Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe at a Glance

Capital City:
Harare

ISBN-13: 9781841622958

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Should you go to Zimbabwe?

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION

Chapter 1 Background Information

Geography, Climate, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Education, Religion, Culture

Chapter 2 Natural History

Flora, Fauna, Birds, National parks

Chapter 3 Practical Information

When to visit, Highlights, Planning your trip, Suggested itineraries, Activities, Tour operators, Red tape, Embassies, Tourist information, Maps and GPS, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, What to take, Electricity, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays, Festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Media, Communications, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively

PART TWO THE GUIDE

Chapter 4 Harare

History, Getting there, Getting around, Tourist information, Tour operators, Where to stay, Where to eat, Shopping, Other practicalities, Entertainment and nightlife, What to see and do, Around Harare, North of Harare, Northwest of Harare, Southeast of Harare, Southwest of Harare

Chapter 5 Central Zimbabwe

Kadoma, Kwekwe, Gweru, Masvingo, Great Zimbabwe

Chapter 6 Lake Kariba and the Zambezi Valley

Deka Drum to Binga, Chizarira National Park, Lake Kariba, Matusadona National Park, The Middle and Lower Zambezi, Northern Zimbabwe

Chapter 7 Victoria Falls

History, When to visit, Getting there, Getting around, Orientation, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities, Local operators, Zambezi National Park

Chapter 8 Hwange

Hwange town, Hwange National Park, Kazuma Pan National Park, Towards Bulawayo

Chapter 9 Bulawayo

History, Getting there, Getting around, Tourist information, Tour operators, Where to stay, Where to eat, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Around Bulawayo, Matobo Hills

Chapter 10 Southern Zimbabwe

Beitbridge, From Beitbridge to Bulawayo, Lowveld towns, Gonarezhou National Park, Around Gonarezhou National Park

Chapter 11 The Eastern Highlands

Getting there and around, Southern area, Central area, Northern area

Appendix 1 Language

Appendix 2 Glossary

Appendix 3 Further Information

Index

About the Author

Paul Murray spent his working life in the airline industry. He first fell in love with Zimbabwe and its people more than 20 years ago while driving his ageing father around the country in a battered old hire car.

Since then, Paul has filled the equivalent of at least two complete passports with Zimbabwe stamps. Ten years ago, Paul left the airline; he and his wife bought a 4x4 and a house near Durban and now spend most of the year touring and camping around the region. Apart from writing this guide, their latest involvement in Zimbabwe has been acting as stand-in managers for one of the private safari camps.

Guidebook Updates

Updates Between Editions & Further Information

Update to Zimbabwe, 1st ed (June 2010)

Update to Zimbabwe, 1st ed (July 2010)

Notes from the Author

Foreword by Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, OBE

“My first experience of Zimbabwe came in 2005 when my wife, Louise, and I were invited to join a re-enactment of Livingstone's first journey down the Zambezi to Victoria Falls as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations. We travelled in traditional dugout canoes and camped on the Zambia side of the river at night. By the end of the trip my appetite for Africa was truly whetted and I resolved to return.

The chance finally came in 2007, and despite people telling me I was mad, I decided to bring the whole family – Louise, my stepson Alexander and our baby daughter Elizabeth – with me. It was mainly my interest in conservation that led me back to Zimbabwe. The country has some of the best game viewing in Africa – with the ‘Big Five' found in three of its national parks and rare opportunities for walking safaris – but its conservationists, guides, rangers and safari tourism operators need all the help they can get.

From reading the UK media, I was braced for aggressive police roadblocks and angry crowds, but there was absolutely none of that. Obviously the economy is a mess, and I'm not a Mugabe fan, but the people were extremely nice, extremely patient and resilient, and very glad to see us. From what I've seen of Zimbabwe, it's perfectly safe for tourists.

Paul Murray has shown real dedication to the country and its people by carrying out research for this guide whilst the political situation was still fragile, and I praise Bradt its continuing commitment to covering destinations that have suffered, and for which tourist revenue is a vital means of recovery. It is my sincere wish that this book will assist in Zimbabwe's regeneration.

Finally, I'd like to add that there's this idea in the UK that by coming to Zimbabwe, you're supporting the regime and putting yourself in danger, but this is simply not true. By staying away from Zimbabwe, all you're doing is making things even harder for all the people involved in tourism and conservation here, and depriving yourself of a fantastic time.”

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, OBE

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