Most visitors today travel to Zimbabwe to see the Victoria Falls, one of the largest and most stunning in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the World’s Seven Natural Wonders, it straddles the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, its thundering spray and permanent rainbow visible up to 30 km away. Adventures based at or around the falls include whitewater rafting the rapids, abseiling down or cable sliding across the gorge, and bungee jumping off the famous Victoria Falls bridge.

Zimbabwe uses Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency, although the US dollar is widely accepted. Credit card use and ATMs are limited, so cash is the recommended form of payment.

In Zimbabwe, there is a rainy season from November until March, then a dry season from April to October. The rainy season can be hot, with peak temperatures of 35°C. It is then cooler in the dry season, although daytimes remain pleasant and sunny with an average temperature of approximately 25°C.

Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare is Zimbabwe’s main port of entry. There are direct flights from around Africa, as well as the Middle East. Visitors from within the region headed for the Victoria Falls can fly directly into the Victoria Falls Airport as well, or cross over from Zambia.

A visit to Great Zimbabwe, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe, is a great introduction to the destination. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, just outside present-day Masvingo, is spread across approximately 7 km², with the Hill Complex, Valley Complex and the Great Enclosure dating back almost a thousand years.

Zimbabwe also has great natural beauty. You can cruise Lake Kariba in a stately houseboat, along the way admiring herds of elephants, fishing eagles and blazing red sunsets like in the movies. Matobo National Park is famous not only for its wildlife, but also its fantastical rock formations that make for a stunning backdrop. And Hwange National Park, once a royal hunting ground and now a protected sanctuary, hosts one of the largest and most magnificent elephant herds in the world.

Zimbabwe’s food is delightfully varied and spiced. There are game stews, grilled freshwater fish, and a whole variety of peanut butter-based dishes, a must-try. Sadza is the staple of most meals, a type of cornmeal porridge with the texture of mashed potatoes that is rolled into balls and used to scoop up accompaniments. Special events are marked by a feast of nyama choma, goat marinated in spices then grilled over an open flame for a delicious smoky taste.

Zimbabwe hosts many festivals throughout the year – celebrations of art, jazz, food and more. For a taste of the traditional, the Jikinya Dance Festival sees schoolchildren across the country don colourful costumes to dance, drum and sing. A more modern vibe can be found at the Harare International Festival of Arts, with a whole week of concerts and performances, arts and crafts to buy, and different foods to taste.

Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel uniquely combines sightseeing of the falls with safari-style living. Highly exclusive, it is located in its own private game reserve, and guests of its only 16 suites enjoy luxury lodge-style accommodation, with vast terraces to admire the surrounding wildlife.