COUNTRY. ZINBABWE
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The country of Zimbabwe is 390,580 sq km and is bordered on all sides by other countries. Zambia lies to the northwest with the Zambezi river and its Victoria Falls forming the border. Mozambique lies to the northeast with its border formed by the Eastern Highlands. Botswana lies to the southwest and South Africa to the south (its border formed by the Limpopo River)
zimbabwe is home to the Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world, the stone enclosures of Great Zimbabwe - remnants of a past empire - and to herds of elephant and other game roaming vast stretches of wilderness.
For years it was a major tobacco producer and a potential bread basket for surrounding countries.
Population
13 million (official, though up to three million Zimbabweans are thought to have emigrated since 2001)
Borders
Seasons
Cool, dry (May to October), warm, wet (November to April)
Telephone
Country code 263
ATMs
In cities (but not an economic option)
Budget
US$150+ a day (up to US$450 if on safari)
Capital
Visa
90 days (US$30 for most nationalities), issued at point of entry
Languages
Official language: English; main national languages: Shona and Ndebele
Area
390,580 sq km
Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/zimbabwe#ixzz2MzKk45FA
Geography and environment
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa, lying between latitudes
15° and
23°S, and longitudes
25° and
34°E. Most of the country is elevated in the central plateau (high veld) stretching from the southwest to the northwest at altitudes between 1,200 and 1,600 m. The country's east is mountainous with
Mount Nyangani as the highest point at 2,592 m. About 20% of the country consists of the low veld under 900m.
Victoria Falls, one of the world's biggest and most spectacular waterfalls, is located in the country's northwest as part of the
Zambezi river. The country has a tropical climate with a rainy season usually from late October to March. The climate is moderated by the altitude. Zimbabwe is faced with recurring droughts; and severe storms are rare.
falls victoria
Environmental issues
Large parts of Zimbabwe were covered by forests with an abundant wildlife. Poverty, population growth and lack of fuel have led to extensive deforestation, which, along with poaching, has reduced the wildlife. Deforestation and woodland degradation are a major concern
[13] and have led to erosion and land degradation which diminish the amount of fertile soil. Zimbabwe is a country that relies mostly on hydroelectric power. Zimbabwe had once relied heavily on electricity from Mozambique and other neighboring countries, but due to the accumulation of debt Mozambique has cut off power supply to Zimbabwe. This has caused ZESA, Zimbabwe's main electricity supplier, to begin excessive load shedding all over Zimbabwe with some urban areas only having electricity three days a week. Thus the amount of deforestation has increased as the population in urban areas has also started using firewood for fuel whereas before it was mainly the rural population due to lack of electricity in the rural areas. Despite all this, Zimbabwe's climate, along with
Malta's, has been ranked highly on the index for the best climate to live in by some prestigious organisations.
Government and politics
In November 2008, the government of Zimbabwe spent $7.3 million donated by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. A representative of the organisation declined to speculate on how the money was spent, except that it was not for the intended purpose, and the government has failed to honour requests to return the money.
Administrative divisions
Zimbabwe has a
centralised government and is divided into eight provinces and two cities with provincial status, for administrative purposes. Each province has a provincial capital from where official business is usually carried out.
[66]
ECONOMY
Mineral exports, gold,[12] agriculture, and tourism are the main foreign currency earners of Zimbabwe.[103] The mining sector remains very lucrative, with some of the world's largest platinum reserves being mined by Anglo American plc and Impala Platinum.[104] The Marange diamond fields, discovered in 2006, are considered the biggest diamond find in over a century.[105] They have the potential to improve the fiscal situation of the country considerably, but almost all revenues from the field have disappeared in to the pockets of army officers and ZANU-PF politicians.[106] Zimbabwe is the biggest trading partner of South Africa on the continent
Tourism was an important industry for the country, but has been failing in recent years. The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force released a report in June 2007, estimating 60% of Zimbabwe's wildlife has died since 2000 due to poaching and deforestation. The report warns that the loss of life combined with widespread deforestation is potentially disastrous for the tourist industry
Cuisine
Like in many African countries, the majority of Zimbabweans depend on a few staple foods. "Mealie meal", also known as
cornmeal, is used to prepare
sadza or
isitshwala, as well as
porridge known as
bota or
ilambazi. Sadza is made by mixing the cornmeal with water to produce a thick paste/porridge. After the paste has been cooking for several minutes, more cornmeal is added to thicken the paste.
This is usually eaten as lunch or dinner, usually with sides such as
gravy, vegetables (
spinach,
chomolia,
spring greens/
collard greens),
beans and meat that has been stewed, grilled, roasted or sundried. Sadza is also commonly eaten with curdled milk (
sour milk), commonly known as lacto (
mukaka wakakora), or dried
Tanganyika sardine, known locally as
kapenta or
matemba. Bota is a thinner porridge, cooked without the additional cornmeal and usually flavoured with
peanut butter, milk, butter, or
jam.
[199] Bota is usually eaten for breakfast.
Sports
Other sports played in Zimbabwe are basketball, volleyball,
netball, and
water polo, as well as
squash,
motorsport, martial arts,
chess, cycling,
polocrosse,
kayaking and
horse racing.
pictures gallery
enjoy this gallery, zinbabwe is a beautiful country for your exotic nature and your people.
travel to zinbabwe and enjoy a zafari for africa....
Zimbabwe is no longer nearly as cheap as it once was, but its richness in culture and colour remain. Colonialism remains etched in all sorts of ways, but local traditions are visible. If you’re willing to join a tour group, or pay and plan your own trip, then a country of charm, political intrigue and magnificent wilderness awaits. Oh, and Zimbabwe’s got one of the world’s best climates…even the worst government can’t destroy that.
Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/zimbabwe#ixzz2MzKXUOvt
Tips and Quick Facts
Those that do visit will find the rewards far out weigh the perceived risks.
Zimbabwe’s tourism highlights such as Victoria Falls, Hwange, and Lake Kariba are well away from urban centres and most often travelers to Zimbabwe never see or hear of trouble and the visitor is safe
In fact in Victoria Falls there is a special tourist police force who patrol 24/7 to ensure the safety of visitors
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/zimbabwe/hotels
Wildlife Photography
Tips and ideas for best possible images of your African safari and wildlife photography
Hints
By understanding animal behaviour you will have a better chance of finding them and you will be able to predict their actions
Never interfere with the natural behaviour of the animals in order to take a better photo or get too close. These are wild animals with different personalities and tempers, treat them with the respect they deserve
• Be prepared and ready with your camera at all times, animals do not keep appointments and may suddenly appear and disappear just as quickly
• For close-up pictures, focus on the animal's eyes
• Take a range of different pictures in vertical and horizontal approaches as well as close ups and wide establishing shots
• Do not centre all your shots; leave room in your subject for the animal to move into
• When taking pictures of local tribesmen ask them if it is OK to take their picture first. Never shoot first and try to make friends after
Pictures only capture the images, the sights and sounds of wildlife areas that are pure bliss and if you spend all your time peeking through the viewfinder you will miss most of the magic of an African safari. Enjoy the solitude, quietness and earth as it was thousands of years ago
To sit outside and soak up a sunset, when the blue canvas is painted in swirling glory and a hippo grunts his warning, or a fish eagle gives it's soul cry is something that is uniquely African and weaves it's own magic
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