Zimbabwe is a country located in the southern part of the continent of Africa, between the Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River, Kariba Dam and the Limpopo River. Zimbabwe is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the west, Zambia to the north and Mozambique to the east. The best thing about Zimbabwe is that it is a relatively unknown and untouched area making it the ideal safari destination; as it has the most lush vegitation.

Zimbabwe is truly Africa’s paradise. A land locked country situated in the heart of southern Africa. Zimbabwe offers an astounding variety of natural beauty, spectacular scenery, breathtaking views

The Ndebele and Shona tribes were predominant when the English took over and called the country Rhodesia, and in 1980 this Zimbabwean area became independent. Zimbabwe, like many other countries over the world, experienced some political changes . As much news cover as there has been, the Zimbabwean people have remained a positive and sweet nation. Visiting Zimbabwe and meeting the local people is a humbling experience – they are extremely kind and passive individuals who are more than willing to share their magnificent Zimbabwean attractions with any visitor.

The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. The Local people call it "Mosi-oa-Tunya" -- the smoke that thunders and the Falls are remarkable.

There is a magic about them manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and deadly crocodiles lurk.

The Victoria falls is 1 708 meters wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic metres of water plummet over the edge every minute.

Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria falls inspires visitors as much today as it did David Livingstone in the 1860's.

The falls and the surrounding area have been declared National Parks and a World Heritage Site, thus preserving the area from excessive commercialisation.

A must see attraction that tells a country’s history evolution and destiny, Great Zimbabwe is The archeological remains of an ancient city built of stone, located in present-day Zimbabwe which was once the centre of a vast empire known as the Munhumutapa Empire (also called Monomotapa Empire) covering the modern states of Zimbabwe (which took its name from this city). Zimbabwe is the only country that derives its name from a monument (The word 'Zimbabwe' means 'great house of stone.')

The Valley Complex contains a number of enclosures including the Great Enclosure and the Conical Tower. It was in one of these enclosures that the most ornate of the Zimbabwe birds (the Chevron Bird) was found. The bird has since become the symbol of Zimbabwe and is on the national flag.

The Great Enclosure, with its 250m (820ft) wide and 11m (36ft) high perimeter wall, is the largest single ancient structure south of the Sahara Desert, while the Hill Complex rises 79m (260ft) above the surrounding area on a steep, granite hill.

Great Zimbabwe's most enduring and impressive remains are its stone walls. These walls were constructed from granite blocks gathered from the exposed rock of the surrounding hills. Since this rock naturally splits into even slabs and can be broken into portable sizes, it provided a convenient and readily available building resource. All of Great Zimbabwe's walls were fitted without the use of mortar by laying stones one on top of the other, each layer slightly more recessed than the last to produce a stabilizing inward slope. Early examples were coarsely fitted using rough blocks and incorporated features of the landscape such as boulders into the walls. Over the years the technique was refined, and later walls were fitted together closely and evenly over long, serpentine courses to produce remarkably finished surfaces.

Below Victoria Falls the Zambezi River flows into the enormous Lake Kariba, which provides a veritable treasure trove of exciting activities to the discerning visitor. The shores of Lake Kariba are home to an enormous variety of wildlife including elephant, buffalo, hippopotamus, lion and the elusive and rare black rhino.

Spectacularly situated lodges are located along the lakeshore, each offering spectacular views and superb experiences of Lake Kariba. Visitors can also take advantage of unforgettable house-boat safaris on the lake where both game viewing by boat and sport fishing for especially the voracious tiger fish is possible. Matusadona Game Reserve on the southern shoreline opposite Kariba Town, is spectacularly situated and an ideal base for game viewing and fishing trips on the lake.

Lake Kariba is a man-made lake created following the completion of the Kariba Dam which was built between 1955 and 1959 to harness the waters of the Zambezi River and provide hydro-electric power to both Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Before the waters rose, some 51,000 people of the Tonga tribe had to be resettled on higher ground. Almost 5,000 animals were also rescued in “Operation Noah” co-ordinated by the game ranger Rupert Fothergill. The Zambezi Valley which incorporates Lake Kariba is today one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in Africa.

In recent years, high levels of rain have caused the waters of Lake Kariba to rise much higher than was ever expected. Whilst the rain is generally good for wildlife around Zimbabwe, for the area of Matusadona and Lake Kariba this has meant that the fertile grass shores are now under water and a vital food supply for many animals has been cut off. The volume of wildlife grazing on the shoreline has thus reduced. This has also made life difficult for the predators who are accustomed to feeding on the grazing herds. Buffalo are frequently obliged to get right into the water to reach the feeding grasses.

The ancient granite formations of the Matobo Hills, situated about 20 minutes by car from Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, are of great historical and spiritual significance, with art and artifacts dating back thousands of years.

No one can visit the Matobo Hills and stay unaffected by their brooding majesty. Situated in the heart of Matabelaland in Zimbabwe, these hills have long been the scene of ceremonies and rituals. Mzilikazi, founder of the Ndebele nation, gave the area its name. Apparently the smooth granite boulders reminded him of a gathering of his old indunas and he called the area amaTobo, “the bald heads”. Mzilikazi is interred here in a hillside tomb. His possessions, including wagons and furniture, have been sealed for over a century in a cave nearby, and visitors can view this fascinating collection through small openings in the rocks.
It’s hard to believe that this area of giant granite domes and precariously balanced boulders was once a flat and featureless landscape.

Although the granite outcrops are the most outstanding features of the region, the Matobo National Park - within which the Matobo Hills lie - is an area of immense botanical variety with wooded valleys, grassy marshlands and streams between the hills. Most of it is accessible only on foot or horseback, except the Whovi Wilderness Area Game Park, where you have to stay in your car to view some of the larger mammals such as white and black rhino.

Animals are plentiful throughout the park and include leopard, monkey, baboon, impala, zebra, klipspringer, dassie, porcupine, red hare and many smaller mammals. Visitors may be less pleased to know that 39 species of snakes flourish here, particularly the deadly black mamba. The high cliffs and craggy outcrops are a favourite haunt of various raptors which help to keep the snake population in check. In fact, the Matobo National Park boasts the world’s largest concentration of black eagles. Other raptors include Wahlberg’s eagle, tawny eagle, secretary bird, snake eagle and Peregrine falcon. The dams, too, boast a wide variety of denizens. 16 fish species in all, including exotics such as bass, barbel and salmon.

The rock art of the Matobo Hills compares with the best anywhere in southern Africa, and is predominantly the work of Bushmen who lived in this region for thousands of years. What distinguishes these paintings are their incredible diversity and animation. Human beings are depicted playing, running, hunting, dancing lying down and sitting. Animals are anatomically correct, making identification easy, while trees, birds, insects and reptiles are accurately rendered.

One of the most bizarre attractions of the Matobo Hills is the lizard feeding that takes place here at World’s View. A ranger, holding out a small piece of cooked maize meal, or sadza, calls out to the rocks. Then, from underneath various boulders, scores of rainbow-hued lizards appear and race across the rocks and even clamber over the ranger to get their share. This spectacle occurs three times a day and is not to be missed.

The choice of accommodation is excellent. All camps have electric power. The lodges are carpeted and furnished to an excellent standard.
To get to there, take the A47 leading to the southwest from Bulawayo. The hills are reached after driving about 32km along the well-tarred road.

Walking, driving and horseback safaris are a popular way of seeing the wildlife. Accommodation is provided at a number of game Lodges.

To travel through Hwange National Park today is to see what much of the interior of Africa might have been like more then 150 years ago.