Exploring the Best of Greater Zimbabwe & Surroundings 2023
Exploring the Best of Greater Zimbabwe & Surroundings 2023
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique. The capital and largest city is Harare and one of the most visited attractions is the Greater Zimbabwe. The second largest city is Bulawayo.
Table of Contents
Zimbabwe Map
Informations
Temperature: April, May, August and September are the best months to make a trip to Zimbabwe.
Language: The country’s main languages are Shona, spoken by roughly 70% of the population, Ndebele and English.
Currency: USD
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=6 USD, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=40 USD.
You can find more information about the visa here.
Things to do
Victoria Falls National Park
Victoria Falls National Park is a national park in western Zimbabwe, right on the Zambezi River, which is the border with Zambia. The national park, which is open to tourism all year round, is 23 km² in size. In this small park there is a path that runs along the canyon of the Zambezi. On the Zimbabwean side you will find yourself opposite the Victoria Falls, which are particularly impressive in the rainy season with their width and water masses.
Harare Botanical Gardens
National Botanic Garden of Zimbabwe is situated about 4 km North of Harare City Centre in the suburb of Alexandra Park. It also houses the National Herbarium of Zimbabwe. The gardens have an area of almost 7 square km. It was initially established as a recreation area in 1902. In 1962 it became the National Botanic Gardens under the direction of Prof. Hiram Wild.
Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe
The Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe is located in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on Leopold Takawira Avenue. Officially opened in 1964, the museum contains exhibits illustrating the history, mineral wealth and wildlife of Zimbabwe, including the second largest mounted elephant in the world
Vumba botanical gardens
Botanical gardens in Zimbabwe have collections consisting entirely of Zimbabwe native and endemic species; most have a collection that include plants from around the world. There are botanical gardens and arboreta in all states and territories of Zimbabwe, most are administered by local governments, some are privately owned.
Mukuvisi Woodlands
Extensive conservation area with wooden green spaces rich in native fauna and flora.
Harare Gardens
The Harare Gardens is the main garden in the City. The gardens are very beautiful and they are an ideal place for leisure, especially if you work in the city centre. The lawns and flowers are well maintained, and there is a nice little pond on the north side of the gardens.
Worlds View
World View is a spectacular view on the escarpment of the Nyanga Downs plateau in the Eastern Highlands mountain range, just north of Nyanga in eastern Zimbabwe. It is situated at an altitude of 2,248 meters, with a drop of 600 meters to the plain below on the west side.
Zambezi National Park
Zambezi National Park is a national park located upstream of Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River. It was separated from Victoria Falls National Park in 1979 and covers an area of 56,000 hectares. The park is divided by a road to Kazungula, dividing it into a river side and a Chamabonda Vlei side.
Mutarazi watterfall
Mutarazi Falls is a waterfall in the Mutasa District of Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe. is located in the 2,495 hectare Mutarazi National Park adjacent to the southern border of Nyanga National Park
Nyanga National Park
Nyanga National Park is a national park in the eastern highlands of Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe. It is located about 105 km north of Mutare. Originally placed under protection as Rhodes Inyanga National Park, one of the oldest national parks in Zimbabwe, the size and layout of the park have been changed several times. At the end of the last century, its size was almost doubled.
Devils Pool Victoria Falls
Devil’s Pool is adjacent to the famous Livingstone Island situated on the edge of the Victoria Falls.Guests can choose to enjoy an exhilarating swim to the edge of the falls during their Livingstone Island visit.The Devil’s Pool is usually open between mid August and mid January – depending on Zambezi water levels.
Gonarezhou National Park
Gonarezhou National Park is the second largest national park in Zimbabwe after Hwange National Park. Together with the Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, as well as some smaller protected areas, it forms the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which spans across countries. Gonarezhou means place of many elephants.
Greater Zimbabwe
Greater Zimbabwe is a ruined city 39 kilometers from Masvingo in the Masvingo Province of Zimbabwe. The name Zimbabwe means ‘big stone houses’ or ‘honored houses’ depending on the dialect. The settlement on the plateau of the same name was the capital of the fallen Munhumutapa empire, which in addition to present-day Zimbabwe also included parts of Mozambique.
Mana Pools National Park
The area has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Mana means “four” in the Shona language, due to the four large water basins of the Zambezi, which are also filled with water in the dry season. In every rainy season, the flood plain of the Zambezi is transformed into a lake landscape, which dries up again in the dry season. On this level there are isolated villages, the Muzarabani, whose people farm meager millet.
Matobo National Park
The Matobo National Park or Matopos National Park is located in Matabeleland in Zimbabwe around 35 km south of Bulawayo. It is the oldest national park in the country, founded in 1926 as Rhodes Matopos National Park. It is one of the most popular parks, not only because Cecil Rhodes and others are buried here in the Matobo Mountains, but also because of the imposing rock formations, the contrasts between gentle grassland and rugged granite.
Hwange National Park
At 14,651 square kilometers, Hwange National Park is the largest national park in Zimbabwe. The park is located in the west of the country in the foothills of the Kalahari on the border with Botswana, 200 km northwest of the city of Bulawayo. The park, which is rich in biodiversity, is one of the most important nature reserves in the country. It is part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area.
