Check the weather city by city, starting with Harare.
Zimbabwe holds two of Africa's natural wonders: Victoria Falls, a UNESCO site and the world's largest waterfall by water volume, its mist visible from 40 km away, and the mysterious Great Zimbabwe, medieval ruins bearing witness to a vanished African empire. Hwange is home to 40,000 elephants.
Victoria Falls, a UNESCO site and one of the 7 natural wonders, is the world's largest waterfall by water volume: 1.7 km wide, 108 m high, a roar audible from 40 km away and a permanent mist. Devil's Pool lets you swim just 10 cm from the precipice between September and December.
Highlights : Victoria Falls, Devil's Pool — swimming at the edge of the falls (Sep–Dec), Bungee jumping off the Zimbabwe bridge (111 m), Cliffside walk on the Zambian side.
Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest national park: 14,651 km² home to 40,000 elephants (Zimbabwe's largest population), packs of African wild dogs (an endangered species), lions and black rhinos. Artificial waterholes concentrate wildlife during the dry season.
Highlights : Elephant herds (40,000 in the park), African wild dog (painted dog) packs, Hwange lions (notoriously confident), Black rhinos — on foot (armed guides).
Great Zimbabwe, a UNESCO site, is the largest dry-stone ruin complex in sub-Saharan Africa: a medieval city (11th–15th century) that was the capital of a gold-trading empire, its walls' size and complexity defying explanation for a long time. Mysterious and grandiose.
Highlights : The Great Enclosure (250 m wall, 11 m high), Hill Complex (royal acropolis), Great Zimbabwe National Museum.
The Matobo Hills (UNESCO) are a landscape of giant balancing rocks (kopjes) dotted with San rock art among the finest in Africa. It is also the only place in the world where you can track white rhinos on foot, without fencing, with guides.
Highlights : Tracking white rhinos on foot (no barrier), San rock art (among the finest in Africa), World's View — Cecil Rhodes' grave & panorama.
Zimbabwe mainly uses the US dollar for tourism. Prices are rising but remain reasonable compared to neighbouring Botswana. Victoria Falls is the most expensive town. The KAZA Univisa (Zambia-Zimbabwe) is very convenient.