Discover North Matabeleland

When planning a trip to North Matabeleland, there are several distinct focuses to choose from: safaris and seasonal wildlife watching in Hwange National Park, landscapes in the remote Chizarira National Park, fishing, boating and culture in Binga, and activities at Victoria Falls. When looking for hotels, it helps to first decide which of these interests will shape your trip. This lets you tailor your search to the experiences that matter most to you.

Safaris and seasons in Hwange

Hwange National Park is known for birdwatching. November to April is considered the best time for this, when migratory birds return from Europe and North Africa. The dry season offers a different seasonal perspective: the park’s waterholes then attract elephants, which gather there in impressive concentrations. For planning purposes, it is helpful to compare these options, as birdwatching and elephant concentrations are associated with different periods. Walking safaris and game drives are also offered in Hwange National Park. These provide two different kinds of safari alongside the seasonal wildlife-watching highlights.

Landscapes and other activities

The remote Chizarira National Park covers 2,000 square kilometers. Its landscape is shaped by gorges, plateaus and floodplains. While Hwange is associated with safari types and seasonal wildlife watching, Chizarira can be understood in terms of its size and terrain. This comparison helps you weigh up different nature-focused options for your trip without reducing both national parks to the same main attraction.

Binga lies at the western end of the southern shore of Lake Kariba and is a center for fishing, boating and culture. Binga Cultural Village and the Batonga Museum give visitors the opportunity to learn more about the culture. This adds a distinct cultural dimension alongside nature and safaris. Bungee jumping and abseiling are offered at Victoria Falls. If you want to plan one of these activities, check current availability before your trip.

Historical highlights in the wider destination of Zimbabwe

Beyond North Matabeleland, the wider destination of Zimbabwe offers further historical highlights. The ruins of Great Zimbabwe bear witness to the vanished Shona civilization between the 11th and 15th centuries. The soapstone Zimbabwe Birds found in the ruins indicate that the site has been used as a place of worship from antiquity to the present day. Khami was the capital of the Torwa dynasty, which emerged from the collapse of the Kingdom of Great Zimbabwe between 1450 and 1650. Khami also has the longest decorated wall in the entire subregion. Great Zimbabwe and Khami thus offer distinct historical perspectives: on the one hand, the Shona civilization and the continuing use of the site as a place of worship; on the other, the Torwa dynasty and the decorated wall.

Landscapes and wildlife elsewhere in Zimbabwe

The Mana Pools, Sapi and Chewore World Heritage site is also part of the wider destination of Zimbabwe. It is bordered by the Zambezi to the north and by a steep escarpment to the south, rising more than 1,000 m above the valley floor. Every year during the dry winter months, elephants, buffalo, zebras, waterbuck, other antelope, as well as lions and hyenas, move into the area. More than 450 resident and migratory bird species have been recorded there. Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe is also home to numerous mammals, more than 350 bird species and aquatic wildlife.

Discover more destinations: Hwange, Mashonaland West, Manicaland.

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