TOURISM
Zimbabwe, commonly known as the ‘World of Wonders’, is a leading tourist destination in Africa and the world at large. Endowed with diverse, unique and majestic scenery and landscapes, pristine wildlife, highly acclaimed rich cultural heritage and historical monuments, a rare blend of music, captivating art and dance as well as very friendly people with a natural affinity for hospitality, Zimbabwe has attracted and continues to attract greater attention of tourists and the global tourism industry. For many decades, several leading global leisure and travel magazines have endorsed Zimbabwe as a major tourist destination of choice in the world. Zimbabwe is therefore a holiday destination not to be missed when one plans a holiday trip abroad. The tourism sector, which is a strategic and important pillar of the economy of Zimbabwe, contributes towards economic growth, foreign exchange earnings, employment creation, preservation of cultural heritage as well as the protection and conservation of the environment.
Why visit Zimbabwe
When selecting the destination for your holiday trip to Africa, Zimbabwe should come top of your mind simply because it is truly an African holiday destination, a hidden gem that has been explored by millions of tourists in the past several decades. You too need to explore it. Zimbabwe is worthy being on top of your travel and holiday destination list because of the following factors;
The Mighty Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is one of greatest waterfalls in the world with the thrashing waters creating a curtain almost twice the size of Niagara Falls. The Falls are one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Victoria Falls was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989. Locally, the Falls are known as Mosi-oa-Tunya which literally ‘The Smoke that Thunders. The steep gorge that the Zambezi River offers at the Falls offers plenty of thrilling activities to entertain you and your entire family. These include bungee jumping, river boat cruises, abseiling, gorge swinging, helicopter rides, tightrope walking, just to mention a few. The Victoria Falls are a must visit place for anyone thinking of spending holiday in Africa. The sheer might of the Victoria Falls will blow you away. Every year, millions of people from across the world flock to the Victoria Falls to view this awesome natural wonder of the world.
Pristine Wildlife and Nature
Zimbabwe is a popular destination for wildlife tourism. The country has several wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks that are home to some wildlife species and animals. The National parks of Zimbabwe includes; Hwange National Park, Gonarezhou National Park, Mana Pools National Park, Matopo National Park, Victoria Falls National Park, Zambezi National Park, Nyanga National Park, Chimanimani National Park and many others. Zimbabwe boasts some of Africa’s truly stunning national parks that were set aside purely to protect wildlife in its natural habitat. The parks position Zimbabwe as the country with the best and highest level of wildlife conservation in Africa. The national parks provide an opportunity for tourists from across the world to see diverse animals including the famous Big Five, namely elephants, lions, buffalos, rhino (black and white) and leopards. Moreover, the national parks are home to a huge concentrations of other animals such as wild dogs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, crocodiles, hippopotamus as well as over 400 bird species. The diversity and volume of Zimbabwe’s pristine wildlife offers tourists an epic experience which they can hardly find anywhere else in Africa.
Beautiful Climate and Weather
Several surveys among tourists who have visited Zimbabwe often reveal that they feel that Zimbabwe has one of the best climate and weather in the world. Thus, according to International Living Magazine’s 2011 Quality of Life Index, , Zimbabwe tied with the Mediterranean island of Malta for having the best climate on Earth. The country’s fabulous climate gives tourists incredible holiday experiences they will never forget. Due to its prime location in Southern Africa, Zimbabwe is an excellent year-round destination for tourists. While the best time for your holiday all depends on what your focus is, May to September is regarded as the best time to visit Zimbabwe. It is also the best time for touring the magnificent Victoria Falls.
Quality Safari Adventures
Zimbabwe has always been a premier safari destination and tourism magnet for adventurers worldwide. The safari scene in Zimbabwe is pretty much unparalleled with stunning natural beauty all over. Zimbabwe’s safari guides are arguably the best in Africa as they have the highest level of knowledge, skills and experience in excellent safari guiding in Africa. Thus, Zimbabwe is rightfully known as one of Africa’s most rewarding game viewing destinations, with well-educated guides who speak fluent English and other languages. The safari guides’ knowledge and treatment of tourists is highly professional resulting in them having a reputation as being among the best in the safari tour guiding business. Zimbabwe is an excellent place to try a walking safari with an experienced and armed ranger. The country therefore has value for money in terms of safari experience and safety.
