A BRIEF HISTORY
"The history of Zimbabwe goes back to -1000AD when the Shona people started their rule and built the city of Zimbabwe. Through the centuries various empires were established here. In this time powerful state formations and sophisticated socio-economic networks were developed. In the 16th century Portuguese explorers introduced Christianity into the region and in the early 19th century this empire is defeated by the Matabele people from the south. During this time the British South Africa Company obtained the mineral rights for this region, eventually occupying the territory named Rhodesia. This finally became Southern- (Zimbabwe) and Northern Rhodesia (Zambia). In 1964 Zambia became a state and Southern Rhodesia became Rhodesia. Finally in 1979 Zimbabwe proclaimed independence and declared itself as a republic - this was recognised the following year. From that period until present the country has suffered political upheaval and a steady economic decline which has brought about a new phase of negotiations since 2008. "
About Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a land-locked nation located in the centre of the Southern African region, bordered by South Africa in the south, Botswana in the west, Mozambique in the east and Zambia in the north. The Inyanga and Udizi Mountains stretch along Zimbabwe's eastern border with Mozambique, and the country's highest point and lowest point are both found there. The Mafungabusa plateau (or Veld) covers the majority of land, central and east; the average elevation here is near 1,500m. The Matobo Hills and Chizarira Hills anchor that plateau, north and south. Major bodies of water include Lake Kariba on the western border with Zambia and Victoria Falls on the far western border with Zambia. Important river systems include the Zambezi, Limpopo, Runde and Save, and their numerous tributaries.
Additional landforms include escarpments (steep slopes) along the Zambezi River, and deep river valleys within the central plateau. In addition, savanna grasslands cover the southern reaches, while evergreen forests are common central and east, especially in the mountain areas. The country is of course world famous for Victoria Falls, and as one of Africa's largest and most impressive concentrations of wildlife, national parks and stupendous scenery.
Given the vast expanse of this country, the nature of roads, the only sensible method of exploring this beautiful country is by road i.e. self drive tours, but there are also fly-in options available. Unfortunately the political upheavals and serious decline in economics has resulted in a substantial decline in tourism to this country. Not only has travelling Zimbabwe become risky for the traveller, but frequent fuel shortages have also crippled the tourism industry. The current, and hopefully future, political dispensation will create an environment where the wildlife of Zimbabwe will again be unlocked for tourists.
Exciting places to visit in Zimbabwe are:
- The Victoria Falls
- Hwange National Park
- Lake Kariba
- Zimbabwe Ruins
In the local language, the Victoria Falls are known as Mosi-oa-tunya,
"the Smoke that thunders". Created by Volcanic activity, erosion and
the course of the mighty Zambezi River, the spectacular Victoria Falls
has captured the hearts, minds and spirits of people everywhere. It
wsas David Livingstone who named Victoria Falls after his Queen and
stated in his now famous diary entry - “On sights as beautiful as this,
Angels in their flight must have gazed” Zimbabwe’s national parks has
maintained the Victoria Falls and the surrounding rainforest virtually
as they were when Livingstone first saw them almost 140 years ago. The
Victoria Falls and the surrounding rainforest are persevered as a 23.4
kilometre National Park and form one of Zimbabwe’s four World Heritage
sites.
The sight of millions of gallons of turbulent water
cascading over a sheer precipice into a narrow gorge, a hundred metres
below is something nobody can ever forget.
Considered the
largest curtain of falling water in the world, the magnificent Victoria
Falls draws visitors from all over the world. The total width of the
Victoria Falls is more than one and a half kilometres. The height of
the various falls ranges between 100 and 116 metres. The width of the
gorge at its narrowest point is sixty metres.
The volume of
water that flows over Victoria Falls varies considerably. At its
lowest, between late October and early November, as little as 20 000
cubic metres of water a minute flow into the gorge below. But when the
rains are heavy, the flow increases swiftly and dramatically. Between
February and May, when the Falls are at their most spectacular, more
than 500 000 cubic metres of water a minute cascade over the edge.
