Zimbabwe

This enchanting country and its people have had such a hard time recently and visitors have been staying away in fear. We can assure you that several of Zimbabwe’s most splendid attractions are completely safe and accessible to the visitor and can easily be included in a safari itinerary. These include Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Lake Kariba and Mana Pools.

Victoria Falls

Undoubtedly one of the most unmissable sights in Africa. This mile wide curtain of water cascades into a deep gorge cut by the raging Zambezi River. The constant rainbow formed by sunlight and spray even occurs by moonlight. Victoria Falls is also the adventure capital of Africa, with such adrenaline activities as white water rafting, bungee jumping, microlight ‘Flight of Angels’, skydiving and elephant back riding.

There is superb accommodation, including the grand old colonial Victoria Falls Hotel, or you could arrive in style on the “most luxurious” train in the world – Rovos Rail from Pretoria, South Africa.

Hwange National Park

Close to Victoria Falls is Hwange National Park – the largest wildlife reserve in Zimbabwe and one of the most spectacular in Southern Africa. It has an abundance of Africa’s Big Five animals; masses of elephants, lots of leopards, lions and buffalo and some shy rhino, plus zebras, antelopes and 400 species of birds.

Hwange is a place of great contrasts with lush growth during the wet season, turning to semi-desert in the dry season. The animals only survive because the safari lodges within the park keep the man-made waterholes working. This of course leads to exceptional waterhole game viewing with trumpeting elephants of every size.

The safari camps and lodges in Hwange are really very special and each has its own style and terrain, but the common factor is great game viewing.

Lake Kariba

Also within reach of Victoria Falls is Lake Kariba and along its shores, Matusadona National Park. Lake Kariba is like an inland sea full of fish and crocodiles, with other wildlife living along parts of the shoreline. Houseboats cruise up and down this massive lake and an overnight ferry goes from one end to the other. Created in 1958 by the Kariba Dam, the area now supports many villages on a subsistance level and provides wildlife with a welcome sanctuary.

Mana Pools

Fly in to a remote safari lodge on the edge of the Zambezi in Mana Pools National Park for a wildside experience. The Zambezi is wide and calm at this point and spreads out onto alluvial river terraces constantly grazed by elephants, buffalo and waterbuck. One of the most memorable ways to experience Mana Pools is by canoe, and your guide will advise how to avoid hippos and crocs and when to stay silent as you glide very close to animals.