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THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE:
This landlocked country of 390,757 km2 (151,000 mi2) sits between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers and borders Zambia to the north, South Africa to the south, Mozambique to the east and Botswana to the west and south. The capital and largest city is Harare. The population is about 15 million. Zimbabwe has 16 official languages. English, Shona and Ndebele are the most common.
Here's a quiz: Which country was known as the "Breadbasket of Africa"? Twenty years ago, which was the richest country in Africa? Today, which is among the poorest countries in Africa? Which country in Africa has perhaps the largest untouched reserves of platinum, diamond, gold, lithium, natural gas and copper? Which country in Africa contains the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites? The answer to all of these questions is Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe, the former self-governing British colony of Rhodesia, became independent in 1980. Synonymous with the new country of Zimbabwe was their first Prime Minister, then President, but always dictator for the next 37 years, Robert Mugabe. His policies proved disastrous in many ways. Mugabe was overthrown in 2017 and replaced by his former Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa. Economic and Human Rights issues are getting better. Foreign Direct Investment is now on the rise and per capita income, while still extremely low, is improving. We are all hoping for the best.
Thanks to the resilience of the private ownership of hotels, lodges, tour operators, and destination management companies, plus the positive attitude of the warm and friendly people of Zimbabwe, the tourist infrastructure remains safe and comparable to that of Zambia and Botswana. The country offers a wondrous variety of attractions, including:
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Sure to be on everyone's "Bucket List", Victoria Falls, one of the "Seven Wonders of the Natural World", is located on the border with Zambia in the western corner of the country. The proximity of Victoria Falls International Airport makes Victoria Falls a perfect starting or ending point for trips to our Africa.
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Hwange National Park is just a three hour drive from Livingstone and Victoria Falls. This enormous park is one of Africa’s best. It is home to the "Big Five", 50,000 elephants plus 100 other species of mammals including the rare roan and sable antelope. Hwange is also a bird watchers' paradise with the 500 species recorded.
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Lake Kariba on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia offers African wildlife in its most natural setting. This is the largest man-made lake in the world – 300 km (190 mi) by 40 km (25 mi) at its widest point. The lake is an excellent complement to the land-centered safaris of most other parks. The scenery is diverse and stunning – of special note are the "drowned trees". The fishing is world-class. The bird watching and game viewing are excellent. Other activities include sailing, motor-boating and other watersports.
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Mana Pools National Park is situated along the Zambezi River, characterized by hippo-filled pools and floodplains at the northern border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. The park is famous for its large elephant herds, lion, leopard, and the endangered wild dogs. This is perhaps the best place in Africa to experience a guided walking safari.
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Two other UNESCO sites are worth a visit: Great Zimbabwe is the location of the archaeological remains of the Munhumutapa Empire (1450-1629). The ruins are the second largest stone structures in Africa after the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Matobo National Park, located in southern Zimbabwe, features exquisite natural rock formations and the highest concentrations of Stone Age rock art in southern Africa – more than 3,000 sites. Wildlife viewing is also excellent with 88 mammal species including the endangered black and southern white rhinoceros and 175 types of birds.
