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