Travel Guide: Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's system of National Parks and Reserves is extensive, well-organized, and notable for the range of safari experiences that are available. Its parks cover a wide variety of environments and contain an enormously diverse collection of species.

Moreover, Zimbabwe offers travellers many different means of safari travel and game viewing: open vehicles are permitted, as are night game drives; walking safaris and boat safaris are available, the latter including motor launch, canoe, kayak, and even houseboat. The Zambezi also offers some of the finest whitewater rafting in the world.

The Republic of Zimbabwe is located in Southern Africa and has a population of 11.2 million people. Zimbabwe borders Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia, and has a total land area of 386,670 sq km. Zimbabwe is comprised of 8 provinces and 2 cities (Harare and Bulawayo) with provincial status, and gained independence from the UK on 18 April 1980. Zimbabwe is in the low income group of countries, with a 1995 GNP per capita of US$540.

Places of Interest

Zambezi and Victoria Falls National Park:

Victoria Falls, like Mount Kilimanjaro, is an emblem of the entire African continent. Spanning 1700 metres (5577.4 feet) and dropping 128 metres ( 420 feet) into the Zambezi Gorge, the falls create a roar--and a cloud of mist--so great that they are visible from 40 km (24.8 miles). David Livingstone was the first European to visit the falls, in 1855, and he named them in honor of his queen.

The best time to visit Victoria Falls is between September and November. During March and April, when the water volume is at its peak, the falls create so much mist that they are difficult to see, and from May to September the mist adds to the season's high humidity. There are all sorts of activities offered at Victoria Falls, including bungee jumping, small plane flights over the falls, and raft trips to the Boiling Pot at their base. In addition to such thrill ride activities, Victoria Falls is also the center for some of the best safari and adventure opportunities in Africa.