An African country with incredible prospects
When a family wedding invitation to Zimbabwe winged its way through to my mailbox, there wasn’t any hesitation of whether we would accept the invite.
There were two major decisions to make, firstly what was I going to wear and then how long we should go for?
It had been 20 years since we’d last visited Zimbabwe, and the wonderful memories were still so vivid. So, after some deliberation of the locations to visit and the logistics of getting to and from these places, we’d hatched a plan.
Gary and I just love reminiscing about our trips and jogging each other’s memories. That’s what we adore about travelling, it’s creating these valuable moments that will always remain with you.
![The Pin image of our post 'Our Zimbabwe Memories of a Lifetime,](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Our-Zimbabwe-Memories-of-a-Lifetime-Pin6.jpg)
![Image](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Once-of-the-best-views-Victoria-Falls-Zimbabwe-Africa-R3.jpg)
Our Memories
On safari
Personally, the experience of jumping in the back of a safari truck, with the anticipation of the African wilderness ahead, will always be my nirvana.
The warm Zimbabwean breeze brushing across my face, bouncing across the undulating terrain, I wish I could bottle this feeling.
![A lone giraffe in an acacia glade with dead wood in the foreground.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/A-lone-giraffe-Evening-safari-Tree-Lodge-at-Sikumi-Hwange-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
![The view from the second row of the safari truck over the heads of our guide as we head out on morning safari.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Heading-out-on-the-truck-Bush-Walk-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
Victoria Falls
![A view of Livingstone Island sits in the flow of the Zambezi between the Victoria Falls. Behind the island, the main falls cascades over the edge underneath the deep blue Sky](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Victoria-falls-from-the-Zimbabwe-side-Zimbabwe-Africa-R4.jpg)
Birds-eye view
![Standing at a viewpoint overlooking the main section of Victoria Falls. At high water season the amount of water cascading over the falls creates a heavy mist that hangs in the air.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Victoria-Falls-and-plenty-of-mist-Zimbabwe-Africa-R4.jpg)
Matobo Hills National Park
![Worn granite boulders balanced high on the rock formation.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Granite-has-worn-away-over-centuries-visiting-Bulawayo-visit-Matobo-National-Park-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
![A view over Matobo National Park from World's View.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/World’s-View-visiting-Bulawayo-visit-Matobo-National-Park-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
Lake Kariba
![Birds amongst the trees on Lake Kariba](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Floating-amongst-the-ancient-forest-Sundowner-cruise-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
Lake Kariba in the north of Zimbabwe is the world’s largest manmade lake, it was created in the late 1950s after Kariba Dam was built.
The area was then flooded, and the trees that once formed part of a dry landscape, now protrude like lightning bolts from the lake.
![Sunset on Lake Kariba between the petrified trees that mark this amazing landscape.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Farewell-to-the-sun-Sundowner-cruise-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
Sundowner cruise with Hippos
![A pod of hippo's, predominantly submerged under the water, at an inlet on Lake Kariba at dusk as the sun goes down](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/A-pod-of-Hippos-in-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-Africa-R3.jpg)
Bush Walk
![Tettindra, our guide, leading the group through a dry river bed.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Tettindra-guiding-us-through-the-dry-riverbed-Bush-Walk-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
We headed out with our experienced guides, Tettindra and Mark, following their strict instructions on the do’s and don’ts when you’re faced with a wild animal.
Keeping our expectations low as this is often the way with wildlife, we head off in single file.
![Standing facing a herd of Buffalo on our walking safari at Rhino Safari Lodge on Lake Kariba.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Buffalo-watching-us-watching-them-Bush-Walk-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
If you're considering an adventure around Zimbabwe, then your in for a holiday of a lifetime. I always find it incredibly useful to plan our trips with the help of a guide book.
Take a look at this informative Bradt guide, it will give you great tips and advice.
Mixing with the locals
![A young Zimbabwean posing for a photo as he rides by on a well-used old bicycle at Victoria Falls.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/One-cool-guy-Victoria-Falls-Town-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
![Two local women buying drinks from a street vendor in the centre of Harare.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Beaming-smile-at-Flavourlitious-a-visit-to-Harare-visiting-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
Herd of Elephants
![A group of five elephants entering a clearing made up of four juveniles plus an older female at the rear.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Elephants-arriving-Evening-safari-Tree-Lodge-at-Sikumi-Hwange-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
We ventured off on an afternoon safari not knowing what lies ahead.
Danny our guide pulls into an area surrounded by Acacia trees, we sat there after spotting a couple of elephants emerge from the bush.
Then gradually a whole herd appears from the very young to the very old.
![Two young elephants playing within the herd with their trunks are wrapped around each other as they play.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Playtime-Evening-safari-Tree-Lodge-at-Sikumi-Hwange-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
Driving the roads of Zimbabwe
![Image](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Street-like-smiles-Bulawayo-Zimbabwe-Africa-R3.jpg)
A day around Harare
![A large stone block obelisk in the centre of the Harare Gardens.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Harare-Gardens-a-visit-to-Harare-visiting-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
Arriving at Rhino Safari Camp
![The view from our lodge overlooking Lake Kariba at sunrise.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sunrise-in-our-lodge-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
![The windlowess interior of the lodge under a thatched roof with a view over Lake Kariba](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/I-couldn’t-tire-of-this-view-Staying-at-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
As night descends
![The lodge, under a full African night sky.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/The-night-sky-Staying-at-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
Although this is when Africa comes into its own. Not only does the volume of the wilderness appear to be ramped up, but also, the night sky truly blossoms. In the remote parts of Zimbabwe where the light pollution is almost non-existent, galaxies just emerge like a blanket above you.
In the time we stood taking some photographs, three shooting stars rocketed in front of us.
Biltong
![Rows of biltong hanging in the air at Saucy Sues, a stopover at Lions Den, on the road to Lake Kariba.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Biltong-for-sale-at-Lions-Den-Zimbabwe-Africa-R3.jpg)
Craft Markets
![A collection of stalls displaying carved stone ornaments.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Newlands-craft-market-a-visit-to-Harare-visiting-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
Bulawayo
![A bustling street corner in Bulawayo where a few stalls have been set up on plastic creates selling fruit and vegetables.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/On-the-corner-of-Plumtree-Border-Bulawayo-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
![The view of one end of the Bulawayo Art Gallery housed in a historic building that needs a little attention.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Just-a-little-TLC-Bulawayo-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
Hope
![Image](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/“Adult-Literacy”-by-Jonathan-Mhondorohuma-a-visit-to-Harare-visiting-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
I really struggled to resist purchasing a piece of art. However, when I returned to the UK, it played on my mind. My excuse was that I had a significant birthday this year. I did a bit more investigating and found out that they had a sister gallery in the UK.
How lucky was I and they had one I loved, it was named ‘Revising’, although I have since renamed her to ‘Hope’.
Tour the country, you won’t regret it
![A casual Janis standing on the tarmac in front of the air Zimbabwe flight to Victoria Falls](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Our-Air-Zimbabwe-flight-to-Victoria-Falls-Airport-Victoria-Falls-Town-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
Visit Mana Pools National Park
Two punctures
![A dirt track on the edge of the grass filled ancient river bed.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Feeling-brave-from-the-side-of-the-track-evening-safari-Tree-Lodge-at-Sikumi-Hwange-Zimbabwe-R3.jpg)
Let us know!
Nearly headed east
Times they are a-changing
I cannot speak highly enough of the people and our whole incredible experience in Zimbabwe. It is truly sad to see that they are currently experiencing some economic problems with money and fuel.
If you don’t mind an adventure, just go for it.
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