Discover Zimbabwe

The town of Victoria Falls is set on the southern bank of the Zambezi River, at the western end of the Victoria Falls themselves. The settlement began in 1901 when the possibility of using the waterfall for hydro-electric power was explored. The town then expanded as the railway line reached the Falls, shortly before the Victoria Falls Bridge was opened in April 1905, connecting Zimbabwe to what is now Zambia. Victoria Falls is the principal tourism centre for the magnificent Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world. The spray from the falls can be seen from 50 kilometres away, hence the local name "Mosi-oa-Tunya" - the smoke that thunders. Lower water levels are experienced from August to mid January and higher water levels are seen from mid January to the end of July. Shop at the extensive craft markets, support the local restaurants and bars, or get active with white water rafting, sport fishing and kayaking. Be sure to relax and enjoy unforgettable African sunsets on a Zambezi River cruise. Other highlights of the country include Hwange National Park, which is 109 km away, and Bulawayo, which is 440 km away.

Hwange National Park is located in the northwest corner of Zimbabwe, approximately one hour south of the Mighty Victoria Falls. The park was named after a local Nhanzwa chief, and it is the largest park in Zimbabwe occupying roughly 14 650 square kilometers. The area used to be the royal hunting grounds to the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi and it was set aside as a National Park in 1929. This is an area of great beauty, comprising salt pans, acacia scrub and wide open grassy plains, supporting great herds of buffalo and elephant, all the "big five" and excellent birding. The park has numerous facilities including an airport, petrol station, good roads and a range of accommodation options.

The tranquil town of Kariba is set at the shoreline of Lake Kariba in western Zimbabwe. There is a permanent holiday atmosphere in this area, largely due to the fact that Kariba is the starting point for many unusual activities and tours on and around the lake. Local and international visitors enjoy houseboat holidays, fishing safaris, canoeing and nature walks. Lake Kariba is the second largest man-made lake in Africa, it is 282 kilometres in length and has a shoreline of over 2 000 kilometres. The impressive Kariba dam wall was completed in 1959. It is 128 metres high and 617 metres wide, and it serves as a busy route to an active border crossing point between Zimbabwe and Zambia. 86 men perished during construction of the dam wall and a church has since been erected as a memorial to them.

Most Recent Zimbabwe Blogs

The Mfuwe Ellies Are Back! Posted by Gary Smith on 21 November 2011 Great news is that Wonky, Wellington, baby Wellie and family are back at Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park! The remarkable scenes of...More

South Luangwa, Zambia: Journeys into the Emerald Season Posted by Gary Smith on 5 September 2011 The South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia is widely regarded as one of Africa's iconic wilderness areas with breathtaking scenery and prolific...More

The (Five Million) Bats of Kasanka - An Unforgettable Wildlife Spectacle Posted by Gary Smith on 3 August 2011 During November and December each year a wildlife phenomenon occurs in Zambia's Kasanka National Park that rivals the great wildlife spectacles from a...More