History: Zimbabwe Travel, Zimbabwe Safaris & Tours

Zimbabwe Travel

History

The first inhabitants of Zimbabwe were the San people who lived a hunter-gatherer existence across all areas of the country, until they were displaced by the arrival of Black African people from the north, during the fifth to the eighth Century. These settlers established the ancient tribal groupings of the Karanga and the Rozvi, whose magnificent stone structures are to be found all over Zimbabwe and as far south as the Northern Province in South Africa. The mystical Kingdom of the Mwanamutapa, evidence of which found its way into the early writings of Portuguese and Arab explorers and traders who journeyed into the interior from the coast of Moçambique and who encountered these dynasties across most of present-day Zimbabwe, is well documented. Magnificent examples of this civilisation are to be found in the ruins of Great Zimbabwe and at many similar sites around the country. Evidence of mining activities including copper and gold are to be found in the vicinity of many of these walled settlements.

By the onset of the nineteenth century these ancient societies were in serious decline and the incursion of the warlike Shangaan and Ndebele people from the south sounded the death-knell for what remained of the ancient kingdom of the Mwanamutapa. The stone-walled settlements and the mining activities were abandoned and the Ndebele people established themselves in the south-western areas of the country around present-day Bulawayo under their king, Mzilikazi. The original Karanga and Rozvi people, who became collectively known as the Shona people, endured a most difficult period in their history as they were constantly raided and harried by the warlike Ndebele and the Shangaan people from the south-east.

During the early nineteenth century, European ivory hunters, traders and explorers crossed the Limpopo River from South Africa. The wealth of this hitherto unexploited wilderness was most apparent to these early European visitors and as the European presence in South Africa was consolidated they cast covetous eyes upon this bountiful land. Cecil John Rhodes, the highly successful politician, financier and mining mogul sent his agents into the Ndebele territory and secured a mining concession from Lobengula, the illiterate son of Mzilikazi in 1888. Rhodes used this mining concession from Lobengula to occupy much of Matebeleland and in 1890, exploiting the confused state of the Shona people, sent the Pioneer Column into the country, via Tuli in Botswana, to occupy the Shona peoples territory in the north and east of what is today Zimbabwe. The Pioneer Column reached the site of Harare in 1890 and the British Flag was hoisted and the new town was named Salisbury in honour of Lord Salisbury, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, a great driver behind Rhodes' colonial expansion programme. In 1893 Rhodes occupied Lobengula’s capital at Bulawayo, thus completing the complete take-over of the country. Lobengula, most likely murdered at Rhodes instruction, disappeared and an open revolt by both the Ndebele and Shona people had to be violently repressed by armed settlers. The British South Africa Company, a forerunner of the mining giant Anglo American Corporation, under a Royal charter, administered Southern Rhodesia as the country became known, until it was annexed by Britain in 1922.

In 1923 Southern Rhodesia was granted 'responsible government' status after its white inhabitants had rejected the proposal to include the country into South Africa, as that countries fifth province. After World War II the concept of a federation of the territories of Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and Nyasaland (Malawi) was realised with the establishment of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in 1954. The Federation fell apart in 1963 as a result of the African nationalistic aspirations of the people of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, who vastly outnumbered the white populations of these territories married to the immense wealth discovered in Northern Rhodesia and the poor economic potential of Nyasaland. In addition the resistance by the white population of Southern Rhodesia, who were largely against the rapid transition to majority rule, as was forced into being in the two northern territories by outside interests and which had as its result the collapse of the Federation.

In 1965 the Rhodesia Front Government of Ian Smith, declared a Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Great Britain as a result of failed negotiations between them and the British Government. In 1969 Rhodesia was declared a Republic. The Rhodesian Government became increasingly repressive in its dealings with African leaders and many were imprisoned or exiled. A low-level guerrilla war ensued which gained momentum from 1973 with the Rhodesian Army pitched against the guerrilla armies of Robert Mugabe’s ZANLA and Joshua Nkomo’s ZIPRA. Despite the effects of punitive international sanctions and the difficulty of securing supplies, the Rhodesian Army was initially very successful in containing the guerrilla armies. The collapse of the Portuguese in Moçambique in 1975 and the tardy attitude of the South African Government eventually forced Ian Smith’s Government to seek a political solution. In 1979 Ian Smith stepped down as Prime Minister to be replaced by Bishop Abel Muzorewa who in turn was replaced by a British Governor, Lord Soames who oversaw the elections of 1980 which brought Robert Mugabe and his ZANU Party to power, the peace was one by multinational mining conglomerates and international commercial farmers.

Joshua Nkomo, the veteran leader of ZAPU and the Ndebele people, was coerced into the ZANU Government as Joint Deputy President, following military action by the Zimbabwe Army in Matebeleland in the early 1980’s. This resulted in the eventual formation of the combined ZANU-PF political party in 1987, which dominated the political life of the country for the next thirteen years. The increasingly autocratic rule of Robert Mugabe and the decline of the Zimbabwean economy during the 1990’s led to the rapid development of a strong political opposition party, the MDC, under the leadership of Trade Union leader Morgan Tsvangirai. In the 2000 parliamentary elections the MDC succeeded in winning nearly half of the contested parliamentary constituencies and all of the urban constituencies in Harare and Bulawayo.

