http://RealAdventures.com/vacations/184888_articles-zimbabwe-other.htm Check out some of the recently updated travel & vacation listings on RealAdventures. Be inspired, go explore! en-us Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:58:36 GMT Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:58:36 GMT http://RealAdventures.com http://RealAdventures.com/vacations/184888_articles-zimbabwe-other.htm 100 100 http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1023925_Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1023925_Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe Articles Zimbabwe Wed, 05 Nov 2003 00:11:00 Lake Kariba is located in the Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe, near the famous Zambezi river. -
Lake Kariba is located in the Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe, near the famous Zambezi river.


History
The Zambezi River itself has been known outside of Africa for thousands of years. Legends suggest that the kingdoms of Hiram, Solomon and Sheba were enriched by the gold and ivory of Ophir, supposedly part of present day Zimbabwe. The mighty Zambezi was one of the gateways to the ancient treasure trove. Evidence of early man's occupation has been found along most of the river but much of its history has been shrouded in mystery. The confluences of the Zambezi, Sanyati, Ume and Sengwa rivers met in the Gwembe Valley an uncomfortable, hot and disease ridden region sparsely populated by the Tonga tribesmen and until about 40 years ago known only to a few explorers, geologists, District Commissioners, hunters and surveyors.

In 1955 a point on the Zambezi River known as "kariwa" (a trap) became a hive of activity with the construction of the Kariba dam wall. The wall was sealed at the end of 1958 despite a 1000year flood and repeated warnings by the local tribe that the River God, Nyaminyami had an unsettled score.

World media attention focussed on the new township at Kariba in the early 1960's during Operation Noah when Rupert Fothergill and his team undertook the biggest animal rescue ever. An epic drama unfolded as wildlife was saved from the rising waters of the new Lake and largely relocated in Matusadona. The surrounds of Lake Kariba became a fascinating turmoil of ecological change parts of which now teem with an abundance of flora and fauna in a striking and diverse terrain. Kariba was officially declared a town in 1977.
Details & Reservations: Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
RealAdventures | Zimbabwe Articles

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1023911_Zimbabwe-s-Safari-Spots http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1023911_Zimbabwe-s-Safari-Spots Articles Zimbabwe Wed, 05 Nov 2003 00:11:00 Despite preelection chaos up to June 2000, Zimbabwe remains one of the prime safari spots in Africa. Victoria Falls is an obvious attraction, but Zimbabwe also offers some of the finest walking safaris in Matusadona, Mana Pools and Hwange. -
Despite preelection chaos up to June 2000, Zimbabwe remains one of the prime safari spots in Africa. Victoria Falls is an obvious attraction, but Zimbabwe also offers some of the finest walking safaris in Matusadona, Mana Pools and Hwange.


Popular Safari Destinations
Safari Seasons
Getting Around

Overview
One of Africa's better safari locations, Zimbabwe has a diversity of habitats and good game concentrations particularly in the Hwange region and along the Zambezi River. The prime safari areas include Matusadona, Mana Pools (World Heritage Site), Hwange and Bulawayo/Matobo hills. Zimbabwe's safari industry is supported by reasonably good infrastructure and boasts Africa's most highly qualified Professional Guides. Walking and canoeing safaris, particularly in combination are amongst the best safari options in Africa

Victoria Falls is a "mustsee" a World Heritage Site, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, twice the height of Niagara Falls and oneandahalf times the width "Vic Falls" is considered to be Africa's "adrenaline centre," yet still contains a few traces of its pioneering and colonial past. The best safari season is from May to end October.
Details & Reservations: Zimbabwe's Safari Spots
RealAdventures | Zimbabwe Articles

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1023922_Matusadona-National-Park http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1023922_Matusadona-National-Park Articles Zimbabwe Wed, 05 Nov 2003 00:11:00 Matusadona is one of the lesser known wilderness areas in Africa, and is one of several protected wildlife areas with shorelines on Lake Kariba. -
Matusadona is one of the lesser known wilderness areas in Africa, and is one of several protected wildlife areas with shorelines on Lake Kariba.


Matusadona is one of the lesser known wilderness areas in Africa. It boasts a unique combination of pristine and rugged wilderness with the "waterfrontage" of Lake Kariba. Matusadona is also one of the last remaining sanctuaries of the endangered Black Rhino. It is commonly recognized as having the highest concentration of wild Lions in Africa. However, it has relatively poor accessibility by road and extremely harsh internal network of roads, which keeps the crowds and traffic out.

Matusadona National Park is one of several protected wildlife areas with shorelines on Lake Kariba. Some 338,000 acres in area, it is bounded on the west by the Ume River and on the east by the Sanyati River. Twothirds of it lies south of the Zambezi Escarpment, formed by the 1968 foothigh "Matuzviadonha" Hills from which it takes its name. The best way to experience Matusadona is on a walking safari. Other options include overnighting on the shoreline with a cruiser or houseboat, taking a Sail Safari into the area, or staying at one of the lodges/camps in or on western edge of the park. Spurwing Island and Matusadona Water Lodge are very attractive lodge sites in the centre of the Matusadona shoreline.

