(1) The amazing day in Matobo National Park, with the Rhino encounters!
(2) An evening with Zuey and his young family in Bulawayo.
What I did not like …
Though it does not impact me personally, I felt sad to hear about the rampant unemployment in Zimbabwe. The official Government numbers, as per the locals, is way off. People, if they are lucky enough to get jobs, have to work multiple jobs just to barely get by.
And this in a country which should be getting millions of tourists and have a lot of natural wealth.
Location in the World map …
Some interesting tidbits about Zimbabwe …
President Robert Mugabe changed the country’s name from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe when, in 1980, the country moved to black majority rule.
The capital city, Harare, is one of the major ‘gateways’ into Africa and Tourism is of great importance to the Economy which otherwise relies on Farming and Mining. Having suffered during the droughts of the early 1990’s, Zimbabwe is still finding its way out of the Economic doldrums with high unemployment and the question of land ownership still one of high emotional charge.
Land-locked country in Southern Africa.
On the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls make a thundering 108m drop into narrow Batoka Gorge, where there’s white-water rafting and bungee-jumping.
West: Botswana. East: Mozambique. South: South Africa. North: Zambia.
Zimbabwe has 16 official languages!
Robert Mugabe became 1st Prime Minister of Zimbabwe in 1980. Was considered to be an Authoritarian Regime. There were many allegations regarding Human Rights violations.
From 1997 to 2008, there was a sharp economic decline (Hyperinflation!).
Economy has recovered a bit after the official use of other currencies, like US Dollars, were permitted.
In 2017, in the wake of over a year of protests against his government as well as Zimbabwe’s rapidly declining economy, a coup d’état resulted in Mugabe’s resignation. Emmerson Mnangagwa has since served as Zimbabwe’s president.
Zimbabwean Dollar had denominations of “100 Trillion”!!!
On 5 April 2024, the dollar was removed and replaced with what the authorities called “a structured currency backed by gold”, named ZiG.
Robert Mugabe: Prime Minister from 1980-1987. President from 1987-2017. Mugabe was a controversial figure. He was praised as a revolutionary hero of the African liberation struggle who helped free Zimbabwe from British colonialism, imperialism, and white minority rule. Critics accused Mugabe of being a dictator responsible for economic mismanagement and widespread corruption and human rights abuses, including anti-white racism, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Cecil Rhodes: English Mining Magnate. He helped found Rhodesia (Zimbabwe + Zambia) in 1895.
70% of Victoria Falls is in Zimbabwe!
Timeline: European Colonists –> Rhodesia (1895) –> Sovereignty in April 1980
My 1st impressions:
Among the countries in this trip, definitely the one that seems to be struggling the most. Quite a lot of garbage around … With the extremely high unemployment rates, not exactly a huge surprise.
US Dollar was the de facto currency as far as I could see. Stores and restaurants quoted prices in USD and gave change in USD! How was I going to get hold of Zimbabwe Dollar (The “Trillion Dollar” one) or the new ZiG!? My early attempts had failed. Had better luck later on 🙂
Largest City: Harare
Capital: Harare
Population: 15M
Language: Shona (Spoken by 40%+ of the people) and Ndebele (Spoken by almost 40% of the people).
GDP: 28 Billion USD
Ethnicity: Shona ethnic group makes up 80% of population.
Religion: Christianity (85%)
Currency: US Dollars, Zimbabwean Dollars (ZWL). New currency ZiG introduced in April 2024.
National Animal: Antelope
My Experiences
We passed a Coal Mining town on the way to Bulawayo … Zimbabwe.24 seats! 3 people! 🙂 Inside our new truck.Not just Bulawayo, I love all places 🙂Nice name for a Beer! Zimbabwe’s own …A local painting … Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans have been having it tough for many years now.Isitshwala/Sadza (Made from Maize, a staple food in Zimbabwe), Porterhouse Steak and Chicken Liver Dish … Dinner in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. That Chicken Liver dish was YUM!!!The terrain and the scenery did not change much. The highway to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.Like Livingstone in Zambia, Zimbabwe has the town of Victoria Falls, right next to the Falls. The road from the town of Victoria Falls (“Vic Falls” as locals call it) to Bulawayo is pretty terrible most of the way. 450km took 10 hours!Zimbabwean toddler, Zuri … Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. She did not cry or be cranky even once during the 3 hours we spent with her family. Let me take that back, she did roar like a Lioness when her Mom tried to take away her Apple juice cup 😂 She loves Sugar and bright lights (Notice her staring at her Dad’s phone)The 4×4 our Guide Ian used to take us around Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not very large, just 425 Sq.Km.Depiction of the World’s Rhino population. The numbers are highly inaccurate as of now. Poaching has killed most of them. Matobo has only 63!!! Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Locals are allowed to harvest grass from within the park. They use it for making roofs. Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Riding through the park … Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.The 2 Rangers leading us to the 1st set of wild Rhinos … Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Had this Lemon-flavored soft drink … Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Stud Plant (“Bushman’s Soap”) … When you squeeze it and then pour water, it is like Soap! Very soothing on the skin … Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Crafts market vendor selling old Zimbabwe currency … Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.View from near Cecil Rhodes grave … Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.The grave of Cecil Rhodes, Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe. Cecil, on his death bed, had requested to be buried here and the locals (who respected him) made his wish come true. Cecil John Rhodes. 