Things to do in Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi plunges into a narrow gorge, is the country's great natural wonder, with rainforest paths, adventures from the bridge, sunset river cruises and flights over the spray. The town is also a short drive from Chobe National Park across the border in Botswana.

Hwange National Park, the largest in the country, is home to great herds of elephants, while Mana Pools on the Zambezi is famed for walking and canoe safaris. Lake Kariba is a vast reservoir dotted with islands, and Great Zimbabwe, the medieval stone city that gave the country its name, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Matobo Hills hold balancing granite boulders and ancient rock art.

Zimbabwean food centres on sadza, a stiff maize porridge, served with stews, greens and grilled meat. The dry months from about May to October are best for safari, when animals gather at water, while the falls are at their fullest after the rains, from about February to May.