ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe is a country blessed with large concentrations of wildlife, mineral wealth, fertile soils and a favourable climate and is probably most famous for the Victoria Falls. Brought to European light by David Livingstone in the late 1800`s the large sheet of Zambezi river water plunging 300 yards into a deep gorge is one of the seven wonders of the world. This area has in the last twenty years developed a diversity of extreme activities from bungee jumping and white water rafting all the way to elephant back safaris.

Hwange national park is the largest wildlife reserve in Zimbabwe covering a vast 14 000 square kilometers and estimated to have the second largest diversity of wildlife in Africa. Viewing is based on a series of waterholes that have prolific wildlife concentrations especially during the summer months resulting in the park being known as the numbers park of Zimbabwe.

Situated on the shores of Lake Kariba is Matusadonha National Park. Boasting some of the best walking terrain, the highest number of black rhino in Zimbabwe with scenery of varied habitats, Matusadonha lends itself to the highly thrilling experience of tracking the Big Five on foot. The dead trees that stand in the waters of the lake make for unique, memorable sunsets and breathtaking night scenes around full moon.

In Mana Pools the Zambezi River meanders through a wide valley, shaping islands and sandbanks, with escarpments rising dramatically on either side. UNESCO declared Mana Pools National Park a world heritage site and as a result the number of visitors and the development in the park is strictly controlled. 40 % of the park has been set aside into a wilderness walking area with no development, no roads and a limit to the number of vehicles that can access at any one time. Visitors to Mana Pools enjoy the experience of walking in an area with high concentrations of relatively relaxed herds, pride s and packs of wildlife. This mixed with the adventure of canoeing past large pods of hippos on the mighty Zambezi River, surrounded by breathtaking scenery makes for a truly rewarding safari and is described by many a traveler as the best adventure safari in Africa.

Chizarira and Gona re Zhou national parks are the more remote of the Zimbawean parks. Both are rich in scenery but have slightly less wildlife concentrations and are less visited.

Unfortunately as a result of bad press and questioned politics in the last few years, Zimbabwe has been in the negative limelight. Despite that it still delivers some of the best wildlife experiences in Africa through thoroughly trained professional guides complimented by a friendly, hospitable culture. Visitors to this forgotten land are pleasantly surprised by their travels. With prime wildlife areas, Zimbabwe offers the best value for money safaris in Southern Africa at the moment and has a very high safety record.