Zimbabwe

Despite its political problems, Zimbabwe is still a fantastic destination for its abundant wildlife, scenic beauty, adventure sports and unfettered wilderness areas. The country’s attractions are numerous from the watery spectacle of the Victoria Falls to the tranquility of Lake Kariba, the mountain vistas of the Eastern Highlands, the majestic ruins of Great Zimbabwe and the thrillingly wild Mana Pools.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe’s top attraction, is the adventure-sport capital of Africa. The Falls offers a plethora of exciting activities including white-water rafting, bungee jumping, flying over the falls in an ultralight plane, cruises on the game-rich Zambezi River, gorge leaping, walking with wild lions and elephant-back riding. On a more leisurely note, there’s no better way to chill and drink in the tranquillity of the Zambezi than to canoe its sliding waters and camp along its banks.

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest park, is a vast area of diverse habitats, home to more than 100 mammal species and thousands of elephants. Though there have been poaching problems and severe droughts, the game is still plentiful and the park remains an amazing safari destination.

Undoubtedly one of the wildest places in Southern Africa, Mana Pools National Park stretches along the southern bank of the Zambezi River. Explore the park on walking safaris or take to a canoe to spot water-bound wildlife. Bordering on Zambia, Lake Kariba is a popular spot for fishing, boating, camping and waterside game viewing. The Eastern Highlands, a 350-kilometre mountainous region along the border with Mozambique, has some of Zimbabwe’s most stunning landscapes, best explored by hiking or horseback safaris. Zimbabwe has the greatest concentration of prehistoric rock art in the world, some of which can be seen in the Matopos Hills. The country’s other cultural wonders include Great Zimbabwe, the stone ruins of an ancient civilisation.

** Please note that the political situation in Zimbabwe is unstable. There are concerns for tourists regarding safety, fuel shortages and currency restrictions. If you are travelling to major tourist destinations like Victoria Falls with a tour operator, your trip should be incident-free. However, travelling on your own through the less-visited areas may be risky. Be sure to contact a tourism office for proper advice.