In
April and May, the peak of the flood season, the six falls - Devil’s
Cataract, Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow Falls, Armchair Falls
and the Eastern Cataract - form the largest curtain of falling water in
the world. But in the dry season, between September and November,
almost no water falls over some sections. The Falls have a continual
mist above the surrounding area, creating a rainforest ecosystem for 2
kms. This unique nature sanctuary is rich in fauna and flora.
There
are seven Gorges below the Victoria Falls. The first is the one into
which the river falls, followed by five others and finally to the
seventh (Batoko) Gorge which is about 80km away from the Falls and
120km in length.
Although tourism to this phenomenon has floundered in the past due to the political uncertainty and economic decline, the area is still accessible and fly-in tourism is again on the increase.
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Hwange (Wankie) Game Reserve
Of all the great game reserves of Africa. Hwangwe (Wankie) has
probably the greatest variety as well as one of the densest populations
of wild animals. The park is located in northwestern Zimbabwe, on the Botswana frontier. It was established in 1928 as a game reserve, and as a national park
in 1930. The park’s area of 5,657 square miles (14,651 square km) is
largely flat and contains fine hardwood forests of mukwa and Zimbabwean
teak. Hwange is one of Africa’s largest elephant sanctuaries and is
also the habitat of thousands of Cape buffalo
as well as giraffes, kudu, zebras, lions, leopards, wildebeests, and
various other species of antelope. Wildlife can be observed from
platforms overlooking the water holes.
Visiting this park is safe, but largely dependant on the availability of fuel and provisions.
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Lake Kariba
Kariba is unique
and a place of outstanding beauty, a great inland sea, nested in
mountains, guarded by enormous reserves of game and made beautiful and
savage by sun and storm, earth and water and by life and death. 
It is here, from land or water that one encounters the rawness, the beauty and the savagery which is the real heart of darkness.
You will never forget the electric thrill of a
racing reel as the line flies to the powerful pull of a fighting
tigerfish; perhaps most unforgettable of all, watching the red sun
sliding into dusky blackness as the earth turns beneath it into night
whilst the dead trees that fill the lake and the blue-black mountians
that slope down to its wooded shores, slowly merge with the blackness
and are gone. Most of all, of Kariba, you will remember the
smells of Africa. The dust of the day, the moisture of the lake and,
most evocative of all, the smell of advancing rain.
The Zimbabwe side of the lake has about 1 000
kilometres of shoreline, baked African fjords with placid backwaters
and numerous islands. Often elephants can be seen swimming between the
shore and islands, a sight perhaps unique to Lake Kariba. Along
the southern shore, the Matusadona Game Reserve must be one of the most
impressive in the world. It combines the beauty of a lake-setting and
its rich and fertile flood plains, with a rising wall of mountains
serving as a majestic backdrop. At any time of the year Lake
Kariba offers entertainment, relaxation, sport and adventure. There is
something at Kariba for everybody – and all of it unforgettable.
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When first visited by the German geologist,Carl Mauch, in September 1871, he described it as such:
"I do not think that I am wrong if suppose that the ruin on the hill is a copy of Solomon's Temple on Mount Moriah and the building in the plain a copy of the palace where the Queen of Sheba lived during her visit to Solomon."
The ruined city of Great Zimbabwe, near Masvingo, is t
he largest and
most significant ancient monument south of the Sahara. The towering
"stone houses" (dzimba dzembabwe) are the remains of a city of 20 000
shona- speaking people which prospered between the 12th and 15th
centuries. The grand concept is an eloquent testament to the advanced
culture of its African builders.A beautiful stylised soapstone fish eagle now the national emblem, was found in the ruins. The sculpture has pride of place in the site museum. The whole complex extends across 270 hectares and a whole day visit is strongly recommended.
On top of the hill, a dry stone citadel set among giant boulders overlooks the valley. It is a breathtaking view. Down below is an enclosure 250m in diameter with double walls up to 100m high, a great conical tower, smaller towers and many lesser enclosures linked to sunken passageways and walls. Everything has been constructed entirely without mortar - a million stones, each one balancing.
Nearby Lake Mutirikwi is a popular water sports resort, with excursions to bird Rich Island and pony trekking in the game reserve on the north shore. Visit nearby traditional villages where the true Zimbabwean hospitality awaits you. This is an experience you should never miss.
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