Zimbabwe
The name “Zimbabwe” originates from a Shona term for Great Zimbabwe, an ancient ruined city in the country’s southeast, which is now a protected site. Most of the country is elevated in the central plateau (high veld) stretching from the southwest to the northwest. Victoria Falls is located in the country’s northwest as part of the Zambezi river. The country is primarily savannah, although the moist and mountainous east supports tropical evergreen and hardwood forests.
Highlights: Gonarazhou National Park
Gonarezhou National Park is situated in the south eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe and covers an area in excess of 5,000 square kilometres. "Gonarezhou" meaning "Place of many Elephants" is an extremely scenic park full of rugged landscapes and beautiful vistas. Three major rivers - The Save, Runde and Mwenezi - cut their courses through the Park, forming pools and natural oases from which hundreds of species of birds, wildlife and fish gather to feed and drink. As its name implies, Gonarezhou is famous for its elephants, and many of the largest-tusked elephants in the region maybe found within the Park.
Highlight: Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park is the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe at 14 500 km² with varied habitats and vegetation types. The park is predominately Kalahari sandveld supporting teak and mopane woodlands, dry Acacia scrub and is interspersed with saltpans and grasslands that support enormous species diversity and provide a true wilderness experience. Hwange was proclaimed a national park some 75 years ago and has served as a haven for one of the densest concentrations of game in Africa. In particular, its great herds of Cape buffalo and elephant (nearly 30 000) are a sight to see.
