Zimbabwe globally recognised for Victoria falls, is a country overabundant with hidden gems,
Home to the most official languages in the world it honours its mosaic history and culture and reveals an intricate story of interethnic and multiple narratives. Harare the capital is a beautiful fusion of jacaranda trees and windowed skyscrapers. The atmosphere of culture at the craft markets, the aromas of the street food and the nightlife of fine dining and varied bars all invite you to discover Zimbabwe’s versatile character.
Underappreciated Historical Wonders
Murehwa Cave
The Murehwa Cave preserves a pre-historic history of the country before modernity. This insight into the Late Stone Age with a wide range of paintings including nature in the form of animals, plants, humans and fantastical mythical creatures are drawn on the walls of the cave. Visitors are
Great Zimbabwe is the remains of the spectacular medieval African city, that represents a lineage of the trading empire and military control. It is believed that the location of the town was a continuation of a late Iron Age empire, it was populated between the 9th and 15th centuries. It was first written in European languages in 1531 by the Portuguese military. In the 19th century, under British colonialism, the government attempted to wipe out the historical legacy of Great Zimbabwe, but today it is a grand national monument calling visitors to reflect on the rich history of the Bantu people of Zimbabwe.
National Monuments of Khami Ruins
Khami is a ruined city once the capital of the Kingdom of Butwa, and the ruins highlight a connection between the architecture of Great Zimbabwe. It was built in the 15th century and was used for 200 years. The National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe launched a conservation programme to ensure the stability of the stone walls.
Expansive Nature
Hwange National Park
Founded in 1928, it is the largest natural reserve in Zimbabwe and protects within its limits many wilderness areas which consider the ancestral history of the place. There is a good range of safari experiences available to book. The park hosts over 100 types of mammals including lions, leopards, herbivores, wild dogs and many surprises. There is a diversity of birds for bird watchers, with some estimates as large as 670 bird species.
The Eastern Highlands known as the Manica Highlands is a mountain range that extends from Zimbabwe to Mozambique. This spectacular display of cascading waterfalls, scintillating lakes and rivers and lush green landscapes is a beautiful image that juxtaposes the stereotype of Zimbabwe only possessing golden Savannahs.
Matobo National Park
This park a special 400,000 square meters of land that is also part of the Intensive Protection Zone for black and white rhinos are known as “the home of Balancing rock” for its impressive feature of balancing rocks depicting a mother and child.
Visitors can view rhinos on specific trails and even inspect the rock paintings that link our present with the prehistoric.
The Matopos Hills are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and juxtapose with the Savanna normally associated with Zimbabwe, exposing us to the rich abundance and diversity of Zimbabwe’s settings.
Lake Kariba
Lake Kariba or the Kariba Dam is the largest artificial lake and is known for its convergence of beautiful sunsets. It is located halfway between the source and mouth of the Zambezi River which is believed to be a sacred place of the God of the Zambezi River, Nyami Nyami and legend recounts that it is guarded by a reptile-like dragon or snake.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is a beautiful display of nature’s might, standing 108 meters tall, this meeting place of smoke and thunder (Mosi oa-Tunya) is one of the seven wonders of the world. About 75% of the falls are seen from Zimbabwe’s territory and are situated in Victoria Falls National Park.
Cuisine
The shining star of Zimbabwe is no doubt Sadza, a common dish of stiff maize meal that is similar to fufu and ugali. This dish is rolled into balls and eaten day to night, sweet and savoury by all. Peanuts are used in a lot of stews and toppings adding a mild but rich taste to Dovi, an okra and vegetable stew, and Mupunga Unedov a peanut butter rice dish. Goats and lamb are all part of the cuisine, but visitors might be surprised to try Mopane worms, a great source of protein. Street food is mouthwatering with fried cakes, handmade potato chips, popcorn, dried fruit and fresh Mazhanje.