You merely need to book a flight to Zimbabwe and immediately you’re transported to a place most people describe as “magnificent,” “exquisite,” or simply “beautiful.” Home to the wondrous Victoria Falls, grand wildlife preserves and the medieval ruins of Great Zimbabwe, there is much to do and see for any traveling type.
The Victoria Falls are undoubtedly the reason most travelers book flights to Zimbabwe. The country’s most popular tourist destination is also one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Simply put, the Victoria Falls is a waterfall that plunges into the Zambezi Gorge. The cloud of mist created by this waterfall can be seen up to 20 miles away. The area around Victoria Falls is a haven for adventure seekers. Take a white-water rafting trip down the river, or stand on the bridge connecting Zimbabwe to Zambia and bungee jump into the Zambezi River gorge. If you need a break from all that adventure, take a relaxing scenic Zimbabwe flight over the area during sundown and view one of the most magnificent sunsets in the world.
It’s important to point out that Zimbabwe is a country dealing with ongoing political turmoil, but that shouldn’t deter tourists from booking flights to Zimbabwe and experiencing some of the most amazing scenery and first-class safaris in the world. Visitors are urged to use caution and common sense, but the main tourist areas, and national parks in particular, have been largely unaffected by the political debate. In fact, because of Zimbabwe’s recent drop in tourism, many travel companies are offering travelers cheap flights to Zimbabwe and bargain lodging prices in an effort to drum up business.
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Summer runs from October to April and has hot, sunny days with daytime temperatures around 86 degrees (F) in the main centers and hotter in the low-lying areas such as the Zambezi Valley, Kariba and Victoria Falls. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible. The rainy season runs from November to March, although the Eastern Highlands experience rain throughout most of the year. Winter days are warm and dry (68 degrees), with a vast drop in temperature at night, and runs from May to September. Winter is the most pleasant time to travel, and is best for game viewing and white water rafting; however this is also peak tourist season and is the busiest time of year.
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Peak Season:
The seasons are flipped in Zimbabwe -- summer months are winter months and vice versa. May, June and July are the coolest months, and the most pleasant time of the year to visit. To really see the Victoria Falls at its best, the jewel in Zimbabwe’s crown, travel to Zimbabwe between April and June when the Zambezi River is in flood. The rainy season extends from November to March and this is when the land turns green and verdant. It is a better time to see animals as they drink from waterholes.
Off season:
The dry season runs to October, and you’ll be looking at parched earth some of the time.
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Air Zimbabwe, the country’s largest airline, flies between Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. Train services are available throughout Zimbabwe including between Harare and Mutare; Harare and Bulawayo; Bulawayo and Lobatse; Bulawayo and Victoria Falls; and Bulawayo and Chiredzi. There is a range of bus services throughout Zimbabwe. Blue Arrow Luxury Coaches connects the main cities, Harare to Bulawayo via Kwekwe for example. Zimbabwe Omnibus Company also offers services. Car rental is also available.
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- The most important safari areas include Matusadona on the shores of Lake Kariba, for Black Rhino and lions, Mana Pools, a World Heritage Site on the south bank of the Zambezi River, Hwange, on almost five million acres of Kalahari Sand is said to have a greater diversity and variety of wildlife than any other conservation area in the world, and Bulawayo/Matobo hills, renowned for its granite moonscape, rock art paintings and the site of Cecil John Rhodes' grave.
- Victoria Falls is about 1 mile wide and 420ft high. Zimbabwe “shares” the falls with Zambia and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are several ways to see the falls: Board a Zimbabwe flight for a “Flight of the Angels” in a small plane, go jetboating, bungee jumping, or just stand in the viewing area. The falls diminish in the dry season. For maximum effect and spray (bring a rain jacket), book Zimbabwe flights to see the falls during the rainy season.
- Old Zimbabwe, which means "houses of stone", is the ruins of an ancient city dating from the 11th century. Legend has it that the city was built to replicate the palace of the Queen of Sheba in Jerusalem. The remains are composed of the Great Enclosure, the Hill Complex and the Valley Complex, where the carved Zimbabwe Bird, the national emblem, was found.
- Nyangani is Zimbabwe’s tallest mountain standing at 8500 feet and is popular with hikers and amateur climbers.
- Chinhoyi Caves, about an hour northwest of Harare, are in the center of a recreation park. Its most notable feature is its limestone cavern, which was formed when the ground collapsed. Below is the Sleeping Pool. There is an extensive waterway in the cave, which leads from Bat Cave to Blind Cave. The caves are open from dawn until dusk and offer good diving opportunities.
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The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe is responsible for air travel and airports in Zimbabwe.
Harare (HRE) is 9 miles southeast of the city.
Bulawayo (BUQ) is 15 miles from the city.
Victoria Falls (VFA) is 13 miles from the town.
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All visitors require tickets and documents for return or further destination journeys, as well as sufficient funds for their duration of stay.
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U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least the period of stay in the country. A visa is required; on arrival a 90-day holiday visa or 30-day business visa can be obtained for a fee of $30-55.
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