Zimbabwe

about zimbabwe

Zimbabwe – Land of the Water Wonder

The country is known worldwide for its great wonder of nature, Victoria Falls . One of the largest waterfalls on the planet impresses thousands of tourists annually and the scenery around it is truly unforgettable. It is not only possible to contemplate the place but also to venture into the waters of the Zambebi River, there are options for rafting , canoeing and even bungee jump .

The various types of safaris are also the main attractions of Zimbabwe. Have you ever imagined walking alongside a lion, being able to touch it and without the presence of a guide? Or even take a boat or canoe trip near hippos, crocodiles? In this tourist destination all this is possible. The wildlife is abundant, there are hundreds of species of birds, mammals and the Big Five are easily seen.

Zimbabwe has many natural landscapes, from mountainous regions, lush forests to the typical savannah. There are also places surrounded by mystery, culture and history. Its ethnic and linguistic diversity provide immersion in the African continent.

A peaceful place, with a welcoming population and always with a special smile on their face, whether in big cities or in more remote villages. The high standard of hotels, service and the great structure of accommodations in national parks and safari reservations make the trip more special.

geography

A country in southern Africa and located among the tropics, Zimbabwe has a land area of ​​390,757 km². It has no exit to the sea and borders Zambia (to the north), South Africa (to the south), Mozambique (to the east) and Botswana (to the west).

Zimbabwe is situated in areas with elevations and is limited to the east by mountains. The country’s northeastern border is marked by the mighty Zambezi River, which is located along the unparalleled spectacle of Victoria Falls and the length of Lake Kariba . Between the limits of Zambia and Zimbabwe are Victoria Falls: one of the largest waterfalls in the world that originates in the Zambezi River which begins in Zambia and ends in Mozambique, flowing into the Indian Ocean .

With a population of around 13 million , the country is divided into 8 provinces and two cities . The cities are Harare, the country’s capital, and Bulawayo. The provinces: Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands.

About two-fifths of the total population lives in urban centers, particularly in Harare and Bulawayo. Among blacks living in urban areas, there is a disproportionately large number of men of working age, leaving an excess of older people, women and children in rural areas. At least half of black families are partially or totally dependent on working men.

vegetation

The predominant vegetation is the savanna (tropical pasture) with some trees that grow with the help of humid summers. The only real forests, however, are the lush forests of the eastern border and the wooded savannah, which includes tectone trees (with great commercial value for their resistance), northwest of the city of Bulawayo .

Several species of Brachystegia (a wood tree up to 90 meters high with light reddish brown wood) are dominant in areas with elevations between 900 meters (Middlevel) and between 1,500 and 2,100 meters (Highveld). Other common species including the mohobohobo (a medium-sized tree, with large, heart-shaped leaves) and even thorny trees.

In the valleys of the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers, mopane (similar to mohobohobo) is common, together with baobab species and thorny trees. Australian eucalyptus trees have been widely introduced, especially on white owned farms and are used as windbreaks and fuel.

Australian acacia was planted in the eastern districts as a source of tannin (certain organic substances that are used to transform animal skins into leather). Land with only grasses is uncommon, but it occurs mainly along the eastern border around Chimanimani (Mandidzudzure , formerly Melsetter).

climate and best season to travel

Zimbabwe has a temperate climate and very good temperatures all year round. Thermometers register, on average, between 28 ° C and 35 ° C. In the southern plains and the Zambezi Valley to the north and west, temperatures are always hot.

In the dry and cold winter months (April to October) the days are warm, sunny and the nights cool and with a clear sky. At night the temperature is around 5 ° C.

The rainy season lasts between November and March, heavy rains and thunderstorms occur during the afternoon . Temperatures vary between 18 ° C and 32 ° C during the day, but the parks in the country’s highest central areas (Central Highveld plateau) are cold. Parks that are at low altitudes will be very hot and often reach 40 ° C.

