Zimbabwean Attractions and Activities
From ancient ruins and natural marvels, Zimbabwe awaits.
There are many travel highlights located only a short drive from the hotel and many of the trips below can be organised through our Concierge desk located in the foyer of Meikles Hotel. Some are located further away; please feel free to speak to the Concierge for information on how to get from Meikles Hotel to the attraction you're interested in.
In and Around Harare
Harare City Tour - Half Day Trip: Explore the majestic city of Harare by soaking up the city's historical and cultural composition. This tour takes you to the Botanical Gardens, Queen Victoria Building, The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, The University of Zimbabwe, The Snake Park, The National Art Gallery for an exhibition of contemporary art work or the Natural History Museum for cultural and geographic exhibits. Complete the tour with a view of the nation's largest cash crop on sale at the Tobacco Auction Floors (seasonal: April - September).
Great Zimbabwe Tour - Full Day Trip: Great Zimbabwe, once the kingdom of the Monomotapa people, is steeped in mystery. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, Great Zimbabwe was the centre of a vast Shona Empire, which covered most of the modern Zimbabwe. This vast complex of granite stone is second only to the pyramids of Ancient Egypt in terms of pre-colonial African architecture and size. A World Heritage Site, the breath-taking ruins are a highlight for anyone travelling to Zimbabwe. The Meikles team will happily provide a breakfast or lunch hamper on request the night before your Great Zimbabwe trip at an extra cost.
Domboshawa Rocks, Sam Levy's Village - Half Day/Afternoon Trip: Embark on an afternoon of shopping at Sam Levy's Village before heading off to Domboshawa Rocks - the homestead of the Zezuru clan in the Domboshawa area. Spend some time climbing the huge granite boulders and exploring the various caves which are spectacularly adorned with rock paintings. Many of our guests opt to take a sundowner hamper with them, which can be arranged beforehand, to end off their tour.
Doon Estate Shopping Carnival - Half Day Trip: A short drive from the city centre and ideal for fashionistas and art fundis, Doon Estate is a veritable paradise for shoppers. This trip will expose to clothing, artwork and mementos which combine magical colours, the vibrancy of African art and the elegance of Europe. The clothes you find from The Corner Shop are exquisitely crafted and reflect the natural essence of Zimbabwe. Before you return to the hotel, be sure to head to the Art Mart - a unique complex for art and craft that brings together some 200 craft makers and artists. Here you will find the most impressive range of handwork, such as paintings, wrought iron lampshades, wind chimes and curios to mention but a few.
Bally Vaughan - Full Day Trip: Among the granite hills of the Enterprise Valley, Bally Vaughan Game Park boasts lush plains as well as heavily wooded highveld bush perfect for a day full of adventure. A 35 minute drive from the hotel, your day at Bally Vaughan will commence at the Bird and Game Sanctuary where you will be taken on a conducted tour of the Wild Animal Orphanage. There you will be privileged to see lion, serval cats, hyena, cheetah, leopard, many nocturnal animals and flocks of exotic and indigenous birds. After tea and scones on a granite kopje, with a spectacular view, comes the highlight of your day... an elephant ride! After the excitement, you will be driven to the Mubvinsi River, where you will board an 18-foot canoe for a leisurely hour gliding down the peaceful river admiring the many species of game and waterfowl. The canoe trip ends at the delightful tree-house, where guests will enjoy a delicious meal served with wine. You will spend the rest of the afternoon in an open-game viewing vehicle from which you will have the opportunity to spot game including buffalo, giraffe, eland, sable, kudu, blesbok, wildebeest, zebra, warthog and many species of the smaller antelope.
Zimbabwean Cities
Bulawayo: Zimbabwe's second city is a major commercial, industrial and tourist centre. The city is rich in historical associations and is the home of the National Museum and headquarters of the National Railways of Zimbabwe. There are many craft shops such as Jairos Jiri shop run by the disabled and the Mzilikazi art and craft centre which are located approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) out of the city. The work of craftsmen who trained here is now known internationally. Nearby are the ancient Khami ruins, while to the south is the Matopos National Park, notable for its exotic formations of huge granite boulders. Dams with excellent fishing, caves with rock paintings, Cecil Rhodes' grave and a well-stocked game park make this area popular with visitors.
