ZIMBABWE

As the tourism and economic outlook in Zimbabwe continues to improve, and peace returns after momentous political and civil strife and economic hardship, there has been renewed interest in this southern African country with its wealth of unspoilt wilderness areas and incredible wildlife.

The mighty Zambezi River cuts across its northern frontier, while the languid Limpopo forms the southern border with South Africa. The country has a variety of habitats, from the granite hills of the Matopos to the beautiful mountains, forests and rivers of the Eastern Highlands.

The Zambezi River has an exceptional variety of spectacular scenery as well as one of the world's natural wonders – the Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya – “the smoke that thunders”) - one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At over a mile wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 100 meters into the sheer Zambezi Gorge.

The National Parks along the Zambezi are legendary, with Mana Pools and Matusadona, located on the floodplains of Africa's Great Rift Valley, offering superb wildlife viewing. Along the Botswana border, Hwange National Park is home to some of Africa's last great elephant, buffalo and sable herds and the private Makololo concession offers an amazing variety of wildlife viewing. Predators are regularly sighted along with African wildcat, serval, honey badger, civet and hyaena.

Situated on the western boundary of Mana Pools National Park is Ruckomechi Camp, where the Zambezi River forms the northern border and the mountains of the Rift Valley escarpment form the backdrop in neighbouring Zambia.

Wilderness Safaris' Mana Canoe Trail is a true adventure through the heart of the Mana Pools and along the Zambezi's shoreline.

It is time to return to Zimbabwe …