7 days Spice Holiday Zanzibar

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe officially the Republic of Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Harare is the largest town and capital city of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe has three official languages including; English, Shona and Ndebele. Zimbabwe boasts of some amazing natural sites. The Victoria Falls are without a doubt one of the world’s grandest natural spectacles and every viewpoint reveals something new.

Running from northeast to southwest down the centre of the country, and connecting its two largest cities, is the Highveld, a chain of low mountains and Zimbabwe’s most populous area. Zimbabwe also offers some of the best wildlife parks in southern Africa. From the forested mountains of the Eastern highlands to the sun-washed grasslands of Hwange National Park, from the hot Mopani Forest to the shores of Lake Kariba, more.

The Country has a pleasant climate, due to its high elevation. During summer, which is approximately between October and March, temperatures average is around 21°C. In the winter months between May and September, temperatures usually reach 16°C.

The rainy season is during summer months. Tourist attractions include; • Matusadona national park •Hwange National park • Mana pools National park • Matopos National park. .Zambezi National Park • Victoria Falls Nyanga Park Chazirira Park 1. Matusadona National Park Matusadona National Park is a small Zimbabwean park situated along the shores of Lake Kariba and is roughly only 1 400 sq km in size.

The park is world famous for offering visitors an incredible wildlife and safari experience incorporating this famous lake, while it is one of the few places remaining where black rhino can regularly be seen in Southern Africa. Guests at Matusadona can enjoy activities including game drives, walking safaris, boat and canoe excursions, offering a safari experience at any time of year. Matusadona has remarkable natural beauty with scenic landscapes and beautiful sunsets, making it a superb destination for keen photographers.

The name of this park comes from the Mutuzviadonha Hills - the rugged mountainous region of this park, named by the locals. It is surrounded by river boundaries, giving it a good supply of water and attracting wildlife. Many of the animals were originally relocated here during Operation Noah when the Kariba Dam flooded and became Lake Kariba. 2.Hwange National Park Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is the largest Park in Zimbabwe occupying roughly 14 650 square kilometers.

It is located in the northwest corner of the country about one hour south of the Mighty Victoria Falls. It became the royal hunting grounds to the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi in the early 19 th Century and was set aside as a National Park in 1929. Hwange boasts a tremendous selection of wildlife with over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species recorded.

The elephants of Hwange are world famous and the Park's elephant population is one of the largest in the world. The Park has three distinctive Camps and administrative offices at Robins, Sinamatella and the largest one at Main Camp. 3.Mana pools National park Mana Pools National Park was established in 1963. It lies along Zimbabwe's northern border on the banks of the Zambezi River, downstream and northeast of Lake Kariba.

The area is rich in wildlife and comprises 2,190 square kilometres. The Park was inscribed by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as a World Heritage Site in 1984. Mana Pools is ranked as one of Africa's outstanding wildlife reserves and during the winter months it has the highest concentration of game in the entire continent.

Huge herds of Elephant and Buffalo are drawn to the sweet Zambezi waters, followed by Lion, Hyena, Kudu, Nyala, Impala and a multitude of game. Mana means ‘four’, in reference to the four large permanent pools formed by the meanderings of the middle Zambezi. Here the Zambezi River has left behind the remains of old channels forming small seasonal pools reaching inland for miles.

These small ponds and pools such as Chine Pools and Long Pool were formed as the river's course slowly drifted northward. Reeds, sandbanks, and huge Mahogany and Acacia trees near the river give way to Ebonies and Baobabs, and finally to dense Mopane woodland to the park's southern boundary along the Zambezi Escarpment. Mana Pools is one of the least developed National Parks in Southern Africa.

It was saved from a hydro-electric scheme in the early eighties which would have seen the flooding of this subsequent World Heritage site. It has the country’s biggest concentration of hippo and crocodiles and large dry season mammal populations of elephant and buffalo. Sadly, what was once the densest population of endangered black rhino in the world is being denuded by poaching despite manned ground patrols.

Wildlife commonly seen in the park include Elephant, Buffalo, Waterbuck, Kudu, Zebra, Eland, Impala, Bushbuck, Lion and Crocodile. Huge pods of Hippo can be seen lying on the sandbanks soaking up morning sun along the Zambezi River. Also often seen are Wild Dog, Leopard, Jackal, Hyena and the rare Nyala.

Birding is also fantastic, with large varieties of woodland and water birds present. For the adventurous traveler, a canoe trip down on the Mana Canoe Trail is one of the best ways to experience the African bush. Guests take a guided canoe safari down the Zambezi river towards Moçambique - a real African adventure where you have to dodge territorial Hippos and camp on sandbanks that are visited by elephants at night.

