What to See in Zimbabwe

last edited Dec 11, 2019

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Location Map of Zimbabwe

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Zimbabwe has 5 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:

Victoria Falls (1989)
Straddling Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, on par with Iguazu Falls. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it remains one of the most visited destinations in Southern Africa. On both sides of the border, the falls are surrounded by national parks teeming with wildlife.

Great Zimbabwe (1986)
Near the city of Masvingo, Great Zimbabwe is a complex of ruins from an ancient city built between the 13th and 15th centuries. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant archaeological sites in Africa.

Khami (1986)
These are the ruins of an ancient city in Southern Africa, located about twenty kilometres from Bulawayo. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mana Pools National Park (1984)
An extension of Lower Zambezi National Park, on the other side of the border with Zambia. The site is home to a wide range of African wildlife, including elephants, hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, zebras, lions, leopards, and birds. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with its adjacent reserves, Sapi and Chewore.

Matobo National Park (2003)
This very beautiful park south of Bulawayo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including rhinoceroses, leopards, giraffes, and gazelles. Visitors can fish, go boating, and especially enjoy hiking or horseback riding, as well as explore some decorated caves and striking rock formations.

Cities and Cultural Heritage

Bulawayo
The second-largest city in Zimbabwe is home to a significant number of colonial-era houses and buildings, several museums, and the Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage on its outskirts. The Matobo Hills are also nearby.

Epworth
This town in the suburbs of Harare is known for its rock formations, particularly what could be called its "balancing rocks," which were even featured as a motif on one of the country's (former) banknotes.

Great Zimbabwe
Near the city of Masvingo, Great Zimbabwe is a complex of ruins from an ancient city built between the 13th and 15th centuries. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant archaeological sites in Africa.

Harare
The country's capital, with a few remaining colonial buildings, museums, and public gardens.

Kariba
The small town on the shores of the lake of the same name serves as the base for exploring the lake, the Kariba Dam, and the surrounding parks and reserves, thanks to its services and infrastructure.

Khami
These are the ruins of an ancient city in Southern Africa, located about twenty kilometres from Bulawayo. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Victoria Falls
Like Livingstone in Zambia, this is the nearby town on the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls. Despite the prices, it’s a great base for exploring the falls and the surrounding area. Beyond transport and accommodation options, you’ll find safaris to nearby parks, bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls Bridge, cruises on the Zambezi, rafting, kayaking, fishing, and even opportunities to fly over the falls.

Natural Heritage

Victoria Falls
Straddling Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, on par with Iguazu Falls. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it remains one of the most visited destinations in Southern Africa. On both sides of the border, the falls are surrounded by national parks teeming with wildlife.

Chinhoyi Caves
This is a set of flooded caves on the outskirts of the town of the same name, where you can dive if you have a certain level of experience.

Lake Kariba
On the Zambia-Zimbabwe border, Kariba is the world's largest artificial lake. You can see crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and many birds. Fishing, boat trips, and tourist facilities are available, particularly around the town of Kariba on the Zimbabwean side.

Chimanimani National Park
Straddling Zimbabwe and Mozambique, this pleasant mountainous park with several waterfalls, peaking at 2,440 m, offers great trekking opportunities.

Chizarira National Park
This pretty park, not far from Lake Kariba, is quite isolated and rarely visited. Nevertheless, it is home to a fairly rich wildlife.

Gonarezhou National Park
It is the second-largest park in the country. Due to its isolation, it receives few visitors, even though it is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which also includes reserves in Mozambique and South Africa (including Kruger).

Hwange National Park
This is the largest reserve in Zimbabwe, not far from Victoria Falls. It has the highest concentration of wildlife in the country, with over 100 mammal species (lions, elephants, etc.) and 450 bird species. In some parts of the park (including Bumbusi), you can also see prehistoric ruins and petroglyphs.

Mana Pools National Park
An extension of Lower Zambezi National Park, on the other side of the border with Zambia. The site is home to a wide range of African wildlife, including elephants, hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, zebras, lions, leopards, and birds. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with its adjacent reserves, Sapi and Chewore.

Matobo National Park
This very beautiful park south of Bulawayo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including rhinoceroses, leopards, giraffes, and gazelles. Visitors can fish, go boating, and especially enjoy hiking or horseback riding, as well as explore some decorated caves and striking rock formations.

Matusadona National Park
This pretty park on the shores of Lake Kariba is home to lions and black rhinos. Several other similar reserves (Chete, Charara, etc.) are also located near the lake.

Nyanga National Park
On the border with Mozambique, Nyanga is home to the country's highest peak (Mount Nyangani: 2,592 m) and its tallest waterfalls (Mutarazi Falls: 760 m), along with some archaeological sites. It’s a destination for stunning landscapes, fishing, boat trips, and especially hiking on foot or horseback.