Zimbabwe & Botswana
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe offers a huge amount to see and do, with abundant wildlife,
stunning national parks and the opportunity to get a real taste
of Africa.
Watch the wildlife at Hwange or Mana Falls. Wander around the bustling
Mbare musika market in Harare, hike out to the stunning ancient
rock paintings at nearby Domboshawa and Ngomakurira. Climb Mount
Nyangani and visit the Vumba Botanical Gardens. The ruins of the
ancient city of Great Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls have to be seen.
Bush walking in the Chimanimani, canoe safaris or horse riding
in Middle Zimbabwe, camping safaris in Hwange, rafting or bungee
jumping (!) at the Victoria Falls, or just enjoying the night life
& shopping in Harare.
Food tends to be of the filling, if basic variety, with most local
fare based on sadza, a type of porridge. Local trout & bream are,
however, delicious. Try the excellent Zambezi Lager but beware the
soghum-based Chibuku beer, with its knockout punch ... Zimbabwe's
wines are pretty good, having benefited from South African input.
Mats, carvings & leather work to suit any pocket from Mbare musika.
Fine Shona sculpture from galleries & dealers. Beautiful block-printed
wall hangings & other textiles, musical instruments to keep the
kids occupied...plus, that indispensable mukwa wood toilet seat.
Botswana
See one of the great African wildlife migrations in Makgadikgadi
& Nxai Pan between February and June. Travel on the channels of
the absolutely stunning Okavango Swamp in a mokoro canoe. Spend
a night under canvas in the Kalahari for an awe inspiring view of
the stars. Look down over Gabarone from Mt Kgale
Hike in the remote Tsodilo Hills, take a 4x4 for some adventurous
driving (and a very good map)
Whilst not a usual destination for committed gourmets, decent beef
is a speciality of more expensive hotels, and Vetkoek donuts are
worth trying. Local lagers are good, our old 'friend' Chibuku is
available and red and white wines from the Cape are superb...but
beware the palm sap based mokolane, and kgadi, which comes from
distilled sugar and fungus.
Beautiful Ngamiland baskets, beaded San jewellery (which will be
offered at every turn), handwoven textiles and the remarkable Herero
dolls, representing women at different life stages. Of course no
home should be without an original moulded leather cooking fat container.
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Language: English & Shona (Zimbabwe), Tswana (Botswana)
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Currency: Zimbabwe dollar (= 100 cents), Pula = 100 thebes
(Botswana)
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Visas: Not required for EU citizens
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Time: GMT + 2
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Climate: Dry winter season (May to October) - great for wildlife
viewing , warmer more humid (& more colourful) summer wet season
(November to April).
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UK Tourist Office: Zimbabwe Tourist Board, Zimbabwe House,
429 The Strand, London
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Vaccinations: Malaria, Typhoid, Polio, Cholera, Yellow Fever
(if from infected area)
Call us on 0870 1999 038 for further details
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