A landlocked country in southern Africa known for its dramatic landscapes and diverse wildlife, Zimbabwe has a lot to offer. It’s also home to determined locals who are full of passion, creativity and hope.
With Victoria Falls making a thundering 108m drop into the mighty Zambezi River, and Harare an up-and-coming metropolis with plenty to keep you entertained, there’s so much to see and do in this teapot-shaped country.
Victoria Falls
The iconic Victoria Falls is a World Heritage site, one of Africa’s seven wonders and one of the country’s most popular destinations. It’s a bucket list must see for visitors to Zimbabwe and you’ll be hard pressed not to fall in love with this mile-wide waterfall that plunges 108m into the Zambezi River.
It’s also a top destination for adrenaline junkies, with bungee jumping and white water rafting available in the narrow Batoka Gorge below the falls. Other activities include microglight flights over the mighty Zambezi, helicopter flips, fishing, and sunset river cruises.
The town of Victoria Falls has a great tourist infrastructure and is the perfect base from which to explore the falls on both sides. It offers a range of accommodation, restaurants, bars, curio shops and markets.
Matobo National Park
Located 35 kilometers south of Bulawayo, Matobo National Park is one of the country’s most special places. It is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary granite terrain.
Its otherworldly landscape is made up of balancing rocks called kopjes – huge boulders that seem to defy gravity. This Unesco World Heritage Site is a true sight to behold.
This beautiful area also contains some of the most pristine San rock art paintings in Zimbabwe. It is a place to lose yourself in the beauty of nature and let your soul heal.
Aside from the balancing rock formations, the other major attraction of this park is its wildlife. Visitors are likely to see leopards and white rhinoceros.
The park is a treasure trove of historical monuments and it is here that the Ndebele king Mzilikazi was buried as well as Cecil John Rhodes who was buried on Malindidzimu, also known as “Hill of Benevolent Spirit”. It is also worth visiting for its caves containing ancient rock paintings.
Zambezi National Park
Zambezi National Park is a vast wilderness that feels truly remote and never gets too crowded. It's home to elephants, lions and cheetahs that gather along the riverbanks for an afternoon siesta, or to drink in one of the four oxbow lakes.
This vastly underrated National Park is renowned for its wildlife-rich mopane (woodland) and savannah. Herds of zebra, giraffe, sable and other antelope may be spotted here, as well as buffalo, hippo and crocodile.
Birders love it too, with 470 different species found in the park, including Pel's Fishing Owl, African Skimmer and Collared Palm Thrush. And the watery ecosystem means that a wide range of migratory species call this part of Zimbabwe their home, especially during the wet season from November through April.
Harare
Harare is the capital and largest city in Zimbabwe. It has many things to offer tourists and visitors.
- While there are plenty of attractions to explore, Harare also has a great vibe and an enjoyable laid-back atmosphere. It is a perfect place to spend a few days in Zimbabwe.
- It is a city that has towering skyscrapers as well as parks and gardens to enjoy. There are plenty of restaurants to try different cuisines and some excellent cafes.
- When in Harare, you should definitely go to the National Heroes Acre which is a museum dedicated to honoring the war fighters who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Zimbabwe. The ornaments that are on display in this museum are quite impressive.
- Another great thing to do in Harare is visiting the Wild Is Life Grand Zimbabwe which is a wildlife sanctuary for local animals. Here you can see baby elephants, giraffes and lions. This is a great opportunity to get close to the animals and learn about how they are treated.
