Zimbabwe Travel with African Sky Safaris and Tours. Zimbabwe is a Shona word that means houses of stone or honored houses.This refers to the Great Zimbabwe ruins erected 1600 years ago. Zimbabwe is bordered in the west by Botswana and in the east by Mozambique. It is situated between 15 °S and 22°S and 26°E and 33°E. The size of the land is 150 873 miles² or 390 759 km².Zimbabwe’s real beauty lies at its fringes: the Zambezi River, Lake Kariba and Hwange National Park where Zimbabwe Safari's can be organized. In the southwest are the Matobo Hills and in the east the Eastern Highlands. These areas made Zimbabwe one of the most popular travel destinations in Africa prior to the current political upheaval.
The Limpopo River forms the border with South Africa in the south and the Zambezi River (the fourth largest river in Africa) forms the border with Zambia in the north. In the river valleys several reserves with big game populations are found. Travel on a Safari to Zimbabwe to view the magnificent wildlife. The 444 mile (715km) Zambezi River is the most important river in the country and contains the Upper Rapids, Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba and Mana Pools.The land rises gradually between the river valleys to a central plateau with savanna woodland. Dwalas – granite domes can be found in the woodlands and open grass plains. The central ridge is delineated by the Mvuri Range in the north, the Matobo Hills in the southwest and the Mashava Hills in the centre. The highest land runs from Harare (the capital) to the mountains of Nyanga, Bvumba and Chimanimani in the direction of Mozambique.
Thirty-five percent of Zimbabwe is lowveld country below 3000ft (915m). Characteristic of the lowveld is the Baobab trees with their massive trunks up to a circumference of 90 ft (28m), looking as if they were planted upside down with their roots sticking in the air. The Msasa, mopane, munondo, nyanga flattop, paperback thorn, wild fig and monkey orange trees are the most distinctive of Zimbabwe’s vast tracks of indigenous trees. Teaks, bloodwoods and red mahoganies are found in the indigenous forest areas. They support a rich array of bird life. Great efforts have been made to the conservation of trees, as the woodlands are under pressure by the local population’s need for firewood.Tall grasslands are often used for hut thatching and fencing. The country has more than 5000 species of flowering plants and ferns. Flame lilies (the country’s national flower), blood lilies, aloes and a variety of orchids and cycads are particularly attractive.
For wildlife enthusiasts Zimbabwe offers game such as elephants, lions, buffaloes, hippos, zebras, kudus, giraffes, impalas, sable antelopes (national emblem), wildebeest, baboons, crocodiles, waterbucks and leopards. Bird life in Zimbabwe includes eagles (such as the African fish eagle), hawks, falcons, vultures, kormorants, kingfishers, darters and herons. Fish species includes tiger fish, bream, carp, black bass, catfish and kapenta.
The Climate
The climate of Zimbabwe can be described as temperate because a large part of the country is high above sea level although it is close to the equator.The winter or cooler months are from mid-May to mid-August. Spring is from mid-August to October and is often hot and dry, followed by a rainy summer. Thunderstorms with the possibility of hail occur from September to November. Autumn during April and May is a pleasant dry period.
The People
The people of Zimbabwe are coming to realize that there must be reconciliation between the economic needs of the expanding population of 11 million people and man’s need for the wilderness. Most Zimbabweans are Shona and the minority is Ndebele. Around 60 000 Zimbabweans have English as their mother tongue and Europe as their roots. English is one of the official languages and is spoken and understood by everyone. English is used by nearly all newspapers, television news, policemen and taxi drivers. Shona is spoken by two thirds of the population and Ndebele is spoken by 15%.
Half of the inhabitants of Zimbabwe are Christians while the other half believe in traditional ancestors. Soccer and horse racing are the most important sporting activities in Zimbabwe although a few Zimbabweans are well-known cricketers, golf and tennis players.
The Economy
Zimbabwe has the basic economic infrastructure for economic development, but is suffering because of political problems. The government is controlling most of the exports, imports and the national workforce. Unemployment, housing, high food prices and inflation are some of the population’s largest problems.Gold, diamonds, asbestos, chrome, nickel, coal, copper, platinum, silver, diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires are mined.The range of manufactured products is quite good and covers from car assembly to shoes, clothing, canned food, construction equipment and pharmaceuticals.
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