Zimbabwe’s Unique Landscapes
The country as a whole is full of landscapes that are without a doubt some of the most impressive places in the world. Several of the landscapes are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with the mythical Victoria Falls and the mighty Zambezi River being some of the examples. The country also plays host to striking Kopjes, rocks of granite balanced on top of each other and standing freely on the ground. These wonders include Matobo National Park, the Eastern Highlands, the Bvumba Mountains and many more. All these landscapes offer stunning scenery that are worthy viewing.
Peace and Tranquility
Zimbabwe is one of the most peaceful and safest countries in sub Saharan Africa with the least incidences of crimes such as armed robbery. The country has the tightest gun laws to the extent that it is extremely rare to see guns in the streets and communities. When visiting Zimbabwe, one can safely travel to the various tourist attractions across the country at any time of the day. All you would meet are very cheerful, polite and peace-loving people doing their daily work.
The People
The people of Zimbabwe are generally friendly, courteous, sincere, very kind, tolerant and open. They are very easy to engage in conversations with, are always willing to help, have very good attitudes and are always with a smile on their faces. It will not take time upon your arrival to enjoy Zimbabwe as Zimbabweans are always ready to welcome tourists and share their wonderful culture. It should be noted that hosting visitors and according them great hospitality is part of the culture and tradition of the people of Zimbabwe. This tradition and culture of according greater hospitality to visitors is often extended to tourists when they visit Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean people’s hospitality is truly timeless and will make your trip to Zimbabwe unforgettable.
World Class Accommodation
Zimbabwe boasts of a wide spectrum of world class hotels and luxurious lodges that offer elegance and charm to all tourists so that they truly enjoy their stay in Zimbabwe. The country’s national parks, i.e. the Hwange National Park, Gonarezhou National Park, Matopo National Parks, Zambezi National Park, just to mention a few, have several luxurious game lodges and safari camps which provide amazing game experiences. These accommodation facilities really spoil tourists whilst on holiday in Zimbabwe.
Arts and Culture
Zimbabwe is a land of unbelievably attractive arts and cultural diversity. In terms of art, the country is home to several art gallery and museums. It also has a wide range of traditional and contemporary music, dance, food and festivals which are all a source of fascination for visitors. The art and culture in Zimbabwe are unique and awe-inspiring and offers visitors an opportunity to sop up its art, culture and history during their visits. Visit the country and experience the Zimbabwean culture, learn more about the country’s history, learn traditional Zimbabwean dances as well as shop for stunning Shona stone sculptures, textiles and other art pieces.
Tourist Attractions in Zimbabwe
Lake Kariba, which is to the northeast of the Victoria Falls, is a superlative body of water located on the Zambezi border. It is the world’s second largest man-made lake in terms of volume of water. Lake Kariba is renowned as one of the best places in the world to catch tiger fish, a ferocious freshwater fish prized by sport fishermen for its strengthen and tenacity. The Lake’s island also offers ample opportunities for game viewing as there is the Matusadona National Park located on Kariba’s southern shore. There are several world-class lodges located along the lake’s shores
This is located 40 km (25) miles) south of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second biggest city. The park’s name means ‘Bald Heads’ in the local Ndebele language. It has fascinating granite rock formations some of which are impossibly balanced on top of one another. Matopo National Park hosts Africa’s largest collection of preserved ancient rock paintings by the San tribes (colloquially referred to as the bushmen) some 3000 years ago. One of the most iconic attractions is the grave of Cecil John Rhodes buried on the top of rocks. Cecil John Rhodes was a British industrialist who led the colonization of Zimbabwe and other Southern African countries. The Matopo Hills is a top distraction the hikers and those hoping to see black and white rhinoceros. The park has the largest leopard population in Southern Africa. It is also a great place to sport verreaux’s eagles. Lastly, the Matopo Hills has some of the world’s most impressive granite scenery.
