| Zimbabwe's biggest draw is undoubtedly the | | | | rainforest, white water rafting, bungi jumps, flights |
| majestic Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural | | | | over the falls, river cruises, and much more.Lake |
| wonders of the world. But the country also has | | | | Kariba Unique scenery of dead trees rising from |
| other natural and historical advantages to | | | | the depths of this huge man-made lake is |
| captivate travellers and beckon them to return. | | | | especially beautiful during sunset; a popular way to |
| Wildlife, fish and birds abound including a number | | | | enjoy the lake is on a houseboat with friends |
| of unique, rare and endangered species making | | | | viewing the large numbers of crocodile and hippo, |
| game viewing, bird watching, fishing and hunting | | | | going game viewing at the Matusadona National |
| popular activities.Home to four World Heritage | | | | Park or Tiger fishing - the largest Tiger fish ever |
| Sites, Zimbabwe has a rich history of ancient | | | | was caught here and weighed 15.5kg.Harare:The |
| civilisations that makes its friendly people stand | | | | capital city offers sightseeing at the National |
| proud, despite hardship. From the refreshing spray | | | | Gallery; National Archives; Queen Victoria Museum; |
| of the Falls on your face, to a Lake Kariba | | | | Queen Victoria National Library; National Botanic |
| sunset, a lush mountain escape to a river rafting | | | | Garden; Mbare Market; Chapungu village; tobacco |
| adventure on the Zambezi, Zimbabwe is sure to | | | | auction floors; Mukuvisi Woodlands; Museum of |
| leave you with memories as indelible as those of | | | | Human Sciences; Harare Gardens; Cecil House; |
| Livingstone and Rhodes when they witnessed the | | | | National Handicraft Centre; Africa Unity Square |
| country's riches.CAPITAL: HarareCLIMATE: | | | | and The Residency.Kame Ruins:22 km west of |
| Subtropical. The best time to visit is Apr-Oct | | | | Bulawayo is Kame Ruins, one of southern Africa's |
| when weather is mild with little rain. Winter | | | | magnificent Late Iron Age ruins, now a World |
| (May-Aug) is dry and sunny. Rainy weather is | | | | Heritage Site showing the area was the seat of |
| Nov-Mar/Apr.CURRENCY: 1 Zimbabwe Dollar = | | | | government of earlier civilisations.Great Zimbabwe |
| 100 cents. You may take 15000 Zimbabwean | | | | National Monument:Ruins of an ancient African city, |
| dollars out of the country. There are no | | | | believed to have flourished between the 13th and |
| restrictions on foreign currency brought in. If you | | | | 15th centuries AD, is the only one in existence |
| don't declare the foreign money you bring in, you'll | | | | south of the Sahara and a World Heritage Site; |
| only be able to take out 500 US dollars. You may | | | | the country has taken its name from it and the |
| be asked to account for foreign currency | | | | famous Zimbabwe birds found at the site has |
| exchanged/spent in country. Hotel bills must be | | | | become the national bird and been incorporated in |
| payed for with credit cards or in foreign hard | | | | the flag; visit the museum on the site, the Kyle |
| currencies e.g. US dollar.Users of credit cards are | | | | recreational park and do game viewing by car or |
| subject to a surcharge of about 3 percent on the | | | | horseback nearby.Hwange National Park:The |
| total value of goods purchased. US dollar | | | | country's largest national park, both in size and |
| traveller's cheques are recommended. Avoid | | | | variety of wild game and bird life; also one of the |
| street money changers who promise "no | | | | few remaining elephant sanctuaries in Africa, with |
| commission, best rates", but then cheat on | | | | herds of up to 100 strong seen; the only area in |
| delivery. There are strict penalties for illegal | | | | the country where gemsbok and brown hyena |
| foreign currency trading. Several of the city's | | | | occur in reasonable numbers and where the |
| large stores don't accept American Express cards; | | | | population of wild dog is thought to be the largest |
| travellers' cheques are the most convenient | | | | surviving in Africa today.Mana Pools National |
