Contents
Introduction ix
Should you go to Zimbabwe? x
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1
Chapter 1 Background Information 3
Geography 3, Climate 4, History 4, Government and politics 24, Economy 25, People 26, Language 27, Religion 27, Education 28, Culture 29
Chapter 2 Natural History and Conservation 31
Flora 31, Fauna 33, National parks 64
Chapter 3 Practical information 67
When to visit 67, Highlights 68, Planning your trip 69, Suggested itineraries 70, Wildlife activities 73, Tour operators and agents 84, Red tape 87, Embassies 89, Tourist information 90, Maps and GPS 91, Getting there and away 92, Health 96, Safety 110, What to take 115, Electricity 118, Money 119, Budgeting 120, Getting around 120, Accommodation 129, Eating and drinking 135, Public holidays 137, Shopping 137, Arts and entertainment 139, Media 141, Communications 141, Cultural etiquette 143, Travelling positively 145
PART TWO THE GUIDE 151
Chapter 4 Harare 153
History 153, Getting there 154, Getting around 156, Tourist information 158, Tour operators 159, Where to stay 159, Where to eat 162, Entertainment and nightlife 164, Shopping 165, Other practicalities 166, What to see and do 166, Around Harare 169, North of Harare 171, Northwest of Harare 172, Southeast of Harare 173, Southwest of Harare 174
Chapter 5 Central Zimbabwe 175
Kadoma 175, Kwekwe 178, Gweru 180, Masvingo 187, Great Zimbabwe 193
Chapter 6 Lake Kariba and the Zambezi Valley 201
Deka Drum to Binga 202, Chizarira National Park 209, Lake Kariba 213, Matusadona National Park 221, The Middle and Lower Zambezi 226, Northern Zimbabwe 236
Chapter 7 Victoria Falls 239
History 240, When to visit 241, Getting there 242, Orientation 244, Getting around 244, Tourist information 246, Where to stay 246, Where to eat 252, Entertainment and nightlife 253, Shopping 253, Other practicalities 254, What to see and do 255, Activities 260, Zambezi National Park 267
Chapter 8 Hwange 273
Hwange town 273, Hwange National Park 274, Kazuma Pan National Park 286, Towards Bulawayo 288
Chapter 9 Bulawayo 291
History 291, Getting there 293, Getting around 294, Tourist information 295, Tour operators 295, Where to stay 295, Where to eat 299, Entertainment and nightlife 300, Shopping 300, Other practicalities 301, What to see and do 301, Around Bulawayo 304, Matobo Hills 309, Plumtree 318
Chapter 10 Southern Zimbabwe 319
Beitbridge 319, The A6 from Beitbridge to Bulawayo 323, Lowveld towns 323, Gonarezhou National Park 324, Around Gonarezhou National Park 332
Chapter 11 The Eastern Highlands 335
Getting there and around 335, Southern area 337, Central area 345, Northern area 355
Appendix 1 Language 367 Appendix 2 Glossary 369 Appendix 3 Further Information 372 Index 375
