Zimbabwe

Established as a game reserve in 1934 and as a national park in 1975, Gonarezhou National Park spans an area of 5053 square kilometers making it the second largest national park in Zimbabwe. It is located in the South East of Zimbabwe in the low-lying lowveld. It is part of the 35,000 km² tripartite Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park together with Kruger National Park(South Africa) and Limpopo National Park (Mozambique). The park is sustained by the Mwenezi, Runde and Save Rivers. The latter two form Tembwehata and Machaniwa pans at the dramatic Mahanye confluence which is an important wetland. The confluence is at around 165m above sea level making it the lowest point in Zimbabwe. The park is home to the spectacular 180m high Chilojo Cliffs which run for 20km along the banks of the Runde River. Other noticeable peaks in the north are Makamandima (578m) and Mutandahwe (571m), with Nyamgtongwe plateau (516m) in the center, and Ntambambomvu Red Hills in the south of the Park. Another feature is the Samalema Gorge, where the Mwenezi river carves through solid igneous rock-forming a braided river gorge. The scrub mopane areas of the park are one of the more significant breeding sites for the Lappet faced vulture in Southern Africa. The Yellow Golden Mole and Cape Hare are only known from Gonarezhou in Zimbabwe, and the red squirrel only occurs in the southeast Lowveld of the country. Large mammals species include Elephant, impala, kudu, buffalo, zebra, nyala (Gonarezhou is the only place in Zimbabwe where nyala are found in significant numbers), wildebeest, eland and giraffe.

The Nyanga mountains form the northernmost extent of the Eastern Highlands in Zimbabwe. They lie about 70 km north-east of Mutare in two rural Districts, Nyanga and Mutasa. The mountains are a popular tourist destination, attracting large numbers of visitors. Nyanga National Park (440 km²) forms the core of this site and also part of an adjacent, contiguous IBA, Nyanga lowlands/Honde valley (IBA ZW002). The Nyangani massif peaks at 2,592 m. The topography is very diverse, with a rolling hilly plateau in the west and north giving rise to several large rivers: the Kairezi, Nyangombe and Pungwe. The plateau is deeply bisected by the gorges of the Pungwe and Nyazengu rivers in the south. There are numerous high waterfalls, with the Mutarazi waterfall being one of the highest in Africa, dropping 380 m. The eastern slopes of the mountains, particularly Nyangani mountain, form a steep-sided escarpment, dropping down to 900 m into the Honde valley. The west side has an escarpment that drops from Rukotso (2,405 m) and World’s View to the Nyanga North Communal Land (1,400 m).The eastern slopes are often covered in mist. Above 1,800 m the temperatures are cool and relatively temperate. Frost (­4°C) is common in winter. The mountains have extensive Afromontane vegetation at high altitude (1,800–2,400 m), comprising fine-leaved dwarf shrubland with a large variety of herbaceous plants, including some Afro-alpine species. Afromontane rainforests are found on the eastern (windward) slopes. Syzygium is dominant in this undisturbed forest. Afrocrania montane forest occurs on wet boulder-screes and in high valleys. These forests have affinities with those further north in Malawi and East Africa.

The majestic Victoria Falls is an obvious must do, must visit and must see destination. Victoria Falls town and resort boasts a multitude of activities which make it a great place to visit. Besides the roaring falls that stand before the raging Zambezi River which in themselves are the true reason for the visit, there are a number of other exhilarating activities that one can partake in. Bungee jumping, white water rafting, abseiling and of course the luxurious river boat cruises are all available in one place. Sprays from this giant waterfall can be seen from a distance of 30 km from the Lusaka road, Zambia and 50 km from Bulawayo road, Zimbabwe. Basalts have been cut by a river system producing a series of eight spectacular gorges that serve as breeding sites for four species of endangered birds. The basalts of the Victoria Falls World Heritage property are layered unlike those of the Giants Causeway World Heritage site which are vertical and columnar.

Great Zimbabwe monument is a Unesco World Heritage Site, it’s full of history and provides a perfect day out for visitors in Zimbabwe. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe during the country’s Late Iron Age. Great Zimbabwe served as a royal palace for the Zimbabwean monarch and was used as the seat of political power. One of its most prominent features were the walls, some of which are still over five meters high and were constructed without mortar. There are 200 such sites in southern Africa, such as Bumbusi in Zimbabwe and Manyikeni in Mozambique, with monumental, mortarless walls but none as large and intact as those of Great Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe’s large rivers are often characterized by alluring geomorphic features and the Sanyati river is no exception. It is on the Sanyati river in the northern end of Gokwe district where the iconic Gandavaroyi falls are situated. The falls form the biggest drop on the river, with its massive crater which is surrounded by steep cliffs giving a picturesque scenery. The falling water from a higher elevation into a plunge pool where it is temporarily stored before disappearing into underground tunnels and emerge on the other side via connecting streams also gives the place a spectacular grandeur. The name Gandavaroyi, loosely translated means ‘throwing witches into’ (a plunge pool). It is said that the falls were used as a litmus test for suspected witches and wizards who would be thrown into the estimated 50-metre-deep gorge that is near the falls. If they were witches, they would never be seen again, hence the name Gandavaroyi. Although the practice was stopped decades ago, the falls are still associated with mystery as it is believed that the spirits of those who perished in the ‘natural guillotine’ still roam in the area causing unexplained disappearances.

The Wonder Hole , is the main feature of the caves which is in fact a “swallow hole” or a large cavern with a collapsed roof. The walls of the wonder Hole drop vertically down for 150 feet tot he sleeping pool in which our adrenaline junkies normally use for Scuba Diving. The pool is unbelievably blue and crystal clear which reflects great depth non-flowing water . The traditional name for the Caves is “Chirorodziva” which means the “Pool of the Fallen”. The name was derived from an incident which took place in the 1830s when the Angoni Tribe, who were moving northwards surprised people living near the Caves and flung them into the pool. The limestone caves were first discovered by Frederick Courtney Selous in 1887 which he later described in his writings in 1888. The history of the caves goes back long before this period and excavations in and near the caves have revealed the presence of people going back to very early times. Carbon dated pottery and human remains excavated from the area are estimated to date back to AD 650. These caves are the most extensive cave system in Zimbabwe that the public can access. There is a campsite run by the National Parks Authority and Caves Motel, a quiet, private establishment is located on site. The picnic and campsites are serviced by three ablution blocks with hot and cold water, baths, toilets and showers.

The National Heroes Acre, the revered shrine, is the pride of the people of Zimbabwe. It is a symbol of bravery and selflessness for those whose remains are laid to rest there. Towering and selflessness for those remains are laid to rest there. Towering majestically is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which symbolises the final resting place for tens and thousands of Zimbabweans who sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom and independence, but whose remains are scattered in valleys, disused mines, caves, unknown graves and mass graves spread across the nation and in neighboring states. Zimbabwe’s war of liberation was the epic of the revolutionary spirit that characterize modern Zimbabweans. Its stated purpose is to commemorate Patriotic Front guerrillas killed during the Rhodesian Bush War, and contemporary Zimbabweans whose dedication or commitment to their country justify their interment at the shrine. Persons buried here are considered heroes by the incumbent Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front regime, which has administered the country since independence at 1980