A landlocked country in Southern Africa known for its diverse wildlife, unforgettable walking safaris, dramatic landscapes and the Victoria Falls on the border with Zambia. Its capitol is Harrare, but the most famous city is the Victoria Falls, receiving some 1 milion tourists every year. At one time it was known as the ‘bread basket of Africa’ thanks to its favorable climate and fertile soils.
Zimbabwe is home to 350 species of mammals and more than 500 birds. It is mostly a vast grassland, but has also mountainous areas giving way to tropical and hardwood forests. Zimbabwe’s natural beauty is apparent along the Zambezi Valley in the north down to Gonarezhou National Park on the border with South Africa. Right after Botswana, Zimbabwe supports the second largest population of elephants in Africa. Prides of lions and packs of African painted dogs are also roaming Zimbabwean wilderness. National parks are known for their walking safaris and one of the best guides on the African continent.
The Victoria Falls
WORLD’s MOST FAMOUS WATERFALL
Arguably, the most famous waterfall in the World. The Victoria Falls is 1700 m wide and its water falls down 108 m forming spectacular waterfalls on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Zimbabwe side has a small National park where one can admire the might of the Victoria Falls during a kilometer long walk among rainbows forming as a play of water sprays and sun rays. Famous Devil’s and Angel’s Pools are located on the Zambian side and can be easily accessed from the town of Victoria Falls or Livingstone, Zambia. The might of the Falls changes seasonally from the heaviest sprays between February-May and lowest from September to December. It is related to rain falls and the water levels of the mighty Zambezi river.
Hwange National Park
VAST GRASSLANDS AND ELEPHANTS
It is Zimbabwe’s largest National Park covering more than 14,600 square kilometers and has largest diversity of species than any other park in the country. Hwange became a national park in 1949 and is located between the Victoria Falls and Bullawayo.
There are two distinct geographic zones. The northern area which is part of the Zambezi watershed is dominated by mopane woodlands and mixed terminalia. The other part forms the Kalahari scrublands, covered with scattered woodlands of teak and umtshibi trees. This habitat is characterised by marshy depressions and fragile open grasslands.
Fragile ecosystem of Hwange supports more than 40,000 elephants (second largest population after Botswana), large prides of lions, elusive sable and roan antelopes. Park has also a variety of other predators and a general game. Water is a critical factor of Hwange survival, and main efforts are extended to ensure supply of this precious resource.
Walking safaris in Hwange offer an incredible opportunity to approach animals on foot and allow for photography from the ground level of such wildlife as elephants or lions. Best time to visit Hwange is between May and October, when the dry season pushes wildlife to concentrate around natural and man-build waterholes.
Matusadona National Park
SHORES OF Lake Kariba AND BEYOND
Matusadona National Park is situated on shores of Lake Kariba. The latter is the artificial Lake formed in “middle section” of the Zambezi river that runs for 220 kilometres along the northern border with Zambia.
Two-thirds of the park lies south of the Zambezi Escarpment, formed by the 2000 foot-high “Matuzviadonha” Hills from which it takes its name. Open woodlands on the plateau behind the escarpment are dominated by Mnondo tree (Julbernardia globiflora) and the mountain acacia. The entire northern boundary of the park is the shoreline of the Lake with its iconic “drowned forests” – dead trees standing more than 29 years after the filling of the lake.
The best way to experience Matusadona is on a walking safari and from the boat, visiting small rivers draining into the lake. The park is home to a healthy population of elephants, hippos, general game and predators. Lions, are especially abundant, but other cats and predators are present in good numbers. It is also a home to a small population of black rhinos. Birdlife is especially interesting with over 240 species of birds in the area.
Similarly to Hwange, the best time to visit Matusadona is between May and October dry season.
Mana Pools National Park
UNESCO’s WORL HERITAGE WONDER
The Mana Pools National Park is probably the most famous Zimbabwe park and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 6760 km2 area is physically protected by the Zambezi River to the north and the steep escarpment to the south. It provides shelter for large mammal populations which concentrate in its flood plains.
The alluvial floodplains of the Zambezi River are home to large herds of elephants and buffalos, prides of lions, critically endangered African painted dogs, leopards and cheetahs. The river is also famous for its vast numbers of hippos and Nile crocodile. Resident and migratory birdlife is amazing, with over 450 species recorded.
Mana Pools is not only about its amazing wildlife but the remarkably beautiful, riverine habitat. The visit to Mana is about the experience of the bush in immersive ways. It is about morning and afternoon colors in the floodplain forests, and interaction between animal species. Mana Pools is one of the best places in Africa for walking safaris where one has the chance to get up close to big game. Canoeing down the Zambezi river is experience to remember for years. The walking guides in the park are among the best in Africa.
Similarly to other parks mentioned above, the best time to visit Mana Pools is between May and October dry season. However, for connoisseurs the end of wet season March-April will offer almost empty park and also great wildlife experience.
Victoria Falls and Hwange can be relatively easy combined with the visit to Botswana’s Linyanti or Okavango. We are one of the first to offer such bespoke safari to experience best of Zimbabwe and Botswana has on offer.