| Zimbabwe's biggest draw is undoubtedly the | | | | and undoubtedly the most majestic waterfall in |
| majestic Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural | | | | the world; popular activities include walking through |
| wonders of the world. But the country also has | | | | the rainforest, white water rafting, bungi jumps, |
| other natural and historical advantages to | | | | flights over the falls, river cruises, and much more. |
| captivate travellers and beckon them to return. | | | | Lake Kariba Unique scenery of dead trees rising |
| Wildlife, fish and birds abound including a number | | | | from the depths of this huge man-made lake is |
| of unique, rare and endangered species making | | | | especially beautiful during sunset; a popular way to |
| game viewing, bird watching, fishing and hunting | | | | enjoy the lake is on a houseboat with friends |
| popular activities. | | | | viewing the large numbers of crocodile and hippo, |
| Home to four World Heritage Sites, Zimbabwe | | | | going game viewing at the Matusadona National |
| has a rich history of ancient civilisations that | | | | Park or Tiger fishing - the largest Tiger fish ever |
| makes its friendly people stand proud, despite | | | | was caught here and weighed 15.5kg. |
| hardship. From the refreshing spray of the Falls on | | | | Harare: |
| your face, to a Lake Kariba sunset, a lush | | | | The capital city offers sightseeing at the National |
| mountain escape to a river rafting adventure on | | | | Gallery; National Archives; Queen Victoria Museum; |
| the Zambezi, Zimbabwe is sure to leave you with | | | | Queen Victoria National Library; National Botanic |
| memories as indelible as those of Livingstone and | | | | Garden; Mbare Market; Chapungu village; tobacco |
| Rhodes when they witnessed the country's riches. | | | | auction floors; Mukuvisi Woodlands; Museum of |
| CAPITAL: Harare | | | | Human Sciences; Harare Gardens; Cecil House; |
| CLIMATE: Subtropical. The best time to visit is | | | | National Handicraft Centre; Africa Unity Square |
| Apr-Oct when weather is mild with little rain. | | | | and The Residency. |
| Winter (May-Aug) is dry and sunny. Rainy | | | | Kame Ruins: |
| weather is Nov-Mar/Apr. | | | | 22 km west of Bulawayo is Kame Ruins, one of |
| CURRENCY: 1 Zimbabwe Dollar = 100 cents. You | | | | southern Africa's magnificent Late Iron Age ruins, |
| may take 15000 Zimbabwean dollars out of the | | | | now a World Heritage Site showing the area was |
| country. There are no restrictions on foreign | | | | the seat of government of earlier civilisations. |
| currency brought in. If you don't declare the | | | | Great Zimbabwe National Monument: |
| foreign money you bring in, you'll only be able to | | | | Ruins of an ancient African city, believed to have |
| take out 500 US dollars. You may be asked to | | | | flourished between the 13th and 15th centuries |
| account for foreign currency exchanged/spent in | | | | AD, is the only one in existence south of the |
| country. Hotel bills must be payed for with credit | | | | Sahara and a World Heritage Site; the country has |
| cards or in foreign hard currencies e.g. US dollar. | | | | taken its name from it and the famous |
| Users of credit cards are subject to a surcharge | | | | Zimbabwe birds found at the site has become the |
| of about 3 percent on the total value of goods | | | | national bird and been incorporated in the flag; visit |
| purchased. US dollar traveller's cheques are | | | | the museum on the site, the Kyle recreational |
| recommended. Avoid street money changers | | | | park and do game viewing by car or horseback |
| who promise "no commission, best rates", but | | | | nearby. |
| then cheat on delivery. There are strict penalties | | | | Hwange National Park: |
| for illegal foreign currency trading. Several of the | | | | The country's largest national park, both in size |
| city's large stores don't accept American Express | | | | and variety of wild game and bird life; also one of |
| cards; travellers' cheques are the most convenient | | | | the few remaining elephant sanctuaries in Africa, |
| means of payment. | | | | with herds of up to 100 strong seen; the only |
| HEALTH: Yellow fever immunisation is essential if | | | | area in the country where gemsbok and brown |
| you arrive from an infected country or area. | | | | hyena occur in reasonable numbers and where |
| Visitors are also advised to take pre-arrival | | | | the population of wild dog is thought to be the |
| precautions against hepatitis A, polio, typhoid and | | | | largest surviving in Africa today. |
| malaria (depending on the area visited especially | | | | Mana Pools National Park: |
| those outside of towns). Other health concerns | | | | Part of the Middle Zambezi Valley, Mana Pools is |
| include bilharzia (don't swim in the rivers/dams or | | | | host to some of the biggest concentrations of |
| drink the water from them as it may be | | | | large mammals to be seen in Zimbabwe; it is also |
| infected), sunburn, limited medical facilities and | | | | renowned for its varied and colourful birdlife and |
| supplies outside of towns, AIDS and influenza (risk | | | | forms one of the last remaining strongholds of |
| extends throughout the year). | | | | the black rhino; game viewing, hunting and canoe |
| LANGUAGE: English is the official language. | | | | safaris are popular. |
| Chishona and Sindebele are widely spoken. | | | | Bulawayo & Matobo: |
| PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: | | | | Zimbabwe's second largest city which stands on |
| 1 January New Year's Day | | | | the site of the royal kraal of Lobengula, last of |
| 12 April Easter Monday | | | | the Ndebele Kings; view the Natural History |
| 18 April Independence Day | | | | Museum, Railway Museum, Mzilikazi art and craft |
| 1 May Workers' Day | | | | centre, Centenary park, central parks and National |
| 25 May Africa Day | | | | Art Gallery; 30 km from the city is Matobo |
| 11 August Heroes' Day | | | | National Park, a unique area of some 2000 square |
| 12 August Defence Forces Day | | | | kilometres of gigantic wind-sculpted rock |
| 22 December Unity Day | | | | formations. Cecil John Rhodes' burial site and |
| 25-26 December Christmas | | | | thousands of ancient rock paintings can also be |
| SHOPPING: Shona soft-stone carvings; | | | | found here. |
| woodcarvings; T-shirts; safari clothing; pottery; | | | | Eastern highlands: |
| leather goods; basket ware; sculptures; textiles. | | | | Luxuriant natural surroundings characterise this |
| Nail polish and old clothes can sometimes be | | | | region with mountains, grassy plains, streams, |
| swopped for carvings. | | | | waterfalls, mountain flowers, rare birds, etc. |
| SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: Christianity is the main | | | | contributing to panoramic views of exquisite |
| religion, but in rural areas people have traditional | | | | beauty attracting nature lovers, hikers and other |
| beliefs. Western/European courtesies are | | | | outdoor enthusiasts; visit the Nyanga National |
| observed. Return invitations are appreciated. | | | | Park, Mutare, Mutarazi Falls, Bunga Botanical |
| Handshaking is the common form of greeting. | | | | Reserve, Bvumba Botanical Gardens and the |
| Dress is casual, but most hotels require more | | | | wilderness of the Chimanimani National Park. |
| formal wear, e.g. tie and jacket; business | | | | Gona-re-Zhou park: |
| meetings require suits. | | | | This park adjoins the Kruger National Park in |
| TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT+2 | | | | South Africa and is home to some of the rarest |
| TIPPING: Ten-fifteen percent is common. | | | | bird and animal life in Africa. The bat-eared fox, |
| TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION: | | | | suni, Liechtenstein's hartebeest, nyala and roan |
| Victoria Falls: | | | | antelope are to be found along the famous |
| Called by locals "Mosi-oa-Tunya" - the smoke that | | | | African elephants of this park, which are unlike |
| thunders, Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site | | | | any others in the world. |