Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is home to the top African tourist destination, the awe inspiring Victoria Falls. Measuring over 350 feet high (108 meters) and 5,538 feet wide (1688 meters), the “Smoke that Thunders”, as it is locally known, is the largest waterfall in the world. It’s thunderous water display and jaw dropping views make this an essential stop during your South African safari.
Only an hour away from Victoria Falls is another crown jewel of Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park. Home to one of the largest elephant populations in the world, Hwange National Park is also has over 100 different mammals including lions, cheetahs, leopards, gemsbok, and African wild dogs; as well as over 400 species of birds. Mana Pools National Park near the Zambezi River is a World Heritage Site and is renown for the elephants, hippos, crocodiles and other wildlife that frequent the pools.
Fly in safaris are also a unique and spectacular way see Zimbabwe. The aerial view of Matusadona National Park along Lake Kariba makes for a memorable African adventure. At Matusadona you will see one of the largest lion populations as well as rhinoceros and elephants. You can continue your fly in safari with visits to Gonarezhou National Park its bordering Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve. These remote parks are more adventurous to get to, but the reward is seeing the endangered black and white rhinos, large tusked elephants and breathtaking rugged landscape of southern Zimbabwe.
With a population of over 14 million, Zimbabwe is a friendly country that has 16 official languages. English, Shona and Ndebele are widely spoken throughout the country. The wet season is December through March and April and May is a time that the rains begin to ebb. Peak season begins in June – August when the nights are cooler and they days are warm and sunny. September and October the weather begins to warm up and the water becomes limited for the animals, making wildlife viewing at watering holes abundant. November can be a bit unpredictable with hot days and the first rains of the wet season.