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GENERAL INFORMATION
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GENERAL INFORMATION

Beauty, History and Resilience

Zimbabwe is a country of beauty, history and resilience, bordered by South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique. Famous for spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, rich history and warm hospitality, it offers overlanders an authentic African experience despite its political and economic challenges.

Once known as the “breadbasket of Africa,” Zimbabwe’s economy suffered a dramatic decline after Robert Mugabe came to power in 1980 and introduced controversial land seizures from white farmers. The country lost more than $12 billion in agricultural revenue, and its once-strong economy shrank to around half its post-independence size—falling from breadbasket to “basket case.”

We first visited in 2010, during Mugabe’s rule, when Zimbabwe was struggling with severe economic crisis and hyperinflation. Politics was sensitive, but we found the people exceptionally friendly, resilient and optimistic, welcoming us with genuine warmth.

Zimbabwe’s highlights are extraordinary. Victoria Falls, known as “The Smoke That Thunders,” is one of the world’s great waterfalls. Hwange National Park offers superb wildlife viewing, Great Zimbabwe reveals the impressive stone ruins of a medieval African kingdom that gave the country its name, and Matobo National Park combines dramatic granite landscapes, ancient rock art and white rhinos. Harare provides a glimpse of everyday life, while the rainy season transforms the landscape and makes Victoria Falls especially spectacular.

What we remember most, however, is the kindness and resilience of the Zimbabwean people. Combined with the country’s remarkable beauty and fascinating history, they made Zimbabwe unforgettable.

For overlanders wanting to understand Zimbabwe as a whole, it is useful to explore the country through four broad areas: Western Zimbabwe, Southern Zimbabwe, Eastern Zimbabwe and Northern Zimbabwe. Each has its own character, scenery and collection of unforgettable places.

Western Zimbabwe

Western Zimbabwe is home to some of the country’s most internationally famous attractions.

The great attraction of the west is Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “The Smoke That Thunders.” Located on the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls is one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders. The waterfall stretches for approximately 1,708 metres and plunges more than 100 metres into the Batoka Gorge. The surrounding rainforest is kept green by the enormous spray produced by the Falls, creating an extraordinary landscape of mist, rainbows and tropical vegetation. Victoria Falls is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of Zimbabwe’s defining tourist experiences.

The town of Victoria Falls provides much more than sightseeing at the waterfall itself. You can experience sunset cruises on the Zambezi, wildlife encounters, scenic flights, river activities and adrenaline-filled adventures. The Batoka Gorge below the Falls is particularly famous for white-water rafting. But please note all comes at great cost to foreigners.

Not far from Victoria Falls lies Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest national park. Covering about 14,650 square kilometres, Hwange is an immense wilderness of savanna, teak and mopane woodland. It is particularly famous for its impressive variety of wildlife, including lion, leopard, buffalo, wild dog, sable and roan antelope. Unfortunately poaching is a major problem.

Western Zimbabwe also includes the historic city of Bulawayo, often associated with the Ndebele people and known for its broad avenues, historic architecture, museums and cultural attractions. Bulawayo makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding Matabeleland region and is an important stop for overlanders heading towards the Matobo Hills.

The silence of Hwange’s wilderness and the cultural character of Bulawayo make it an rewarding area for overlanders.

Southern Zimbabwe

Southern Zimbabwe offers a fascinating combination of ancient history, dramatic granite scenery, wildlife and cultural heritage. It is particularly important for anyone interested in discovering the deeper story of Zimbabwe.

At the heart of the region is Great Zimbabwe National Monument near Masvingo. These extraordinary stone ruins are the remains of the ancient city associated with the Kingdom of Zimbabwe and are among the country’s most important archaeological and historical sites. The massive granite walls and stone structures provide a remarkable glimpse into the sophistication and importance of ancient African civilisation.

The area around Masvingo offers more than archaeology. Lake Mutirikwi, one of Zimbabwe’s major reservoirs, provides opportunities for bush camping, fishing and enjoying the surrounding countryside, while the nearby Kyle Recreational Park offers wildlife viewing.

Further south is Gonarezhou National Park, one of Zimbabwe’s great wilderness areas. Its name means “Place of Elephants,” reflecting the importance of elephants to this vast landscape. Gonarezhou forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, linking Zimbabwe’s wildlife landscapes with protected areas in Mozambique and South Africa. The park is known for wildlife, while its rugged scenery includes the spectacular Chilojo Cliffs.

