Zimbabwe
Africa · Eastern Africa
Overview
Zimbabwe holds one of Africa's richest cultural and natural legacies, even if the country's turbulent recent history has overshadowed its remarkable appeal. The Great Zimbabwe ruins — a stone city dating to the 11th century and the largest ancient structure in sub-Saharan Africa — gave the country its name. Harare, the capital, boasts a vibrant arts scene and energetic markets.
Victoria Falls is arguably most dramatic from the Zimbabwean side, where the mighty Zambezi creates misty curtains and rainbows across the chasm below. Hwange National Park is home to one of Africa's largest elephant populations — some estimates put the number above 45,000. Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the finest destinations for walking safaris on the continent.
The Matobo Hills, with their extraordinary balancing rock formations and ancient San Bushman paintings, create one of southern Africa's most otherworldly landscapes — Cecil Rhodes is buried here. Lake Kariba, one of the world's largest reservoirs, offers unforgettable houseboat trips among hippos and crocodiles. Zimbabwe rewards the traveler willing to venture off the beaten path.
Map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas
On the banks of the Zambezi, great cliffs overhang the river and the floodplains. The area is home to a remarkable concentration of wild animals, including elephants, buffalo, leopards and cheetahs. An important concentration of Nile crocodiles is also be found in the area.
Great Zimbabwe National Monument
The ruins of Great Zimbabwe – the capital of the Queen of Sheba, according to an age-old legend – are a unique testimony to the Bantu civilization of the Shona between the 11th and 15th centuries. The city, which covers an area of nearly 80 ha, was an important trading centre and was renowned from the Middle Ages onwards.
Khami Ruins National Monument
Khami, which developed after the capital of Great Zimbabwe had been abandoned in the mid-16th century, is of great archaeological interest. The discovery of objects from Europe and China shows that Khami was a major centre for trade over a long period of time.
Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls
These are among the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The Zambezi River, which is more than 2 km wide at this point, plunges noisily down a series of basalt gorges and raises an iridescent mist that can be seen more than 20 km away.
Matobo Hills
The area exhibits a profusion of distinctive rock landforms rising above the granite shield that covers much of Zimbabwe. The large boulders provide abundant natural shelters and have been associated with human occupation from the early Stone Age right through to early historical times, and intermittently since. They also feature an outstanding collection of rock paintings. The Matobo Hills continue to provide a strong focus for the local community, which still uses shrines and sacred places closely linked to traditional, social and economic activities.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Zimbabwe?
The capital of Zimbabwe is Harare.
What is the area of Zimbabwe?
The area of Zimbabwe is 390,757 km².
What is the population of Zimbabwe?
The population of Zimbabwe is 16,634,373.
What is the currency of Zimbabwe?
The currency of Zimbabwe is Botswana pula (BWP), Chinese yuan (CNY), Euro (EUR), British pound (GBP), Indian rupee (INR), Japanese yen (JPY), United States dollar (USD), South African rand (ZAR), Zimbabwean bonds (ZWB).
What is the official language of Zimbabwe?
The official language of Zimbabwe: Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zimbabwean Sign Language.
What side of the road does Zimbabwe drive on?
Zimbabwe: Left-hand traffic.
Is Zimbabwe a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Zimbabwe is a member of the United Nations.