The best time to observe wildlife is during the dry winter months, as animals tend to be concentrated near water sources . Also the most recommended period for rafting in Victoria Falls. For those who want to see many herds of elephants, they should plan the trip for the end of winter (September and October) because these months are ideal for crossing the Zambezi River on a safari cruise and viewing these animals.

language

There are 16 official languages ​​in the country, English, Shona and Ndebele being the most widely spoken . More than two-thirds of Zimbabwe’s population speak Shona as their first language, while about one in five speak Ndebele . Both Shona and Ndebele are Bantu languages.

The other languages ​​are: Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Khoisan, Nambya, Ndau, Shangaan, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa.

history

Between the years 1,200 and 1,600 there was the rise and decline of the Monomotapa domain, which would have been associated with the Great Zimbabwe society (Greater Zimbabwe) due to gold mining and international trade. The society that lived in the ruins of Great Zimbabwe is believed to have become increasingly influential during the 11th century. Swahili, Portuguese and Arabs who were sailing along the coast of Mozambique began to trade porcelain, fabric and glass with the people of Great Zimbabwe in exchange for gold and ivory . The name ” Zimbabwe ” was probably derived from the Shona language: ” Dzimba dza mabwe” which means “stone house”. And the ruins today are the largest and most important in sub-Saharan Africa.

Around 1830, the Ndebele people escaped the violence imposed by the Zulus and brought about by the Boer migration – when the Dutch arrived in the territory now known as South Africa and began to exterminate the native people – and went north, where they settled and place came to be called Matabeleland .

Between 1830 and 1890, European hunters, traders and missionaries began to explore the region from the south. These missions were attended by Cecil John Rhodes , a British businessman, mining tycoon and politician in South Africa. In 1889, the British South Africa Company Rhodes (BSA) won a British mandate to colonize the territory. Rhodes was the founder of the territory of Southern Rhodesia, in 1895.

The first groups of white settlers arrived in the south in 1890, where the capital Harare would later be. The Ndebele people revolt against BSA domination, but in 1893 they are massacred . It was only in 1922 that the BSA administration ended and the white minority opted for its own government and the territory became known as Rhodesia . A land division law in 1930 restricted blacks’ access to land, forcing many to wage labor. As early as 1953, the British created the Central African Federation ( Central African Federation ), composed of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Northern Rhodesia (today Zambia) and Nyasaland (Malawi). However, that federation was broken after Zambia and Malawi gained independence in 1963.

Ian Smith, of the Rhodesian Front ( Rhodesian Frent – RF ), becomes the prime minister and tries to convince Britain to grant independence. In 1965, Smith unilaterally declared independence under the white minority government, which provoked international outrage and economic sanctions. In 1972, guerrillas against the white regime intensified, with rivals Zanu and Zapu operating from Zambia and Mozambique. Only in 1978 did Smith give in to pressure and negotiations began. The elections for the transitional legislature were boycotted by the Patriotic Front composed of Zanu and Zapu . The new government of Rhodesia of Zimbabwe, led by Bishop Abel Muzorewa, fails to gain international recognition and the civil war continues.

In 1979, England brokered negotiations between all parties in Lancaster House , London, which led to a peace agreement and also on the new constitution, which guaranteed the rights of minorities. In 1980, veteran pro-independence leader Robert Mugabe and his Zanu party won British-supervised independence elections. Mugabe is named prime minister and Zapu leader Joshua Nkomo joins his cabinet. Independence on April 18, 1980 is recognized internationally.

Two years later, Mugabe dismisses Nkomo, accusing him of preparing to overthrow the government. The Fifth Brigade , which received North Korean training, was deployed to crush the pro-Nkomo rebellion, formed by former guerrillas in the Midlands and Matabeleland provinces. Government forces are accused of killing thousands of civilians and continue for years to come.