The canoe safaris last anywhere from three to nine days and cover different stretched of the river from Kariba Dam downstream for up to 160 miles, past Mana Pools to Kanyemba near the Moçambique border. Paddling in a canoe down the Zambezi at Mana Pools is one of the most unique safari experiences in Africa - coming close to great herds without feeling like an intruder, enjoying the warm African sun - this is an experience for anyone who loves adventure! Mana Pools is also one of Zimbabwe's best locations for walking safaris and ranks with the South Luangwa (in Zambia) and Botswana's Selinda area as one of the best in Southern Africa.

Mana Pools is the only game park in Zimbabwe harbouring carnivores and the larger mammals in which visitors are allowed to walk unaccompanied by guides - a holdover from colonial times. The eastern part of Mana Pools has been designated a wilderness area in which only walking and canoeing along its shores are allowed. There are no roads or other signs of man.

The best time to visit the park for wildlife viewing is at the end of the dry season (August-October) when large numbers of Elephant, Buffalo, Waterbuck and Impala come to the river to drink and graze along its banks. Game viewing is also very good in June and July. During the rainy season, much of the game moves off away from the river towards the escarpment. 4. Matopos National park The Matobo Hills, some 25 miles south of Bulawayo, are remarkable for their unusual scenery and the diversity of their flora and fauna.

They are also a focal point of much of Zimbabwe's history and prehistory. The hills cover about 790,000 acres and have been eroded from an exposed granite batholith thought to be over 300 million years old. Hump-backed domes ('dwalas') have resulted from exfoliation of the granite; crenellated ridges, often surmounted by remarkable 'balancing rock' formations, have been formed by erosion along regular fault lines in the rock.

In most of the area the hills are aligned into steep ridges, often densely wooded on their lower slopes, and separated by valleys containing numerous streams, springs, seeps and vleis. They support a flora ranging from lichens, figs and aloes to Brachystegia species, Mopane trees and over 100 grass species. The park is divided into two sections - a general recreation area where horseback riding trails are popular, and a game reserve.

Matobo has the highest concentrations of Black Eagles in the world. The park also contains one of the highest concentrations of Black and White Rhinos remaining in Africa. Leopard are plentiful but are seldom sighted.

Other wildlife includes Giraffe, Zebra, Civet, Genet, Black-backed and Side-striped Jackal, and Caracal. Birding is good and species include Purple-crested Louries, Crowned Eagles, Peregrine Falcons and Lannar Falcons. Human habitation in the Matobo Hills stretches back at least 40,000 years.

The evidence for this long period of habitation comes from the deep layers of human detritus excavated from the many caves and rock shelters in the hills. The Matobo region is particularly well known for the number and quality of its Stone Age rock art sites. The region has over 3,000 known rock paintings - more than any other place in Africa.

Among the most important are Nswatugi Cave, Bambata Cave, Silozwane and Pomongwe. This has long been sacred ground and amongst the cracks and crevices of the Matobo Hills is the Ndebele’s rain shrine to Mwari, the god of their ancestors. The Motopos Hills were the scene of the famous indaba between Cecil Rhodes and Ndebele leaders in 1896.

Rhodes (after whom Rhodesia was named) is buried here (on the summit of Malindidzimu, the 'hill of the spirits') at his own request, but there has been some controversy over whether he will stay. The spiritual struggle between the resting place of Rhodes and the rights of the Mwari is a political tug of war. Should it be the park, or the people, who have been squeezed out by farmlands and nature reserve?

At present, the park survives, guarding its rhino from poachers and its rock art from the rain. The people survive outside its boundaries but do come in to cut thatch. The hills were named Amatobo, meaning the 'bald-headed ones', by the Ndebele king, Mzilikazi; later this was corrupted to 'Matopo' by white settlers.

The Matopos National Park is a candidate for World Heritage status under the UNESCO World Heritage convention because of its outstanding cultural and natural importance. Some 105,000 acres of the Matopos Hills region is now included in the Matobo (Matopos) National Park, which dates back to 1904 when a game enclosure was established on the northern edge of Matobo Hills and stocked with Sable antelope, Waterbuck, Reedbuck, Zebra, Eland, Giraffe and a Camel. Formerly called ‘Rhodes Matopos National Park’, this is one of the most undersold national parks in Zimbabwe. 5.

Zambezi National Park Zambezi National Park is a 5 6000ha (138 350 acre) game reserve on the Zimbabwean side of the river, a few kilometres upstream from the Falls. It was split off from Victoria Falls National Park in 1979 so that Victoria Falls town could be extended to the river. The main road to Kazungula runs through the park, dividing it into two sections - the riverine side and the Chamabonda Vlei section.

