A must-see destination for the curious traveler. Zimbabwe is home to the mighty Victoria Falls or ‘the Smoke that Thunders’, the world’s largest continuous curtain of water and one of the most dramatic sights of Africa.

It is sandwiched by two major rivers, the Limpopo to the south and the Zambezi to the north. These life-sustaining waterways, their tributaries and waterfalls, and the various lakes dotted throughout the country, give it an incredible biodiversity. Zimbabwe’s landscape is mostly savanna, transforming from a lush green in the rainy months, when the birdlife is prolific, to a golden haze in the dry months of winter, the most successful time for animal sightings.

Most of the country sits on a plateau of ancient granite rock that is estimated to be as much as four billion years old. In places, this basement is exposed in gigantic boulders or “kopjes” making for some surreal landscapes that echo stories from days long past, some of these etched into the rocks by the bushmen who once lived there.

Zimbabwe is a country rich in national parks. Hwange, the largest, is home to over 100 mammal and 400 bird species. This vast wilderness is known for its large elephant population and is dotted with idyllic safari camps where it is not uncommon for elephants and other mammals to stop by for a drink. Mana Pools, on the southern banks of the Zambezi, is the ideal hunting ground of the elusive and endangered African Painted Dog. The rugged landscape of the Matobo Hills is a refuge for black and white rhinos, the Matusadona National Park on the shores of the magical Lake Kariba is a photographer’s dream, and, for the wildest experience, the remote Gonarezhou National Park is unrivalled.

Zimbabwe shares its borders with Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Namibia and Mozambique making easy to include as part of a multi-country itinerary. Economic and political instability over the last few decades has affected tourism but that loss is a gain for those who do adventure there. Zimbabwe feels untouched and authentic. And this is true too for the people who are native to this land. Zimbabweans are peace-loving and welcoming and you will learn quickly that a smile is never far away.

One of this country’s stand out features is the incredibly high standard of its safari guides. The journey to acquiring guide status in Zimbabwe is no walk in the park. Following a lengthy apprenticeship with rigourous testing, Zimbabwean guides display a deep understanding of the local ecology and wildlife behaviour. They can read the bush newspaper like no one else.

We recommend Zimbabwe for those with a heart for adventure.