Southern Zimbabwe is therefore ideal for travellers who want something beyond the classic safari. It connects the country’s ancient past with some of its most impressive landscapes and wilderness areas.

Eastern Zimbabwe

Eastern Zimbabwe could almost belong to another country altogether. Instead of the dry savannas and dramatic waterfalls that many visitors associate with Zimbabwe, the east is characterised by mountains, forests, waterfalls, green valleys and cool highland air.

The Eastern Highlands stretch along Zimbabwe’s border with Mozambique and include some of the country’s most beautiful mountain scenery.

Nyanga National Park is one of the highlights of the northern Eastern Highlands. It is home to Mount Nyangani, Zimbabwe’s highest mountain, which rises to 2,593 metres above sea level. The park has a landscape very different from Zimbabwe’s lowveld safari areas.The famous Nyanga landscapes include Nyangombe Falls and Pungwe Falls, where rivers plunge through rugged mountain scenery.

Further south are the Bvumba Mountains, near Mutare. The Bvumba is known for its lush vegetation, spectacular viewpoints, gardens and forested mountains. The famous Leopard Rock area provides panoramic views across the surrounding countryside, while botanical gardens showcase the region’s remarkable plant life.

Even further south are the Chimanimani Mountains, an impressive range of rugged peaks, valleys, waterfalls and forests along the Mozambique border. Chimanimani is one of Zimbabwe’s premier hiking destinations and offers a more adventurous experience, with trails leading through dramatic mountain scenery.

The city of Mutare is the principal gateway to the Eastern Highlands and is itself surrounded by beautiful scenery. Its location makes it an ideal base for exploring the Bvumba, while the wider Manicaland region provides a glimpse of a greener and more mountainous side of Zimbabwe.

For overlanders who enjoy off roading, mountain scenery, photography and getting away from busy tourist centres, Eastern Zimbabwe is one of the country’s great hidden treasures.

Northern Zimbabwe

Northern Zimbabwe is dominated by the Zambezi River and the enormous expanse of Lake Kariba. It is a region where water, wildlife and wilderness come together.

Lake Kariba is one of the world’s largest artificial lakes and stretches for hundreds of kilometres along the Zambezi Valley. The town of Kariba is the main gateway to the lake and is famous for its spectacular sunsets, boating, fishing and wildlife experiences. A sunset cruise on Lake Kariba is one of the most relaxing ways to experience the enormous scale of the Zambezi Valley.

The lake is also famous for tiger fishing, while houseboats provide a distinctive way to explore the shoreline. As evening approaches, the combination of the water, distant hills and African sunset creates some of Zimbabwe’s most memorable scenery.

Further east along the Zambezi lies Mana Pools National Park, one of Africa’s most celebrated wilderness destinations. Located in northern Zimbabwe along the Zambezi River, Mana Pools forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is renowned for its remote wilderness character.

The park takes its name from four permanent pools, which attract enormous numbers of wildlife during the dry season. Elephants, hippos and crocodiles are particularly prominent around the water, while lions, buffalo, leopards, painted dogs and numerous antelope species inhabit the surrounding floodplains and woodland. Mana Pools is also famous for its birdlife, with around 380 species recorded in the park.

One of the most special aspects of Mana Pools is the opportunity for Bush Camping amongst wildlife, overlanders can experience the landscape at ground level and along the Zambezi, creating a much more intimate connection with the wilderness.

Northern Zimbabwe also includes attractions such as the Chinhoyi Caves, west of Harare. The caves are famous for their striking underground limestone formations and the intensely blue waters of the underground pool.

Zimbabwe: A Country of Many Worlds

What makes Zimbabwe so rewarding as a tourist destination is the sheer variety contained within a relatively compact country. Western Zimbabwe delivers the unforgettable spectacle of Victoria Falls and the wildlife of Hwange. Southern Zimbabwe combines Great Zimbabwe’s ancient stone architecture with the granite landscapes of Matobo and the wilderness of Gonarezhou. Eastern Zimbabwe offers cool mountains, forests, waterfalls and hiking, while Northern Zimbabwe follows the Zambezi through Lake Kariba and into the extraordinary wilderness of Mana Pools.

A overland journey through Zimbabwe is therefore much more than ticking famous attractions off a list. It is a journey through powerful rivers and ancient ruins, mountains and savannas, wildlife and living cultures.

From the roar of the Falls to the silence of the mountains and the distant call of wildlife beside the Zambezi, Zimbabwe is a country that rewards overlanders who take the time to explore beyond its most famous landmarks.