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