The Matopos Hills is an area of granite hills and wooded valleys in the south-eastern corner of Zimbabwe, close to the buzzing town of Bulawayo. The area is home to a huge diversity of flora and fauna and is rich in colonial history.It has a combination of very dramatic and beautiful scenery, varied activities, rich species diversity and a colourful history that ensures a memorable visit for anyone able to include it in a Southern Africa itinerary.The Matopos Hills themselves are located around 35 kilometres to the south-east of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second city. Formed over 2 billion years ago, the granite hills have a distinct appearance. The huge, smoothly-eroded boulders dotted throughout this landscape were the reason behind the area’s name: founder of the Ndebele nation, the brutal warrior-king Mzilikazi named the rocks “matobo”, meaning “bald heads” in the local language.The Matobo National Park is one of the oldest in the country, it was established in 1926 as Rhodes Matopos National Park, a bequest from Cecil John Rhodes. Rhodes himself is buried alongside other notable white settlers of the 19th century on the summit of Malindidzimu, the ‘hill of spirits’, one of the smooth kopjes of the area. UNESCO designated the area as a World Heritage Site in 2003, one of four sites in Zimbabwe.The park is home to rich species diversity: over 200 species of tree have been recorded, as well as close to 200 bird and 100 mammal species. The park is also home to one of the highest concentrations of rock art sites in Southern Africa, approximately 3000 sites are a living monument to the population of San who lived here as long ago as 2,000 years. The large boulders and caves offer natural shelters that have been associated with human occupation as far back as the early Stone Age. The area continues to be a strong focus for the local communities with many areas still used as shrines and
Zimbabwe’s elegant and modern capital city, Harare sits atop a wide plateau at an altitude of almost 1,500 metres, meaning it has a pleasant climate all year round. Indeed, Harare is a very different city to how many perceive it, with wide, jacaranda-lined boulevards, elegant buildings and a thriving art and food scene.
Also known as the Manica Highlands, Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands run for some 300kms and separate Zimbabwe from neighbouring Mozambique. Easily accessible via a half-day drive from Harare, they are the natural starting point for adventurous travellers who are looking to explore some of the more remote corners of the country.
The crashing deluge of the mighty Zambezi as it spectacularly plunges over the Victoria Falls is one of Africas most awe-inspiring and iconic sights. We think that the Falls are best seen from the Zimbabwean side and when you are standing close to the worlds greatest mass of falling water and enjoying the sight of double rainbows, you won’t feel short-changed.
The name ‘Mana Pools’ comes from the pools that still lie in the abandoned river channels that run through the terraces. The word ‘Mana’ is said to mean “four”, which refers to the largest of these pools with are filled with water year round.
Along the Zambezi River you will find Lake Kariba; Africa’s largest man made dam, 226km long and up to 40km wide. The lake covers an area of 5,000 square kilometres and has become a paradise for both wildlife and humans alike.
Hwange National Park was founded in 1928 and is Zimbabwe’s largest park, playing host to the greatest elephant population in Africa, as well as over 100 mammals and 400 bird species.From the sand flats of the Kalahari in the south to the lush teak forest and hills of the north, the park sustains a wide range of game including great herds of buffalo, eland, sable, roan and zebra as well as lion, cheetah, leopard and wild dogs.
Built between the 11th and 15th centuries, Great Zimbabwe represent the country’s great architectural skills and deep traditions, once home to cattle-herding people.The ruins are made up of granite walls, characterised by turrets, towers and incredibly sculpted stairways, however the purpose of these ruins is yet to be discovered.
Gonarezhou is Zimbabwe’s second largest national park and its name translates from Shona as ‘place of elephants’. The park characterises itself by the distinct orange sandstone of the well know Chilojo Cliffs.
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