1853-1902. British Mining Magnate and South African Politician. He is considered as the founder of Rhodesia, which is now Zambia, Zimbabwe Founder of De Beers. His Trust funds the famous Rhodes Scholarship. Bill Clinton, Edwin Hubble, Naomi Wolf. Etc. are some of the famous recipients.Geckos! Lots of them … Very colorful. Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Cecil Rhodes grave site, on top of a huge rock hill inside Matobo National Park (Zimbabwe), had these massive rocks all over … It was almost as if someone hand-placed them specifically 😁 And these rocks had a large number of colorful Geckos living under and around them.Cecil Rhodes grave site, on top of a huge rock hill inside Matobo National Park (Zimbabwe), had these massive rocks all over … It was almost as if someone hand-placed them specifically 😁 And these rocks had a large number of colorful Geckos living under and around them.And this particular one …Somehow climbed that one 😂 A view of Matobo National Park from the top.Leander Starr Jameson’s grave … Near that of Cecil Rhodes. Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.A very accurate depiction (Apparently, the real faces were referred) of Jameson’s adventures … Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Chinese Paper Bark or “Quiver Tree” … Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Nice view … Near Bushman Paintings area. Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Our Guide Ian … He is an expert on Matobo National Park. He knew all the routes, the rangers and was very comfortable with the wild Rhinos 🙂 He is a Zimbabwean and has been doing this job for a long time. Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Mother and Calf … Notice how close we were to them 🙂 Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Sunset in Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Bushman Paintings … From over 13000 years ago! Animals were drawn more intricately. Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Bushman Paintings … From over 13000 years ago! Animals were drawn more intricately. Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe. Matobo National Park is only 450 Sq.Km. Tiny, by African standards. Rhinos and Leopards are the main attractions. The visitor center had skulls of a “White” Rhino, which was poached (Can see the bullet wound) and a “Black” Rhino which died of old age. Matobo National Park is full of multi-layered soft Granite.More Rhinos! 😍 Mom and Calf. The AK-carrying Ranger who helped us find these ones said that the Calf was known to be a naughty and inquisitive one. Both of them crossed the dirt off-road, and then grazed right next to our truck! We were just 6-7ft from them. It was a surreal experience. Short of them charging at us (Mom!), this is the closest one can get. At one point, when I tried to get up on the 4×4 truck for better view, my movement was so sudden (🤦♂️) that the Calf turned around and dashed back a few feet. At that point, the Mom suddenly looked up and moved a few feet towards us … 😱 We all waited with bated breath. Ian and the Ranger made some sounds to calm them down 😳As soon as we entered the National Park, we expressed our wish to see wild Rhinos to our Zimbabwean Guide Ian. When our 4×4 truck reached one of the many Ranger Camps, he spoke to them to check if they were aware of any Rhinos in the neighborhood. Two Rangers took us on a 2km walk through the jungle and Voila! My light yellow-brown Tshirt seems to agitate them and I had to put on a grey pullover. There were two of them. One was a pregnant female, expected to give birth soon. Rhinos can run at 50+ kmph! You cannot outrun it. It typically has a 45-50yrs life. Four years ago, Matobo National Park had 170 Rhinos. Now it is 63!!! September 2022 was when the last poaching happened here. Forest Rangers do not allow their photos to ensure Poachers do not target their families. Rhinos have poor eyesight but excellent hearing and sense of smell.Bulawayo Club, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Formed in 1896, as a Gentlemen’s Club. To call this Club, now a Hotel, “Vintage”, is an understatement. They have decently preserved it, including old members registers, arms, phones, fireplace Etc. As a hotel, I would not say it is thriving. Even in this “peak season”, only a few people were staying here.“Zimbabwe Independent” Newspaper … Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.Dinner at Bulawayo Club … Steak, Prawns and Fruit Cobbler. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.During a walk through one of the suburbs of Bulawayo … See the various security arrangements used by the locals. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.Dear Folks … Please feel extremely previleged that you know a true Billionaire. And that too 70 Billion! 😁 Actually, I had the golden chance to be a Trillionaire when a dude tried to sell me some at the Zambia-Zimbabwe border 🤦♂️ I am still kicking myself for missing that golden chance. Bought many of the old Zimbabwean currency notes in Bulawayo 👍Ian’s business card … In case you visit the area. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.Bulawayo Club’s entrance … Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.Statue of Cecil Rhodes … Bulawayo Club, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.An old club members list … Bulawayo Club, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.Double-decker long distance bus … Zimbabwe.Noticed a lot of factories in the Central and Southern parts of Zimbabwe …Railway line connecting North and South of Africa was one of Cecil Rhodes’ dreams. But it never materialized to the extent he wanted.All along the roads, there were street vendors …“Chicken Inn”, I noticed, seem very popular here in Zimbabwe. KFC of Zimbabweans 🙂Had Chicken Pie and Steak Pie for lunch. It was yummy …“Meal of the People” 🙂Tried this Baobab drink. Tasted like buttermilk, quite sour. Baobab fruit is sour. Zimbabwe.
Scenes from Bulawayo … It is a bustling city. Zimbabwe’s 2nd largest city.Tried this semi-sweet bun as dessert 🙂Zimbabwean “ZiG” (“Zimbabwe Gold”), the 6th (!) currency in the country in the last 15 years. Introduced in April 2024. 1 USD == 9.5 ZiG. Finding the “Yeti” would have been easier 😁 Asked a Zillion Zimbabweans and finally got 1 note!Limpopo river forms a natural boundary between Zimbabwe and South Africa. Actually you finish Zimbabwe Immigration, cross the river, and then go through South Africa Immigration. Beitbridge, Zimbabwe.