Travel to Zimbabwe Region

Travel to Victoria Falls Region

Tours covering Zimbabwe - Show all safaris & tours covering Zimbabwe »»
	Botswana Explorer : MV From $1990 per person per night	Explore the best of Botwana on this luxury fully serviced camping safari. The exhilarating expedition involves some hiking and rugged conditions so is best suitable for reasonably fit people. The route encompasses Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, Moremi Wildlife Reserve and the Okavango Delta. *Tour Duration:* 10 days

	Stripes and Trunks From per person per night	Witness the incredibly diversity of game whilst staying in the most beautiful and untouched wilderness regions of Botswna. Chobe Under Canvas and Savute Under Canvas are luxury semi-permanent camps with just four luxurious tented suites each. Savute is well known for its migratory Zebra herds and Chobe is world famous for its majestic elephants. *Tour Duration:* 7 days

	21 Day Southern Discoverer (South) From $1076 per person per night	This is definitely an overland expedition geared towards fun lovers! This trip starts in Nairobi and travels south through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and finishes in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. *Tour Duration:* 21 days

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Zimbabwe - Tourist Information
Statistics Statistics Population: 12.2 million Area: 390 580 sq. kms. GDP per capita: US$ 2 100 Languages: English, Shona, Sindebele		Climate The climate is generally temperate on the interior plateau at elevations above 1000 metres and in the Eastern Highlands. The low-elevation areas in the Zambezi and Limpopo valleys and the... More »»
Currency and Credit Cards The unit of currency in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwe Dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. Bank notes currently available are in denominations of Z$1.000 & Z$500. Coins in denominations of Z$2, Z$1,... More »»		Electricity The Zimbabwean power grid uses 220/240 volts AC 50 Hertz. Wall sockets (round and square 3 pin) are rated to carry a maximum of 15 amps. It is important to carry a 3 pin round and square adapter. Most... More »»
Visas and Entry Requirements Valid passports are required by all foreign nationals to enter Zimbabwe. Citizens of the European Union, Commonwealth countries, Scandinavia or the USA do nor require visas. All air arrivals must be... More »»		Public Holidays 01 January - New Year’s Day Good Friday (Easter weekend) - April (variable date) Family Day (Easter weekend) - April (variable date) 18 April – Independence Day 01 May - Workers day 25 May -... More »»
History The first inhabitants of Zimbabwe were the San people who lived a hunter-gatherer existence across all areas of the country, until they were displaced by the arrival of Black African people from the... More »»		Economy Zimbabwe has substantial mineral deposits including coal, chrome, iron, asbestos and gold. The agricultural industry in Zimbabwe used to be the countries largest producer of foreign exchange, with... More »»
Languages The official languages are English, Shona, Ndebele. The main local languages are Shona, Ndebele, Tonga, Venda.		Geography Zimbabwe is entirely landlocked and is situated between the Zambezi River and Zambia in the north and the Limpopo River and South Africa in the south. Moçambique forms its eastern border with Botswana... More »»
Physical Features Zimbabwe's entire northern border with Zambia is the Zambezi River. The Zambezi flows over the world-renowned Victoria Falls and into the deep rocky Batoko Gorge before emptying into the vast man-made... More »»		Political Features Zimbabwe is divided into eight provinces and has three official languages, with English the language of business and government. The capital city and most populous urban centre is Harare, situated in... More »»
Accommodation The variety of accommodation in Zimbabwe ranges from luxury hotels and exclusive game lodges to bed and breakfast type accommodation and National Park bungalows and campsites.		Banks and Foreign Exchange Banking hours in most centres are 08h00 to 15h00 Mondays to Fridays and 08h00 to 11h00 on Saturdays. On Wednesdays banks close at 13h00. Foreign bank notes and travellers cheques may be converted... More »»
Business Hours Most businesses and shops are open between 08h30 and 17h00 on weekdays and between 08h30 and 13h00 on Saturdays. Supermarkets and flea-markets are often open on Sunday morning. Curios can be purchased... More »»		Dining and Drinking Zimbabwean food reflects the agricultural products of the country. Superb meat products including beef, lamb and venison feature prominently. Harare and to a lesser extent Bulawayo, boast a wide... More »»
Tipping Tipping for service is standard practice in Zimbabwe and usually ranges around 10% in restaurants and about US$1 for hotel porters. Cleaners and maids in hotels and Bed and Breakfast establishments... More »»		Media and Television A limited variety of daily and weekly English newspapers are available in Zimbabwe, which reflect both the Government and an independent perspective to the news. The Zimbabwe Broadcasting... More »»
Medical Care Visitors are responsible for their own medical needs and it is advisable to carry comprehensive medical insurance, which includes casualty evacuation insurance to South Africa. There are Public... More »»		Telephones A formerly efficient telephone service, which has suffered from neglect in recent years, is available in almost all parts of the country. Direct national and international dialling is possible in... More »»
Postal Services Post Offices are open from 08h30 to 16h00 on weekdays and from 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays.		Air Travel Direct flights from Europe and Australia provide easy direct access to Zimbabwe. Direct flights from multiple destinations in Europe, North and South America, the Far East and the Middle East provide... More »»
Road Travel and Public Transport The road network is well developed and of a high standard. Major international and a number of local car hire companies are represented in Zimbabwe. Easy access to car hire from major airports and in... More »»		Security The declining economy in the country has resulted in an escalation of more serious crime and it is important that the visitor is aware of the following: · Certain inner city areas are unsafe and... More »»

Map of Zimbabwe

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Zimbabwe Travel

History

Tours covering Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe - Tourist Information

Map of Zimbabwe