The Zambezi Park River Drive has a number of outstanding picnic and fishing sites. The best game viewing is around Chindu and Sansimba Loops where there are often elephant, buffalo, waterbuck, hippo and crocs. There are often good sightings in the Chamabonda Vlei area and game lookouts at Kaliankua and Njako Pans.

The best way to experience the park is not only to do the game drives but to enjoy the half-day canoe trips, which are launched within the park. The riverine area is excellent for birding. There are a number of riverside camp sites that can be booked at the park gate.

Most of the Zambezi National Park consists of mopane woodland with a thin strip of riverine bush along the edge of the river. Among the trees are the distinctive ilana palm (munganda), the wild date palm, sycomore fig and the umbrella-shaped poison-pod albizia - mubaba. Other common riverine trees are the waterberry, knob thorn, rain-tree or apple-leaf and the leadwood.

Away from the river, the mopane 6.Victoria Falls Victoria Falls, like Mount Kilimanjaro, is an emblem of the entire African continent. Spanning 5600 feet (1700 m) and dropping 420 feet (128 m) into the Zambezi Gorge, the falls create a roar--and a cloud of mist--so great that they are perceptible from a distance of 25 miles (40 km). David Livingstone was the first European to visit the falls, in 1855, and he named them in honor of his queen.

The best time to visit Victoria Falls is between September and November. During March and April, when the water volume is at its peak, the falls create so much mist that they are difficult to see, and from May to September the mist adds to the season's high humidity. There are all sorts of activities offered at Victoria Falls, including bungee jumping, small plane flights over the falls, and raft trips to the Boiling Pot at their base.

In addition to such thrill ride activities, Victoria Falls is also the center for some of the best safari and adventure opportunities in Africa. Above the falls, outstanding canoe and kayaking safaris are available, offering one of the most exciting and memorable ways to experience both the Zambezi and the abundant game of Zambezi National Park. Below the falls, the Zambezi becomes a whitewater rafting paradise.

The rafting trips that run through the river's gorges are internationally known as the most exciting, and least dangerous, to be found anywhere. 7. Nyanga National Park 47,000ha of Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands. Takes its name from Mount Inyangani ('the shaman's horn'), its highest peak (2593m).

Rolling granite mountains - birthplace to several big rivers which form spectacular cascades, notably the 243m Pungwe Falls. Open vistas, valleys, gorges and lakes. Brachystegias and other indigenous trees remain but many hillsides now covered with exotics - pine, eucalyptus and wattle.

Aloes (one endemic), proteas, wild flowers and lichen thrive.Some antelope, Samango monkeys, birds (including the rare Marsh tchagra, Narina trogon and especially eagles). Hiking, mountain climbing and pony trail country. Iron Age stone structures, trout fishing, sailing and swimming.

Five hotels, several holiday cottages, Parks lodges and camp sites in this easily accessed park. 8. Chazarira Park Gazetted 1938, made NP 1975. Zimbabwe's remotest park: 192,000ha, 50km south-east of Lake Kariba.

Chizarira ('barrier' in Batonka) is hidden behind the 600m msasa-wooded Zambezi escarpment. Mopane stands and grasslands criss-crossed by rocky ridges and deep gorges. Flood plains dominate the Busi Valley to the south.Plains and flood plains are Big Five country: about 12,000 elephant, herds of 200 - 400 buffalo and assorted antelope.

Birds include three notables: the Bat hawk, Livingstone's flycatcher and the elusive Taita falcon. Remote and wild 4x4 country. Guided game drives; wilderness trails of up to 10 days.

Very hot in summer (October - January). No permanent accommodation but four basic, exclusive camps. Two private safari lodges on the boundary.Gonerezhou Created 1975, by uniting 5000km2 of former hunting areas and tsetse fly control corridors.

Borders Mozambique and South Africa.Hot, dry, low-lying bush country with outcrops of broken granite. Three big rivers cut its parched scrubland. The biggest, the Runde, is edged for 30km by the dramatic, red sandstone Chilojo Cliffs.

Mopane, ironwood and baobab dominate. There are a number of grasslands.Gonarezhou means 'the place of the elephant' - more than 6000 here. They're larger, carry more ivory and, thanks to poaching and harassment, are more aggressive than elsewhere.

A lot of other wildlife. 230 bird species; two rarities: Angolan pitta and Mashona hyliota. The living-fossil Lungfish and Zambezi sharks occur in the rivers.Raw, untamed and baking wilderness (40ºC+ in summer). Network of game-viewing roads but most require 4x4.

