Zimbabwe’s greatest draw is undoubtedly the majestic Victoria Falls, one of many seven pure wonders of the world. But the nation additionally has different pure and historic benefits to captivate travellers and beckon them to return. Wildlife, fish and birds abound together with numerous distinctive, uncommon and endangered species making sport viewing, chook watching, fishing and searching widespread actions.
Home to 4 World Heritage Sites, Zimbabwe has a wealthy historical past of historic civilisations that makes its pleasant folks stand proud, regardless of hardship. From the refreshing spray of the Falls in your face, to a Lake Kariba sundown, a lush mountain escape to a river rafting journey on the Zambezi, Zimbabwe is bound to depart you with reminiscences as indelible as these of Livingstone and Rhodes once they witnessed the nation’s riches.
CAPITAL: Harare
CLIMATE: Subtropical. The greatest time to go to is Apr-Oct when climate is gentle with little rain. Winter (May-Aug) is dry and sunny. Rainy climate is Nov-Mar/Apr.
CURRENCY: 1 Zimbabwe Dollar = 100 cents. You might take 15000 Zimbabwean {dollars} in a foreign country. There aren’t any restrictions on overseas foreign money introduced in. If you do not declare the overseas cash you herald, you will solely be capable to take out 500 US {dollars}. You could also be requested to account for overseas foreign money exchanged/spent in nation. Hotel payments should be paid for with bank cards or in overseas laborious currencies e.g. US greenback.
Users of bank cards are topic to a surcharge of about 3 % on the overall worth of products bought. US greenback traveller’s cheques are really useful. Avoid avenue cash changers who promise “no commission, best rates”, however then cheat on supply. There are strict penalties for unlawful overseas foreign money buying and selling. Several of town’s giant shops do not settle for American Express playing cards; travellers’ cheques are probably the most handy technique of fee.
HEALTH: Yellow fever immunisation is important in case you arrive from an contaminated nation or space. Visitors are additionally suggested to take pre-arrival precautions in opposition to hepatitis A, polio, typhoid and malaria (relying on the realm visited particularly these exterior of cities). Other well being issues embrace bilharzia (do not swim within the rivers/dams or drink the water from them as it could be contaminated), sunburn, restricted medical amenities and provides exterior of cities, AIDS and influenza (danger extends all year long).
LANGUAGE: English is the official language. Chishona and Sindebele are extensively spoken.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
1 January New Year’s Day
12 April Easter Monday
18 April Independence Day
1 May Workers’ Day
25 May Africa Day
11 August Heroes’ Day
12 August Defence Forces Day
22 December Unity Day
25-26 December Christmas
SHOPPING: Shona soft-stone carvings; woodcarvings; T-shirts; safari clothes; pottery; leather-based items; basket ware; sculptures; textiles. Nail polish and previous garments can typically be swopped for carvings.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: Christianity is the primary faith, however in rural areas folks have conventional beliefs. Western/European courtesies are noticed. Return invites are appreciated. Handshaking is the widespread type of greeting. Dress is informal, however most lodges require extra formal put on, e.g. tie and jacket; enterprise conferences require fits.
TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT+2
TIPPING: Ten-fifteen % is widespread.
TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:
Victoria Falls:
Called by locals “Mosi-oa-Tunya” – the smoke that thunders, Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site and undoubtedly probably the most majestic waterfall on the planet; widespread actions embrace strolling by the rainforest, white water rafting, bungi jumps, flights over the falls, river cruises, and way more.
Lake Kariba Unique surroundings of lifeless bushes rising from the depths of this large man-made lake is particularly stunning throughout sundown; a well-liked approach to benefit from the lake is on a houseboat with mates viewing the big numbers of crocodile and hippo, going sport viewing on the Matusadona National Park or Tiger fishing – the most important Tiger fish ever was caught right here and weighed 15.5kg.
Harare:
The capital metropolis provides sightseeing on the National Gallery; National Archives; Queen Victoria Museum; Queen Victoria National Library; National Botanic Garden; Mbare Market; Chapungu village; tobacco public sale flooring; Mukuvisi Woodlands; Museum of Human Sciences; Harare Gardens; Cecil House; National Handicraft Centre; Africa Unity Square and The Residency.
Kame Ruins:
22 km west of Bulawayo is Kame Ruins, one in every of southern Africa’s magnificent Late Iron Age ruins, now a World Heritage Site exhibiting the realm was the seat of presidency of earlier civilisations.
Great Zimbabwe National Monument:
Ruins of an historic African metropolis, believed to have flourished between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries AD, is the one one in existence south of the Sahara and a World Heritage Site; the nation has taken its identify from it and the well-known Zimbabwe birds discovered on the website has turn into the nationwide chook and been included within the flag; go to the museum on the location, the Kyle leisure park and do sport viewing by automotive or horseback close by.
Hwange National Park:
The nation’s largest nationwide park, each in measurement and number of wild sport and chook life; additionally one of many few remaining elephant sanctuaries in Africa, with herds of as much as 100 sturdy seen; the one space within the nation the place gemsbok and brown hyena happen in affordable numbers and the place the inhabitants of untamed canine is regarded as the most important surviving in Africa at present.
Mana Pools National Park:
Part of the Middle Zambezi Valley, Mana Pools is host to among the greatest concentrations of huge mammals to be seen in Zimbabwe; it is usually famend for its various and vibrant birdlife and types one of many final remaining strongholds of the black rhino; sport viewing, searching and canoe safaris are widespread.
Bulawayo & Matobo:
Zimbabwe’s second largest metropolis which stands on the location of the royal kraal of Lobengula, final of the Ndebele Kings; view the Natural History Museum, Railway Museum, Mzilikazi artwork and craft centre, Centenary park, central parks and National Art Gallery; 30 km from town is Matobo National Park, a novel space of some 2000 sq. kilometres of gigantic wind-sculpted rock formations. Cecil John Rhodes’ burial website and hundreds of historic rock work can be discovered right here.
Eastern highlands:
Luxuriant pure environment characterise this area with mountains, grassy plains, streams, waterfalls, mountain flowers, uncommon birds, and so on. contributing to panoramic views of beautiful magnificence attracting nature lovers, hikers and different outside lovers; go to the Nyanga National Park, Mutare, Mutarazi Falls, Bunga Botanical Reserve, Bvumba Botanical Gardens and the wilderness of the Chimanimani National Park.
Gona-re-Zhou park:
This park adjoins the Kruger National Park in South Africa and is residence to among the rarest chook and animal life in Africa. The bat-eared fox, suni, Liechtenstein’s hartebeest, nyala and roan antelope are to be discovered alongside the well-known African elephants of this park, that are not like any others on the planet.
