Chimanimani National Park is
located on the eastern side of Zimbabwe and borders with Mozambique. The main
focal point of this Park is the Chimanimani mountain range, superb for walkers
and hikers and one of the only national parks in the country where you can walk
unaccompanied. The whole area is very scenic with a diverse landscape of steep
sandstone peaks and towers, savanna valleys, rivers and pools that are safe for
swimming. A great region for enthusiastic botanists, the area boasts orchids,
hibiscus, lobelia, heather aloes and many species of meadow
wildflowers.
The Chizarira National Park lies
astride the Zambezi Escarpment and known as Zimbabwe's most scenic park with
its steep gorges, high plateau region and Busi flood plain all offering
panoramic views.
The park is remote with difficult access but very
wild and rich in wildlife, mammals found in this park include elephant,
leopards, lions, warthogs and a numerous species of antelope.
Chizarira has very few services and food suppliers, fuel, spares and camping
equipment must be taken with you.
Lying in the south eastern part
of the country and an extension of South Africas' Kruger National Park is the
Gonarezhou National Park which covers an area of 5,000 sq. kms.
The
parks landscapes are impressive and the areas around the Mwanezi, Save and
Runde rivers are where most the game can be found.
The name of the
park originates from the local language of Shona and means "abode of elephants"
- at one time this was the case, some of Africa's large tuskers were to be
found here - but poachers and drought have taken their toll . The situation is
now recovering slowly but "the elephant never forget" and here in this park in
particular they have a reputation as being nasty.
Accommodation
There are several
camp sites within the park which all have shelters, toilets, showers and
bar-be-que areas. Other accommodation is available outside the park.
Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest national park covering an area of over 14,500 sq.
kms located on the west, bordering with Botswana. The park is the country's
most premier game viewing area being easily accessible and also most visited
although its not too overcrowded.
The park holds the largest variety
of animals and over 400 species of birds including elephant, giraffe, zebra,
buffalo, hyena, lion, leopard, cheetah, a variety of antelope such as Sable,
Kudu and Impala.
For game viewing the best time of the year to visit
is during the driest months, September and October when large concentrations of
game congregate around the water holes, particularly large herds of elephant.
During the rainy season, mainly December to March the game, is much harder to
spot as they are spread across this vast park
There are three camps within the
park, The main Camp, where the parks headquarters are, has a camping ground,
pub, restaurant, shop, petrol station, cottage and lodges.
Sinamatella
where accommodation comprises of camping, chalets, cottages and lodges.
Escorted walks can be arranged for groups of up to six people
Robin
camp which lies to the west of Sinamatella, has chalets with outdoor cooking
facilities, a small grocery, a restaurant and bar. Here you can arrange guided
day wand night walks with armed game scouts.
There are also many
places to stay located just outside the park.
An enormous man-made waterway,
covering an area of over 6500 sq kms, Lake Kariba was completed in 1958, for
the purpose of providing the country with much needed hydro-electricity. The
lake has since developed into one of Zimbabwe's greatest water playground with
water skiing, sailing and fishing being big sports. Although swimming is not
advisable due to the huge number of crocodiles and elephants that abound the
lake and shores.
There is plenty of wildlife to be seen on the banks
of the lake such as buffalo, rhino, elephant, many other smaller species of
mammal and host to prolific birdlife including the Goliath heron, white egrets,
grey heron, fish eagle and open-bill storks. Game viewing can also be seen by
cruising the lake. The Matusadona National Park borders
with the lake
Accommodation
there is plenty
choice of accommodation in Kariba town itself, camping, chalets, lodges and
hotels.
Musango Safari Camp P/V Bag 2019 Kariba
Zimbabwe Tel: +263 61 2899 Fax: +263 61 3242
email: musango@mail.pci.co.zw situated on its own island on
Zimbabwe's beautiful Lake Kariba, overlooking the Matusadona National Park.
Guests stay in comfortably furnished large safari tents set under cool thatch
and can choose from a wide range of safari activities. Canoeing, fishing,
walking and cultural visits to the nearby villages are just a few of the
options
Mana Pools lies in the norther tip of the country bordering with Zambia. The
name "Mana" means four which is reference to the parks four pools situated
around the parks headquarters. The park is wild, fairly remote and natural.
Walking around the park is allowed, the park is closed to motor vehicles during
the raining season and is accessible by foot or boat.
All visitors to
the National Park must have an entry permit which is available from the
National Park Central Booking Office in Harare.
This park is a
designated World Heritage site, and supports numerous species of bird life and
a large variety of game including elephant, buffalo, zebra, kudu, waterbuck,
hippos and crocodiles. The rare black rhino can also be found here. For game
viewing, the best time to visit, is during the dry seasons between September
and October.
Fishing at the Mana Pools and the Zambezi River is
allowed without a licence. Canoes can be hired for the park office. Some
companies offer canoe safaris.
Accommodation
Nyamepi Camp is
popular among campers, having showers, baths, toilets and sinks. Campers need
to bring their own stoves or fuel. There are several other small camps
sites.
