Zimbabwe Travel Guide
Zimbabwe
is a land of diversity and contrasts and unrivalled natural
beauty. It is a land of adventure where one can experience nature first-hand,
whether you are hurtling through rapids on the mighty Zambezi,
bungi-jumping off the bridge at the Victoria
Falls or watching a herd of elephant
at sunset in one of the many wildlife
sanctuaries. Of course one cannot mention the Zambezi
without referring to one of the world’s
most magnificent natural wonders, the Victoria Falls. Whatever your choice
of adventure, you will leave Zimbabwe with fond memories of an unforgettable
visit. But there is more to this wild and wonderful
country than thundering water and plains teeming with game. A history
that can be traced back thousands of years is interwoven with legends of ancient
tribes and forgotten civilizations, of Portuguese
travelers, brave English explorers
and Arab traders who
came from the north to exchange beads and cloth for ivory and gold. One of
the sites that silently testifies to this fact is the Great Zimbabwe
Ruins, the largest man-made structure in Africa
after Egypt’s Pyramids.
Zimbabwe has a generous sampling of the Africa that many people hope to see: exotic scenery, interesting cultures and game parks full of animals. It also has a few things you might not expect to see, including the most extensive ruins in sub-Saharan Africa. Now, however, is not a good time to visit the country. Black veterans groups, backed by longtime Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, have seized more than 1,000 white-owned farms and plan to re-distribute them to black residents. The government has also threatened to take over tourist resorts. Some game reserves and park lodges have closed temporarily because of violence on nearby farms.
Predictably, the conflict has led to economic havoc (fuel shortages, rampant inflation) and an increase in crime, especially around Harare, the capital. Though it’s still possible to visit Zimbabwe, we don’t think the rewards are worth the risks at this time. If you’re interested in wildlife, neighboring Botswana and Zambia offer more compelling and more impressive game parks with fewer dangers.