BRIEF ON ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe is unique! Where else in the world can a visitor gaze upon hundreds of species of tropical wildlife, thrill to the experience of white water rafting, scale chilly mountain peaks and savour the history of a people that goes back tens of thousands of years? Yet these pleasures are but a few of those waiting to be discovered by the traveller who plans to visit this gem in the heart of Africa.

Zimbabwe is situated on a high plateau in South Central Of Africa collectively known as Southern Africa, between Limpopo and Zambezi rivers. It is landlocked and bounded by Zambia to the north and northwest, by South Africa to the south, by Mozambique to the east and northeast and by Botswana to the north. Zimbabwe wholly lies to the north of the Tropic Of Capricorn. Zimbabwe is a Shona word meaning "zimba ramabwe" (big house of stone) usually royal, hence The Great Zimbabwe monument remains a dominant reminder of such structures.

Zimbabwe covers 390 245 square kilometres that is about three times the size of England or equal to the size of California. Most parts of Zimbabwe lie more than 300m above sea level.

Zimbabwe’s population by end of 1999 was 13 079 000. The population is estimated to be 15 543 000 by 2005. Currently

The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world.

The sight of millions of gallons of turbulent water cascading over a sheer precipice into narrow gorge a hundred meters below is something nobody can ever forget.

It is considered that the largest curtain of falling water in the world, measuring slightly over 1.7km in width and draws visitors from all over the world.

Victoria Falls has dozens of viewpoints that are reached by paths through the rainforest, which grows in the area of the spray.

This volume of water is greatest in April and May though photographers get better pictures, and keep their cameras dry when the river is less full.

Victoria Falls is a one-hour hop by air from Harare, and less than an hour from Bulawayo.

The local people who led David Livingstone to this magical place in 1855 call it "Mosi-oa-Tanya". The Smoke That Thunders can be seen 70km away. "Scenes so lovely, must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight," said David Livingstone.

It has become the premier adventure resort of Southern Africa with adventurers coming from all over the world to experience the white water rafting classified as the best waterfall in the world, rafts break their way through rapids graded as high as 5 (6beingum – navigable) through the deep gorges of the mighty Zambezi River.

Visitors can fly over the falls in a variety of aircrafts including helicopters and micro light or do bungee jumping from the bridge above the gorge.

Canoeing and Kayaking on the upper Zambezi River is a magical experience that brings one much closer to nature. Here visitors have the time to enjoy the bird life and varied vegetation and to sit silently watching the animals come down to drink and play in shallow waters.

A night spent on the banks of the upper Zambezi on a canoeing safari or down in the brooding gorges whilst rafting, is a never to be forgotten experience.

The African sun setting and rising, the camp fire and the stories of your professional guides, enrich, even further the adventurers unique bush experience.

For those visitors not wanting an active adventure there is the pleasure of cruising down the Zambezi with a chilled drink in hand, watching hippo as the sunsets behind gentle swaying palm trees.

A walk in the nearby Zambezi National Park with a professional guide, or game drive in a special constructed game viewing vehicle will open up a new experience for the visitors.

Fishing from the banks of the river is a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours or for the keener angler, a full day out in a fishing boat could easily result in a good catch. Game viewing can also be done on horseback or by hiring a mountain bike.

Zimbabwe’s popular safari train, Rail Safari pulls in and out of Victoria Falls, as do the famous Rovos Rail and Pride of Africa.

Entertainment after dark includes traditional music, dance and casino.

Visit the second largest manmade dam in the world, Kariba, for game viewing, Fishing boat cruises and other water activities. Originally only a river running through the land populated by the Tonga. It took 10 000 men four years to build the dam. 87 men lost their lives, 18 of which fell into the concrete and 4 still remain in the wall. Kariba contains over a million cubic metres of concrete and 11 000 tones of steel and stands 126 metres high.



The lake is 290km long, 32km at its widest and has a minimum depth of 120metres. The Queen Mother officially opened it in 1960. A church with all names o the people who died during the construction was built as a symbol of respect. Pay a visit to the nearby Batonga village for undiluted culture and traditions, what with the myth of Nyaminyami "The river god". It’s not all; get into the ferryboat across the mighty Zambezi to Mlibizi. You will love the experience. This is what you are looking for, for your holiday.

300km north to south of rugged mountains that form a natural boarder with Mozambique will definitely inspire you. This is a natural holiday destination, which will offer you the much sort after peace of mind, in a quiet and peaceful environment. Not to be outdone the Eastern Highlands offers a number of activities that include golf, trout fishing, mountain hiking, casinos and horse riding.

Visit the Botanical Gardens in Bvumba ,tea plantations of Nyanga ,Mount Inyangani the highest mountain in Zimbabwe and the mountainous region of Chimanimani. Eastern Highlands has some of the country’s most luxurious hotels and the best golf courses. A surely breathtaking view is all the Eastern Highlands will provide you.

Bulawayo is inhabited by roughly 1 300 000 people and is the second major city in Zimbabwe. Bulawayo has a charm of its own and Africa’s largest steam train museum. The locality was chosen by King Lobengula and named Gubulawayo which is Ndebele word for ‘the place of slaughter’ in order to commemorate the battle achievements of his people. Bulawayo’s roads are wide and sprawling. It is a city lived by history, from the grand and long established Bulawayo Club to the Natural History Museum, the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere boasting a collection of 75 000 animals and vintage steam trains.

Other places to visit include The Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre, Khami ruins and the city itself with full of ancient historical buildings. Bulawayo is the country’s railway junction and marshalling yard. Matobo Hills "bald headed ones" granite outcrops are found 50 km from Bulawayo. It is home to both ancient and recent history. Here is Rhodes’ grave at the world’s view where one can have a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape. Matobo National Park will appeal to all nature and wildlife lovers especially with its rare species of white rhino and black eagle. It is here where some of the best rock paintings done by hunter-gatherers can be found.