Zimbabwe is bordered by Zambia in the north, Mozambique in the east, Botswana in the west and South Africa in the south. Once known as the bread basket of southern Africa it has been through turbulent times since independence in 1980. However, this period in the country’s history seems to be coming to an end with new political leadership.
Zimbabwe is known for its dramatic landscapes and diverse wildlife, much of which is within parks, reserves and safari destinations. These areas remained havens of peace and tranquility during the country’s difficult times. This makes Zimbabwe one of Africa’s most desirable wildlife and safari destinations. The Scottish missionary and explorer, David Livingstone, was known to have fallen in love with Zimbabwe and returned again and again to enjoy all it has to offer.
Zimbabwe is known for its dramatic landscapes and diverse wildlife, much of which is within parks, reserves and safari destinations. These areas remained havens of peace and tranquility during the country’s difficult times. This makes Zimbabwe one of Africa’s most desirable wildlife and safari destinations. The Scottish missionary and explorer, David Livingstone, was known to have fallen in love with Zimbabwe and returned again and again to enjoy all it has to offer.
|
|
|
Where to Visit
We, at Eight Points Africa are personally familiar with the below regions.
There are many incredible areas that we may not mention here as we are yet to explore them ourselves. If you wish to visit somewhere not mentioned, we will use our resources and connections to assist you putting together the perfect trip.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, also known as ‘Mosi - oa - Tunya’ – ‘the smoke that thunders ’- is about halfway along the mighty Zambezi River’s 2700km length from its source to the sea. The river plunges 100m into a vertical chasm and spans the full one and a half kilometres width of the river. This creates the greatest curtain of falling water in the world and one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
As one of the greatest physical sights in Africa it has attracted great interest over the centuries. David Livingstone, was taken to the edge of the falls by the local Makalolo people in 1855. He was overwhelmed by what he saw and said:
‘It has never been seen by European eyes, but scenes so wonderful must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.’
He named the falls after his British queen, Victoria.
When visiting the Falls there is a variety of activities to excite adventure junkies – bungee jumping, white river rafting, swimming in a natural pool on the edge of the falls, helicopter flights as well as the more sedate sunset river cruises. There is also a number of Parks to explore. One of these is the Victoria Falls Rainforest, an area of dense woodland vegetation supported and nourished by the constant spray from the waterfall. Animals you might expect to see include Chakma Baboons, warthogs, bushbuck, banded mongoose and a variety of birdlife, including Trumpeter Hornbills, Schalow’s turaco, Fire Finches and Blue Waxbills.
Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park, the largest National Park in Zimbabwe covering an area of 14,650 sq kms was proclaimed a National Park in 1929, and was named after a local Nhanzwa chief. It is located in the northwest corner of the country about one hour south of the Victoria Falls making it easily accessible to visitors.
Hwange boasts a spectacular selection of wildlife with over a hundred species of mammals, including lion, African wild dog, gemsbok and brown hyena. Nearly 400 bird species have been recorded including Southern Ground hornbill, Pearl Spotted Owlet and Racket Tailed Roller. The elephants of Hwange are world famous and the Park’s elephant population is one of the largest in the world, with the numbers of the African wild dog thought to be of one of the largest surviving groups in Africa today.
Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools National Park is a World Heritage Reserve in the far north of Zimbabwe. Full of dramatic landscapes from the Zambezi River in the North which forms the border with Zambia to the steep escarpments in the South, Mana Pools is downstream from Lake Kariba and renowned for wildlife along the river and in the flood plains.
The region is home large populations of elephants, buffalo, leopard and cheetah. The river is famous for its impressive concentration of Nile crocodiles that can also be found sunny themselves on the banks. Resident and migratory birdlife is also abundant with over 450 species recorded.
Lake Kariba
Situated on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia Lake Kariba is the world's largest man-made lake and reservoir by volume. The lake is 226km long and up to 40km wide it provides both Zimbabwe and Zambia considerable amounts of electric power as well as supporting the thriving commercial fishing industry.
Offering stunning sunsets, magnificent views with spectacular fishing, boating and water sports, Lake Kariba is one of Zimbabwe’s most popular destinations.
Accommodation ranges from well established lodges with spectacular views on the banks of the lake to a houseboat moving up the lake. Due to the sheer size you forget that you are on dam and get lost in the sheer expanse of water surrounding you.
Some of the best sunrises, sunsets and full moons can be seen from the serene surroundings of Lake Kariba.
Gonarezhou National Park
Gonarezhou National Park is situated in the South Eastern Lowveld of Zimbabwe covering and area in excess of 5,000 sqkm is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a spectacular Pan-African park that includes South Africa’s Kruger National Park and Mozambique’s Gaza.
Full of unique landscapes from sandstone cliffs, Runde river valley, gorges, and vast mopane woodlands this is a genuine wilderness area that is teeming with Wildlife.
