Zimbabwe Travel Facts

What you should know about Zimbabwe

Main attractions in Zimbabwe

Victoria falls.

One of the 7 natural wonders in the world. The falls are the largest in the world in terms of width and height. These falls are also known as the ‘Mosi oa Tunya’ meaning the smoke that thunders.

Lake Kariba

This is the world’s largest man-made lake.it is famous for cruising vacations and the annual tiger fishing competition.

Hwange national park.

The biggest national park in zimbabwe, Hwange National Park is home to a thousand of animal and bird species. This is the best place to see Zimbabwe Wildlife.

Great Zimbabwe ruins.

This is where the country’s name is derived from. This is a world heritage site known for the stone walls that were erected with no mortar.

Airports in Zimbabwe.

There are 3 main airports in Zimbabwe namely;

• Robert Mugabe international airport in Harare
• Victoria falls international airport in Victoria falls
• Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International airport in Bulawayo.

Did you know?

• Zimbabwe is home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Zimbabwe is home to the biggest water fall in the world
• Zimbabwe has the largest man-made lake in the world.
• Zimbabwe is home to the big five
• Zimbabwe has the most official languages in the world.
• Zimbabwe is a multi-currency country.

When to visit Zimbabwe

There are two main seasons in Zimbabwe, the dry season where many tourists visit and there are plenty of Things To Do In Zimbabwe. During this season, demand is high thus prices are also high.

There is also the wet season where there are a few tourists coming into the country. During this season, demand is low hence prices are low.

The Best Time To Visit Zimbabwe is during the dry season where there are plenty of animals to see and a lot of activities to do.

Flights to Zimbabwe

Airports in Zimbabwe.

There are 3 main airports in Zimbabwe namely; Robert Mugabe international airport in Harare, the Victoria falls international airport in Victoria falls and the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International airport in Bulawayo.

There other minor airports mainly for domestic flights which are

• Kariba airport
• Masvingo airport
• Mutare Aerodrome terminal
• Hwange Airport
• Gweru airport
• Kotwa airport
• Kwekwe east airport
• Pangkalan Udara Thornhill
• Prince Charles
• Aeroportul Binga.

With the wide range of airports in Zimbabwe, it is easier to fly from destination to destination as you tour around the country.

Zimbabwe and Culture

Languages.

Zimbabwe is a multi-lingual country, over 16 languages are spoken in Zimbabwe. Shona and Ndebele are the most spoken. The Zimbabwean culture is known for storytelling and myths.

What are the Shona known for?

The Shona are known for basketry, weaving and curving rocks. They are also seen as being welcoming and respectful as the Shona word talks of tsika.

Totems ‘Mitupo’

The use of totems or mitupo is widely known in Zimbabwe. Totems are used to differentiate clans and are usually associated by animal names. For example, Mhofu representing beast.

Religion

The main religion in Zimbabwe is Christianity. They believe in one creator who created the heavens and the earth, God or known as Mwari in Shona or Umlimu in Ndebele.

Food.

The staple meal for Zimbabwe is maize. Maize is a plant also known as chibage in Shona. Maize can be cooked or roasted and can be eaten as corn or can be ground into mealie meal that is used to make sadza, porridge or traditional drink known as maheu in Shona. Zimbabweans eat meat, addible insects such as termites, Mopani worms and addible plants.

Destinations that embrace Zimbabwean culture

The Great Zimbabwe ruins

Situated in the southern part of Zimbabwe. This is a UNESCO world heritage site famous for being the greatest stone ruins erected without mortar.

There people can understand more and get history from tour guides and visit some of the abandoned huts. People can join in the traditional dances performed by the locals at the site.

Matobo hills.

These are located in the south east of Bulawayo and is famous for its balancing rocks and caves. It is also a world heritage site known for having the highest concentrations of rock art.

When you visit the Matobo hills, you will be able to see the story that is being told by the rock paintings. guests can hike, walk and do game viewing. On one of the hills, is where the remains of Cecil john Rhodes lie.

Khami Ruins

Located in the western part of Bulawayo. This is one of the second prime heritages sites in Zimbabwe. Guests can have a historical tour of the ruins that were built by the Rozvi dynasty.