The Eastern Highlands comprises of Nyanga, Bvumba, Juliasdale and Chimanimani mountain ranges. The mountain ranges are the highest in Zimbabwe and have picturesque scenery views and landscapes that are very attractive.The mountains in the Eastern Highlands are compared to the mountains of Scotland and Ireland. Furthermore, the mountains in the Eastern Highlands have beautiful rivers and several waterfalls such as the Mutarazi Falls which are the second highest falls in Africa. The Eastern Highlands is a great place for outdoor activities such as hiking, horse riding, fishing, golfing, viewing stunning scenery and superb bird life, great landscapes and historical sites. All these activities make visits highly attractive.
Another major resort place in the Eastern Highlands is Troutbeck Resort. This resort is located in Nyanga and is known by the local people as Little London as the weather is quite damp and cool. While at Troutbeck Resort, one can fish for trout, play golf and enjoy mountain viewing and climbing.
This is a UNESCO World Heritage site on the banks of the Zambezi River known for its incredible concentration of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, leopard and cheetah. It is also a haven for water-based wildlife, with large populations in hippo and Nile crocodile. The park is renowned as one of the most pristine nature areas in Zimbabwe. Mana Pools National Park is the best destination in the country for self-sufficient camping trips, canoeing and walking safaris. It is a place to enjoy close encounters with wildlife as it allows you to go out on a walking safari.
This is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is also one of the largest waterfalls in the world. It is also a UNESCO Wonder Heritage Site. Some of the activities at Victoria Falls, include bungee jumping white water rafting, helicopter ‘flight of angels’ over the Falls, walk with lion cubs, fishing of tiger and bream and sunset boat cruises on the Zambezi River. Visitors to the Victoria Falls often experience the ‘Smoke that Thunders’. The Victoria Falls has a full array of hotels and activities on offer for you to stay longer and enjoy.
Zimbabwe derived its name from Great Zimbabwe, which mean ‘A House of Stones’. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located a few miles south east of the City of Masvingo in southern Zimbabwe. Great Zimbabwe Ruins were built between the period AD 1280 and AD 1480 by ancestors of modern Zimbabweans. The ruins are some of the most extraordinary manmade remains in Africa. It was the capital of the historical kingdom of Zimbabwe and the most important stone ruins south of the Sahara. Formed of regular, rectangular granite stones and carefully placed upon the other, the ruins are an amazing complex, lofty, majestic, awe-inspiring and timeless. No visitor can fail to be impressed by the stone walls. After viewing the ruins, one can easily conclude that the ruins were built by craftsmen who took pride and patience in their work. For anyone with a passion of exploring ancient ruins and uncovering a distant past, a visit to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins will create an unforgettable experience.
The Hwange National Park, found in the west of the country on the border with Botswana, is Zimbabwe’s largest National Park. It is also the third largest wildlife park in Southern Africa with the second largest elephant population in Africa. The diversity and volume of wildlife at Hwange National Park is incredible with over 100 mammals including the Big five and 400 bird species. The Hwange National Park is also home to some of Africa’s rarest safari animals i.e. African wild dogs, brown hyena, black rhino.
The Gonarezhou National Park is located in south eastern part of Zimbabwe and link up with South Africa’s Kruger National Park and Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park to form the vast Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. Gonarezhou means “Place of Elephants”. The National Park, which has a reputation as a premier destination for quality wildlife sightings, is the second largest national park in Zimbabwe, after Hwange National Park. It is home to huge herds of the Big Five animals (elephants, lions, buffalos, rhinoceros and leopards) as well as impalas, wildebeests, warthogs, zebras, giraffes, elands, brown hyenas, wild dogs and about 400 bird species. Crocodiles and hippopotamus often wallow in the sweeping Save and Runde sand rivers which are found within the Gonarezhou National Park. The wildlife at Gonarezhou National Park provides you with exciting and fulfilling viewing opportunities. The most prominent and enduring natural features of the heart of Gonarezhou National Park are the magnificent Chilojo Cliffs. The Cliffs, which are almost 200m high and 16km long in sandstone tiers of cream, pink and terracotta, glow gold at sunset. They overlook the scenic Runde River Valley. The stunning exquisiteness of Chilojo Cliffs will no doubt leave you awe-inspired and itching to return.