Physical Features: Zimbabwe Travel, Zimbabwe Safaris & Tours

Zimbabwe Travel

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 expanse of Lake Kariba one of the largest lakes of its kind in the world, a virtual inland sea. The Zambezi River below Lake Kariba, flows through the lower-Zambezi Valley, which is situated between high escarpments on both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides of the river. Before ending at Lake Cahora Bassa in Moçambique, the Zambezi Valley is characterised by broken hills, rock-terraces, thick bush and tree cover, and is home to one of the largest and most spectacular wildlife concentrations that survive in Africa today.

The Eastern Highlands, along Zimbabwe's eastern border with Moçambique stretching from Chimanimani in the south through the Bvumba, Mutare and to Nyanga in the north is a region of forests and mountains, cool mountain streams and long views to distant horizons. The lofty mountain areas, which rise to elevations in excess of 2500 metres, sweep down to harsh brush covered plains, characterised by outcrops of huge rocky boulders and the massive squat shapes of Baobab trees.

The Limpopo River forms Zimbabwe’s southern boundary with South Africa and is a remote area of sun-seared bush and trees. The south-eastern lowveld region of Zimbabwe bordering South Africa and Moçambique, encompasses large swathes of virgin bush and includes magnificent wildlife and wilderness areas, which are seldom visited and are much appreciated by the connoisseur of solitude and wild places.

Western Zimbabwe encompassing Matebeleland is situated on the edge of the Kalahari Desert and comprises extensive Kalahari thornveld, mopane woodlands and the tall and graceful miombo woodlands in the north. Startling extrusions of massive domes of granite form the renowned Matopos south of Bulawayo, which is one of the most unusual and beautiful places in Africa. The northern sections of Matebeleland include extensive wildlife and wilderness areas.

The central Zimbabwean plateau is situated at an elevation of between 800 and 1500 metres above sea level and is an area of extensive tall miombo woodlands, open plains and wooded boulder-strewn hills. This area is the agricultural heart of Zimbabwe and includes most of the country’s highly productive commercial farms. Both Bulawayo and Harare are situated on the central plateau.

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

	Show all safaris & tours covering Zimbabwe »»

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

Physical Features

Tours covering Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe - Tourist Information

Map of Zimbabwe