Zimbabwe’s temperate climate makes it the ideal year-round destination. Offering many scenic locations and wildlife experiences that draw tourists from all over the world, there is plenty on offer for both local and international visitors alike. Here are some of the best places for a Zimbabwe holiday.
Victoria Falls
The first destination that people think of when they think of Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is ideal to visit in July and August. The Main Falls are ever-flowing but easier to photograph in winter due to less mist, rain and spray. So for your Zimbabwe holiday consider visiting the Victoria Falls. Wander along the paths through the rainforest with the monkeys chattering in the canopy and choose from the many viewpoints from which to watch the Zambezi River plunge spectacularly into the gorge.
What else to do:
– Go for a helicopter flip over the falls, called the Flight of Angels, and for a good reason. Seeing this wonder of nature from the air is an unforgettable experience and reveals the sheer length and depth of the fissure in the earth as though it had been cracked open by lightning.
– Zip line for 425m from one side of the Victoria Falls gorge to the other, at over 100km/h and suspended 120m high. This is strictly for adrenaline junkies!
There are several operators to choose from for both these activities and they can all be found online.
National Parks
Almost as famous as Victoria Falls are Zimbabwe’s national parks. Teeming with wildlife during the winter dry season, this is when game viewing is at its best. There is no rain or humidity and wildlife congregates around the waterholes when the rivers start drying up. The weather is pleasant during the day, reaching around 25 ํCelsius, but mornings and nights are cold.
You are spoilt for choice here, and your decision about which park to visit for your Zimbabwe holiday would most likely be based on the kind of accommodation you are looking for, as well as the activities offered, over and above game viewing. Here are our three top spots to help you decide, but there are many more:
- Hwange National Park
The biggest park in Zimbabwe, it is known for the world’s largest population of elephants, numbering about 30 000. Among other resident wildlife are the 100 species of mammals, including zebra, wildebeest and buffalo. You may even spot lion and African wild dog, and birding enthusiasts will be delighted by the hundreds of bird species.What else to do: Do you love history? Visit the 18th-century Bumbusi Ruins and view ancient rock engravings nearby. - Mana Pools National Park
A World Heritage Site, Mana Pools comprises four pools formed inland from the Zambezi River, with sightings of crocodiles, hippos and aquatic birds the order of the day. Unique to Mana Pools is that visitors can walk safely through the woodland and spot many species of buck, as well as warthog and monkeys foraging for fallen albida fruit.What else to do: Take your Zimbabwe holiday to another level and experience a canoe safari on the Zambezi River. - Gonarezhou National Park
Remote, wild, unspoilt and still relatively untouched by mass tourism, this park is for those who truly wish to escape during their Zimbabwe holiday. The landscape is rugged and dotted with sandstone cliffs in some parts and there are also waterfalls. Wildlife include leopard, lion and thousands of elephants — Gonarezhou means ‘The place of many elephants’ in Shona.What else to do: Consider a fish safari for tiger fish and tilapia, or visit the magnificent red sandstone cliffs of Chilojo.
Visit www.zimparks.org for all the information you need about Zimbabwe’s national parks and to help you choose your destination for a Zimbabwe holiday.
Disclaimer: The advice on NMB Bank’s blog is not tailored to the individual circumstances, financial needs or objectives of our readers. Rather, this information is for general purposes only. NMB Bank advises all readers to seek advice from professionals in the relevant fields, for their particular circumstances before signing up for any service, product or investment.