Open woodlands on the plateau behind the escarpment are dominated by Julbernardia globiflora. The mountain acacia, Brachystegia glaucescens, is also common on the slopes and ridges of the escarpment.

From the plateau the park falls abruptly to a flat, lowlying area covered mainly with Mopane scrub and woodland and with dense patches of Jesse bush. The entire northern boundary of the park is created by the lakeshore itself. This shoreline, which is subjected to irregular variations in water level caused by fluctuations in annual rainfall, is still in a state of rapid ecological change and development.
Details & Reservations: Matusadona National Park
RealAdventures | Zimbabwe Articles

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1023921_Victoria-Falls-The-Adrenaline-Center-Of-Africa http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1023921_Victoria-Falls-The-Adrenaline-Center-Of-Africa Articles Zimbabwe Wed, 05 Nov 2003 00:11:00 Victoria Falls is truly spectacular and deserves its spot as Africa's number one tourist attraction. -
Victoria Falls is truly spectacular and deserves its spot as Africa's number one tourist attraction.


Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world hence its almost universal appeal to travellers. The mighty Zambezi flows broad and placid to the brink of a 1700m wide basalt lip before taking a headlong 100 meter plunge into the thunderous, frothy chasm of the gorge below. This is the world's largest sheet of falling water.

Once the river has taken its plunge, there is quite a different experience to be had. For those with the courage, the rapids immediately downstream offer some of the most terrifying white water rafting and riverboarding anywhere in the world the Colorado pales by comparison.

Bungee jumpers scream down 111 meters off the Victoria Falls bridge until recently, the world's highest commercial bungee jump.

Victoria Falls is the ideal launching point into Botswana, Zambia and the lower Zambezi Valley. The Zambezi Valley, particularly Matusadona and Mana Pools, is an unspoilt and undeveloped wilderness area which is teeming with big game. It is arguably the best place in Africa to do walking and canoeing safaris the ideal Victoria Falls combination.

Provided By The Zambezi Safari And Travel Co. Ltd.


Details & Reservations: Victoria Falls, The Adrenaline Center Of Africa
RealAdventures | Zimbabwe Articles

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1023924_Mana-Pools-National-Park http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1023924_Mana-Pools-National-Park Articles Zimbabwe Tue, 27 Mar 2001 00:03:00 Zimbabwe's second World Heritage Site is situated on the southern bank of the Zambezi River. -
Zimbabwe's second World Heritage Site is situated on the southern bank of the Zambezi River.


Leaving Lake Kariba, the Zambezi River runs through the Kariba Gorge and into the Zambezi Valley on its way to the Indian Ocean. It is this Zambezi, so different from the one that challenges the white water rafters at Victoria Falls, that is home to the second of Zimbabwe's World Heritage Sites, the Mana Pools (the place of four pools) National Park. Here the river has left behind the remains of old channels forming small seasonal pools scattered over 2,000 sq. km surrounded by the valley escarpment. The four main large pools are near the river, with further smaller pools dotted here and there enabling a wide spectrum of animals to utilize the area.

During our dry months of May to October, the Park attracts a staggering profusion of big game, including elephant, buffalo, kudu, eland, zebra and waterbuck. The Acacia albida tree, which dominates both banks of the river, has a clearly visible browse line. The protein rich pods are highly prized by numerous game species with the elephants paying particular attention to them. Mana Pools abounds with bird life over 300 different species having been found there at various times of the year.

What makes Mana Pools particularly special is it's unique scenery coupled with the large variations of animal and bird life created by its rich and wild heritage.

Mana Pools is the only game park in Zimbabwe holding carnivores and the larger mammals in which visitors are allowed to walk unaccompanied this is of course done at your own risk. The option is to make use of one of the camps or to access Mana Pools by canoe. The best Lodge in Mana Pools is Ruckomechi (we consider it better than Chikwenya). If you're planning a canoe safari, there is no place in Africa which can compare with the lower Zambezi River the wild side!

The best time of the year to visit this park is May to early October during the dry season. Insects are respectfully less active and the foliage is sparse enabling easy viewing.

While the best game viewing time is certainly July to early December as the internal water pans dry out and the animals come down to the Zambezi River to drink, prospective visitors must bear in mind that the valley gets exceptionally hot from October to about mid November when we get our first rains. The roads generally become impassable in the rainy season. We recommend a canoe safari through Mana Pools during this period.

Provided By The Zambezi Safari And Travel Co. Ltd.





Details & Reservations: Mana Pools National Park
RealAdventures | Zimbabwe Articles

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