| means of payment.HEALTH: Yellow fever | | | | Park:Part of the Middle Zambezi Valley, Mana Pools |
| immunisation is essential if you arrive from an | | | | is host to some of the biggest concentrations of |
| infected country or area. Visitors are also advised | | | | large mammals to be seen in Zimbabwe; it is also |
| to take pre-arrival precautions against hepatitis A, | | | | renowned for its varied and colourful birdlife and |
| polio, typhoid and malaria (depending on the area | | | | forms one of the last remaining strongholds of |
| visited especially those outside of towns). Other | | | | the black rhino; game viewing, hunting and canoe |
| health concerns include bilharzia (don't swim in the | | | | safaris are popular.Bulawayo & |
| rivers/dams or drink the water from them as it | | | | Matobo:Zimbabwe's second largest city which |
| may be infected), sunburn, limited medical facilities | | | | stands on the site of the royal kraal of Lobengula, |
| and supplies outside of towns, AIDS and influenza | | | | last of the Ndebele Kings; view the Natural History |
| (risk extends throughout the year).LANGUAGE: | | | | Museum, Railway Museum, Mzilikazi art and craft |
| English is the official language. Chishona and | | | | centre, Centenary park, central parks and National |
| Sindebele are widely spoken.PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: | | | | Art Gallery; 30 km from the city is Matobo |
| 1 January New Year's Day | | | | National Park, a unique area of some 2000 square |
| 12 April Easter Monday | | | | kilometres of gigantic wind-sculpted rock |
| 18 April Independence Day | | | | formations. Cecil John Rhodes' burial site and |
| 1 May Workers' Day | | | | thousands of ancient rock paintings can also be |
| 25 May Africa Day | | | | found here.Eastern highlands:Luxuriant natural |
| 11 August Heroes' Day | | | | surroundings characterise this region with |
| 12 August Defence Forces Day | | | | mountains, grassy plains, streams, waterfalls, |
| 22 December Unity Day | | | | mountain flowers, rare birds, etc. contributing to |
| 25-26 December ChristmasSHOPPING: Shona | | | | panoramic views of exquisite beauty attracting |
| soft-stone carvings; woodcarvings; T-shirts; safari | | | | nature lovers, hikers and other outdoor |
| clothing; pottery; leather goods; basket ware; | | | | enthusiasts; visit the Nyanga National Park, Mutare, |
| sculptures; textiles. Nail polish and old clothes can | | | | Mutarazi Falls, Bunga Botanical Reserve, Bvumba |
| sometimes be swopped for carvings.SOCIAL | | | | Botanical Gardens and the wilderness of the |
| CONVENTIONS: Christianity is the main religion, | | | | Chimanimani National Park.Gona-re-Zhou park:This |
| but in rural areas people have traditional beliefs. | | | | park adjoins the Kruger National Park in South |
| Western/European courtesies are observed. | | | | Africa and is home to some of the rarest bird |
| Return invitations are appreciated. Handshaking is | | | | and animal life in Africa. The bat-eared fox, suni, |
| the common form of greeting. Dress is casual, | | | | Liechtenstein's hartebeest, nyala and roan antelope |
| but most hotels require more formal wear, e.g. tie | | | | are to be found along the famous African |
| and jacket; business meetings require suits.TIME | | | | elephants of this park, which are unlike any others |
| DIFFERENCE: GMT+2TIPPING: Ten-fifteen percent | | | | in the world.Gerald Crawford was born in South |
| is common.TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS | | | | Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, |
| DESCRIPTION:Victoria Falls:Called by locals | | | | eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught |
| "Mosi-oa-Tunya" - the smoke that thunders, | | | | responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have |
| Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site and | | | | any questions or comments please e-mail me on. |
| undoubtedly the most majestic waterfall in the | | | | E-mail Address: |
| world; popular activities include walking through the | | | | southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co. |