Zimbabwe is a beautiful country that is rich in natural resources, including minerals, fertile farming land, wildlife, and cultural heritage. These natural wonders make Zimbabwe a must-visit destination. Even if you have not seen this landlocked southern African country before, there are many incredible places to explore that will offer you a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Ranging from places like Victoria Falls, and Hwange National Park, to Great Zimbabwe, make make sure you make this country a travel destination of a lifetime.
Best Places to Visit in Zimbabwe for a Mindblowing Experience
1. Victoria Falls
Any talk of the largest sheet of falling water in the wall would be incomplete without talking about the Victoria waterfalls named after the late British monarch. The water which is shared by Zambia and Zimbabwe has a combined width of 1,708m making it the world’s largest waterfall in the world.
The waterfall can be accessed from both countries with 75 percent of it being visible from Zimbabwe. Hence, we will concentrate on getting to it from Zimbabwe. It can be accessed through Victoria Falls town. One of the pecks of visiting Victoria Falls is that you get to visit two national parks in which the falls are found; the Mosi-Oa-Tunya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Victoria Falls National Park.
Also, it is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. Others are the Aurora Borealis, Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Great Barrier Reef, Mount Everest, Grand Canyon, and Paricutin.
So if you are looking to visit some of the best places in this beautiful country, be sure to put Victoria Falls on your bucket list.
2. Hwange National Park
Founded in 1929, it is the largest band in the country and one of the best places to visit in Zimbabwe to see wildlife. Interestingly, before tourists started including it in the list of places to see in the country, the park was attached to the royal family of the Ndebele.
It is said that the great Ndebele warrior, King Mzilikazi used the area as a hunting ground. Thanks to the Zimbabwean government, this gem can be accessed by people around the world.
Aside from having the big 5 land animals; elephants, lions, buffalo, rhinos, and leopards, it also has over 400 bird species. Notably, the huge concentration of elephants makes it one of the most concentrated elephant sanctuaries in the world.
3. Great Zimbabwe
Located in Masvingo, this medieval African city was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Zimbabwe and home to the Shona people till the 15th century when it was abandoned.
The site is made up of hills which are mostly seen as the religious part, the enclosure, and the walls. Of this, visitors can’t help but notice the symbolism of power and authority that the Shona had in the area. Moreso, it served as a trading connection between the area and other parts of the world such as Persia and China due to artifacts found by archaeologists.
While it was hard for Europeans and other early explorers to believe Africa had such great architecture, Great Zimbabwe is proof that indeed Africans built sophisticated architecture. It is not surprising that it was made a UNESCO site in 1986.
4. Mana Pools National Park
Probably the largest national park in the country, this UNESCO world heritage site offers visitors an opportunity to see hippopotamus, crocodiles, elephants, and many aquatic birds. The park is located along the Zambezi River in the northern part of the country.
Historically, the park holds dear memories to the Bushmen who once called it home. Evidence of their living in the area can still be found in the rock paintings left in caves within the park. Apart from this, other interesting things point to a rich history and heritage such as the Muuyu WeMurengwas Boabab tree which is found on the Sapi River within the park.
Today, the tree which is associated with the Tonga people is considered a National Treasure. If you are a history buff, visiting this park is a sure way of adding to your knowledge.
5. Nyanga National Park
The park sits on 116, 000 acres of dense forest which house many archeological sites. Nyanga was once known as Rhodes Inyanga National Park and it is one of the oldest national parks in the country.
Due to its mountainous nature, the park is a good destination for anyone with a twitch for adventure. It offers many hiking trails, wildlife viewing, fishing, birdwatching, and immersion into archaeology or do we say into history. Animals in the park include Zebras, antelope, waterbucks, klipspringer, and kudu.
Aside from this, a lot of myths, legends, and bizarre occurrences have been associated especially in connection with Mount Nyangani. The mountain is the highest in Zimbabwe but this is not all that there is to it. It is said that there is a strangeness about the mountain which sometimes swallows people which the Manyika people say is due to a vindictive spiritual presence.
While this may discourage many from visiting the park, don’t panic, this is just a bit of warning as you would not want to miss out on all the other interesting features.
6. Lake Kariba
Aside from being the mother of all continents, some of the most beautiful sites are located in Zimbabwe. So how about visiting the largest artificial lake in the world, Lake Kariba? This beautiful gem was formed by damming the Zambezi River to generate hydroelectric power.
Like many shared treasures, Lake Kariba is shared between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The lake was constructed by Andre Coyne and it took three years before it was completed. It is a great spot for house boating and fishing.
7. Chinhoyi Caves
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Located close to Harare, the country’s capital, this tourist location is a majestic piece of nature. Also, it can serve as a romantic getaway for a couple that wants to immerse themselves without thinking about any other person in the world.
The caves which are made of dolomite and limestone also boast a crystal blue colored natural pool located in it.
8. Chiremba Balancing Rocks
These rocks are located in Epworth, Harare, and are said to represent a balance between nature and man. Though many balancing rocks can be found in different parts of the country, Chiremba Balancing Rocks are the most popular.
9. Khami Ruins
This is an archaeological ruin that holds a rich history of the area. Based on the relics, it has been proven that Khami was abandoned in the 16th century. Importantly, items from other parts of the world such as China were found there. This implies that the area was an important trading point.
Due to its cultural significance, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
See Also:10 Interesting Facts About Zimbabwe
10. Matobo National Park
Though it is the last place on this list, it does not make it the least important. On the contrary, Matobo National Park is home to granite mountains and wooded valleys. Some of the significant parts of the park are the Matobo or Matopos Hills. The hills have one of the highest concentrations of rock art in Southern Africa dating back to thousands of years.
These paintings represent the different aspects of daily living. One man who found the place a true beauty is the former colonizer Cecil Rhodes. He described it as World’s View and even added it as his final resting place in his will. Today, Rhode’s grave has become a tourist attraction in the park.
Other attractions in the park include the Maleme Dam where one can enjoy coming and canoeing.
