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Photograph by Mike Myers
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Many people only touch on this wonderful country when they add a visit to the spectacular Victoria Falls to a Botswana or South Africa trip but in doing so they are missing some fascinating areas. Zimbabwe has a lot to offer; it is a beautiful country with a temperate climate and a wide variety of ecosystems to explore. The great Zambezi River cuts along its northern frontier to form the border with Zambia, while the more languid Limpopo forms the southern border with South Africa. Both rivers flow in tropical low-lying valleys where wildlife is abundant. The central plateau is dominated by open woodland and is extensively utilized for farming.
Two landmarks on the plateau are the Matobo National Park and Great Zimbabwe - the ruins of one of Africa's earliest civilizations. To the east, a long chain of mountains (actually the southern most tip of the Great Rift Valley) rises up off the central plateau and these "Eastern Highlands" provide a wonderful opportunity for hiking and seeking out plants and animals not found elsewhere in the region.
Zimbabwe's largest wildlife sanctuary is Hwange National Park, situated on the western border with Botswana. Hwange is home to one of Africa's largest elephant populations and myriad other species. Other excellent game viewing areas are Matusadona, Mana Pools and Zambezi National Parks.
While the current political situation in Zimbabwe precludes self-drive touring or spending time in the major cities, we feel that visiting Victoria Falls and the safari camps of Hwange and Mana Pools should present no problem for the foreign visitor. The game viewing is still spectacular and the people are as friendly as ever.
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