ZIMBABWE

The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. The Local people call it “Mosi-oa-Tunya” — the smoke that thunders and the Falls are remarkable. There is a magic about them manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and deadly crocodiles lurk. The Victoria Falls is 1 708 meters wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic metres of water plummet over the edge every minute. Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria Falls inspires visitors as much today as it did David Livingstone in the 1860’s. The falls and the surrounding area have been declared National Parks and a World Heritage Site, thus preserving the area from excessive commercialisation.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Matobo Hills, and situated only 45kms from Bulawayo. Tucked away into an ancient Bushman's shelter between the granite domes and castle kopjes of the Matobo Hills, echo the essence of tranquility and the majesty of untamed Africa where mammal and bird species are prolific. Included here are the highest concentrations of Leopard and Black Eagle in the world, as well as a healthy population of the endangered Black and White Rhino.

Hwange National Park is known as one of the few great elephant sanctuaries left in Africa, hosting the big 5, a wide selection of wildlife and over 400 bird species, making it a bird watchers haven, especially in the rainy season!

The species that populate the area are large herds of elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, black and white rhino, spotted and brown hyena, giraffe, zebra, impala, sable, roan, the African Wild Dog and much more.

Operation Noah

This wildlife rescue operation from 1958-64 in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) was of biblical proportions and was caused by the creation of Lake Kariba on the Zambezi River. As the gorge was dammed, and the Zambezi Valley flooded, animals were trapped on ever-diminishing islands and more than 6,000 were saved, and relocated to the mainland, by a gallant team of rangers led by the senior warden Rupert Fothergill.

Elephant, rhino, lion, zebra, antelope, warthog and many other species were rescued, even many snakes including the deadly black mamba.

Great Zimbabwe is a ruined city in the south-eastern hills of Zimbabwe near Lake Mutrikwe and the town of Masvingo. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe during the country’s Late Iron Age. Construction of the monument and city began in the 11th century and continued until the 15th century. The most widely-accepted modern archaeological theory is that the edifices where erected by the ancestral Shona. The stone city spans an area of 722 hectares (1,780 acres) which at its peak, could have housed up to 18.000 people. It is recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Great Zimbabwe is believed to have served as a royal palace for the local monarch. As such, it would have been used as the seat of political power. Among the edifice’s most prominent features were its walls, some of which were over five metres high. They were constructed without mortar (dry stone). Eventually, the city was abandoned and fell into ruin.

Mana Pools National Park is located in Zimbabwe along the Zambezi River and the border of Zambia. The park covers an area of 2,612 square miles (6,766 sq km).

This broad plain area generates a series of lakes during the rainy season. As the waters begin to recede, the remaining pools become excellent game viewing locations as wildlife flocks to these natural watering holes. It is these remaining pools that draw the animals and create this spectacular game viewing setting.

The Mana Pools were combined with the Sapi Safari Area and Chewore Safari Area to create a single UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. It is also classified as a wetland of international importance by Ramsar. The national park area is also contiguous with Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park.  Unfortunately, it is not easy to travel between the two parks.

The remoteness of the Mana Pools helps travelers engage the true sense of a wilderness experience while also increasing the intrigue and adventure of discovering Africa.

Although there will be more than four pools at different times based on the rainfall, there are four pools that are recognized as permanent in the area. In a local language, the word "mana" means four. The four permanent watering holes or pools are where the park draws its name.

The banks of the river beds and the pools give way to lush forests of acacia, baobabs, ebonies, fig, and mahogany trees. The pools are also home to Zimbabwe's largest population of hippos and crocodiles. During the dry season, these are easily seen lining the banks of the pools sunning or grazing.

The dry season brings herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra, eland, waterbuck, antelope, and other ungulates to the pools for drinking water. This means it is an excellent place to find the predator species of cheetah, hyena, leopard, lion, and wild dog waiting to pounce on vulnerable prey.

Although the rhino used to graze amongst the mana pools, poachers have led it to extinction for the area. The other four of the Big 5, (lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo, can all be found in the park boundaries.

Birdwatchers will also enjoy the incredible opportunities the Mana Pools provide with over 450 species of birds nesting or migrating through the park area.