Most visitors coming to Zimbabwe with limited knowledge of the country usually come with one thing in mind- to see the famous Victoria Falls, spend a night or two, and fly out. And, if you plan to come to Zimbabwe with the same mindset, the best advice to you is simple- think again. Yes, the magical Victoria Falls is a must-see place in Zimbabwe but your visit to the country must not end there because there are many other stunning landmarks to see, spectacular wildlife to watch, exciting things to do, and friendly people to meet in Zimbabwe.
Traveling to and around Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s central location in Southern Africa makes it a convenient place to include in your itinerary and currently, there are many flights from Spain to Zimbabwe. But before you fly out, it is important to know what the Spanish Embassy advises you about visiting Zimbabwe. While the embassy encourages people to use the US dollar when transacting, now you can also transact in the newly introduced currency, the ZIG (Zimbabwe Gold), as an alternative and convenient mobile-money payment method in Zimbabwe.
Traveling to most of Zimbabwe’s main resorts is quite easy and affordable because daily flights from the capital Harare ply these destinations. If you are the adventurous type who does not mind the occasional delays or discomfort, the best way to enjoy your travel around Zimbabwe is by road. You can opt to hire customized transportation from the many car hire services in Zimbabwe or travel like locals in public buses. These long-distance buses can present you with unique opportunities to mix and mingle with local people and see some of the country’s interesting but lesser-known places.
Where to go and what to do in Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls might be not the only exciting destination to visit in Zimbabwe, but it is certainly a must-see natural masterpiece. Here, one of Africa’s greatest rivers, the Zambezi plummets into a gorge almost 100 metres deep producing one of the world’s largest curtains of falling water. The Vic-Falls is a scene so awe-inspiring that you just have to see it to believe it. Besides watching the falls, there are many things to see and do around the falls including bungee jumping at the nearby Victoria Falls Bridge and white water -rafting in the Zambezi River.
Magnificent as it is, the Vic-Falls is only one of the many stunning landscapes and landforms worth visiting in Zimbabwe. The Eastern Highlands near the border with Mozambique for example hosts many scenic landscapes including Zimbabwe’s highest mountain range, Inganga. In the northwest, the Chinhoyi Caves, a group of limestone and dolomite caves that have a pool with incredibly blue and clear waters is also another amazing Zimbabwean landform worth visiting. You can check out all of Zimbabwe’s most popular landforms and landmarks here before you plan your trip.
Wildlife country
Zimbabwe is not only about stunning landforms and landmarks, it also hosts diverse wildlife including the Big Five. Full-time wildlife enthusiasts who want to see Zimbabwean wildlife in all its diversity can choose to go to Zimbabwe’s biggest game reserve, Hwange National Park. The 14000 square kilometer park is generally referred to as Zimbabwe’s ‘one-stop nature reserve’ because of the diversity of its animal, bird, reptile, and plant species. Alternatively, Gonerezhou Game Reserve in the southeast and the nearby privately owned but wildlife-rich Malilangwe Conservancy are also excellent places for wildlife watching. Wherever you are, there is always a game reserve near you in Zimbabwe that fits your preferences.
A glimpse of the country’s past
Wildlife and landscapes, aside, there are many other interesting places worth your time in Zimbabwean. For those who want to divulge into Zimbabwe’s rich history, The Great Zimbabwe, stone ruins of a 14th-century ancient city that was the capital of the local Shona kings offer an opportunity to do so. The Great Zimbabwe ruins are a World Heritage site and today they are among the oldest and biggest pre-colonial structures in Africa south of the Sahara. One of the most astonishing things about Great Zimbabwe are the massive stone walls that were constructed without any mortar to hold them together almost half a millennium ago.
Zimbabwe and its people
Another unexpected attraction that is going to draw your attention in Zimbabwe is the people- the easy-going, carefree, ever-smiling Zimbabweans who are always ready to engage foreigners or tourists in conversations. Even if you are not in a talking mood, many Zimbabwean people going through their day-to-day chores will always be a delight to watch. The vivacious street vendors, women with babies strapped on their backs, and barefooted children playing football in the streets, are only a glimpse of the eye-catching and colourful people you will see in Zimbabwe
One of the greatest concerns of visitors coming to Zimbabwe is safety. The political challenges that Zimbabwe faced during the reform days in the early 2000s ended long back and your safety in Zimbabwe is rarely compromised because of your skin colour. Cultural and religious tolerance is on display in every facet of life and at most places, you will see people of different races or religions mingling freely. Besides that, most people in Africa love Spanish football and during your travel in Zimbabwe, you will always encounter people with replica jerseys of Spanish football clubs or even Lafuria Roja, something that can certainly make you feel at home when you are thousands of kilometers from home.
Presently Zimbabwe is on a massive drive to lure tourists and around the country roads are being repaved and expanded many hotels that serve dishes from all corners of the world are revamping their facilities and services. For those who are planning to visit Zimbabwe as a tourist, go ahead with your preparations because the awe-inspiring landscape, mouthwatering dishes, abundant wildlife, and some friendly hosts are always waiting for you.
Author: Cecil Dzwowa.
Image: By Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73750657
