MyAfrica With no fewer than 5 World Heritage Sites including the largest falls in the world by volume, the Victoria Falls. Zimbabwe is one of the best holiday destinations in Africa. From the off-the-beaten-track options like Mana Pools, Matusodona, Gonarezhou, Eastern Highlands and Lake Kariba, you have perennial favourites like the Victoria Falls, The Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Hwange National Park and Matobo Hills.
Safaris in Zimbabwe can be combined by the mighty Zambezi River which adds a completely new dimension to any getaway. I can personally spend up to a week at the Victoria Falls as there is just so much to do and the adventure options are seemingly endless. Victoria Falls is driven by tourism and as such has escaped the problems experienced by the rest of the country. The hotels and lodges are of a great standard as is the service and infrastructure.
To make the most of your time here, I suggest that you combine several days with a couple of safari destinations. Hwange is only a two-hour drive from Victoria Falls, but more remote off-the-beaten-track safaris in Matusodona and Mana Pools are a short flight away. These routes are served daily and are relatively inexpensive. Both Mana Pools and Matusodona have the added experience of either Kariba Dam or the Zambezi River, adding to the activities on offer. Note to all safari lovers: Mana Pools is the only one of Africa’s National Parks that allows you to do self-guided walk in Big 5 territory.
Game viewing in Zimbabwe’s National parks is very rewarding and exciting. You cannot go wrong by incorporating several days safari in your trip to the Victoria Falls. Many people combine Victoria Falls with Chobe National Park and /or the Okavango Delta in Botswana. These destinations are a short flight away. Combinations of these destination make for some of the best safari Africa has to offer.
I do not recommend that you spend any time in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, as it is just another African city and normally the centre of any political goings-on. Matobo Hills, the Great Zimbabwe Ruins and Eastern Highlands are best visited on a self-drive tour, but I do not recommend at this time for 1st timers. If you are interested in Matobo Hills and the Great Zimbabwe, I suggest that you arrange for a reputable tour company to transport you where you would like to go.
While Zimbabwe is not home to high mountains and very dramatic scenery, its savannah, escarpment and “bushveld” are quintessentially Africa. Its sunsets, especially along the Zambezi River, accompanied by the unique sounds of Africa are the things that make Zimbabwe a bucket list must.
