Every Reason to Visit Zimbabwe for a Safari Tour

Open a world map and look at the southern end of Africa. Zimbabwe is not just a cool name but a land of diversity, richness, and abundance. For decades, it has lured untold numbers of adventurers. In return, the country offers great cultural variety and impressive natural attractions that are beautifully interwoven by distinct seasonal changes. Above all, the warm hospitality of its people is reason enough. By successfully assimilating foreign elements, the country has successfully added rich new dimensions to its indigenous culture. As such, Zimbabwe is vigorously gaining in popularity as an emerging tourist destination that is easily accessible from any part of the world. Today, it stands out as a destination that anyone can enjoy on a reasonable budget and with a sense of complete security.

Hwange National Park Gives a Running Start To Safari Lovers:

Start off your amazing African adventure by setting out on a safari trip to Hwange National Park and the surrounding plains. Along with a good number of giraffes, baboons and elephants, the safari reserve is home to a multitude of bird species. Jeeploads of tourists make their way to this safari park just after arriving in the country. Continue on to see the wildebeest herds and take photos to your heart’s content. These tours can be guided or otherwise but taking a guide means a win-win situation. Within this large-scale park lie short grasslands, swamps, thickets and even waterholes inspiring the perpetual migration of animals.

Safari Parks for a New Breed of Adventurers:

To the far north of this vast country lies yet another safari park. Travel through Mana Pools National Park for an unforgettable experience at wildlife viewing. As you drive to your wilderness lodge in the park side by side the Zambezi River, catch glimpses of wildlife in action. From elephants to lions, from hippos to crocodiles, the park’s diverse habitats sustain an abundance of flora and fauna. You will definitely spot a pride of lions close to the waterholes. Gonarezhou National Park is another option. It offers a spectacular location near the country’s border with Mozambique. The recent boom in safari tourism has led to a heightened interest in the park.

Explore Zimbabwe, One Fall At A Time:

Being one of the seven natural wonders of the world and the most animated of them all, Victoria Falls is a must for anyone visiting Zimbabwe. Although it lies on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, only tourists from Zimbabwe can enjoy the experience to the fullest seeing as how four out of the total five cascades are in Zimbabwe. These are, namely, the Devil’s Cataract, the Main Falls, the Rainbow Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. The splashing curtain of water creates a cloud of mist which rises high above the falls, giving it the name the smoke that thunders. The Victoria Falls are not entirely an isolated spot. Part of the Victoria Falls National Park, the falls can be enjoyed along with several other activities and sightseeing. It is a complete day trip and travellers will surprisingly find themselves returning after sunset.

Zimbabwe – Where Nature and Culture Intersects:

Luckily, the country’s major attractions are not limited to safari parks and animal sanctuaries. In the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences, tourists can look at archaeological, documentary and manuscript specimens that throw light on the people, places and events that have their place in the country’s history. Here the museum also houses what many believe to be the Ark of the Covenant. Located in Harare between the College of Music and the City Library, this museum is easily accessible. Then there is the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo which puts on exhibits a number of zoological and botanical specimens. This could be a good family trip in the late afternoon or evening before shopping etc.

Experience Zimbabwe on a Budget – Airlines Flying To Zimbabwe:

Flights to Zimbabwe are offered by major airlines such as Emirates, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, South African Airways, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, among others. At present, direct flights to Zimbabwe from the United Kingdom are not available. The minimum flight duration from London Heathrow to Zimbabwe (Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport) is 12 hours and 30 minutes with Ethiopian Airlines. Flights are also available from the London Gatwick Airport, the Manchester Airport, the Birmingham Airport as well as the Edinburgh Airport. TravelHouseUK also offers domestic flights within Zimbabwe. Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, also known as Harare International Airport, is the receiving airport for cheap flights to Zimbabwe.

Visit Zimbabwe during the Peak-Season:

For the maximum coverage of safari wildlife, try visiting in the drier months of the year. The dry season keeps going from May to August when the average daytime temperature hangs around 14 °C. If the purpose of your visit is mainly the sightseeing of Victoria Falls, visit immediately after the rainy season closes (late May). This is when the Zambezi River is flooded and the falls are the most majestic. The months mentioned above comprise the tourist peak-season in Zimbabwe but are not completely inflexible. Even if you plan to stay a bit longer, say by the end of September or early October, climatic changes will be hardly noticeable.

Complete Your Safari Packing Check-List:

But this is just the gist of it. Some things are better left unsaid. Tourists will gladly find themselves surprised to find that there is definitely way much more to Zimbabwe than meets the eye. Go through your safari packing checklist carefully and take the plunge!