Things to Do – golf, freshwater fishing, bungee jumping at Victoria Falls, safari, canoeing safaris, hiking and trekking.
Attractions – Mukuvisi Woodlands, Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences, National Gallery of Zimbabwe.
Where to stay
A good night’s sleep is particularly important when you are travelling. Zimbabwe offers its guests a host of luxurious, charming and also out-of-the-ordinary accommodation.
Whether in the heart of the city, near the lake or surrounded by nature – Zimbabwe‘s hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses guarantee a relaxing and invigorating stay.
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Top hotels we recommend in Victoria Falls: Bayete Guest Lodge, Shongwe Lookout, Dzimbahwe Guest Lodge
Top hotels we recommend in Harare: Jacana Gardens Guest Lodge, Mt Pleasant B’n’B , Art Lodges
Zimbabwean cuisine, like that of many other African nations, is based largely on staple ingredients like maize meal. A popular, hearty dinner is pap (maize meal cooked into a porridge-like consistency) with vegetable gravy and meat. This delicious food can be found all over the country for reasonable prices. Bars and clubs, however, are only common in the large city centers.
Restaurants
All of Zimbabwe’s main cities offer a wide range of dining options. Whether you’re looking for authentic Southern African cuisine or something more international, Zimbabwe will not disappoint. Most top-quality restaurants are located in the capital of Harare. For a taste of the local fare, try Amanzi’s (158 Enterprise Road, Highlands, Chisipite, Harare), a fine-dining establishment in a gorgeous colonial style house has some of the best food in the country and a superb setting.
The Shop Café (Doon Estate, 1 Harrow Road, Msasa, Harare) is the perfect place to go for international fare and is famous for its breakfasts of homemade muesli, stewed fruit, and yogurt. The restaurant also serves great lunches like fish curries and oven bakes. There is a quaint shop attached to the café which sells hand-painted ceramics, textiles, and other arts and crafts.
For Indian food, try Jaipur (Sunrise Sports Club, Hurtsview Road, Ridgeview, Harare). This modest restaurant overlooks a stunning cricket ground and serves the best masala dosas and vegetarian thalis in town. For a sweet treat, the Italian Bakery (Ground Floor, Avondale Shopping Centre, King George Rd Avondale, Harare) has captivating delicacies.
Travel Tips
- Vaccination – Polio, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A & B, and Tetanus are strongly recommended. A valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is also required if traveling to Zimbabwe if you have previously been in an infected country.
- There is a high risk of malaria in Zimbabwe so it is very important to check with your doctor before you go
- June to October is the dry winter period, and the peak season
- The tap water in Zimbabwe is not considered safe to drink.
- It is recommended that you not use credit cards in Zimbabwe, as some places don’t accept them as payment
- Don’t bring any clothes with camouflage patterns or designs – this is not allowed in Zimbabwe.
- It is illegal to take photographs of public buildings, government institutions or military personnel.
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shopping
Zimbabwe’s rich, indigenous culture makes for extensive and impressive handicraft shopping. Some quintessential Zimbabwean gifts are mukwa (or mahogany) sculptures, which can be found in markets all over the country. One of the most famous sculpted items is the batonka drum, which is an instrument used by the Ndebele people. The region is also known for its wonderful selection of precious stones, including emerald and serpentine, which usually come in the form of jewelry and can be found in both marketplaces and established stores. Lastly, basketry has become a popular trade, with many local hawkers selling handmade baskets and mats.
Harare’s largest curio and handicraft outlet may even be one of the biggest in the country. Situated about two miles (three kilometers) outside of Mbare city center, this is the place to be for anyone looking to take a few unique souvenirs home. Find anything from traditional artwork and authentic Mbira musical instruments to ornate soapstone sculptures. There is also a great selection of second-hand clothing and for those interested in doing some groceries shopping, a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Getting around
The National Railways of Zimbabwe manages lines between the major destinations of Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Labatse, Harare Chiredzi, Mutare, and Plumtree. Fares are very cheap, with first class, second-class, and economy-class available. Most of the trains are sleepers which travel during the night-time and provide passengers with clean sheets, pillows, and blankets. There are two main types of buses in the country, namely express and local.
Express services are run according to a set timetable and tickets need to be purchased before departure. Local buses have no schedule and generally wait until they’re full to leave. These local buses can be found at markets and in the center of major towns.
All major car rental companies, including Europcar, Hertz, Avis, and Budget, have a presence at international and regional airports. The roads between large cities like Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo, and Mutare are in good condition, making renting a car a good option for overland travel. The availability of fuel, however, is often a problem, with frequent shortages countrywide. Most gas stations do not accept credit cards so be sure to carry enough cash to fill up the tank.
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Getting to Zimbabwe
Few airlines fly directly to Zimbabwe. Most people fly to Johannesburg and from there connect to Harare, Victoria Falls or Bulawayo on the same day. Most tourists fly to Victoria Falls Airport (VFA), located 18km/11mi south of the town of Victoria Falls, and continue from there by vehicle or charter planes.
International airports in both Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls facilitate this influx and as the economy and stability of Zimbabwe improves more and more international and regional airlines are choosing to fly in directly. The road network is good but some of the the border posts like Beitbridge and Chirundu are horrendous causing long delays. As and when new electronic systems are installed let’s hope that things will improve.
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