Also available is a couple of National Park lodges, Musangu and
Muchichiri, having a limited number of beds - you will almost certainly need to
book in advance
There are also a couple of luxury camps, Ruckomechi
Camp located on the western side of Mana Pools and Chikwenya Camp situated
where the Sapi and Zambezi rivers meet
Located in a region packed full of
history, the Motopos National Park lies is the south western part of the
country, just 40kms from Bulawayo.
The park offers a fine combination
of history, scenery and wildlife, is famed for being the burial place of Cecil
John Rhodes, which lies on the top of Malindidzimu Mountain, which Rhodes named
"View of the World". Throughout the park are numerous caves, with paintings by
ancient bushmen, depicting the life that existed in the area many thousands of
years before Zimbabwe was every discovered.
Most of the animals can be
found in the small Whovi Game Park; which holds dense population of wildlife
which includes the white rhino, giraffe, ostrich, wildebeest, leopards and
number of different antelope and if lucky, the elusive and rare black rhino may
been spotted.
Be aware that all the park waters contain bilharzia.
Accommodation
There a
several campsites within the park including Sandy Spruit Dam close to the
northern entrance, Toghwana Dam, Mjele Dam and a small tent site a Mezilume
Dam. The most popular camping is at Maleme Dam, but this gets very crowded at
weekends and during school holidays. At Maleme Dam there are also chalets and
lodges, including two luxury lodges, the Fish Eagle and the Black Eagle, but
booking in advance is essential.
There are other lodges scattered
throughout the park.
As well at being set next to the
southern shores of Lake Kariba, the Zambezi Escarpment runs along the
Matusadona National Park border, providing a combination of flat plains rising
high and wild mountain country.
The park has a fair amount of wildlife
including large herds of Buffalo and elephants as well as a large number of
fish eagles.
Accommodation
The are two camping ground. Sanyati West, situated
near the mouth of the Sanyati river and the Tashinga Camp which is at the park
headquarters. Camping equipment is available for hire at both. There are
several other chalet camps.
Nyanga N P, adjoins with the
Mtarazi Falls National Park and is a favourite with visitors from Harare
becoming a popular weekend destination. Its located, in the Eastern Highlands,
provides some beautiful scenes, plenty of waterfalls and Zimbabwe's highest
mountain, Mt. Nyangani.
Although there is not much game in the park,
it is the perfect destination for those who enjoy hiking and prefer cooler
weather.
Accommodation
There is a lovely camping and caravan site lying between the Nyangombe
River and the main road. There are several other lodges and chalets throughout
the area.
Regarded as one
of the worlds' most spectacular natural wonders, Victoria Falls spreads 1,700
wide and is an awesome sight as it falls into the gorge below. There a lots of
tracks around the rim that lead you to good viewing sports. The most dramatic
of which is Cataract View, Danger Point is also superb, but the trek to it can
be extremely slippery. By far the best view to be had of the falls is from the
air, and if your budget allows - it's not to be missed.
There is such a large variety of
activities available all around the area. Not for the faint-hearted, but fast
becoming the most popular for those seeking an extreme adrenaline buzz is
bungee-jumping of Zambezi Bridge. There are a number of companies offering
white water rafting trips just downstream from the falls, which is host to some
of the worlds wildest rapids.
For those seeking something a bit less
exhilarating, more relaxing but equally as enjoyable, the area has excellent
walks through the "rain forest", where you will come across a fair amount of
wildlife include, warthog, hippo, crocodile, antelope, elephants and buffalo.
Upstream, a sundowner cruise is a relaxing and peaceful way to see the wildlife
and environment.
Although Victoria Falls is obviously a very popular
destinations with thousands of visitors passing through the area, it is well
preserved and unspoilt.
Accommodation
Throughout the
whole region there is no shortage of places to stay of varying style, comfort
and cost. Ranging from camping, backpackers hostels, chalets, lodges, cottages
and hotels.
The Victoria Falls Hotel - CHECK AVAILABILITY / BOOK
ONLINE NOW The Victoria Falls Hotel is set in acres of
beautifully landscaped gardens in a peaceful location. Some rooms look directly
on the Victoria Falls Bridge. The spray from the falls can be seen from the
hotel's front terrace. Old colonial hotel, with beautiful architecture, built
in 1904 and tastefully refurbished, combining the charm of the old with the
comfort and convenince of today.
Gorges Lodge - CHECK AVAILABILITY / BOOK ONLINE
NOW Uniquely Positioned On The Edge Of The Zambezi river
gorge - several kilometres downstream from the victoria falls. fantastic views
of unspoilt riverine vegetation inhabited by numerous wild animals and birds.
the lodge consists of 10 luxury furnished chalets / a lounge area / a bar and a
swimming pool in a lush garden.
Bordering with Zambia the Zambezi National Park has 40kms of the impressive
Zambezi River running through it, making the park rich in wildlife, mopane
forest and savannah.
Game found within the park consists of hippo,
elephant, giraffe, sable and other species of antelope, zebra, buffalo amongst
others. Game Drives, Game Walks and Horse Riding is available.
Accommodation
Camping is
available in the parks at several places. There are three fishing camps and a
number of lodges.