The 4-5 day trails probe real Africa. Main camp with thatched chalets. Camp sites, some primitive, along the rivers.

Several private lodges operate around the park. Zambia Zambia officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west.

The capital city is Lusaka, located in the south-central part of the country. . The population is approximately 12 million people concentrated mainly around the capital Lusaka in the south and the Copper belt to the northwest. Zambia is a country that many describe as “the true Africa” and is also recognized as one among the safest countries in the whole world.

It has the Victoria Falls, the vivacious River Zambezi and a variety of birds, game and an immaculate fauna. The people of Zambia are very hospitable and calm. The wildlife is spectacular and the country offers some of the finest safaris ever available on this planet.

Zambia prides itself in seventeen amazing waterfalls and the rich flora and fauna. Water sprays from the gorgeous Victoria Falls can be seen many miles away and the bridge at the Victoria Falls is a platform for enjoying the breath taking view of the gorge and the water falls. Alternatively you can enjoy the view in air, using micro-lights or fixed-wing flights.

Climate: The climate of Zambia is tropical modified by elevation. In the Köppen climate classification, most of the country is classified as humid subtropical or tropical wet and dry, with small stretches of semi-arid steppe climate in the south-west and along the Zambezi valley. There are two main seasons, the rainy season (November to April) corresponding to summer, and the dry season (May/June to October/November), corresponding to winter.

The dry season is subdivided into the cool dry season (May/June to August), and the hot dry season (September to October/November). The modifying influence of altitude gives the country pleasant subtropical weather rather than tropical conditions during the cool season of May to August. However, average monthly temperatures remain above 20 °C (68 °F) over most of the country for eight or more months of the year.

Languages: The official language of Zambia is English, which is used to conduct official business and is the medium of instruction in schools. The main local language, especially in Lusaka, is Nyanja. However, Bemba and Nyanja are spoken in the urban areas in addition to other indigenous languages which are commonly spoken in Zambia.

Estimates of the total number of languages spoken in Zambia add up to 72, thirteen (13) dialects are counted as languages in their own right which brings this number to 85. Religion: Zambia is officially a Christian nation according to the 1996 constitution, but a wide variety of religious traditions exist. Traditional religious thoughts blend easily with Christian beliefs in many of the country’s syncretic churches.

Christian denominations include: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Pentecostal, New Apostolic Church, Lutheran, Seventh-day Adventist, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jehovah’s Witnesses and a variety of Evangelical denominations. Attractions: Victoria Falls South Luangwa Kafue National Park The Bangweulu Floodplain Access: There are two points of entry into Zambia. One is via the Tazara line from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which only goes as far as Kapiri Mposhi.

From there, one can change trains (and stations) for the journey to Lusaka. There are two trains a week running in each direction. The schedules are unreliable and should be confirmed prior to travel.

First, second and third class (not recommended) are offered. Dining is not available and very often neither is water. Expect full immigration and customs checks when crossing the border.

The other line is from Zimbabwe, via Victoria Falls town to Livingstone. Trains run every second day from Livingstone to Lusaka. Malawi Tourism Malawi is a country of great scenic splendor, situated partly in the Great Rift Valley.

Roughly 900km long and 150km wide, most of its eastern border is taken up by the lovely Lake Malawi, the third largest lake in Africa and the country’s greatest tourist destination. The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west.

The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size is over 118,000 km2 (45,560 sq mi) with an estimated population of more than 13,900,000. Its capital is Lilongwe, the largest city is Blantyre and the second largest city is Mzuzu.

The name Malawi comes from the Maravi, an old name of the Nyanja people that inhabit the area. The country is also nicknamed, “The Warm Heart of Africa”. The capital of Malawi is known as Lilongwe.

Access: For international flights from Europe, Kenya Airways (also with KLM), South African Airways and Ethiopian Airlines offer good options to Malawi, with routes involving an aircraft change at their respective national hubs (Nairobi, Johannesburg and Addis Ababa). Regional links between Malawi and Kenya, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe are provided by Air Malawi and the various national airlines of those countries. Such connections can sometimes be used in conjunction with a European airline flying from Europe to these countries.

Malawi-based air charter companies, such as Nyassa Air Taxi, also link Malawi to its neighbours. By road, there are routes into Malawi from Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique. Assume that border posts will be closed from about 18.00hrs and reopen at 07.00hrs.

