Zimbabwe Facts

© Harare

Once a tourism hotspot and the breadbasket of Africa, Zimbabwe has seen its economy crash in recent years - to the verge of collapse. Zimbabwe Facts points to the history of this proud nation that is once again finding its feet as an African Safari destination.

Capital: Harare

Languages: English is the official language with Shona and Sindebele being the most spoken indigenous languages.

Best time to visit: The dry months from May to September are the best time to visit Zimbabwe.

Currency: US Dollar [$]

Date of Independence

18 May 1980. The white minority government of Rhodesia declared itself independent from Britain in 1965 [unilateral declaration of independence / UDI]. The liberation war increased in intensity. With help from South Africa, among others, the Rhodesian army stepped up its campaign.

In 1978 a deal was signed with moderate black leaders and Bishop Abel Muserewa became the prime minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia. This deal was not recognized by many however and after talks in London Zimbabwe moved to majority rule with Robert Mugabe as the leader.

Robert Mugabe ruled as president of Zimbabwe from 1987 to 2017, before being overthrown by Emmerson Mnangagwa. 

Geography and Climate

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country lying entirely between the tropics. The country is largely plateau, giving rise to many rivers which feed into 2 of Africa's greatest river systems: the Zambezi in the north-west and the Limpopo in the south-east. The Zambezi plain extends from man-made Lake Kariba, down to the Victoria Falls, Africa's biggest waterfall. Landscape of the plateau is bushveld, dotted with koppies (rocky outcrops). The scenic Eastern Highlands is the mountainous region.

Summer days are hot and generally sunny in the morning with possible afternoon thunderstorms. Daytime temperatures can rise to 30ºC (86ºF) and night temperatures drop to around 14ºC (57ºF) to 16ºC (61ºF). The temperatures given are those for the main centres but it is considerably warmer all year round in the low-lying areas such as Kariba,Victoria Falls, and the Zambezi Valley.

The rainy season runs from November to March, although the Eastern Highlands are damp for most of the year. Winter days are dry, sunny and cool to warm while evening temperatures drop sharply. Daytime temperatures generally reach 20ºC (68ºF) and can drop to as low as 5ºC (41ºF) at night.

Attractions

Zimbabwe was once considered one of the top destinations in Africa to visit with the Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park being the main attractions, however, due to political instability in the country the tourism has dropped sharply with most tourists now opting for neighbouring Zambia.

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. Other attractions in this diverse country include Lake Kariba, Mana Pools, Great Zimbabwe and the countless adventure activities available.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is one of the main attractions in Zimbabwe. 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.

Above Victoria Falls, outstanding canoe and kayaking safaris are available, offering one of the most exciting and memorable ways to experience both the Zambezi and the abundant game of Zambezi National Park. Below Victoria Falls, the Zambezi becomes a whitewater rafting paradise. The rafting trips that run through the river gorges are internationally known as the most exciting, and least dangerous, to be found anywhere.

Lake Kariba

Further east, and further downstream from Victoria Falls, is located this enormous almost 5200 square km man-made lake. Formed in 1958 by the damming of the Zambezi at Kariba, the lake is now an attraction in its own right. Its scattered islands, clear, deep waters, and adjoining game reserve complement each other admirably.

The reserve, Matusadona National Park, was begun as a refuge for animals saved from the rising waters of the lake itself. Today, its abundant game gathers along the lake shore, particularly in the dry months, where it is easily viewed from the water. Zimbabwe's fine small houseboat lodges are located here, and the Lake also serves as the starting point for canoe safaris to Mana Pools National Park.

Mana Pools National Park

The next major attraction along the shores of the Zambezi is Mana Pools, a region in which the Zambezi slows and spreads out into a multitude of small ponds and pools. During the dry season, the Mana Pools attract a scarcely believable abundance of wildlife, including Lion, Leopard, Zebra, and Hippo in addition to an unusually wide variety of Antelope species.

Canoe safaris to and through the Mana Pools can be an absolutely stupendous experiences. Another attraction of this park is that walking safaris are the only other means of touring allowed in certain sections, ensuring not only quiet but also many fewer signs of other visitors.

Gonarezhou National Park

Most of the border with Mozambique is consumed by this massive park, which contains over 2,000 square miles of open wilderness. Gonarezhou is Zimbabwe's second largest park, and it was only recently opened to international tourists. Gonarezhou means refuge for Elephants, and they are among the main attraction at the park. It was here that one of the largest Elephants ever recorded was shot and killed by the famous poacher Cecil Bernard in the 1920's.

His name was Dhlulamithi, taller than the trees, and one of his tusks weighed 110 kilograms (242.5 pounds). Unsurprisingly, Elephants here have been hunted so much that they are not particularly fond of human beings, and they should be viewed with extreme caution. Other game, however, such as King Cheetah and Nyala and Suni Antelope are less wary equally abundant, especially near the Runde River.

Hwange National Park

Hwange, which is located south of Victoria Falls and along the Botswana border, covers more than 5600 square miles (14,500 sq. km.) of highveld and semidesert. It enjoys one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the country, and is the particularly renowned for its great numbers of Elephant. Like Kruger National Park in South Africa, Hwange is connected to several private reserves that offer less restricted and far more pleasurable game viewing--including both walks and night drives.

Matobo National Park

The landscape of this small southern park is somewhat unnerving. All throughout the park, on hundreds of small hills, are precariously balanced free from stacks of granite boulders. Cecil Rhodes was buried on one such hill, located just a few kilometres from the park entrance and offering a panoramic view out over the plain.

With so many fine perches, it is unsurprising that Matobo has the greatest concentration of Black Eagle in the world. Other bird species abound as well, as do many different species of game animals. Matobo also attracts visitors to its thousands of rock paintings, many of which are amazingly well-preserved.

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