Amazing Sights to See









 Victoria Falls
    The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. The Local people call it "Mosi-oa-Tunya" -- the smoke that thunders and the Falls are remarkable. There is a magic about them manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and deadly crocodiles lurk. The Victoria falls is 1 708 meters wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic meters of water plummet over the edge every minute. Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria falls inspires visitors. The falls and the surrounding area have been declared National Parks and a World Heritage Site, thus preserving the area from excessive commercialization. The Falls are spectacular throughout the year, but February onwards, after the rain season, has the heaviest flow and volume of spray. A number of activities can be undertaken. The 'Flight of Angels' provides a fabulous vista of the falls, the upstream river and its many islands and for the more adventurous there is micro lighting with stunning views of the Fall. Rafting the wild rapids below the Falls is a very popular adventure. Visitors can also kayak, canoe, fish, go on guided walking safaris, ride on horseback and lunch on Living stone's Island.


                                                 
 


Mana Pools National Park

    There is no greater thrill to be had on a Zimbabwe safari, that in Mana Pools National Park - the wild child of the Zambezi River! This portion of the Zambezi Valley is a true wilderness area with one of the highest dry season concentrations of animals in Zimbabwe.

    Canoeing along the Zambezi is a specialty of the area and is a real ride on the wild side. The river can turn from flat and calm to angry and choppy with a headwind into which you have to steer your small fiberglass canoe. This is more than enough to contend with but when a grumpy territorial male hippo decides you are too close and makes a mock charge which produces something akin to a tidal wave, you really have something to talk about when you get home.

    Most of the time it is peaceful and scenically beautiful with distant purple hills of the Zambian escarpment on one side and wooded slopes leading to the interior of the national park on the southern banks. Along the river's edge are wide green flood plains tramped by elephants and buffalo who take little notice as you drift silently by on your two-man canoe.

    At the public entrance to this park you are strictly warned that it is offense to take citrus fruits in with you. Elephants have a craving for oranges and will trample your tent or upturn your car just to get to them!




Mbira Traditional Music
    Listeners who come to traditional African music from the American variety will find it a refreshingly organic experience. The sonorities reflect a variety of instruments both ancient and modern, including drums and percussion instruments (of course) but also extending far beyond to strings, flutes, and a wide range of plucked or hammered metal and wood instruments.

    The mbira, constructed by attaching a series of tuned metal strips to a wooden platform, is best known in Western circles as the thumb piano. While that term may help us to understand the construction of the instrument, it does not do the mbira justice. The mbira is more a medium than a piece of hardware. In the Shona tradition of Zimbabwe, mbira musicians represent the wise men of the culture; their performance often serves as a catalyst for spiritual awakening. They usually perform in groups that include at least two mbiras, a hosho (shaker), and at least one singer. Instrumentalists most commonly also sing.

    In a large ceremonial gathering called a bira, musicians provide a framework for group participation—including dance and song, but also a passage into trance. At some point, performers may put down their instruments and step forward into a sort of awakening. Younger musicians refer to the high level performance of ancient Shona poetry as “ deep Shona, ” a language that only elders can truly understand.








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