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6 Reasons to Travel to Zimbabwe

6 Reasons to Travel to Zimbabwe

July 26, 2024

Finding an ultimate safari adventure in Africa? Look no further than Zimbabwe. As one of Southern Africa’s premier safari spots, Zimbabwe offers visitors with a unique off-the-beaten-path safari experience. You may hear about the remarkable national parks and reserves, vast and vibrant landscapes, and diverse wildlife, but there aren’t enough. Scroll down to unveil top 6 reasons why Zimbabwe should be on your travel bucket list.

#1 Spectacular Landscape

Zimbabwe is filled with some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes, many of which are recognized as UNaESCO World Heritage Sites. The most famous among these are the legendary Victoria Falls and the powerful Zambezi River. Besides, the country features striking kopjes – granite rocks balanced atop one another, standing freely in the desert.

People swim in Devil’s Pool in Victoria Falls

In the North, Lake Kariba offers a serene scene, perfect for travelers seeking tranquility after a day of trekking. To the East, near the Mozambique border, the Bvumba Mountains near Mutare provide stunning views of the vast savanna plains, complemented by the refreshing mountain air. This is an unmissable sight for anyone visiting the country.

In short, Zimbabwe’s landscape is truly remarkable. It features dramatic cliffs, deep gorges, dark, mysterious caves, and unusual balancing boulders. Zimbabwe’s untamed scenery showcases Africa in its original form, with raw, natural beauty unspoiled by mass tourism, offering stunning, sun-drenched views that seem to stretch beyond the horizon.

The majestic beauty of Bvumba Mountains

#2 Why travel to Zimbabwe? – Diverse Wildlife

Zimbabwe boasts an incredibly diverse array of wildlife, making it a premier destination for nature enthusiasts and safari-goers. The country is home to the renowned “Big Five” – elephants, lions, leopards, rhinoceros, and buffalos – which roam freely across its vast national parks and reserves. Additionally, Zimbabwe’s ecosystems house over 800 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

Zimbabwe is home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa

National parks like Hwange and Mana Pools host large populations of elephants and are known for their vibrant birdlife, including more than 670 species. Endangered species such as the African wild dog and the black rhino find refuge in the country’s protected areas. The Zambezi River teems with hippos and crocodiles, while the savannas, forests, and mountains provide habitats for a multitude of other fascinating creatures. This rich biodiversity ensures that every visit to Zimbabwe offers unique and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Safari train – an unique and exquisite safari experience in Zimbabwe

#3 Stunning National Parks

Zimbabwe boasts eleven national parks, each providing distinct and rewarding wilderness experiences. These parks are spread throughout the country, offering visitors a diverse array of scenic, cultural, and wildlife activities to enjoy.

Hwange National Park: As Zimbabwe’s largest game reserve, the park is renowned for its incredible diversity of wildlife, home to one of the world’s largest elephant populations, over 100 other mammal species, and 400 bird species. The park’s varied landscapes, from savanna plains to dense woodlands, provide a stunning backdrop for game viewing and photographic safaris.

Hwange National Park – the most famous national park in Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls National Park: This destination encompasses one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders, Victoria Falls. Known locally as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” or “The Smoke That Thunders,” the falls create a breathtaking curtain of water. The park offers numerous vantage points for viewing the falls and is rich in wildlife, including elephants, buffalos, and diverse bird species, making it a must-visit destination.

Victoria Falls National Park

Matobo National Park: As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Matobo is famed for its dramatic granite landscapes, known as kopjes, and its ancient rock art. The park also hosts a significant population of black and white rhinos. Visitors can explore the park’s unique geological formations, spot various wildlife, and discover the cultural heritage of the San people through their rock paintings.

Matobo National Park

Mana Pools National Park: Situated along the Zambezi River, it is renowned for its stunning beauty and abundant wildlife. Its name, “Mana,” means “four” in Shona, referring to the four large pools formed by the river. It’s a haven for large herds of elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species. Canoe safaris and walking tours offer intimate wildlife encounters in this remote and pristine wilderness.

Mana Pools National Park is home to Zimbabwe’s largest population of hippos and crocodiles

Gonarezhou National Park: Located in the southeastern part of the country, it features rugged landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and scenic rivers. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including large elephant herds, lions, and rare species like the African wild dog. Its remote location ensures an unspoiled and tranquil safari experience.

Gonarezhou National Park

#4 Amazing Waterways – a great reason to travel to Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls is a natural wonder and undoubtedly one of the world’s most impressive sites. Situated within a protected national park, the falls interrupt the tranquil flow of the Zambezi River, which forms the natural border between Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia. With their height, power, and beauty, these falls provide some of the most spectacular sights in nature. Standing 108 meters tall and 1.7 km wide, they create a thunderous sound and an awe-inspiring view.

The awe-inspiring view of Victoria Falls

Beyond the main attraction, Victoria Falls National Park features giant baobab trees, crocodiles in the Zambezi River, colonies of baboons, and elephants and buffaloes in the surrounding areas. It offers an unforgettable experience that extends beyond the falls themselves.

Traveling a bit further east along the Zambezi River, you’ll find Lake Kariba, one of Africa’s enigmatic locations. Legend says Kariba shelters Nyami Nyami, the God of the Zambezi River, resembling a snake or a dragon.

The poetic beauty of Lake Kariba

#5 Rich Historical Culture

In addition to its abundant wildlife, Zimbabwe boasts a rich historical culture, highlighted by its most significant architectural treasure: the ruins of Great Zimbabwe in Masvingo.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site, which gave the nation its name, served as the royal capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe from the 13th to the 15th centuries and has been inhabited for over a millennium. Spanning nearly 2,000 acres, it offers ample photography opportunities, especially with its impressive monolithic acropolis visible from afar and the distinctive elliptical Great Enclosure with its conical tower.

The ruins of Great Zimbabwe in Masvingo

Visitors can spend an entire day exploring the ruins, climbing the acropolis, and observing the resident baboons. With fewer tourists than during Zimbabwe’s 1990s boom years, quieter days allow for a more immersive experience of this historic site.

#6 Elegant Bulawayo

Bulawayo is to Zimbabwe what Melbourne is to Australia: a secondary city with a more relaxed and refined lifestyle, rich in culture and history. Its broad, tree-lined streets are bordered by numerous early Victorian buildings that the city council preserves as heritage sites. The faded colonial facades give Bulawayo the charm of a frontier town.

The city also boasts the country’s finest museum, the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, which provides a fascinating overview of the nation’s natural and political history. Additionally, Bulawayo serves as a convenient base or central stop for exploring nearby attractions like Hwange National Park, the Matobo Hills, and Victoria Falls.

Bulawayo resonates a timeless charm

If you want to be considered a ‘visitor’ rather than just a ‘tourist,’ make sure to explore the remarkable natural and historical sites in Zimbabwe. Embark on your adventure now and uncover the authentic essence of this captivating country.

>>> View tour: 15 Day Botswana & Zimbabwe with Luxury Lake Kariba Cruise