What to See in Zimbabwe: Cities to Explore on Foot

Looking for things to do in Zimbabwe? This landlocked country in southern Africa offers a journey through ancient stone cities, layered political history, lively museums and contrasting landscapes, from high-plateau savanna to the cooler forests of the Eastern Highlands. Zimbabwe is also a country shaped by the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers, with a cultural history that reaches back well before the modern state.

Neywo has free audio guides for 2 cities in Zimbabwe, covering 15 narrated places in total, with narration available in 11 languages.

What to see and do in Zimbabwe

Discover the story behind Great Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe takes its name from Great Zimbabwe, a medieval city in the southeast of the country. The name is commonly connected with a Shona phrase meaning “houses of stones”, although another interpretation refers to “venerated houses”, possibly linked to chiefs’ houses or graves. Both interpretations connect the country’s name with stone and with the site’s importance.

Great Zimbabwe was built by Shona people and became a major African trading centre. Its stone structures remain central to the way Zimbabwe understands its own history: the country’s name was chosen to replace one derived from Cecil Rhodes and to reconnect the nation with its deeper African past.

Explore Zimbabwe’s early history

The story of Zimbabwe began long before Great Zimbabwe. San communities lived in the region and left behind arrowheads and cave paintings. Around 2,000 years ago, Bantu-speaking farmers arrived, adding another important layer to the country’s history.

After the rise of Great Zimbabwe and the Kingdom of Zimbabwe, the region was shaped by the Mutapa and Rozvi empires. These successive states form part of the long historical background behind Zimbabwe’s cultural identity and the trading world that developed around its stone-built centres.

Understand the country’s modern political history

Zimbabwe later passed through colonial rule under the names Southern Rhodesia and Rhodesia. In 1965, a white minority government declared independence, leading to international isolation and a long guerrilla war. A peace agreement eventually brought sovereignty as Zimbabwe.

The country’s name was not a neutral choice. Black nationalists selected “Zimbabwe” to replace the colonial name associated with Cecil Rhodes, a leading instigator of British colonisation. The word therefore carries both historical and political meaning, linking the modern country to Great Zimbabwe and to memories preserved in its name.

Experience the contrasts of Zimbabwe’s landscape

Zimbabwe lies between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers, with much of the country set on a high plateau generally more than 1,000 metres above sea level. This elevation influences the weather, softening the heat in some areas while leaving strong local differences across the country.

The south is known for hot, dry conditions, while parts of the central plateau can experience winter frost. In the Zambezi valley, temperatures are known for their extreme heat. The Eastern Highlands are cooler and receive Zimbabwe’s highest rainfall.

The country’s rainy season usually runs from late October to March, although recurring drought is also part of its climate. Savanna covers much of Zimbabwe, but the landscape changes with altitude and rainfall. The Eastern Highlands contain tropical evergreen and hardwood forests among the mountainous terrain, creating a striking contrast with the open savanna found elsewhere.

Visit Harare

Harare is one of the best cities to visit in Zimbabwe for an introduction to the country’s cultural and national history. Neywo’s city guide covers 10 narrated places, including the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Harare and National Heroes Acre.

The city’s museums and monuments offer different ways to understand Zimbabwe, from its human history and artistic heritage to its religious architecture and national memory. Explore the Harare city guide to discover the places covered by the audio tour.

Discover Bulawayo

Bulawayo offers another perspective on Zimbabwe, with 5 narrated places in Neywo’s guide. Its highlights include the Bulawayo Railway Museum, the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, Nesbitt Castle, the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and Bulawayo.

Together, these places reflect the city’s transport history, natural and cultural collections, architecture and religious heritage. For a closer look at the city’s narrated stops, continue to the Bulawayo guide.

Explore Zimbabwe with Neywo

Download Neywo to explore Zimbabwe with a free audio guide that tells the story of each place as you reach it. The Zimbabwe guide covers 2 cities, 15 narrated places and 1 walking tour. Each story plays at your own pace, with no group and no schedule, while narration is available in 11 languages.