After 10 long years of being politically on the sidelines, tourism in Zimbabwe is starting to ‘happen’ again. At one point in the early to mid-1990s, Zimbabwe was the place to go on vacation. All able-bodied people who visited Zimbabwe made it a point to go whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River. It was so popular that it almost became a right of way for young adults.
In the intervening 10 years since Zimbabwe fell off the tourist map, the world has changed, but I am pleased to report that the essential things that made Zimbabwe popular as a tourist destination remain largely unchanged, such as the unwavering friendliness of the people, the nature pure. of national parks and the lack of urban sprawl.
These are my top 10 destinations in Zimbabwe:
1. Victoria Falls is the obvious number one. Along with Cape Town, Victoria Falls is the best-known destination in southern Africa. You have to do it at least once in your life. It is still natural and not overly developed. Millions of liters of water flow over the 1.2 km wide rim at high waters with spray so thick that sometimes you can’t see the rock formations the water falls on.
2. If pachyderms are your thing, then Hwange is the place for you. This is the country of the elephants. It is a wonderful sight to see hundreds of elephants in a watering hole. Unlike humans, elephants are orderly. Don’t barge in here. Each herd waits patiently before taking a chance. The other wildlife is varied and abundant as well. As well as the usual big five, smaller mammals such as bat-eared foxes, jackals and civets abound, making Hwange a great safari destination.
3. Canoe the Zambezi. If you want to do something real, then it has to be inside the Mana Pools nature reserve. This is untouched nature with extraordinary wildlife and very few tourists. Sleep every night under a tarp and listen to the sounds of Africa. This is a sample of the world as it was created.
4. The rock formations of Matopas National Park are a feat of natural engineering. Huge boulders lie on top of each other in a seemingly tenuous balancing act. This national park has many excellent examples of San art, a healthy population of rhinos, and great local historical importance. Notorious colonialist Cecil John Rhodes loved the beauty of the landscape so much that he chose it as his final resting place.
5. Southern Africa does not have many examples of ancient architecture. The most notable exception is the mysterious ancient city of Masvingo, also known as the Zimbabwe Ruins. Thought to be possibly related to King Solomon’s mines, the massive walls of this bustling city were built by a lost civilization. If you like myths and legends, read Wilbur Smith’s 1970s epic novel The Sun Bird, which is set in this, the original Zimbabwean metropolis.
6. Lake Kariba is a water desert of immense proportions. The most popular way to enjoy wildlife is on a houseboat. These liveaboards range from large to small, basic to luxurious. Almost all boats come equipped with small dinghies so guests can enjoy game viewing and come face to face with Africa’s best known freshwater fish – the tiger! There are two hubs from which to board a houseboat, either from the town of Kariba in the north of the dam or Binga in the south.
7. Horseback riding in the Mavuradonha. This destination is the ultimate ‘long road from anywhere’ kind of place: a pure bushveld destination where you can completely lose yourself in the untouched rugged landscape. With over 300 species in the area, it is also a bird watcher’s paradise. In addition to horseback riding, you can swim in natural streams and waterfalls and discover the many cave paintings hidden in caves and ledges.
8. Go trout fishing in the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe. Here, where Zimbabwe touches Mozambique, the countryside transforms into lush green hills intertwined with crystal-clear streams. At the grand old Leopard Rock Hotel is a spectacular golf course with magnificent views.
9. Snorkel in the clearest and bluest waters of the Chinhoyi Caves. The caves are steeped in history and are named after a local chief who sought refuge from Ndebele raiders. The caves are best experienced in the summer when the sun is high in the sky and the light shines directly onto the water. The main pool known as the Sleeping Pool or Chirorodzira (Pool of the Fallen) leads into an extensive cave system. The full depth of the cave system is unknown and is believed to be more than 200 meters deep. There is a campsite and a small hotel, but the best place to stay in the area is at the Henderson farm. The camp has an unrivaled position on top of a hill from which you can see for miles.
10. Gonarezhou, in the southwestern corner of Zimbabwe, is a vast 5,000 square kilometer expanse that is part of the recently created Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a huge pan-African “peace park” initiative encompassing South Africa’s Kruger Park and Gaza Park in Mozambique. Gonarezhou, or “place of elephants” in the local language, has stunning rugged landscapes featuring towering red sandstone cliffs, a great diversity of fauna and flora, and some 400 species of birds.