These ancient city ruins have intrigued both locals and visitors for centuries. The local name for the area was “Dzimba dza mabwe” (roughly “Houses of Stone”) or simply “Zimbabwe”. When Rhodesia became independent in 1980, the nation was named after this city, and the country itself was called Zimbabwe. The ruins of the ancient city then became known as “Great Zimbabwe”.
The pyramids. Stonehenge. Machu Picchu. The Acropolis. These man-made structures point to early civilisations, some of which are still shrouded in mystery. Yet these sites have become symbols of their modern-day countries. Zimbabwe has its own such monument in the south-east … Continued
The Khami (Kame) Ruins is perhaps the least known of Zimbabwe’s five World Heritage sites. Situated just 22km (14 miles) outside of Bulawayo, Khami was the capital of the Torwa state between 1450 and around 1650, after the capital at … Continued
After a fantastic few days in Victoria Falls, we drove south to Bulawayo. Our first night in Bulawayo would also be the last night with our friends from Oxford – they were going back to the UK after our two-week … Continued
There are few words to express how I feel about the passing of a man who has changed the course of history. Nelson Mandela was a man of stirring words, but his actions were far more powerful. He was no … Continued
Doris Lessing, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature and author of The Grass is Singing, has recently died, and it would be amiss not to mark it here. Lessing was, in my eyes, one of Rhodiesia’s (and now Zimbabwe’s) … Continued
I have also published this article on TheSouthAfrican.com here. Living in Oxford means that I sometimes feel disconnected from what’s happening in Zimbabwe – but not this weekend. On Saturday there was a Zimbabwean event happening right here in Oxford, which … Continued
Although this is a travel blog, I hope it’s a place that gives a more rounded picture of Zimbabwe, avoiding compartmentalizing it into “that pariah African state” or “that beautiful African wilderness”. For this reason, stories about literature, art and … Continued
The Harare itineraries and tours below are a starting point for visitors to get to know the city. I’ve grouped some of my favourite places and I’ve suggested itineraries to cover over a number of days. The places in the … Continued
Today is Zimbabwe’s 33rd birthday, which is a fitting time to play a cheesy but patriotic song. Henry Olonga’s Our Zimbabwe ticks all the boxes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXY6nsDP4i0 It feels like Henry Olonga needs no introduction, but here it is: He was … Continued
Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) runs from 30 April to 5 May 2013. From the HIFA website: “The HIFA 2013 theme, is “What’s Next…” This year’s theme reflects our feeling in HIFA of positive progress this year. We … Continued
The Boma is a must-do for any visitor to Victoria Falls. Food is cooked on-the-spot: warthog, kudu and impala included.
If I could make everyone in the world – whether white or black, Zimbabwean or non-Zimbabwean, scientist or artist – read two books about Zimbabwe, it would be Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller and An Elegy for Easterly by … Continued
Redwind Photography went on location with photographer Michele Fortmann to go behind the scenes at a Zimbabwe fashion shoot. It starts at an upmarket coffee shop and ends at a out-of-town garage – two contrasting sides to the city. The Domboshawa … Continued