Robert Mugabe has served as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe since 1980, and after changing the Constitution he becomes President of the country in 1987. He has been re-elected to the presidency several times (1984, 1990, 1996 and 2002, 2008), but the elections were supposedly tainted by voter fraud and intimidation, and Mugabe remains chief executive today, at 90.

Although nominally a multiparty state, in practice, President Mugabe’s party dominates the political system. When blacks took power they changed the name of the country to Zimbabwe. The new government formed by the black majority, was revanchista with the whites. Many farmers had their land confiscated by the government, in addition to being expelled from the country. Zimbabwe has entered a period of total bankruptcy in its economy since the late 1980s, when Mugabe began to confiscate the land of white farmers to make settlements . With this, agricultural production fell dramatically and the country, formerly an exporter of agricultural products, became an importer, and the population in the cities began to starve and hyperinflation destroyed its currency in 2006 . Currently, it is estimated that Zimbabwe is one of the countries with the largest number of people living below the poverty line, despite 91% of Zimbabweans being literate .

In 2013, the new Constitution was approved, the fundamental law submitted to a referendum reduces the president’s powers and limits his mandates to a maximum of 10 years . He suppressed the post of prime minister, currently occupied by Morgan Tsvangirai , Mugabe’s main opponent, with whom he has a difficult coexistence in a government of national unity imposed four years ago by neighboring countries to prevent a civil war, which was on the verge of explode after the violent 2008 election campaign.

Several cases of violence and intimidation have arisen, perpetuated against Robert Mugabe’s political opponents. His government is considered one of the most corrupt in the whole of the African continent, being suspicious of several parallel schemes for the sale of diamonds and other minerals in the country . Governing an authoritarian and undemocratic regime, Robert Mugabe, an exacerbated nationalist, is responsible for passing controversial restrictions on the right to vote and a law that allows independent observers to be removed from the elections, in addition to a severe persecution of the national press. Likewise, it limits the civil rights of the citizens of your country.

visa

All visitors to Zimbabwe need to present a valid passport, return transportation ticket, sufficient funds and at least three blank visa pages for entry and exit stamps.

Passports need to be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country. Visas can be purchased at a port of entry to Zimbabwe, however, multiple entry visas cannot be obtained at Zimbabwe’s ports of entry. Travellers need to have a Yellow Fever vaccination when travelling from risk countries.Visitors to Zimbabwe are allowed to extend their stay at the discretion of an Immigration Officer. The maximum period by which a visit can be extended is 6 months.

You can find more: https://www.evisa.gov.zw/regime

national parks

The country has many nature and wildlife preservation areas, mainly national parks and safari reserves. Tourists can count on numerous options of air, water and land activities offered within these areas, in addition, there are luxurious accommodations that make the tours much more pleasant.

Hwange National Park is the largest national park in Zimbabwe, covering an area of ​​over 14,600 km², located in the western part, bordering Botswana. The park has one of the most privileged views for wildlife observation, being one of the most visited parks. Hwange has the greatest diversity of animals and more than 400 species of birds, 105 species of mammals, including 19 large herbivores and 8 large carnivores. In addition to predators, there are endangered species, such as the wild dog, where you can find one of the largest surviving groups on the African continent. Walking around the park is allowed or canoeing. It is impossible not to be impressed by the variety of landscapes, from desert, woods, grasslands and even granite formations.

The Zambezi National Park is 40 kilometers from the impressive Zambezi River passing through it. On the border with Zambia, the park is rich in wildlife, with vegetation composed of mopane forest and savanna. During a safari it is possible to observe hippos, elephants, giraffes, other species of antelopes, zebras, buffalo, among others. Zambezi National Park along with Victoria Falls National Park covers an area of ​​56 hectares.

At 1,708 meters high, Victoria Falls is known as the largest curtain of water in the world, more than 550 million liters of water gush per minute. The waterfalls and the surrounding areas have been declared national parks and World Heritage Sites. The views of the waterfalls on the Zimbabwe and Zambia side are quite different, varying according to the time of year and the water flow . David Livingstone was the first to discover Victoria Falls in 1855, and his name was named after Queen Victoria of England . There is a monument in the park that tells the story of this discovery. Numerous adventure options around the waterfalls are offered.

