Zimbabwe Hotels

With its recent history, issues with food shortages and one of the lowest life expectancies in the world, Zimbabwe might not be a country that even an intrepid visitor would think of. The political situation is slowly improving however, and tourists are now starting to trickle back, and can make a huge difference to the economy. Reasons to visit this gorgeous country are many, not least of which is the magnificent and world-famous Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River. Between February and May the river is in flood, and the spray from the waterfall reaches up to more than 400m, and can be seen from miles away. The country’s tropical climate is moderated by the generally high altitude, making perfect holiday weather.

Formerly Southern Rhodesia, Zimbabwe became independent from Britain in 1980, and lies between the Limpopo and Zambezi rivers, bordered by South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique. Zimbabwe’s languages are English, Shona and Ndebele. Robert Mugabe, its notorious Head of State, has now been joined by Morgan Tsvangirai as Prime Minister.

The capital Harare has its share of nightlife and restaurants, but the best parts of the country are the landscape and animals. Wonderful balancing rocks can be found throughout the country, including within the Matobo National Park, which contains other strangely-shaped rocks, as well as a game reserve. The Mana Pools National Park is an area of untamed wilderness, where visitors can see some of the astonishing array of African wildlife, either by Jeep or as a canoe safari.

Other places to visit include the ruins of Great Zimbabwe which was inhabited between 1100 and 1450 AD, and the mountains to the east of the country, where visitors can take part in cycling safaris.