Great Zimbabwe
These impressive stone ruins, located 11 miles (18 km) from Masvingo, look distinctly out of place in sub-Saharan Africa where almost all traditional structures have been built of mud, cow dung, straw and reeds. The origin of these ruins is still not understood.
In 1890, Masvingo be¬came the first settlement of whites in what is now Zimbabwe. The settlers first discovered the Great Zimbabwe Ruins in 1898.
The city which these ru¬ins represent was at its prime from the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries.
The Acropolis or Hill Complex, traditionally the king’s residence, is situated high on a granite hill overlooking the Temple (a walled enclosure) and the less complete restoration of the Valley complex.
Accommodation - tourist class:
Related Information
Kyle Recreational Park
Kyle Recreational Park Located twenty miles southwest of Masvingo, this 65-square-mile (169 km2) park is a great place to go horseback riding among white rhino and a variety of other game. Pony trails are led by a park ranger into the fenced wildlife section of the park. Accommodation - Tourist Class: See "Great Zimbabwe." CLASSES D & F: * National Park Lodges, some with private facilities and others without, are available. Camping: Camping and caravan sites with ablution blocks are located near the National Park office and at Sikato Bay Camp on the west bank of Lake Kyle.
Lake Kariba
Lake Kariba Lake Kariba is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world —180 miles (290 km) long and up to 20 miles (32 km) wide (see "Lake Kariba" in the Zimbabwe chapter for full details). The Zimbabwe (southern) side of the lake is currently more developed than the Zambia (northern) side of the lake. Canoe safaris are offered downstream of Kariba Dam through the Kariba Gorge.
The South
The South The "Southern Circuit" Of Wildlife Reserves Includes The Selous Game Reserve, Ruaha National Park And Mikumi National Park. The Selous And Ruaha Are Seldom Visited And Offer A Great Opportunity To Explore Wild And Unspoiled Bush.
Kasane
Kasane Kasane is a small town a few miles northeast of Chobe National Park about a one-and-one-half-hour drive from Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe). Many tourists are driven here from Victoria Falls to begin their Botswana safari. Kasane Enterprises has a small shop of quality souvenirs. Accommodation - Class C: Kubu Lodge has wood and thatch chalets with ensuite facilities, swimming pool and spa¬cious lawns, and is a ten-minute drive from the Chobe National Park gate. Chobe Safari Lodge has rooms and rondavels with private facilities, swimming pool and boats for hire.
Gonarezhou National Park
Gonarezhou National Park The second largest park in Zimbabwe, Gonarezhou bor¬ders the country of Mozambique in southeastern Zimbabwe and covers over 1950 square miles (5053 km2) of bush. Gonarezhou means "the place of many elephants" and is definitely elephant country. Other species commonly seen are lion, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and a variety of antelope species. Nyala are regularly seen in riverine areas. Rarely seen are roan antelope and Lichtenstein's hartebeest. Elephant, rhino and buffalo have been heavily hunted and poached in this area. Visitors should approach these and other large mammals with extreme caution; these animals (especially elephants) have a justifiable grudge against
Mosi-Oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) National Park
Mosi-Oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) National Park Called Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders), Victo¬ria Falls should not be missed. Visitors may walk along the Knife Edge Bridge for a good view of the Eastern Cataract and Boiling Pot. A Sunset Cruise is a very pleasant experience; hippo and crocodiles are often seen. On the Float of Angels guests are taken by raft from the "Boiling Pot" to spend about an hour just below the falls. The hike in and out of the gorge (about a 400 foot/120 meter elevation gain) can be a bit slippery and is not recommended for people in poor condition. Canoe
Arusha
Arusha This Town Is The Center Of Tourism For Northern Tanzania And Is Situated In The Foothills Of Rugged Mt. Meru. Named After One Of The Arusha Tribes, It Is Located On The Great North Road Midway Between Cairo And Cape Town. Makonde Carvings And Other Souvenirs Are Available In The Numerous Craft Shops At The Center Of Town. Walking Around The Arusha Market, Located Behind The Bus Station, Is An Interesting Way To Spend A Few Hours.
Nyanga National Park
Nyanga National Park Most of this beautifully forested and mountainous park lies above 6560 feet (2000 m), rising to 8504 feet (2592 m). Mt. Inyangani is the highest mountain in Zimbabwe. Trout fishing, horseback riding, hiking and golf are just a few of the many sports enjoyed in this refreshing environment. The park covers 127 square miles (330 km2) and is located near the Mozambique border north of Mutare. Accommodation - First Class: Pine Tree Inn is a small country inn; rooms have facilities ensuite. Troutbeck Inn has 74 rooms with ensuite facilities and offers horseback riding, trout fishing, lawn
Chore National Park
Chore National Park (Chore River/Serondela Region) Famous for its large herds of elephant, Chobe National Park covers about 4250 square miles (11,000 km2). The park is situated only about 50 miles (80 km) from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe with the Chobe River forming its northern and northwestern boundaries. Across the river is Namibia's Caprivi Strip. Birdlife is prolific, especially in the riverine areas. The four main regions of the park are Serondela in the northeast near Kasane, the Corridor around Ngwezumba and Nogatsaa, the Linyanti Swamps in the northwest, and the Savuti (discussed above) in the west. The Serondela region is famous for
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park Ruaha, Known For Its Great Populations Of Elephant, Greater And Lesser Kudu, Hippo, Crocs And Magnificent Scenery Is One Of The Country's Newest And Best National Parks, And Because Of Its Location, It Is One Of The Least Visited. Ruaha's Scenery Is Spectacular And Its 5000-Square-Mile (12,950 Km2) Area Makes It Almost As Large As Serengeti Na¬tional Park. The Landscape Is Characterized By Miombo Wood¬land With Rocky Hills On A Plateau Over 3300 Feet 1000 M) In Altitude. Park Elevation Ranges From 2460 Feet (750 M) In The Ruaha Valley To 6230-Foot (1900 M) Ikingu Mountain In The