Attractions of Zimbabwe

To help inspire or plan your trip to Zimbabwe, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Zimbabwe which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Zimbabwe

Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls
Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa-Tunya ("the smoke that thunders") are one of the natural wonders of the world. Spanning the entire breadth of the Zambezi River, they are 1700 metres wide and drop over 100 metres to the gorge below, creating a thunderous noise and a mist that can be seen, and felt, at great distances. The Falls transform a wide, calm river into a ferocious torrent that flows through a series of narrow gauges below. On the Zambian side in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park you can stand right next to the eastern cataract of the Falls and feel the full force of the water. In Victoria Falls National Park on the Zimbabwe side, you're further from the Falls but have a greater perspective. The best perspective is perhaps obtained from above though, on flights on either fixed wing aircraft, helicopters or microlights. The flow over the Falls is very dependent on the time of year - there can be a 20 fold difference between the rainy season (March to May) and the dry season (September to December), though the sheer scale of the Falls can be easier to appreciate with less volume. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls

Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls

Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa-Tunya ("the smoke that thunders") are one of the natural wonders of the world. Spanning the entire breadth of the Zambezi River, they are 1700 metres wide and drop over 100 metres to the gorge below, creating a thunderous noise and a mist that can be seen, and felt, at great distances. The Falls transform a wide, calm river into a ferocious torrent that flows through a series of narrow gauges below. On the Zambian side in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park you can stand right next to the eastern cataract of the Falls and feel the full force of the water. In Victoria Falls National Park on the Zimbabwe side, you're further from the Falls but have a greater perspective. The best perspective is perhaps obtained from above though, on flights on either fixed wing aircraft, helicopters or microlights. The flow over the Falls is very dependent on the time of year - there can be a 20 fold difference between the rainy season (March to May) and the dry season (September to December), though the sheer scale of the Falls can be easier to appreciate with less volume.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls

Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools National Park is located in the Zambezi valley in northern Zimbabwe, offering great views of the river and the mountainous escarpment on the Zambian side of the river. It is home to large concentrations of animals including elephants, buffaloes, lions, hippos, crocodiles and bushbuck. It is the only national park in Africa with lions that allows you to go on unguided walking safaris. If you dare. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas

Mana Pools National Park

Mana Pools National Park is located in the Zambezi valley in northern Zimbabwe, offering great views of the river and the mountainous escarpment on the Zambian side of the river. It is home to large concentrations of animals including elephants, buffaloes, lions, hippos, crocodiles and bushbuck. It is the only national park in Africa with lions that allows you to go on unguided walking safaris. If you dare.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas

Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe The Great Zimbabwe National Monument, located near the city of Masvingo, is the remains of the medieval city of the Shona Bantu civilisation that gave the country its name (it means "great stone houses" in Shona). The city was occupied between the 11th and 15th centuries and was once the greatest medieval city in sub-Saharan Africa, evidence of a highly skilled civilisation. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Great Zimbabwe National Monument

Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe

The Great Zimbabwe National Monument, located near the city of Masvingo, is the remains of the medieval city of the Shona Bantu civilisation that gave the country its name (it means "great stone houses" in Shona). The city was occupied between the 11th and 15th centuries and was once the greatest medieval city in sub-Saharan Africa, evidence of a highly skilled civilisation.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Great Zimbabwe National Monument

Khami Ruins
These ruins are located 20km west of Bulawayo and display the remains of the city of Khami, built by the Torwa dynasty in the 16th century after the abandonment of Great Zimbabwe. Objects from Europe and China have been found there indicating the city was a great centre of trade. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Khami Ruins National Monument

Khami Ruins

These ruins are located 20km west of Bulawayo and display the remains of the city of Khami, built by the Torwa dynasty in the 16th century after the abandonment of Great Zimbabwe. Objects from Europe and China have been found there indicating the city was a great centre of trade.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Khami Ruins National Monument

Matobo Hills
Matobo Hills Matobo Hills is characterised by huge granite boulders that have been shaped over time into all manner of bizarre shapes. These have provided shelter to people for millennia and contain very impressive collections of rock paintings. Many of these depict black and white rhinos which still live in the national park in great numbers. Expert guides can take you on walking safaris that allow you to get within metres of groups of black rhino, an exhilarating experience. The park also contains populations of leopards and cheetahs and more than 300 bird species including the black eagle, hawks and owls. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Matobo Hills

Matobo Hills

Matobo Hills is characterised by huge granite boulders that have been shaped over time into all manner of bizarre shapes. These have provided shelter to people for millennia and contain very impressive collections of rock paintings. Many of these depict black and white rhinos which still live in the national park in great numbers. Expert guides can take you on walking safaris that allow you to get within metres of groups of black rhino, an exhilarating experience. The park also contains populations of leopards and cheetahs and more than 300 bird species including the black eagle, hawks and owls.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Matobo Hills