Masvingo: This city used to be known as Fort Victoria and is a popular travel destination as it is located a short distance from Great Zimbabwe – the national monument after which the country is named. Great Zimbabwe is the largest stone structure in Africa outside Egypt. The stone ruins are spread out over 320 square kilometres and it is one of the most awe-inspiring places to visit while you're in Zimbabwe. While in Masvingo, be sure to visit the Fort National Monument which was erected in 1891 and is located in the centre of town.
Natural Wonders
Victoria Falls: One the most spectacular natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls is a must see while you are visiting Zimbabwe. 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) wide, every minute 550 million litres of water plunge 100 metres (330 feet) into a narrow chasm and the spray can be seen from 30 kilometres (20 miles) away. The locals call the Falls "Mosi-oa-Tunya" which means "the smoke that thunders" and its true power and beauty is best experienced from above. The "Flight of the Angels" light plane trip will afford you with a bird's eye view and a cruise up the mighty Zambezi River will give you a unique perspective. It is also possible to walk across to Zambia to view the Falls from the other side.
Lake Kariba: Lake Kariba is located in the northwest and covers 7770 square kilometres (3000 square miles) and holds a million gallons of water. Game can be viewed from the luxury of the many beautiful lodges, the comfort of various safari camps or from well-appointed cruise vessels and self-contained safari-crafts.
The Eastern Highlands: The Inyanga, Vumba and Chimanimani mountain ranges are one of the country's principal holiday areas and are ideal for those who want to relax and enjoy crisp mountain air. The country's highest mountain, Inyangani (2592 metres /8504 feet), is in this area. The scenery is striking in its variety, with deep valleys, gorges, bare granite peaks, pine-forested slopes and bubbling trout streams rolling down steep cliffs. There are challenging hilly golf courses and pony rides through the heather, as well as the opportunity for mountain climbing, squash, tennis, bowls, fishing, snooker and gambling in the casino. Because of the mountainous and forested terrain, game-viewing in this region is more a matter of chance but for the lucky there are leopards and rare forest antelopes.
Game Parks and Safaris
From the forested mountains of the Eastern highlands and the sun-washed grasslands of Hwange National Park to the hot Mopani Forest and the shores of Lake Kariba, more than 13% of Zimbabwe's land of 44,688 square kilometres (17,254 square miles), has been set aside as parks and wildlife estates. There are 11 national parks and seven recreational parks around the country, plus several botanical gardens, sanctuaries and 16 national safari areas for hunting.
The Lowveld: The Lowveld is home to Zimbabwe's second largest National Park, the Gonerezhou. In conjunction with the Campfire project, this is where Zimbabwe's first sustainable tourism was launched. It has been highly successful in benefiting the local community as well as protecting wildlife populations in the area. The rhino relocation is another of its successful initiatives and visitors to this area are now virtually guaranteed of spotting this endangered species. There are some beautiful lodges in this part of the country including Pamushana and Nduna (both of which are part of the Malilangwe Trust).
Hwange National Park: Formerly known as Wankie National Park, this is Zimbabwe's largest national park, both in size, 14,650 square kilometres (5,644 square miles) and in the sheer variety of wildlife. From the three camps, networks of game-viewing roads guide visitors to areas with good animal concentrations and to waterholes where great numbers of wild animals congregate. At some waterholes platforms are erected from which one can observe game closely and in safety. Hwange is one of the last of the great elephant sanctuaries in Africa and herds of up to 100 elephants may be seen drinking and bathing at the waterholes, particularly at the end of the dry season in October.
Zambezi National Park: Located close to Victoria Falls, the Zambezi National Park is home to an abundance of sable antelopes and other exotic animals which graze in this parkland setting.
Mana Pools National Park: Occupying 2196 square kilometres (848 square miles) of forest along the shores of the Zambezi River, this is one of the country's most beautiful national parks. The animal population includes hippo, elephant, rhino, buffalo and many types of antelope and one of the highlights for visitors is that game viewing on foot is allowed. The birdlife along the river and in the bush is prolific and the park is an angler's delight as it is possible to fish for tigerfish, bream and the giant vundu.
