1. Explore The Victoria Falls: Located on River Zambezi, the fourth largest river in Africa and straggling a border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls stands as a phenomenal creation of Mother Nature. It is the largest waterfall in the world with a length of over a kilometre and height of over a hundred metre.
Victoria Falls is dotingly called Mosi-O-Tunya (the smoke that thunders) by the locals due to the pane of spray and mist created by the plummeting water. The thunderous noise of this feat of spectacle can be heard from a distance of 40 kilometres and seen from a distance of 50 kilometres.
Location: Mosi-o-tunya Road, Livingstone, Zambia
Timings: Every day between 6am -6pm
2. Visit The Zambezi River: In the local Tonga dialect, Zambezi means “great river” which is the fourth longest river in Africa after the Nile, Congo and Niger rivers. Due to less traffic of tourists, the river and its surroundings retain a pristine charm and have sheltered varied wild animals such as crocodiles, elephants, hippos and lions. Zambezi River is a popular and coveted destination for white water rafting, kayaking, canoeing, river cruises and daily boats (on both Zimbabwe and Zambian verges.
You can witness various incarnations of the same river with its tributaries and distributaries and the exotic flora along its banks which is teeming with abundant wildlife and birds.
Location: Zambezi River, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Price: 10$ for park fee for the cruise and 10$ National Heritage Fee for the rafting.
Timings: 8am-5pm (from Monday-Friday) for river cruise
3. See Great Zimbabwe Ruins: The Great Zimbabwe ruins are one of the most emblematic places and a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose history dates back to Zimbabwe’s pre-colonial past. The archaeological remnants hold paramount importance in understanding the evolution of various indigenous clans such as Nemanwa, Charumbira, Mugabe and Murinye.
The Hill Ruins, Great Enclosure and the Valley Ruins are the places that united from the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. They are also a testimony to the Bantu Civilization that existed in this place between the 11th and 15th centuries. Extensive archaeological remnants including glass beads and porcelain from China and gold and Arab coins from Kilwa testify the kind of trade relations Zimbabwe had with other countries.
Price: 5$ for Zimbabwe residents, 15$ for other visitors
Timings: Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm. Saturdays and Sundays are closed.
4. Explore Lake Kariba: A hidden riviera of superlative proportions spans over a staggering 220 kilometres in length and 40 kilometres in width and is brimming with a rich variety of indigenous species of faunae. The marine life thriving in the lake waters includes Kapenta, Razor-toothed Tiger Fish, Nile Crocodiles and others.
The fertile banks of the lake also attract a wealth of game animals such as antelopes, cheetahs, lions, elephants, buffaloes and many more. As you take a walk in this green haven you can spot a large population of herons, egrets, kingfishers, African Fish Eagle and storks. Lake Kariba offers a rewarding experience of watching beautiful sunsets during a boat ride.
5. Visit Chinhoyi Caves National Park: An entire world of wonders awaits you at the Chinhoyi Caves national park. The nature caves were used as a hideout during the tribal wars in which many common folks were killed. Their cadavers were tossed into the pool which gave the place its traditional name Chirorodziva (pool of the fallen).
Tunnels from a cave lead to another with all tunnels finally leading to the open roofed main cave. You can see attractive pools of deep turquoise water inside the preserved limestone and dolomite caves. The unfathomably deep pools abounding with colourful fishes look magnificent when sunlight ushers in through the holes in cave roofs.
Location: 5km From Chinhoyi Town Scubaworld & Universal Adventures, Chinhoyi Zimbabwe
Price: 3$ for locals, 8$ for SADC Citizens and 10$ for others. No additional vehicle charges.
Timings: Every day between 8am -5pm
6. Safari at Nyanga National Park: Best known for its scenery, birding and several archeological sites Nyanga National Park has to be included in your Zimbabwe tour packages. The landscape of the park is studded with granite whaleback boulders, steep gorges and undulating valleys and skirted by verdant hills. The park is home to over 300 species of birds among which many are of near endemic species.
In a safari you may spot some resident animals such as Greater Kudu, Reedbuck, Klipspringer and those who want to try their hands in fishing or hiking can have a rewarding experience at Nynga. A wide range of accommodation options are available on varying budgets.
Location: 260 Km east of Harare
Price: US$ 2500
Timings: November -April (for birding and sightseeing)
7. Walk through The City of Bulawayo: The city of Bulawayo is one of the oldest and historically significant settlements of Zimbabwe and a must include in your Zimbabwe holiday packages. Take a tour round the laid back city of Bulawayo and enlighten your cultural self with views of the colonial era, art deco and Bauhaus architecture.
It is a 5 hours’ guided tour in which you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to places viz. Museum of Natural History, Bulawayo Amphitheatre, Railway Museum and other important sites through main roads and alleys of the city. Your guide will keep you informed about the history and culture that make the city an important milestone in Zimbabwe’s history.
8. Birdwatching at Mana Pools National Park: Mana Pools is an ornithologists’ paradise in the true sense of the term with more than 380 recorded species of birds inhabiting in the ridges, woodlands, savannahs and shorelines. Bird-watching at Mana Pools is a round-the-year activity when you can spot waterfowls and Southern Carmine Bee-Eaters along the bank of the Zambezi River during the dry months.
If lucky you can also get to see some of the rare treats such as Pel’s Fishing Owl, Rufous-bellied Heron, African Skimmer and Pel’s Fishing Owl during your bird watching safari. These migratory birds fly from Europe and Northern Africa down to Zimbabwe between November- April to escape cold. This is also the time you can see native birds nesting.
Timings: November to April for bird watching
9. Safari at Matobo National Park: For hard-core wildlife buffs who look for something beyond the conventional, Matobo National Park is a must include in your Zimbabwe tour packages. The park is home to the largest population of some unique wild animals such the Verreaux (Black) Eagle and rhino. The protected section of Metabo offers easy walking and horse trails.
You can spot a wide range of birds, antelopes, warthogs, leopards, and monkeys. Matobo is considered to be one of the best places to spot rhinos and in a 2-3 days’ jungle safari one full day is dedicated to rhino tracking. The safaris are thoughtfully tailored for solo, couples, family and groups with comfortable accommodation and provision for wildlife safari and sightseeing.
Location: Matobo district, Zimbabwe
Price: Entry fee US$ (10-30) per person, guide charge US$25 per day.
Timings: July -October is the high season
10. Explore Khami Ruins: It is probably the most historically significant tourist spot in Zimbabwe which still retains the leftovers of one the most flourishing empires that were at its heyday during 1450-1650. In the northern end of the site, you can spot the foundation of the chief’s residence (it is called a ‘mambo’ in the local dialect).
You can buy a guide book at the entrance of the site that will help you navigate through the alleys. Archaeological finds of Khami ruins include Rhineland stoneware, Ming porcelain relics, Portuguese imitations of Chinese porcelain, silverware and others. There is a secluded area with sitting arrangement under the canopy of trees where you can rest for a while and have some refreshment.
Location: 22 km west of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Price: 104 for adults and 5$ for children
Timings: Every day between 8am -5pm
