Ten of the best tourist destinations in Zimbabwe

Introduction:

Zimbabwe enjoys renown for being rich in both history and wildlife. It is the country of the Victoria Falls and the Hwange National Park. Nestled in southern Africa, and in addition to previously mentioned attractions, many other places in the country attract tourists. There are landscape spots, lakes, lush highlands, birds, and wildlife. Africa is synonymous with wildlife, and Zimbabwe is blessed with a generous season of wild animals in the national parks. From spotting the Big Five in the wild to visiting the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, the list of things to do in the country is quite big, to be honest. Here are some places in the country that we’re sure you will have a great time visiting.

Victoria Falls:

Every place to visit in Zimbabwe has something unique to offer. We don’t like making comparisons. Just because Victoria Falls is in the top spot does not mean you should not consider the other places. They are just as important and beautiful as this one is. Moving on, on the Zimbabwe side is the Victoria Falls National Park, which abounds with wildlife. A path in the park runs along the edge of the waterfalls and is where you will come across many vantage points. Be prepared to face the spray from the falls, though. Victoria Falls is also called the ‘adventure capital of Africa’ and you can lose yourself in many air, land, and water-based activities that this place is popular for. You guessed, bungee jumping is also in Victoria Falls’ repertoire. To get a birdwatching experience like no other, there is the Flight of Angels helicopter ride and the micro light flight over the falls.

Hwange National Park:

It is not only Zimbabwe’s biggest national park but also one of the best places in Africa to experience wildlife. If you like elephants, you won’t find a better place than Hwange as it has over 40,000 of them. Other than elephants, you can spot buffalos, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, cheetahs, wild dogs, and many other animals here. There are over 400 species of birds in Hwange that you can enjoy from public and private camping facilities. This park is easily accessible because it is between Victoria Falls and Bulawayo. If you are looking for tranquility, Hwange is the place to be.

Harare:

The capital of Zimbabwe is the gateway to several wildlife reserves. That being said, we urge you not to see Harare as just a gateway but a tourist destination just as important as the ones mentioned and the ones that are about to come. The Botanical Garden of Harare is home to over 900 species of trees and shrubbery. September and October are the time of purple blossoms of the jacaranda tree. The artwork is a matter of national pride and through this artwork, you can learn about Zimbabwe’s prowess in craftwork. The country also takes pride in the National Gallery. Kopje is a granite hill where you can take some great photographs of the capital.

Mutare:

The fourth largest city in the country has a great setting. It is situated in the foothills of the Eastern Highlands north of the Bvumba Mountains. Being in a valley and surrounded by green rolling heels gives the city a rural air. ‘Mutare’ means ‘metal’ and the reason behind such a name is that it used to be a fort when gold was discovered in the Penhalonga Valley. The Mutarre River flowed through the area and this was where gold panning used to take place. The Mutare Museum and Murawaha Hill are here where you can see rock paintings and an Iron Age village.

Mana Pools National Park:

Mana Pools is one of the lesser-known reserves of Zimbabwe and is a great place to get up close with wildlife. Its name derives from the Shona word for “four,” which refers to the four inland pools that remain from the oxbow lakes. You can spot many animals on the banks of the Lower Zambezi, animals such as elephants, zebras, lions, leopards, and more. You may just get an opportunity to click a predator in the hunt. If you want to up the stakes, why not take the walking safari in Mana Pools?

Bulawayo:

This is one of the most attractive cities in Zimbabwe. The second-largest city in the country has a rich cultural history and was founded in the 1840s by the Ndebele King Lobengula Khumalo. Bulawayo was colonized in 1894. The colonial structure is standing to this day. If you walk down the boulevards you will get to the parks full of jacaranda trees. Bulawayo’s attractions include the Bulawayo Railway Museum and the Natural History Museum. The railway museum shows Zimbabwe’s history through its extensive network of railways.

Lake Kariba:

The largest artificial lake has the Zambezi River to thank. The lake covers an area of 5,580 sq. km and holds over 180 billion tonnes of water. The lake rests in the lap of a breathtaking landscape, made even more beautiful by the reflection thanks to the lake. In terms of wildlife, it is a little tricky to get here compared to other reserves in Zimbabwe. Lake Kariba is not only home to the Big Five, you can spot impalas, hippos, crocodiles, and many birds on the largest island of the lake. The best way to experience Lake Kariba’s wildlife prowess is to tour the lake on a houseboat or motorboat.

Matobo National Park:

Not only does this place have the most beautiful granite scenery, but it is also called the spiritual home of Zimbabwe. You can see the maximum number of white rhinos and the critically endangered black rhinos at Matobo. Matobo also enjoys fame for having the highest number of ancient rock art in southern Africa. 3,500 sites go back 13,000 years, among which there are lunar landscapes of balancing rocks, called kopjes. They’re giant boulders stacked one on top of the other. About 2,000 years back, molten rock is said to have erupted across the landscape. The local community uses these rock structures as shrines and so this site is sacred to them. It falls on the road between Hwange and Victoria Falls.

Gweru:

The city of Gweru is in the heart of Zimbabwe, the fifth largest city of the country, and the capital of the Midlands Province. The place is an industrial, agricultural, and commercial hub. It is situated in one of the best places in the country for cattle rearing. Vineyards surround Gweru and the city is the most famous for Antelope Park. It should be named in the same breath when topic about wildlife reserves in Zimbabwe. The ‘Alert’ lion rehabilitation programme is in this reserve and the UK documentary ‘Lion Country’ represents the programme in this reserve.

The Great Zimbabwe:

This landmark covers almost 1,800 acres of land and is a complex network of ruins built by people who are believed to be the ancestors of the modern Zimbabweans between the 13th and 14th centuries. The ruins once used to be the heart of the vast Muhumutapa Empire. The structure is divided into three groupings, the Hill Complex, the Valley Complex, and the Great Enclosure. The entire structure has been made using granite without the use of mortar if you can imagine that. Its remarkable how such a huge thing is still standing even after centuries. The stone walls are upto 6 meters thick and their height is 12 meters, with a section of the wall whose length is 60 meters!

Conclusion:

Be it wildlife or history. Zimbabwe can be visited for both. It’s much more than the Victoria Falls and the Hwange National Park. Going to Zimbabwe is a great investment and this article is just a peak into what awaits you if you visit the country. We hope your journey to Zimbabwe and back is safe and memorable.