What is Zimbabwe known for?

Imagine an ancient landscape where a vast lake shimmers under the African sun, one where vibrant cultures weave a tapestry of languages, history and traditions. This, my friends, is Zimbabwe – a complicated, beautiful country I am so proud to call home. 

Beyond the headlines, there is a Zimbabwe waiting to be discovered. Of the many stories, historical occur, and landscapes we could delve into, this exploration will answer the question: what is Zimbabwe known for? 

Lake Kariba

Growing up on a farm in Zimbabwe, Lake Kariba was my weekend playground as a child. I water-skied across its crocodile-infested surface from the age of eight and spent many nights aboard my dad’s fishing boat during the brutal years of the war, wondering if we would survive until morning. Memories of times spent on this expanse of water, which is tainted with a horrific history, would stay in the back of my mind as a key truth about my place in the world long after I’d grown up and moved away from not only Zimbabwe, but from Africa. 

Today, one could easily forget that Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe was made by humans. Herds of buffalo and elephants graze on her emerald banks. At night, the lake turns ink black, her velvety surface sequined with reflections of stars. But before nightfall comes sunset.  

I’ve probably seen the widest variety of southern African sunsets of anyone I know, from Cape Town to Kenya. All are different, but the riot of color that streaks the sky at Kariba, transforming the lake into a mirror of pink and then purple, is so astonishing it feels almost psychedelic.  

It silences and stills you, too magnificent for words or gestures. And yet, amidst such beauty, lies a subconscious feeling that this vast African lake shouldn't quite be there. And it shouldn’t be… 

From river to dam: How Lake Kariba was formed 

Before the late 1950s, there was no lake Kariba in Africa, only the Kariba Gorge, through which the mighty Zambezi River flowed. The decision to dam the river held the promise of hydroelectricity for Zambia and Zimbabwe, two countries that badly needed it.  

Yet, the consequences for wildlife and the BaTonga people who had lived and farmed the valley for centuries were catastrophic. At a staggering human cost, 57,000 BaTonga living in 193 villages were forcibly uprooted from their ancestral homes to new, undesirable land on higher ground. These people, who had lived, fished, and farmed throughout the Gwembe Valley for centuries, strongly advocated against the dam’s construction.  

The Nyami Nyami myth explained 

No language has the words to adequately convey the horror and disrespect of removing an ancestor-respecting people from their ancestral land, from the ancestors themselves, from all that is known so intimately.  

The BaTonga attributed the series of disasters and raging floods that followed their removal to Nyami Nyami, the river god. The Nyami Nyami myth of this African deity surrounds the doom of the 1958 damming disaster like a thick impenetrable fog. A reminder of the fruitlessness of man’s efforts to subdue nature.  

As waters rose, it was thought that native wildlife would move to higher ground. But it all happened too quickly. Thousands of animals drowned or became marooned on newly formed islands with no food source. A rescue mission akin to that of Noah’s Ark – the aptly named Operation Noah – ensued.  

Led by Zimbabwe’s (then Rhodesia’s) chief ranger, Rupert Fothergill, a team of trackers, guides, ecologists, and volunteers rescued 6,000 animals over five years. This rescue of creatures great and small, including herds of elephants, lone rhinos, dazzles of notoriously difficult zebras, porcupines, prides of lions, and even giraffes, defies belief. But somehow, with a fleet of boats, nets, ropes, and plenty of courage, the team achieved the inconceivable.   

The displaced BaTonga believed that Nyami Nyami, a fearsome god with the body of a serpent, the head of a fish, and menacing fangs, would not stand for a wall (the Lake Kariba dam) across his river. That wall, designed by French engineer André Coyne, was a double curvature concrete arch dam over 420 feet tall and 1,900 feet long, holding 150,000,000 acre-feet of water.  

The Nyami Nyami myth lives on today, maintaining that the great river god will one day break the Lake Kariba dam, returning the BaTonga to their ancestors. 

Nature’s power and promise 

It’s near impossible for me to reconcile the destruction of the past with the present. Today, the lush banks of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe act as a beacon of conservation. Thriving wildlife, pristine tracts of wilderness, and pioneering lodges like Bumi Hills encourage responsible, sustainable tourism.  

The Lake’s glassy surface and fish-filled depths encourage a lively culture of fishing and houseboats. And after years of mismanagement, Matusadona National Park, a critical habitat that hugs part of the lake, is being restored to its rightful place as a wildlife haven under the expert eyes of African Parks and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.  

The conservation initiatives in action throughout the park – including the translocation of native wildlife, collaring of elephants, and solid, consistent governance and anti-poaching patrols – are so important. With the right support and protection, Matusadona has the potential to become Zimbabwe’s leading elephant and rhino sanctuary.  

What is Zimbabwe known for today? 

Zimbabwe boasts a depth and richness that goes far beyond what meets the eye. There are the iconic ruins of Great Zimbabwe, a medieval city whispering tales of a forgotten empire. Dating from the Iron Age, Great Zimbabwe is located amidst the rolling hills of southeastern Zimbabwe. A UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing the remains of a once powerful African kingdom, enigmatic stone structures, some towering as high as 30 meters, stand as testaments to the architectural and organizational prowess of its ancient builders. 

The country is steeped in history, from the landmarks to the languages spoken in Zimbabwe - Shona and Ndebele weaving the most prominent threads. Unforgettable wildlife experiences also beckon, promising guests a truly unforgettable and luxury safari. 

For those intrepid explorers fortunate enough to experience what Zimbabwe is truly known for, evening game drive or a boat ride to catch the sunset, there is no doubt about the transformative power of nature. As I said, it’s too magnificent for words.  

And some reminders of the verdant, forested valley that once was do still remain near Lake Karibe, Africa: the petrified gray branches of submerged trees reach out of the water like starkly beautiful but hapless sentinels of a drowned world. It’s a place where I feel deeply rooted, baked into the wet soil like clay. That kind of connection to a place never leaves you.  

Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe is a lifeline for all who live along her banks. These waters hold both a traumatic history and high hopes for an environmentally sound future, one with conservation at its core. 

Discover what Zimbabwe is known for today and the rich history of this country from those who call it home. Discover more about a luxury safari in Zimbabwe with ROAR AFRICA.