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