The 8 most beautiful places to visit in Zimbabwe

Diversion and adventure are guaranteed in Southern Africa thanks to this guide of the 8 most beautiful places to visit in Zimbabwe!

Zimbabwe is not the first country in Southern Africa to which we think when it comes to discovering the treasures of this continent. Faster left for the benefit of Bostwana, Namibia and of South Africa Because of its political situation, the mythical Victoria Falls are still there. Its national parks have nothing to envy neighbors either! You may not miss the very wanted Big Five But just to observe them, of course! But then, if there is everything here, what are you waiting for to visit Zimbabwe?

Interestingly, 60% of the country's population is under 25, which contributes to its dynamism, especially in its capital, Harare. This trip will be an opportunity to learn more about the history of Africa and its multisecular cultures, unfortunately sent to the forgotten by European colonization. In summary, it is no longer a question to miss the cultural richness of this country, which still has 16 official languages!

And to give you a taste of what awaits you, here are our 8 most beautiful places to visit in Zimbabwe.

1. Victoria Falls

This is the flagship landscape to be visited in Zimbabwe and this is where you are likely to cross the most tourists. Located at the border with Zambia, a bridge allows to pass from one country to another. The falls form a wall of 1.7 km where the Zambèze River flows into a 100-metre deep canyon in a frantic noise. The site offers the possibility to walk on the heights of the falls and along the Zambèze. This is a unique opportunity to observe the richness of wildlife and the beauty of the landscape. A loop in the wet forest is highly recommended to appreciate the variety of biodiversity in the region.

It should be noted that the high waters take place in March-April, it is during this period that you can witness the phenomenon of water fog and rainbows.

2. Lake Kariba

Who could believe by discovering the wealth of its wildlife and its wild shores that the lake is artificial? In 1960, it was the construction of a hydroelectric dam, by French André Coyne , which creates Kariba Lake.

During the rainy season, the water level rises and floods the surrounding forests as evidenced by the fascinating spectacle of tree trunks that emerge from the surface. They then form perch of choice for a wide variety of birds and give a mystical atmosphere instead. A water trip will allow you to meet some hippopotamus and crocodiles or fish one of the famous tiger fish.

If you pass by in September, don't miss the local festival dedicated to the god Nyaminyami . The legend says that he lived there and that the construction of the dam separated him from his wife, which caused his anger and triggered a tragic rupture of the dam.

3. The remains of Great Zimbabwe

Visiting Zimbabwe and the archaeological remains of this ancient medieval city is an opportunity to tangle the neck to some prejudices inherited from colonization. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is unique in the world. The legend even says that the queen of Saba would have lived there.

The ensemble testifies to the Shona culture with a city founded in the 11th century, which hosted up to 10,000 inhabitants in the 14th century. Among the remaining remains are several stone enclosures that certainly delineated a high, royal city, walls and tower ruins. Many artifacts, such as sculptures, gold jewellery and beads, including some from Asia, have been found and prove that the city has been an important commercial hub.

4. Harare

The capitals of Africa are not one of the world’s most famous cities when it comes to making a city trip. Harare tends to derogate from the rule and is considered one of the most adventurous of the continent. Of course, it will still be necessary to take the precautions of use as a tourist. So avoid walking alone at night. However, the capital of Zimbabwe has a few small to discover.

To begin with, the city is pleasant thanks to its numerous parks and gardens with abundant flowering, a visit to the National Botanical Gardens is also recommended. The Harare Gardens is the largest park in the city, with many activities to do. In fact, it houses the museum not to be missed, the Zimbabwe National Gallery. It is a centre of contemporary art pointed out in the representation of African artists. It is also a centre for the conservation of the artistic heritage of the continent, from the first to the present.

5. The Hwange National Park

Visiting Zimbabwe is necessarily synonymous with wildlife and safaris observation! The Hwange National Park is one of the largest in the country. It houses all the mythical mammals of Africa, including many elephants, but not only. The diversity of its fauna is exceptional, monkeys, giraffes, fawns, hyenas or even wild birds released straight from King Lion. The same applies to its landscapes that offer great views.

The best way to discover it is, of course, to be accompanied by a ranger of the park. In addition to safaris in 4×4, other visits are possible. For example, guided night hikes offer the opportunity to discover nature in a quieter way, away from crowds.

6. The Matusadona National Park

Located on the shores of Kariba Lake, you should not miss visiting this park in amazing history. When the artificial lake was created with the construction of the dam, many animals found themselves trapped on islets following the rising waters. The authorities then organized a Operation No. to evacuate the animals and release them safely. This is how the park saw the day.

Today, thanks to the proximity of the lake, fauna has grown considerably. You will certainly have the opportunity to cross, among other things, a number of crocodiles, hippopotamias, but also black rhinoceros, extinct species, of which only a few dozen individuals remain. The landscapes are also unforgettable.

7. Matobo Hills

Visiting Zimbabwe is not just about safaris. What makes the reputation of Matobo National Park and its mountains are the balancing rocks, granite rocks of several stacked tons. Balance seems precarious but it has been holding for centuries. These natural sculptures already fascinated ancient civilizations. Indeed, many traces of occupancy have been discovered, including cave paintings. The Matobo Hills are also classified as UNESCO’s world heritage and some of the rocky chaos is considered sacred by local populations who still practice ancestral rites.

Other interesting fact, Cecil Rhodes , a British colonist at the origin of the creation of Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, is buried on the hills as well as the founder of the Ndebele kingdom in the nineteenth century, King Mzilikazi.

8. Bulawayo

It would be a shame to miss Bulayawo during your visit to Zimbabwe. The city is the second of the country and was the capital of the Ndébélé kingdom founded in the nineteenth century.

• Its historic centre is renowned as it has preserved traces of the European occupation and many colonial-style buildings, some very amazing, remain, which brings a certain charm.
• At the cultural level, Bulawayo is also known for its beautiful museums. Indeed, the Museum of Natural History is very rich and its collections are among the most important in the continent. The country’s fauna and flora are presented, the different civilizations and the characters that marked Zimbabwe’s history. As a bonus, a gold mine was reconstituted among many other curiosities.
• The other famous museum of the city is that of the railways. It retraces the history of colonization and its pharaonic projects, through the presentation of old cars. You can find out who crossed the Victoria Fall Bridge for the first time or that of Cecil Rhodes.
• In order to finish your discovery of the city in beauty, you should not miss going to the periphery to visit the remains of the city of Khami which developed after the fall of Grand Zimbabwe.

So, what are you waiting to visit Zimbabwe?