Visitors requiring a visa may find this difficult to obtain at border posts and are advised to obtain the documentation in advance. Requirements for vehicle documentation should be checked before traveling.. Currency: Malawi’s unit of currency is the kwacha (abbreviated to MK internationally; K locally).

The kwacha divides into 100 tambala. Practically speaking, only the kwacha is used. Banks in the towns are open weekdays from 0800 to 1300.

Mobile banks operate along the lakeshore and in more remote areas (check days/times locally). Travellers Cheques or foreign (hard) currency notes are widely accepted. Avoid black market currency traders.

There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency imported but it must be declared and accounted for on departure. Only MK3000 of local currency may be exported. There are 24-hour ATMs in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu.

Only local currency is dispensed and that is limited to approximately the equivalent (depending on exchange rates) of GB£85, Euro110; US$140 in any period of twenty-four hours. Passports & Visas: A full valid passport is required for entry into Malawi. For tourist visits, visas are NOT required by citizens of most Commonwealth countries, the USA, Japan, most European Union countries and certain other countries.

Best Time to Travel/Climate: For most people the dry (winter) season is most attractive (i.e. April/May to October/November). The chance of rain is slim, daytime temperatures are generally pleasant (in the 20s Celsius) and the low vegetation and limited availability of water mean that game viewing is at its best.

However, some of the best birdwatching can be had from November to April and the orchids of Nyika are best seen from December to March/April. Malawi’s temperatures are moderated by altitude. In the hottest month (usually November) maximum temperatures will be around 30°C.

In the coldest month (probably July) maximum temperatures will be in the low 20’s. On the uplands (e.g. Zomba, Nyika and Viphya) it can be quite cold at night.

The hottest area, all year, is that at the lowest altitude – the Lower Shire Valley. Rainfall is extremely rare in the dry season and even in the so-called wet season, the rains are usually short-lived storms, as is typical of the tropics, and at no time does the climate seriously inhibit the traveller. Around the country, rainfall varies, with the highlands causing the highest figures.

Attractions: Wildlife: Malawi is blessed with a rich diversity of flora and fauna and has no less than nine national parks and wildlife reserves. Whilst it may not have quite the sheer numbers of large mammals (particularly predators) as some of its better known neighbours, it makes up for this in other ways. Malawi provides intensive and exclusive wildlife viewing in unspoilt areas of authentic wilderness.

Landscape: Malawi has a massive diversity of beautiful landscapes. The highest peaks in Malawi touch 10 000ft (3 000m) while the lowest point is barely above sea level. This range of altitudes in a small area help to make the landscape of Malawi one of the moist varied in all Africa.

It is generally a green, lush country, with plateaus, highlands, forests, mountains, plains, escarpments and dramatic river valleys. The variety of scenery is a major attraction to visitors and many of the highland areas and forest reserves have good accommodation options, and plenty of outdoor activities available. Culture: The local people are so friendly and welcoming, their hospitality encourages visitors to spend more time in Malawi and also encourages return visits.

There are also a number of places of particular cultural and historical interest. Lake Malawi: The greatest tourist attraction is Lake Malawi, “discovered” by the missionary-explorer Dr David Livingstone just over 150 years ago. Although totally landlocked, Malawi is not denied its “inland sea”.

This vast body of freshwater fringed by beaches of golden sand is not only a scenic wonderland but is a haven for lovers of water sports/activities. Ethiopia Ethiopia officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is a country located in the Horn of Africa and its capital city is Addis Ababa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2.

Ethiopia is bordered by Eritrea to the north, Djibouti and Somalia to the east, Sudan and South Sudan to the west, and Kenya to the south. With its capital at Addis Ababa, it is also the most populous landlocked nation in the world. Ethiopia is a land of enormous diversity and as a result it has more than 80 languages and over 200 dialects.

Amharic or Amharigna is the official language of Ethiopia although the government encourages local languages to be taught in schools. The working languages of the national/regional governments may differ according to regions. Other main languages include Oromigna and Tigrigna.

English, French, Italian and Arabic are also widely spoken. Ethiopia has history and cultural richness in abundance. Trace the past from the skeleton of one of the earliest discovered hominids, our ancestor of 3.5 million years, through the pre-Christian stellae of Axum, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the castles of Gondar, the Forbidden City of Harar, to the remains of the Kingdom of Haile Selassie, Emperor of Abyssinia.

Alongside its rich history, Ethiopia also offers great trekking in the Simiens – a world heritage site. The Simiens are home to endemic flora and fauna, including the Simien fox, the walia ibex, the gelada baboon, the bearded vulture, thick-billed raven and eagles. Further south, the Bale Mountains are rich in flora and birdlife.