Home to the wondrous Victoria Falls, grand wildlife preserves and medieval ruins, it is no wonder that Zimbabwe was for years one of the most popular destinations in Africa. Today, though, political turmoil across the country has made many travellers wary of booking flights to Zimbabwe and those who do continue to travel should remain alert to potential trouble.
The main tourist areas and national parks, however, remain largely unaffected by the political troubles and the sights on offer here are awe-inspiring. The Victoria Falls is undoubtedly the reason most travellers book Zimbabwe flights. The country’s most popular tourist destination is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. The waterfall is of such a vast size that the cloud of mist it creates can be seen up to 20 miles away. The area around Vic Falls is a haven for adventure seekers. Take a white-water rafting trip down the river, or stand on the bridge connecting Zimbabwe to Zambia and bungee jump into the Zambezi River gorge.
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Summer runs from October to April and has hot, sunny days with daytime temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius in the main centers and hotter in the low-lying areas such as the Zambezi Valley, Kariba and Victoria Falls. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible. The rainy season runs from November to March, although the Eastern Highlands experience rain throughout most of the year. Winter days are warm and dry (20 degrees), with a vast drop in temperature at night, and runs from May to September. Winter is the most pleasant time to travel, and is best for game viewing and white water rafting; however this is also peak tourist season and is the busiest time of year.
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Peak Season:
Zimbabwe's summer is our winter. May, June and July are its coolest months, and the most pleasant time of the year to visit. To really see the Victoria Falls, the jewel in Zimbabwe’s crown, at its best, go between April and June when the Zambezi is in flood. The rainy season extends from November to March and this is when the land turns green and verdant. It is a better time to see animals as they drink from waterholes.
Off Season:
The dry season runs to October, and you’ll be looking at parched earth some of the time. This is the best time, however, to find a good deal on a Zimbabwe flight.
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Air Zimbabwe, the country’s largest airline, flies between Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.
Train services are available throughout Zimbabwe including between Harare and Mutare; Harare and Bulawayo; Bulawayo and Lobatse; Bulawayo and Victoria Falls; and Bulawayo and Chiredzi.
There is a range of bus services throughout Zimbabwe. Blue Arrow Luxury Coaches connects the main cities, Harare to Bulawayo via Kwekwe for example. Zimbabwe Omnibus Company also offers services.
Car rental is also available.
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- The most important safari areas include Matusadona on the shores of Lake Kariba, for Black Rhino and lions, Mana Pools, a World Heritage Site on the south bank of the Zambezi River, Hwange, on almost two million hectares of Kalahari Sand is said to have a greater diversity and variety of wildlife than any other conservation area in the world, and Bulawayo/Matobo hills, renowned for its granite moonscape, rock art paintings and the site of Cecil John Rhodes' grave.
- Victoria Falls is about 1.7 km (1 mile) wide and 128m (420 ft) high. Zimbabwe “shares” the falls with Zambia and is a Unesco World Heritage Site. There are several ways to see the falls: “Flight of the Angels” in a small plane, jetboating, Bungi jumping, or just standing in the viewing area. The falls diminish in the dry season. For maximum effect and spray (bring a rain jacket) see them in the rainy season.
- Old Zimbabwe, which means "houses of stone", is the ruins of an ancient city dating from the 11th century. Legend has it that the city was built to replicate the palace of the Queen of Sheba in Jerusalem. The remains are composed of the Great Enclosure, the Hill Complex and the Valley Complex, where the carved Zimbabwe Bird, the national emblem, was found.
- Nyangani is Zimbabwe’s tallest mountain standing at 2,593 metres (8500 feet) and is popular with hikers and amateur climbers.
- Chinhoyi Caves, about an hour northwest of Harare, are in the centre of a recreation park. Its most notable feature is its limestone cavern, which was formed when the ground collapsed. Below is the Sleeping Pool. There is an extensive waterway in the cave, which leads from Bat Cave to Blind Cave. The caves are open from dawn until dusk and offer good diving opportunities.
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The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe is responsible for air travel and airports in Zimbabwe.
Harare (HRE) is 14km (nine miles) southeast of the city.
Bulawayo (BUQ) is 24km (15 miles) from the city.
Victoria Falls (VFA) is 22km (13 miles) from the town.
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All visitors require tickets and documents for return or onward journeys, as well as sufficient funds for their duration of stay.
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UK passport holders must have a passport valid for at least the period of stay in the country. A visa is required; on arrival a 90-day holiday visa or 30-day business visa can be obtained for a fee of US$30-55.
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