Zimbabwe Overview

Overview

Sadly political trouble and tension seems to be the most commonly associated thing with Zimbabwe today. However, this magnificent country still has a huge amount to offer the more adventurous tourist as well as the opportunity for those on organised tours to enjoy the splendour of Victoria Falls, the screams of bungee jumps and white-water rafting and bustle of Harare and Bulawayo. Clichéd though it sounds, Zimbabwe really does have the ability to cater for all tastes. There are the historic ruins of Great Zimbabwe to explore, the mountains of Chimanimani to climb, the arts festival in Harare or simply the ability to sip a gin and tonic while watching the magnificent animals of the wildlife preserves go by. As a tourist Zimabawe is usually safe, and really does have fantastic opportunities from visits of a few days to a few weeks. It is however advisable to contact the foreign office for their latest status report. Zimbabwe is a country in Southern Africa. It is landlocked and is surrounded by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the northwest, and Mozambique to the east and north. Although the country is landlocked, its great rivers are used for transport. The Zambezi forms the natural riverine boundary with Zambia and when in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water. The falls have been a major tourist attraction. Once known as the Breadbasket of Africa, in recent times Zimbabwe has undergone a politically induced economic depression. Due to political activities, many commercial farms have been taken out of large-scale production and redistributed to small-scale farmers. Press freedoms have been curtailed and law and order has been compromised by armed gangs.