Zimbabwean Currency

Zimbabwe is a multi-currency country. The primary currency of Zimbabwe is the Bond note, although it is not internationally recognized. The USD is the Zimbabwean currency that is recognized internationally as the currency of Zimbabwe. Other currencies can be used as legal tender in Zimbabwe.

Interesting Travel Facts about Zimbabwe

The staple meal for Zimbabwe is maize. Maize is a plant also known as chibage in Shona. Maize can be cooked or roasted and can be eaten as corn or can be ground into mealie meal that is used to make sadza, porridge or traditional drink known as maheu in Shona.

Traditional bear also known as umqomboti in Ndebele is made from sorghum and finger millet and brewed for 7 days.

Zimbabweans eat game meat including ostrich, warthog, crocodile tail, addible insects such as termites, Mopani worms and addible plants.

Plants such as pumpkin leaves (muboora), pig weed (mowa), spider flower (nyevhe) and black jack (tsine) are examples of traditional vegetables that are addible in zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Travel Facts About Cost

Date of travel

Zimbabwe is a remarkable year-round destination; nevertheless, some destinations are usually seasonal. Generally speaking, there is the rainy season which is the off season and the dry season which is the peak season.

There are numerous benefits and shortcomings to travelling in these different seasons depending on the destination. However, the Zimbabwe Safari Cost can be cheaper to travel in the rainy seasons.

Where do you want to go?

Safari destinations across Zimbabwe have various prices and each destination has its own price. A Victoria Falls Tour is priced differently to a tour at the Great Zimbabwe.

There are various aspects that control the price variation between destinations, such as the operational costs, number of tourists per annum, or the competition between destinations.

Accommodation type.

The price of a standard room is far economical than a presidential suite in a 5-star hotel. Zimbabwe Accommodations selections differ greatly through the country. The simple classifications to choose amongst are; standard rooms, mid-range rooms, luxury suites.

Other factors that influence the price:

The number of travellers.

The price varies considerably between a single traveller and a group. Normally travelling as a group makes a tour cheaper because you share certain expenses such as point to point transfers, tour guide rates and vehicle charges.

How do you want to move around?

There are several ways to move from one place to another on a tour. One can either rent a small car from a global car hire company, taking a helicopter flights, paying for transfers, self-drives or walking.

Fixed Logistical costs

The daily expenses of a tour are usually ignored when doing price comparisons. Most the packages in Zimbabwe are completely inclusive unless stated otherwise.

For items such as national park fees, flights, transfer costs and safari activities, these costs can be considerable depending on the destination. Most costs are unavoidable.

Visa Costs

Visa costs are usually paid for in cash by the traveller once at a port of entry to the destination or online before arriving for other e-visas.

Travel Insurance

Guests should make sure that they acquire travel insurance before confirming a booking insurance for the duration of your trip. Because of the secluded and wild safari areas, it is important for all guests to be covered for emergencies and other unexpected situations.

Is it safe visit Zimbabwe?

There are three factors that determine safety of a country namely political, social, environmental and health factors.

Political

Zimbabwe is politically stable. There are no civil wars hence it is safe to visit .

Environmental

Currently Zimbabwe is not experiencing any natural disaster. Since 2017 when there was a cyclone that destroyed infrastructure, Zimbabwe has not experienced the same tragedy to date. This indicates that Zimbabwe is safe to visit.

Social

The rate of crime in Zimbabwe is a bit high. Mugging, scamming and petty theft are examples of crime in Zimbabwe. However, the probability for international tourist to be victim of such crimes is close to zero.

Health

Apart from the COVID 19 pandemic that affected the whole world Zimbabwe is free from contagious diseases that can risk the lives of tourists. Diseases such as typhoid, hepatitis A and cholera are examples of diseases that one can be vaccinated for before travelling to Zimbabwe.

As for malaria, tourists can get prophylactic drugs to prevent catching a malaria especially during wet seasons. These factors explained above indicate that Zimbabwe is a safe country to visit.

Zimbabwean population

Zimbabwe has 15 million people in which 48% are males and 52%are females. Zimbabwe’s population has grown over the past 10 years. Zimbabwe is the most populated city. The life expectancy in Zimbabwe is 61 years.

The Zimbabwean Map

Zimbabwe is located in the southern part of Africa. It is a landlocked country hat shares its boards with 4 countries namely Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique.

