Page 24 - Meetings Zimbabwe 2nd Edition

“National parks make up 13 per cent of land area”
Organisers who schedule their visits with precision can also Shades of empire
include lunar rainbows when, in the light of the full moon, A long but worthwhile day excursion is the Grand Medieval water particles from the mist of the Falls create huge rainbows Palace at Great Zimbabwe which offers another dimension to the that appear for only three nights every month – ideal conditions facets of Zimbabwe’s tourism product, showcasing the remains of occurring between January and July. what was once the capital of an empire between the 12th and 15th
24 Meetings Zimbabwe 2015
And, taking these raw materials, experienced incentive operators have put together inventive team-building programmes ranging from sporting challenges including archery, paintball and Survivor games to murder mysteries, karaoke, quizzes and events involving a cultural element such as drumming or local art.
Farther afield, repeat clients who want to explore authentic Africa can focus on heritage including the ruins of Great Zimbabwe and rock art, discover the contrasting beauty of the Eastern Highlands and indulge in a round of golf, or extend water exploration to the massive 280km Lake Kariba or along the mighty Zambezi, home of the Mana Pools Heritage Site.
Landlocked and bordering South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique, the country has a host of national parks that make up 13 per cent of land area, while the capital Harare itself offers much more than just a gateway with conference facilities for large groups.
Located in the north-east of the Zimbabwe, the city is a contrast of high rise architecture and history interspersed with leafy parks and avenues and offers opportunities to explore national heritage and culture at the National Gallery, which features local art and a collection of Shona stone carvings as well as travelling international exhibitions.
The Queen Victoria Museum and National Archives also showcase artefacts and documents integral to Zimbabwe’s history, while the more recent Chapungu Sculpture Park is another welcome addition to Harare’s attractions.
Al fresco, the National Botanical Gardens showcase more than 900 species of plant life from all over the country, while the Mukuvisi Woodlands provide another opportunity to enjoy local flora and fauna; there are ancient cave paintings at Domboshawa Rocks and the entire city can be viewed from The Kopje, a granite hill rising some 1,500 metres above sea level.
And, befitting any capital city, there are numerous dining, café, retail, nightlife and bar options to cater to group requirements, as well as shopping at the Doon Estate and Art Mart or a mini safari option just 35-minutes’ drive from the city at the Bally Vaughan Game Park that features a wild animal orphanage, elephant rides, river canoeing and game viewing.
centuries and covering much of present-day Zimbabwe as well as areas of neighbouring Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique. An awe-inspiring World Heritage Site located near Masvingo, south from Harare, the site features the Hill Complex and the Great Enclosure, both with granite stonework, conical towers and sprawling archaeological remains, and is branded as the Spirit of Zimbabwe, reinforcing the credibility of a developed African
civilisation long before the arrival of European settlers. Additional heritage remains are located near Bulawayo, the country’s oldest city and second capital which dates back 130 years and radiates an old world charm reflected in the neo-classical Bulawayo Club, the Exchange (Zimbabwe’s oldest operational bar) and the Bulawayo National Gallery – once home of Rudyard Kipling and now a venue for historic and modern arts and crafts. Other attractions include the railway museum and one of the world’s largest railway junctions, plus numerous arts and crafts
centres located just outside the city.
Another magnet for certain visitors looking to play around are
Zimbabwe’s golfing greens, eclectic in their location and variety of sand and water hazards.
The 18-hole, par-72 course at Leopard Rock in the Eastern Highlands (rated among the top 10 courses in Africa) is possibly the doyen of all but the Elephant Hills course, with views overlooking the Victoria Falls, offers a differently unique location for play.
There are two courses in Harare – the Chapman and the Royal Harare – and, overall, more than 30 courses dotted around the country including the oldest club in Bulawayo.
Natural treasures
The Big Five, scenic wonders and the Victoria Falls of course make up the prime attraction of Zimbabwe, enhanced by the expertise of local guides and DMCs and their inventive programmes showcasing the natural charms of the country.
According to Ms T Musonza, director commercial services, Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority, while the work of the authority has helped to preserve much of the natural beauty of the country in areas such as the Victoria Falls,