It had difficulty transitioning out of the era of European colonialism in Africa since wars and internal unrest ripped it apart. Even if there are still worries regarding human rights and authoritarian inclinations in the administration, most people feel that these dangers are gradually dissipating.
Its inselberg-studded backcountry, teak forests, cypress-covered hills, and rugged Eastern Highlands, where curious apes huddle against the cold breezes, deep caves, and underground riverways, Zimbabwe is once again a safari destination. As a result, it is beginning to draw back in adventurous travelers.
Of course, there are some well-known spots to visit, including the thundering Victoria Falls and Harare, which is on the rise. So, if you’re bold and willing to throw caution to the wind, consider this forgotten beauty of southern Africa…
The Victoria Falls
There’s an explanation why the short-named Victoria Falls is one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent tourist destinations. Like the communities of the same name in the United States and Canada, the village is immediately near the roaring waterfalls that gave it its name.
Every year, many visitors come to experience the breathtaking vista. They join the baboons in the forests and go to the Victoria Falls National Park, located just south of the city center. They gasp and watch as the magnificent water curtain appears, plummeting dramatically from the black-rock cliffs in clouds of steam and mist.
Harare
Harare’s metropolitan area is home to about 3 million people, making it the country’s capital and its biggest city. It seems to belong to the plateaus of Zimbabwe’s central highlands. Its central business center, the country’s economic center, is densely packed with steel-clad buildings. From daylight to night, First Street and the rest of downtown are clogged with shoppers and automobiles.
History is also evident in the excellently preserved National Gallery, national archives, Queen Victoria Museum, and numerous ancient colonial structures. Aside from that, visitors may unwind in the gorgeous parks and stroll among the jacaranda trees that border the roadways.
Bulawayo
Bulawayo has a New Orleans vibe about it. It contains antique colonial frontispieces and is decorated in an art deco and regal Victorian style. It features cobblestone alleys with swinging trees and the odd bar that seems to be from England. However, this second city represents more than simply a piece of history. It serves as an economic and industrial powerhouse.
It was formerly noted for its smoke-belching industries, and today there are still more railway lines passing through it than a Ndebele tribal charm can rattle. The town is usually lush and blooming, with bougainvillea cascading from the rooftops and palm palms sprouting in the roundabouts. You may visit stunning government buildings, shop for souvenirs, or plan your next safari to the southwest’s parks.
National Park Matobo
As previously reported, the well-known Matobo National Park is a pass reserve immediately south of Bulawayo. It has been recognized for its bizarre inselbergs and hoodoos since the beginning of time. It also has carved granite peaks and cliffs that resemble humans.
People have lived there for thousands of years, and engravings from southern Africa’s ancient past may be seen in sites like the Nswatugi Cave. Others come to hunt ungulates in the Hove Wild Area, a wildlife park with sable antelope, wildebeest, baboon groups, and leopards.
Nyanga National Park
The Highveld is a strange and wonderful area. It is about 1,800 meters above sea level and is located at the highest top of Zimbabwe. It comprises large dolomite rock hills and hanging boulders that produce noise as the wind blows across them.
The environments here may be home to diverse species that appear to belong in another universe, thanks to groves of msasa tree trunks and cypresses that aren’t typical in these locations. Many of them, like the Old World Samango monkeys, have white-brushed necks that can only be found here. If you wish to enjoy the typical African safari, there are a few leopards and lions!
Hwange National Park
With about 15,000 square kilometers of protected areas, Hwange National Park is at the top of Zimbabwe’s ecotourism offers. Safari visitors who visit this section of southern Africa seldom leave the park unimpressed. Kalahari forests, teak trees, grass plains, and flood flats are within its boundaries.
There are also bulbous termite large lumps and the odd pan, making this an excellent location for lion stalkers. Aside from the plains kings, you may observe hyenas, wild dogs, leopards, and cheetahs. These creatures may hide among the fossil-covered river banks and in the boiling springs.
Masvingo
Masvingo is a well-known location where VIP buses drop off guests heading south of Zimbabwe. It is an excellent location for those wishing to explore Zimbabwe more. And it’s a huge relief! The location lies on the outskirts of Mutirikwi National Park and provides a variety of outdoor activities.
But the main reward has to be Awesome Zimbabwe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site some 20 kilometers distant and buried in the woods. The eroding and cracking of these 700-year-old remains in the sun reveal tales of the country’s ancient Shona-speaking inhabitants. The Hill Complex and Amazing Inclosure are regarded as the most spectacular examples of dry stone construction worldwide.