It has eleven game parks, six lakes, 5 rivers, over 2000 dams and a sand beach in Binga. Zimbabwe has 8 provinces and 5 world heritage sites.

Zimbabweans and their Languages

More than 17 languages are spoken in Zimbabwe but Shona and Ndebele are mostly spoken. English is the second language used in Zimbabwe for all formal communication. Below is a pie chat that illustrates the percentages of languages spoken in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Weather

Zimbabwe has two seasons namely the hot wet season and the cold dry season. The hot wet season lasts from end of October to end of April. This where Zimbabwe experiences rains and when there is a lot of green.

During these period water activities such as white water rafting are a bit risky because water levels will be high. Furthermore, it is difficult to spot wild animals because there will be lots of green and lots of water sources to drink from.

Visitor numbers are low during this season and there are massive discounts offered. For people that would want to travel on a budget, this is the perfect season to travel.

The cold and dry season starts from May up to mid-October. During this period there are no rains hence it is safe to engage in water activities. For people that enjoy safari trips this is the perfect time to visit because it is easy to see animals looking for food and water.

During this season, demand is very high as lots of people travel during this period. prices are often high so as to meet demand.

Fun Facts About Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country.

It is surrounded by other counties and does not have any water ports. All shipments made to Zimbabwe are collected from neighbouring countries, mainly south Africa and Botswana.

The Zimbabwean flag is full of meaning.

The Zimbabwean flag has meaning. The red colour stands for the blood shed during the liberation struggle. Black stands for the black majority. Green stands for agriculture. White stands for peace. Yellow stands for minerals. The fish eagle (Hungwe) bird stands for the history of Zimbabwe. The red star stands for the nations aspirations.

Zimbabwe is a multi-currency country.

Zimbabwe is a multi-currency country. The primary currency of Zimbabwe is the Bond note, although it is not internationally recognized. The USD is the Zimbabwean currency that is recognized internationally as the currency of Zimbabwe. Other currencies can be used as legal tender in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe has 5 UNESCO world heritage sites.

It boasts of having 5 world heritage sites. Namely the Victoria falls, Mana pools, khami ruins, great Zimbabwe and Matobo national park.

Zimbabwe is home to the big 5

It is home to the big five animals namely elephant, lion, leopard buffalo and rhinoceros.

Activities to do in Zimbabwe.

Microlight flight at the Victoria falls

This is where you get to experience the breath-taking views of the Victoria falls and the gorge. during the flight pictures are taken by the camera mounted on the flights wings and can be purchased after the tour.

To enjoy the Boma diner and drum show in Victoria falls.

This is a diner and drum show that happens at the Boma restaurant. during the show, people get to eat the Zimbabwe traditional food and dance to the traditional music played by the traditional dancers.

Game viewing at Hwange national park

Visit the Hwange National Park and participate in game drives and game walks in the game park. See the beauty of flora and fauna in Zimbabwe’s biggest game park and have a perfect Zimbabwe Safari Packages experience.

Fishing in Kariba

Tiger fishing in Kariba is very popular. A tournament is hosted every year where people fish in their boats. Apart from tiger fishing, people can engage in fun fishing in the comfort of their boats.

The tour of the great Zimbabwe ruins

The great Zimbabwe ruins are the biggest ruins in Zimbabwe that were built without mortar. This is where most of Zimbabwe’s history come from. Enjoy the tour of the great towers that were built by the Shona people.

Bird watching at mana pools national park

Mana pools is the perfect place to go for bird watching. There you get to see different bird species and also take pictures of different birds. learn about the different characteristics birds have.

Sightseeing at the Gonarezhou national park.

The great views and wildlife at the Gonarezhou national park are a must see. This is a perfect place for people that love nature.

Hiking at the Matobo hills.

The Matobo hills are perfect for people that enjoy hiking. There you get to see different stories that are told by the rock paintings in the caves. This place is full of history.

Interesting Facts About Wildlife in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has the big five animals namely lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinos. Most of these animals are found in the Zimbabwean game parks.

Zimbabwe is home to the largest land mammal, the African elephant. Did you know that elephants can drink 200 litres of water in a day?

Zimbabwe also has the world’s tallest animal; the giraffe. The other name for giraffes is Giraffe Camelopardalis.

Zimbabwe is home to over a hundred animal and bird species.

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