Rich in diverse wildlife, rugged landscapes, and off-the-beaten-track gems, Zimbabwe is a quintessential African destination with so much to offer. Zimbabwe’s diversity of sites and attractions even includes historic archaeological sites and heaps of adventure activities.
Zimbabwe is a rich destination that combines really well with other destinations in Southern Africa. While its turbulent political past may have deterred travellers over recent years, times are changing, and the country is reclaiming its reputation as a top tourist destination.
Check out our list of the top 6 experiences to have when visiting Zimbabwe.
1. Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe’s most famous attraction, Victoria Falls, is one of the most spectacular destinations on the continent. Located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, you can visit the Falls from either side and cross between them easily.
Known to locals as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning ‘the smoke that thunders’, this iconic natural wonder is the largest sheet of falling water on the planet. At 108 meters high, they’re twice as tall as Niagara Falls and so wide that the curtain of falling water creates aloud thundering sound heard miles away. The misty spray created by the falling water has been known to soak unsuspecting tourists at nearby lookout points and looks like a cloud of smoke when seen from a distance.
Adventure enthusiasts will enjoy a visit here as not only are the Falls spectacular, they also provide the setting for a number of fun and thrilling activities. Fly over the gorge in a helicopter or microlight, grab a canoe or raft and take on the rapids of the mighty Zambezi River, or leap off the historic bridge over the gorge for a gorge swing or bungee experience of a lifetime. Other top experiences here include a swim in Devil’s Pool at the very edge of the Falls and canoe safaris.
2. Hwange National Park
Zimbabwe’s largest national park is impressive in both size (at 15 000km2) and its wildlife populations. Its large elephant populations are second only to those in Botswana’s Chobe National Park.
Game drives in this massive park offer sightings of the Big 5 (lion, cheetah, buffalo, rhino, and elephant), rare species like wild dogs, and plenty of excellent predator action. This savanna landscape can also be explored on guided bush walks offered at certain camps and lodges. Some camps have their own hide where you can spy the wildlife and magnificent birdlife (during the wet season) without being observed.
3. Canoe safari in Mana Pool National Park
See the rich wildlife of this impressive wilderness reserve as you glide along in a canoe. Particularly after the rainy season, the Lower Zambezi is a network of flooded channels and islands which attract a multitude of bird species. You’ll also be able to spot elephants, buffalo, zebra, and various predators that come for a drink along the banks. Hippo and crocodile are also common here.
The park can also be explored on game drives and guided walks, but a canoe safari is by far the more unique and memorable experience.
4. See the ruins of Great Zimbabwe
The ruins of Great Zimbabwe are the preserved remains of a stone citadel that’s believed to have been built between the 11th and 15th Centuries AD. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these ruins offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of the country.
What was once the home of a wealthy and powerful civilization and, according to legend, the Queen of Sheba is now a complex of scattered ruins and archaeological sites. A must-see for history, culture, and archaeology buffs.
5. Lake Kariba
Visit the world’s largest man-made lake by volume, situated in the north of Zimbabwe. The lake was formed by the damming of the Zambezi River below Victoria Falls and generates hydroelectric power to supply areas of Zimbabwe and Zambia. Stretching 140 miles in length and some 25 miles across, the lake is great for watersports, fishing for tiger fish, and water-based game viewing.
A memorable experience not to be missed is a stay on a houseboat on Lake Kariba. Explore the vast lake and its beautiful islands, enjoying game viewing of the species on the shores, and bird watching. Because of the presence of crocodiles, swimming is not permitted in the lake.
6. Matopos and Rhodes’ Grave
Matopos National Park (or Matobo National Park) is one of Zimbabwe’s most beautiful regions. Made up of rolling hills covered in dense vegetation, interspersed with distinctive granite rock formations, Matopos is home to a variety of wildlife, as well as geological and anthropological features.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also dotted with ancient bushman art dating back some 2000 years. In addition, the park is home to the grave of Cecil John Rhodes situated at World’s View – a site of sweeping panoramas from a collection of impressively stacked granite boulders.
Check out these Fun Facts about Zimbabwe and find out about the country’s seasons.
