can be incredible, with main focus on its elephants – numbers estimated at anything between 20,000–70,000 as they migrate through Chobe and surrounds.  Nyamandhlovu Pan in particular is a wildlife paradise with plenty of animal species (buffalo, lion, leopard, giraffe, jackal, plains game – zebra, wildebeest, impala, waterbuck) and bathing elephants adding to the spectacle.  Protected species such as wild dog and rhino have strong holds here. Different areas of the park offer different diversity from plains to teak forests,  and birdlife prolific including a variety of raptors  Dry season from July–September is often regarded as best time to visit and when weather is not too hot, September–November is great for game–viewing, then the rainy season from December–April brings vegetation to life along with plenty of babies!  However, some roads can become quite tricky /closed.

Set in a lush valley near the head of the Mutrikwi River, these impressive stone ruins cover a 722hectare site where construction started way back in the 11th century and continued for 300 years and are some of the oldest ruins in southern Africa.  Using simple hand–held tools these geometrical forms are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and believed to have housed around 25,000 people.  The formidable Great Enclosure is by far the most impressive and used by the King with the Valley complex for its citizens.  Several tour operators will include this fascinating historical site in their itineraries.

Whilst this area remains unvisited by the majority of tours, the Eastern Highlands is home to the steep Vumba Mountains, a huge granite ridge and swathed in forest, ferns, and mosses with ravines gauging through the hills.  Coffee and banana plantations abound on the lower slopes along with beautiful flowers and birdlife and botanical gardens. Areas of interest include Chimanimani Mountains along with Nyanga National Park – some of the main hiking spots those remain as low visitor destinations.  Gonarezhou National Park is considered a “best–kept” secret with stunning vistas, rewarding game–viewing and a wild, remote experience.  Few visitors make it this far and limited operators include it in itineraries however, for those that do it is a highlight on a tour.

It goes without saying that a trip to Zimbabwe is not complete without a visit to Victoria Falls.  This UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Natural Wonders of the World it is unsurprisingly one of the greatest geological sights and the most visited site in Zimbabwe.  The Falls themselves are within Victoria Falls National Park, and with a width of around 1.7km (you can walk in the park and stop at various viewpoints to appreciate their splendour) and up to 550 million litres of water cascade over the rim every minute when water levels are at their height. Let’s just say a waterproof jacket is needed when you view them and the roar of the water is incredible! Activities abound from a leisurely breakfast on Livingstone Island, to adrenaline fuelled bungee jumping and white–water rafting.  By just moving a fraction away from the falls, there are palm–dotted islands and nature reserves offering game drives to see elephants, hippos and plenty of other animals and birdlife. The town itself remains relatively small, and within walking distance to the park and falls, with a range of accommodation both in the centre and along the Upper and Lower Zambezi River.  The airport offers a range of international and regional flights so visitors to Zimbabwe, even if just visiting Victoria Falls can easily incorporate into itineraries within southern Africa.