Mana Pools National Park , is in the far north of the country, on the border with Zambia. The name “Mana” means “four”, and refers to the four pools located around it . This park is a World Heritage Site and hosts numerous species of birds and a wide variety of wildlife, including elephant, buffalo, zebra, antelopes, hippos and crocodiles, in addition to the rare black rhinos. The best time to view the animals is during the dry season, between September and October . Visitors can go on foot or canoe safari along the Zambezi River. Fishing in the Mana Pools and the Zambezi River is permitted without a license.

why zimbabwe ?

The Zambezi River is one of the best water adventure destinations in the world . Those who enjoy adrenaline cannot miss the excellent rafting in the Zambezi Gorges below the waterfalls, in addition to canoeing and kayaking.

Victoria Falls, known as “thundering smoke”, is the country’s biggest attraction . Undoubtedly, one of the most impressive natural spectacles on the planet, it was not by chance elected one of the Seven Wonders of the world . Flying over the waterfalls by helicopter is a unique experience, adventurers can also bungee jump on the Zambezi bridge .

Zimbabwe offers hotels and accommodations in the parks and safari reserves of the highest quality, the service is also excellent. The most luxurious hotels have traces of the colonial period.

The only walking safari in Africa among the lions and still without a guide can only be done in Mana Pools . This is because there is a project to reintegrate lions into the wild that have been removed from zoos. In this project, lions go through several phases, the first of which is to have contact with humans, then they learn to hunt and, finally, they are placed inside the safari reserves. In the park it is also possible to cross the Zambezi River in a canoe and observe hippos and crocodiles. Tourists are also presented with a beautiful sunset.

Zimbabwe’s largest national park, Hwange National Park, brings together many species of birds, wildlife and one of the largest concentrations of elephants in Africa.

The Big Five can also be seen on the Lake Kariba safari cruise in Matusadona National Park. Kariba is among the largest artificial lakes in the world and the second largest in Africa .

Matobo National Park combines history, beautiful scenery and wildlife. One of the most visited spots is the burial place of Cecil John Rhodes , at the top of the Malindidzimu mountain, which is known as “world view”. Rhodes was a British businessman who founded Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.

The capital Harare is recognized by local artists, offers many craft options and, in addition, in the last week of April it hosts HIFA, the Harare International Arts Festival.

In the highlands of the eastern part of the country, it is recommended to climb the highest peaks in Zimbabwe to see incredible landscapes and even see Mozambique. Visitors can also fish or play golf.

Located in a region steeped in history, Motopos National Park is in the southwestern part of the country, just 40 kilometers from the city of Bulawayo .

Great Zimbabwe is the largest and oldest stone structure in southern Africa . It is an impressive ruined city that was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. The monument, with an area of ​​722 hectares, began to be created in the 11th century and continued to be erected until 300 years before the 14th century. Its highest point was built by more than 18 thousand people and its walls are impressive because they are more than 5 meters high and no cement was used between the stones that resist today.

what to wear ?

To enjoy the tours even more, especially safaris it is recommended to bring binoculars, insect repellent, flashlight, hat with brim or cap, lip balm, sunscreen and sunglasses. Give preference to light clothes, in light and neutral tones so as not to compromise the visualization of animals and closed, comfortable and shoelace shoes . Always carry a light jacket due to the sudden changes in temperature and it will also help protect against insects at the end of the day.

During the tour of Victoria Falls it is recommended to bring an umbrella or raincoat because of the water vapor from the waterfalls that reach the entire park.

transport

The roads from Mutare through Harare , Bulawayo and even Plumtree have excellent traffic conditions. Outside these locations, many roads have worn stretches. The recommendation is not to drive at night outside the big cities and avoid stops along the way . In general, anyone visiting the country can easily take the opportunity and get to know the neighboring countries on the border by land.

