Soccer and rugby, local passions
As in many African countries, soccer is the national sport, and major European Cup and English league matches are widely watched by locals. In 2022, the national team was suspended by FIFA for "government interference" in the management of the federation. Prior to that, the Warriors, the nickname for Zimbabwe's players, had not enjoyed much success. They have never qualified for a World Cup, but they have made it to the final table of the African Cup of Nations (CAN), but never made it past the first round.
As a former British colony and in close proximity to South Africa, rugby and cricket are also popular sports. While the rugby team is regularly beaten by the great oval ball nations, it remains one of only four African teams, along with Namibia, Côte d'Ivoire and South Africa, that have ever qualified for the World Cup (in 1987 and 1991 for Zimbabwe).
The safari, the queen activity
The safari is obviously the most important activity of a trip to the country where people flock to discover the great African wildlife. In Zimbabwe, this tourist activity is declined in different ways: game drive, game walk (safari on foot, often with an armed guide), canoe safari or horseback safari . In short, the options are multiple and will allow you to live unique experiences.
A large choice of activities
Apart from the safari, there are other activities available in Zimbabwe. Hiking and horseback riding, but also canoeing and rafting and, for the most courageous, zip-lining over the Batoka Gorge and, above all, bungee jumping from the bridge over the Victoria Falls at a height of 110 meters. Many lucky people fly over the falls by helicopter. A grandiose spectacle in perspective!
The banks of the Zambezi River also welcome some fishermen who want to catch fish and birdwatchers with binoculars around their neck.
Finally, Zimbabwe is also a golfer's paradise with internationally renowned courses such as the Leopard Rock Golf Club and the Royal Harare Golf Club.
Feel like a swim?
Zimbabwe is landlocked. Unlike its desert neighbors, such as Botswana and Namibia, however, it has a large number of rivers and dam lakes scattered throughout the country. The north is particularly spoiled, with the raging Zambezi in the west (where Victoria Falls is located) and the tamed Zambezi in the east (where Lake Kariba lies dormant). Unfortunately for travelers looking for a dip, most of Zimbabwe's water bodies are recommended for everything (fishing, canoeing, cruising...) except swimming! They are teeming with hippos and crocodiles and their shores are infested with bilharzia: good reasons to choose the bleached wave of the pools! Unless you practice swimming watching, which simply consists in taking a dip in a place (free of bilharzia, preferably in the middle of the Zambezi, where the water is lively and filtered by rushes) while an obliging guide watches that no "jaws" show up on the horizon. Mostly practiced during canoeing safaris, swimming watching is a delight for most tourists. Freshwater bathing enthusiasts will also find the streams, rivers and waterholes of the Eastern Highlands a refreshing paradise. Otherwise, most tourist accommodations in Zimbabwe offer swimming pools and leisure facilities for relaxing breaks.
