Why Now is the Right Time to Visit Zimbabwe

When people think of a holiday in Africa, chances are Zimbabwe hasn’t been top of mind for most. But my recent return trip to this beautiful southern African nation refreshed my perspective.

I was last here twenty years ago as a backpacker, and I often think back fondly of that adventurous trip. And while the country has come a long way, it’s also kept many of the things that make it such a neat experience.

There’s far too much to see for me to list out in this one article, but here are some absolute highlights that should convince you to make Zimbabwe part of your next African trip.

Victoria Falls
Honestly, do we need to say more? This must-see destination makes a trip to Zimbabwe worthwhile all on its own. There’s a reason it’s one of the 7 Wonders of the World. And while it’s difficult for me to pronounce it, the local name is Mosi-oa-Tunya (“the smoke that thunders”). Come near it and you’ll quickly understand how appropriate that name is.

Stunning and breathtaking. Nothing short of marvelous. I could go on and on to describe it. But it still won’t do it justice. The only way to truly feel its power is to experience it first hand. But prepare to get soaked. You can begin to feel the water spray from a distance and by the time you get to the ledge in front of it, you’ll be drenched by the waters of the mighty Zambezi.

For the really adventurous, check out Devil’s Pool. This is a shallow pool (during dry season) literally at the edge of the waterfall that you can swim in and look straight down the falls! In addition to that, there are plenty of other adventure activities to be found here.

And if you didn’t know it, the famous waterfall fight scene in Black Panther was filmed at Vic Falls also.

When I came here in 2004, accommodations were sparse and meager. But no more. There are many hotel options available, from backpackers and hostels all the way to high-end resorts and luxury lodges.

(Note: For travelers who happen to be in South Africa, Vic Falls is actually quite accessible by a short plane trip from Johannesburg or Capetown. Visas upon arrival are easy to get. So definitely consider hopping over to Zimbabwe for a couple of days, check into a local resort, and experience the thundering smoke.)

Wildlife safaris
Which country has the second most wild elephants in the world? That’s right, it’s Zimbabwe! Second only to Namibia, Zimbabwe has over 100,000 of these animals in its various national and game parks. So many, in fact, that it’s causing a massive strain on the local ecology (if you’ve ever seen their destructive feeding habits, you know what I’m talking about.)

In addition, virtually all other “African” animals are found in abundance. From the Big 5 to the Little 5, and everything in between. Hyenas? Yup. Big cats? Of course. Buffalo, zebra, kudu, and all kinds of other large herbivores? Yes, yes and yes. You name it, they are here. Even my personal (least) favorite, the African wild dog, is to be found in large numbers.

It’s a true wildlife paradise just waiting to be explored. My safari was with Chishakwe Safaris.

Great Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe, the modern nation, derives its name from the ancient archaeology site of Great Zimbabwe. This unique place is the site of the largest stone structures and settlements in sub-Saharan Africa. Once believed to house up to 18,000 inhabitants, it was abandoned around five centuries ago due to a combination of drought and other pressures.

Today, the main archeological site still stands tall. A large stone town, encircled by a wall that’s over 11 meters (36 feet) tall in places. This center was reserved for nobility, and was within a short distance of the king’s palace, situated high on nearby cliffs. The king, by the way, had over 200 wives, but that’s a different story for a different article.

Great Zimbabwe is served by a number of high end lodges nearby, and highly knowledgeable guides take visitors on approximately three-hour long walks around the grounds. My biggest regret of the 2004 trip was not making it here, so I was delighted to be able to make it this time.

Undiscovered travel treasure
What’s the difference between a safari in Zimbabwe and a safari in some of the other safari destinations in Africa? The sheer lack of tourists! Because it is still an emerging center for tourism, Zimbabwe can boast what others can’t. You’re guaranteed to have the game reserves and national parks essentially to yourself. After several days of safari, our tour group barely came across any other tourist groups.

But don’t let that fool you. The tourism industry here is healthy enough to sustain plenty of high-end lodges and resorts, whether at national parks or in private game reserves. That’s one of the things I found so different from my 2004 trip. Zimbabwe now has that amazing mix of adventure and luxury all in one.

I enjoyed my time at: Big Cave Camp – Matopos Hills.

The seven wonders of Zimbabwe
Zimbabweans refer to their nation as “a world of wonders”, and even have their own seven national wonders that they pride themselves in. These are Victoria Falls, Great Zimbabwe, the incredible nature and wildlife, the spectacular Eastern Highlands, giant Lake Kariba (the largest manmade lake in the world), the Zambezi river, and, of course, the people themselves!

Respect, friendliness and hospitality are the marks of Zimbabwean culture, and tourists are welcomed with open arms. And unlike many parts of central Africa, Zimbabwe is a safe, stable and tranquil nation. As a tourist, I never once felt uncomfortable or unsafe (the country recently officially switched its currency to the US Dollar as well).

And don’t miss visiting Matusadona National Park.

And one other observation: Zimbabweans absolutely love to sing and dance. Isn’t that how life should be?

Give Zimbabwe a chance
Getting to Zimbabwe is easier than you think. It’s fed through daily connections from numerous airports such as Dubai, Cape Town and Johannesburg. It may seem out of the way, but it really isn’t any more difficult to get to than say, Kenya or South Africa. Speaking of next door South Africa, if that happens to be your travel destination, consider adding a couple of days to your trip to Zimbabwe to see Vic Falls or Great Zimbabwe.

I for sure will be back, and I don’t intend to wait another 20 years to do it.

For more assistance in planning an epic trip to Zimbabwe, visit the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.