The popular means of transport is the mini-bus , they are white vans, known as Kohmbees (kombis). They circulate in the main suburbs and between the main cities. They are usually full (above the capacity of 14 people) and drivers are reckless, make sudden stops to pick up more passengers .

Another option is the train, but the schedules are not reliable and it is not highly recommended for tourists because in addition to being slow, it is not as safe in relation to maintenance . Taxis are more recommended, especially those reserved or recommended by hotels.

currency

The US dollar is the country’s official currency . Zimbabwe does not have a monetary identity. In 2009, after the severe hyperinflation that destroyed its currency, the country adopted the US dollar as an official, in addition to allowing the circulation of the Euro, the South African Rand and the Botswana Pula . In early 2014, the country began to accept the Chinese currency, the Yuan, and other Asian currencies as current units. This was only possible after economic relations have improved with those countries in recent years.

Even so, the population continues to have a big problem because there is not enough foreign currency for their basic commercial exchanges, such as at the supermarket, at the fair, craft stores or snack bars. The recommendation is to take small notes to facilitate changes on the tours and during shopping. Paying in dollars and receiving change in rand is common there .

Larger hotels and some restaurants accept credit cards and the amount is charged in US dollars. Traveller’s checks in Pounds, Euro, Dollar, are accepted. ATMs are spread throughout the main cities, close to tourist sites. Bank opening hours are generally Monday through Friday from 8 am to 3 pm and on Saturdays from 8 am to 11:30 am.

important to know

The Mana Pools park has become part of the environmental conservation program called Carry In, Carry Out . It works as follows: the visitor will receive guidance and a plastic bag to dispose of all garbage produced (plastic bottles, cans, food bags, etc.) during the tour, biodegradable items can remain in place. At the exit, you must show the bag to the authorities, and outside the park the tourist is responsible for the final destination of the garbage.

Be careful not to have contact with the waters of Matopos National Park because there is a risk of getting schistosomiasis .

Navigation devices work well and the cellular signal is mainly available in cities, along with data capacity with 4G connections in Harare and Victoria Falls.

Take medicines that you are used to using for pain, fever, antiallergic, antacid, for example, as many remedies are not easily found in the country .

The country’s voltage is 220V – 50Hz.

travel insurance

We advise you to purchase reliable international insurance before boarding, which should cover illness, accident, theft, air evacuation and hospital expenses.

malaria

There is a risk of malaria across Zimbabwe, except in Harare, due to the capital’s high altitude .

Some precautions are necessary during the trip: use insect repellent, especially at night, mosquito nets and opt for long-sleeved clothes and pants, as this way your body will be less exposed to mosquito bites .

curiosities

The country’s economy is one of the most devastated in the world, the result of years of disastrous economic policy by despotic President Robert Mugabe. Inflation has reached the highest rates on the planet since it declared its independence. In 2008, it hit the mark of 2.2 million percent per year .

In January 2009, the country had banknotes worth 100 trillion Zimbabwean dollars and shortly thereafter the currency depreciated so much that it was not possible to buy a piece of bread. Today, these notes are sold on online shopping sites as souvenirs.

If Robert Mugabe is elected again, Africa’s oldest ruler could remain in power until he is 99.

The Vadoma are known as the “ Ostrich-Men Tribe ” because they have only two toes. This is due to a predominant genetic characteristic in the population that inhabits the north of the country, especially the districts of Urungwe and Sipolilo , in the Zambezi River valley.

Sadza is prepared with white corn and is part of the staple diet in the country. It is usually served with tomato sauce and most of the time the meat is the side dish.

Polony meat is widely consumed in Zimbabwe, it is a ham sold even as a street snack.

At Lake Kariba, an ecological disaster with a crayfish farm caused the animal to proliferate in the region, as there were food and development conditions, and it became the typical dish of the north of the country.