Zimbabwe: With a foreword by Sir Ranulph Fiennes

The new fifth edition of Bradt’s Zimbabwe remains the only detailed, standalone guide from a major publisher to cover one of the premier safari and cultural destinations in southern Africa. Best known for the Victoria Falls, which leaves visitors awed by the world’s largest curtain of falling water, Zimbabwe offers manifold other experiences for the intrepid traveller – from evocative wildlife to fascinating arts, jaw-dropping landscapes to astonishing World Heritage Sites.

Soak up the laid-back atmosphere of the capital, Harare, with its bustling arts scene and trendy restaurants, or head to the mighty Zambezi River for fast-flowing adventure. Visit national parks that offer a variety of wildlife encounters: enjoy canoe-based game-viewing at Mana Pools (where African wild dog is a highlight) or remote camping beside rare nyala antelope in the wilderness of Gonarezhou. Capitalise on the exciting revival of Matusadona, which boasts one of Africa’s highest densities of leopard, or combine watching white and black rhinos with admiring the world’s greatest concentration of ancient hunter-gatherer rock art, at Matobo Hills.

History buffs will marvel at Zimbabwe’s plethora of historical and cultural sites, most famously the World Heritage-listed, stone-built, ancient cities of Great Zimbabwe and Khami, the latter once controlling a lucrative international trading empire. Birdwatchers, meanwhile, will delight in a trove of avian encounters, notably in Bunga’s lush forests, one of Zimbabwe’s best-kept secrets.

With increased business confidence in Zimbabwe, scores of new hotels and lodges have opened, the country’s national parks have been rejuvenated, its two main airports upgraded and major roads improved. Accommodation options comprise everything from luxury safari camps to budget stays for travellers who arrive overland, plus suggested pit stops to break up journeys.

Written by a former resident of Zimbabwe, thoroughly updated by two seasoned adventurers, and with a foreword by explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Bradt’s Zimbabwe remains an ideal companion for everyone from wildlife enthusiasts to adventure seekers and hikers, whether travelling independently or on an organised tour. New for this edition are a 64-page, full-colour wildlife guide, plus expanded coverage of Zambezi National Park, Matobo Hills and the surroundings of Harare and Bulawayo.

BRADT GUIDES: TRAVEL TAKEN SERIOUSLY

• Proudly independent for over 50 years – the first Bradt Guide was published in 1974 and we remain independently owned

• Expert authors – on-the-ground research for each new edition by authors who really know their destinations

• Detailed practical guides to the world’s most interesting places – no Top Tens, no tick lists, but everything you need to know to get the most from your trip

• Championing sustainable travel – with local communities front and centre

On a visit to Zimbabwe soon after the country’s independence, Paul Murray quickly established enduring friendships with some leading players in the Victoria Falls tourism sector and developed a keen interest in all aspects of the country. From a South African base, very frequent visits to Zimbabwe followed over the following three decades and led to him realising an Africa ambition – buying a house at Victoria Falls. This gave Murray and his wife unparalleled access to the diverse riches of Zimbabwe which, in turn, enabled him to write Bradt’s Zimbabwe. His love for Zimbabwe has been driven by local people, whom he regards as “probably the friendliest I’ve met anywhere in the world”. Murray now lives in the UK.

Chris Leggatt (eden.co.za) has run his own adventure-tour business in Wilderness, South Africa, since the late 1990s. It was the allure of “seeing what’s out there” that first drew him to Zimbabwe. Having cut his teeth in southern Africa’s river-rafting industry, the rapids of the mighty Zambezi River below Victoria Falls appealed. Now, as a seasoned guide, Chris has traversed the country many times in search of the next great adventure. From jet-boating in the spray of Vic’ Falls to the ziplines of the Eastern Highlands; from guided bushwalks in the wilds of Mana Pools to camping in Big 5 territory in Gonarezhou; Chris has been to more areas than most Zimbabweans. Above all, it is in the national parks that he truly feels at home. These wild, wide-open spaces, of which there are so many in Zimbabwe, are where he finds peace and solitude.

Liz Bazin fell in love with Zimbabwe on her first visit in the late 1990s. She has returned several times, including on a year-long road trip from South Africa to Uganda, and recently spent three months touring the whole country. Hailing from the UK, she is a seasoned world traveller. Having spent much of her twenties working in Japan’s financial industry, Liz thoroughly explored southeast Asia. She then left banking to settle near the southern tip of Africa, where her passion for the continent’s flora and fauna motivated her to complete a Master’s degree in Conservation Ecology and Biodiversity. Being a keen birder, the avian abundance of Zimbabwe became a huge drawcard, so she has explored many of the roads less travelled in search of the ‘specials’ tucked away in obscure corners of the country. She especially enjoys the Eastern Highlands with its large variety of birds and knowledgeable guides.