Zimbabwe People & Culture

Harare in the 90s was a fun city, with lots to offer local people and international travellers/workers. There are historical architecture, blended with local Shona stone carving, and artisans/craftsmen (baskets, textiles), as well as being the financial centre of Zimbabwe. Since then I believe the city, along with the rest of the country have descended into difficult times, and the diversity which it was known for has faded.

We left Gatwick in England, a top modern airport, with elevator's, air conditioning and all the other fancy crap, to go and see beautiful Africa, Zimbabwe to be exact, well Harare actually, but ended up in Chipinge, down south. As we were about to land on Harare's grand airport, I noticed how the modern world had obviously got lost somewhere over the atlantic ocean. The landing field, about the size of 10 football field's was nicely tared in a very humble patchwork pattern which reminded me of my senile grandmothers sofa. After the pilot had a fun time landing where ever he felt like, we were aloud to leave the jumbo to step out into the hot blazing sun. All tourist who survived the heat shock were permitted to stand in a qeue starting at the plain going all across the air field right into the lovely pass control shack. The professionaly painted iron and what seemed to be cardboard shack had 7 desks where very friendly Zimbabweans controlled our passports with big smiles, shiny boots and impressive machine guns. Having only one desk open, (we were only 200 people), we waited our time and came into another building which was obviously the aiport itself, it even had toilets, groovy. Meeting our long not seen friends we enjoyed cuddles and more heat. We then jamed up in their car and started our journey to Chipinge. Driving threw Harare, we saw what we imagend where lovely house's hidden behind 3 meter high concret walls with crowns of barb wire and shards of glas. Leaving the sad silouhette of the city behind us we survived the 6 hours journey in the non-air-conditioned car only by gazing out the window into Zimbabwe's breath taking scenery. The vast dry lands with the typical trees and mud huts here and there was something never to forget. Our entire vacation in Chipinge and other parts of Zimbabwe were absolutely fantastic. Nature the way it has been since the beginning of time. Just great.

Chipinge is beautiful. There's really nothing special to see, just tea and coffee plantations. And yet it's just a lovely place. You'll notice that most of the street signs are full of bullet holes, don't worry, they do it so that people don't take them down and make pots out of them. Seriously, that's not a joke.

Seeing how these people live.

Both sides of the falls offer great experiences. Depending on the season you may be allowed to get much closer to the falls in Zimbabwe. On the Zambia side are some nice trails. Check out the bridge between Zim and Zam, where the bungee jumping happens too....it's a perfect spot for some people watching.

Visit the Mukuvusi Woodlands - a beautiful game reserve right near the heart of the city. Wander through the African savannah among fantastic animals - impala, kudu, eland, zebra giraffe to name but a few. Where else in the world can you enjoy such wilderness in a city?

Don't get money out of ATM's in Zim, you'll get the official rate, the black market is millions better.

Great River Rafting

JUST GO SEE IT!! It's one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Totally worth seeing.

We found carrying a crate of coke in the back of the car always helped with the police road blocks. If we started to get hassle, we'd make a comment that the police man look thirsty and then gave him a coke. Worked everytime and speeded up our trip!