‘Gonarezou’ meaning ‘’Place of many Elephants’’ has been recorded to have one of the highest densities of Elephant in Africa per square km. Some of the biggest tuskers have been recorded in this region. With the three major rivers - The Save, Runde and Mwenezi – cutting through the Park the creating a Natural oasis hundreds of species of birds and wildlife can be found and enjoyed however unlike many other National Parks, Gonarezhou is more secluded and exclusive and as a visitor you feel like you are witnessing and exploring part of Africa untouched beauty.
There are many incredible areas that we may not mention here as we are yet to explore them ourselves. If you wish to visit somewhere not mentioned, we will use our resources and connections to assist you putting together the perfect trip.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, also known as ‘Mosi - oa - Tunya’ – ‘the smoke that thunders ’- is about halfway along the mighty Zambezi River’s 2700km length from its source to the sea. The river plunges 100m into a vertical chasm and spans the full one and a half kilometres width of the river. This creates the greatest curtain of falling water in the world and one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
As one of the greatest physical sights in Africa it has attracted great interest over the centuries. David Livingstone, was taken to the edge of the falls by the local Makalolo people in 1855. He was overwhelmed by what he saw and said:
‘It has never been seen by European eyes, but scenes so wonderful must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.’
He named the falls after his British queen, Victoria.
When visiting the Falls there is a variety of activities to excite adventure junkies – bungee jumping, white river rafting, swimming in a natural pool on the edge of the falls, helicopter flights as well as the more sedate sunset river cruises. There is also a number of Parks to explore. One of these is the Victoria Falls Rainforest, an area of dense woodland vegetation supported and nourished by the constant spray from the waterfall. Animals you might expect to see include Chakma Baboons, warthogs, bushbuck, banded mongoose and a variety of birdlife, including Trumpeter Hornbills, Schalow’s turaco, Fire Finches and Blue Waxbills.
Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park, the largest National Park in Zimbabwe covering an area of 14,650 sq kms was proclaimed a National Park in 1929, and was named after a local Nhanzwa chief. It is located in the northwest corner of the country about one hour south of the Victoria Falls making it easily accessible to visitors.
Hwange boasts a spectacular selection of wildlife with over a hundred species of mammals, including lion, African wild dog, gemsbok and brown hyena. Nearly 400 bird species have been recorded including Southern Ground hornbill, Pearl Spotted Owlet and Racket Tailed Roller. The elephants of Hwange are world famous and the Park’s elephant population is one of the largest in the world, with the numbers of the African wild dog thought to be of one of the largest surviving groups in Africa today.
Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools National Park is a World Heritage Reserve in the far north of Zimbabwe. Full of dramatic landscapes from the Zambezi River in the North which forms the border with Zambia to the steep escarpments in the South, Mana Pools is downstream from Lake Kariba and renowned for wildlife along the river and in the flood plains.
The region is home large populations of elephants, buffalo, leopard and cheetah. The river is famous for its impressive concentration of Nile crocodiles that can also be found sunny themselves on the banks. Resident and migratory birdlife is also abundant with over 450 species recorded.
Lake Kariba
Situated on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia Lake Kariba is the world's largest man-made lake and reservoir by volume. The lake is 226km long and up to 40km wide it provides both Zimbabwe and Zambia considerable amounts of electric power as well as supporting the thriving commercial fishing industry.
Offering stunning sunsets, magnificent views with spectacular fishing, boating and water sports, Lake Kariba is one of Zimbabwe’s most popular destinations.
Accommodation ranges from well established lodges with spectacular views on the banks of the lake to a houseboat moving up the lake. Due to the sheer size you forget that you are on dam and get lost in the sheer expanse of water surrounding you.
Some of the best sunrises, sunsets and full moons can be seen from the serene surroundings of Lake Kariba.
Gonarezhou National Park
Gonarezhou National Park is situated in the South Eastern Lowveld of Zimbabwe covering and area in excess of 5,000 sqkm is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a spectacular Pan-African park that includes South Africa’s Kruger National Park and Mozambique’s Gaza.
Full of unique landscapes from sandstone cliffs, Runde river valley, gorges, and vast mopane woodlands this is a genuine wilderness area that is teeming with Wildlife.
‘Gonarezou’ meaning ‘’Place of many Elephants’’ has been recorded to have one of the highest densities of Elephant in Africa per square km. Some of the biggest tuskers have been recorded in this region. With the three major rivers - The Save, Runde and Mwenezi – cutting through the Park the creating a Natural oasis hundreds of species of birds and wildlife can be found and enjoyed however unlike many other National Parks, Gonarezhou is more secluded and exclusive and as a visitor you feel like you are witnessing and exploring part of Africa untouched beauty.
