More about Zimbabwe
This is our “home turf” and despite a natural bias, was widely regarded as one of Southern Africa’s top safari spots. Zimbabwe’s main safari areas stretch from the upper Zambezi to the Lower Zambezi Valley, Hwange National Park, Matopos, Great Zimbabwe and the Eastern Highlands.
As a consequence of the guiding industry, camps and lodges in Zimbabwe continue to maintain a high level of service even during these difficult times. Some of the big names safari guides you may recognise include John Stevens, our own Chris Worden, Steve Edwards, Gavin Ford, Ivan Carter, Rob Clifford, Spike Williamson, Sean Lues to name just a few.
There is an ongoing debate about travelling to Zimbabwe and thereby supporting the current government. We've even been on Sky News on this subject (see 25 June 2008 news slots at 5, 6, 7, 8, 9pm). The reality is without the few people left who are trying to conserve the wildlife there will be nothing left to resurrect and we need to support them more now than ever.
We are in hourly contact with our staff on the ground in Zimbabwe and have a permanent satellite link through to both our Zimbabwe and Zambian offices to handle any emergency. The Zambezi River on the Zimbabwean side of the river is safe to travel to despite all the negative publicity and you'll be doing a huge amount to help preserve some of the most legendary parks in Africa.
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As Zimbabwe is a landlocked country it makes its river systems all the more important and Zimbabwe has two main rivers: the Limpopo River forming the southern border with South Africa and the Zambezi River in the north forming the border with Zambia.
The powerful and majestic Zambezi River includes Victoria Falls, one of the 7 natural wonders of the world and a world heritage site. The Falls are twice the height of the Niagara Falls and one-and-a-half times the width. Two of Zimbabwe's national parks are legendary, Hwange National Park on the north eastern border with Botswana and Mana Pools National Park on the lower Zambezi river.
It is these northern parks where we concentrate our energies at present although there is much to see in Zimbabwe elsewhere including the incredible granite hills of the Matopos to the lovely rivers and trees in the Eastern Highlands.
Mana Pools National Park is also a World Heritage site and well known for its walking and canoeing trips. Three of Africa’s most experienced safari guides James Varden, Flip Nicholson and Stretch Ferreira, continue to operate their unparalleled walking and canoeing trails in Mana Pools. We have no hesitation in suggesting this as one of our first choices for this type of safari.
Zimbabweans are well-known for their creative ways and wonderful art whether in the form of paintings, stone or wood sculptures or recycling bottle tops and cooldrink cans into furniture. Many famous artists exhibit their work throughout Zimbabwe's art galleries and some fine examples can be seen at the Elephants Walk Gallery in Victoria Falls.
Game concentrations are good in the Zambezi Valley and Hwange National Park. Zimbabwe’s elephants are large, handsome and majestic with some well documented habits particularly in the Mana Pools National Park area. Wild dog are prevalent in most areas and we've seen them numerous times on school runs from Kariba to Karoi or Harare in packs of up to 20; we've also seen caracal and leopard on the same school runs! The best canoe safaris available anywhere, run along the shoreline of Mana Pools National Park and although a new canoe safari 3 day trip has started up in Mozambique, there are no safaris on offer elsewhere which quite match the Zimbabwean settings and style.
Zimbabwe has numerous lions which hunt in large prides throughout the Matusadona feeding off the buffalo and antelope which gather in the open along the Kariba lakeshore to feed off the short green grass. This life sustaining grass appears and disappears depending on the level of the lake. When the grass is plentiful the numbers in each herd swell dramatically, we've seen over 200 elephant and buffalo herds of up to 500; however when the lake rises and the grass is scarce, the herds disperse into the interior taking the predators with them. Excellent walking safaris can be done through the Matusadona National Park and in Hwange National Park and close-up views of the "King of the Jungle" are common.
Hwange shares its border and the Kalahari desert sand with Botswana resulting in desert adapted species living alongside forest and savannah species. Some of the last great elephant, buffalo and sable herds in Southern Africa live in this area.
Great Zimbabwe is another famous feature built from large blocks of hand cut stone on the ancient slave route between East and Southern Africa and in fact seems to indicate strong ties with parts of Botswana. Access to all areas of the country used to be very easy and efficient but takes a bit of planning these days.
The Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe offer some of the best spots in the world for keen birders, especially in the Bvumba area. The entire Eastern Highlands is scenically magnificent and may be combined with trips into neighbouring Mozambique.
The best time to visit is year round for almost all areas other than the Mana Pools inland area which is best visited in the dry season. Canoe safaris run year round on the upper Zambezi but the best ones are found on the lower Zambezi using the Mana Pools shoreline.
Harare's climate is pleasant year round although fires in the evening are necessary in the midst of winter. The Eastern Highlands has a warm to hot summer with cold, dry winters; access is possible year round and cold winter hikes are especially enjoyable with a warm fire and a cup of coffee with a tot of whisky in the evening!
In the south of the country round Gona Re Zhou, Matopos and Bulawayo the weather can drop to freezing in winter but it is rare and it is always dry during winter. This is one of the driest parts of the country and even in rainy season access is possible to many areas.
Zimbabwe has an impressive road infrastructure by African standards particularly between the major centres and within the Eastern Highlands. Car hire is available but expensive - best suited for exploring the east and south-east of the country.
Victoria Falls and Kariba are connected by a very poor dirt road within the country and the domestic air link is recommended - there are two alternatives, drive on the Zambian side (6, 5 hours, potholed tar) or take the Kariba/Milibizi Ferry (22 hours along Lake Kariba).
The rail network is not extensive, serving Bulawayo and Victoria Falls best. The rail safaris between the two towns are very successful.
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