Any Travels

Zimbabwe is an unbeatable destination for adventure travel of all sorts. Not only are its game reserves among the most abundant and beautiful on the continent, but they also offer unusual types of safari experience that are simply unavailable anywhere else.

Zimbabwe, like Botswana, is a landlocked country at the base of the African continent. Its neighbours are Mozambique (to the east), South Africa and Botswana (to the south and west), and Zambia (to the north). Zimbabwe lies on a high plateau, and its terrain consists primarily of grasslands bordered on the east by mountains. The northeastern border of the country is marked by the mighty Zambezi River, along which is located the incomparable spectacle of Victoria Falls and the magnificent expanse of Lake Kariba. The Zambezi has become one of the world's best water adventure travel destinations, offering outstanding whitewater rafting in the Zambezi Gorges below the falls as well as excellent canoeing and kayaking above them.

There is evidence of settlements in Zimbabwe dating from as long ago as the second century AD, but these early inhabitants were supplanted around the 5th century by Bantu-speaking peoples. In southeastern Zimbabwe, in 1870, European explorers came upon an impressive ruined city, which they believed to be the biblical city of Ophir--the site of King Solomon's mines. The immediate result was a frantic, and utterly unsuccessful, search for gold deposits in the surrounding region.

Archaeologists have more recently determined that the site was occupied as early as the 3rd century AD, but that its ruins date from the12th to the 15th century. Known as Great Zimbabwe, it was during its heyday the capital of a Shona trading empire that collapsed for reasons that remain unknown. By the middle of the19th century, with European influence still slight, the region's Shona states had been defeated by an invading Ndebele army from the south. Ndebele power didn't last long, however. In 1890, the fortune-hunting Cecil Rhodes arrived at the head of a private army of settlers and commenced to conquer what he thought might be a rich gold-producing region. By 1897 the area had been completely subdued. In 1923 Rhodesia became a self-governing British colony, completely controlled by the white settlers. For much of the last half-century Zimbabwe's history has been that of the long struggle to end white rule. Finally, in 1979, a new constitution that provided for democratic majority rule was established. The country has in recent years moved increasingly toward a more liberal economy, and the era of violent internal strife appears to have concluded.

Places to go:

Harare
Zimbabwe's capital city Harare used to be a very modern and quite a pleasant city. Due to political and economical problems the atmosphere is very tense now. Harare has a few museums worth spending time in, there are some parks and markets where it is nice to stroll around, but in the end the real charm of the city stems from its laid back atmosphere.

Near Harare there are some parks where you can see wildlife; other nice daytrips can be made to Chapungu Kraal and Kopoje. For more info see the section on daytrips.

Bulawayo
Without a doubt, it must once have been a fascinating and glorious city. Today, it stands as a sad reminder of the effects of Robert Mugabe's disastrous economic policies. Grand Victorian style buildings now stand delapidated, limited electricity at night, non-functioning street lights, streets in disrepair, and loss of almost all tourist-infrastructure are the result. Never the less, Zimbabwe's second largest city is worth a stopover to catch the nightly train to Vic Falls. Don't expect much accomodation here and don't rely on your guidebook; even if printed yesterday, it may well be out of date already. Hostels and backpackers close faster than Mike Tyson goes bankrupt. Shaka's Spear, once the premier backpackers rest, no longer stands. Try the Hotel Cecil, though bizarrely, it may also be known by another name by many. Don't trust the porter who tells you that you can stow your stuff for free in the luggage room. You are unlikely to be reunited with your bags until you fork over a nice tip. The grocery stores are filled to the brim with food, though the precarious political situation may change that at any time.

Safety is not to be taken lightly, but having said that, the traveller is relatively comfortable. Political violence is not frequent, one must only watch out for thieves and robbers, just as any other African city. Don't be stupid, lock yourself in your hotel room before nightfall.

You can take the nightly trains to Vic Falls, but beware of your belongings! Thieves are thick as flies at the train station and the moment you turn your back, your stuff will be gone. Find your compartment and lock yourself in as soon as possible. The train makes frequent stops at night and would-be thieves also have no qualms boarding the train and checking each compartment or waiting for you to fall asleep. It helps to have multiple people watch out for each other. Ideally, get the first class cabins, only about $13 per person, lock yourself in and spend the night in the comfortable beds. Don't let anyone in and only open the door if you after making sure it is the conductor (visual check through peep-hole.)

Cuisine

Zimbabwean cuisine is mostly the legacy of bland British fare combined with normally stodgy African dishes. The dietary staple is sadza - the white maize meal porridge upon which most local meals are built. The second component is nyama - meat, usually beef or chicken, but also crocodile, kudu and impala. Fruit and vegetables are limited, but don't miss gem squash, a delicious type of marrow.

The alcoholic tipple of the masses is chibuku, 'the beer of good cheer'. Served up in buckets which are passed between partakers, it has the appearance of hot cocoa, the consistency of thin gruel and a deceptively mellow build up to the knockout punch. It's not at all tasty. Chibuku is drunk mainly in high-density township beer halls - a distinctly male social scene.The beer you will more commonly see and drink is lager, which is always served cold. A popular brand is the South African-owned Castle, though the domestically-brewed Zambezi and Bohlinger lagers are superb. Although the climate isn?t suited to grape growing, Zimbabwe does sustain a limited wine industry, particularly east and southeast of Harare. The largest and most renowned winery is Mukuyu, near Marondera. Coffee addicts who want to kick the habit should think about a holiday in Zimbabwe. Although tea and coffee are grown in the Eastern Highlands, the best is exported. An increasing number of cafes and restaurants serve real local or imported coffee, while others sell a revolting blend made of 10% instant coffee and 90% chicory. Although it isn't the optimum-quality stuff, Nyanga tea is acceptable and available throughout the country.

Suckers!!!!
Zimbabwe sucks!