Rhodesia
Rhodesia, officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970 onwards, was an unrecognised state in Southern Africa that existed from 1965 to 1979.
Rhodesia, officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970 onwards, was an unrecognised state in Southern Africa that existed from 1965 to 1979. Rhodesia was the de facto successor to the self-governing colony of Southern Rhodesia following its unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) from the United Kingdom in 1965. Throughout this fourteen-year period, Rhodesia faced internal conflict and political unrest. Following the Lancaster House Agreement in 1979 and general elections held under a universal suffrage in 1980, the territory finally gained de jure independence and international recognition as the Republic of Zimbabwe.
Adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What Wikivoyage says to see
For many visitors, Zimbabwe as a country has the same appeal as the natural landscapes for which it's famous. Zim's large cities all bustle with life. The famous capital, Harare, is one of Africa's most pleasant cities. It's a city of contrasts, there's expensive cosmopolitan boutiques, buzzing nightlife and delicious ethnic cuisine.
- 01Hwange National Park
Between Victoria Falls and Bulawayo, this park boasts more than 100 different animal species and over 400 species of birds.
- 02Matobo National Park
Also known as Matopos, this small park close to Bulawayo was awarded a UNESCO world heritage status in 2003 for its fascinating natural features and wildlife.
- 03Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools National Park, South of the Zambezi river in the North of Zimbabwe, is a UNESCO world heritage site.
- 04Great Zimbabwe Ruins
From Wikivoyage: Rhodesia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Not yet checked by us.
Things to do
Bungee jumping at Victoria Falls. An incredible experience off the Victoria Falls bridge over the mighty Zambezi - 111 metres of pure adrenaline. Walk with the lions, swim with the elephants, ride a horse. and enjoy other game activities at Antelope Park near Gweru, between Harare and Bulawayo. An Authentic African Safari.
From Wikivoyage: Rhodesia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Not yet checked by us.
Where to eat
For a sample of what Zimbabweans eat (in some form, nearly every day), ask for "sadza and stew/relish." The stew part will be familiar, served over a large portion of sadza - a thick ground corn paste (vaguely like polenta and the consistency of thick mashed potatoes) that locals eat at for lunch and supper. It's inexpensive, quite tasty and very filling.
From Wikivoyage: Rhodesia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Not yet checked by us.
Getting to Rhodesia
- Airports
- Robert Gabriel Mugabe (HRE), 166 km · Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo (BUQ), 183 km
- Stations
- Kwekwe Airport, 3 km
- Harare → RhodesiaTrain, bus, flight, ferry and road, side by side
- Bulawayo → RhodesiaTrain, bus, flight, ferry and road, side by side
- Victoria Falls → RhodesiaTrain, bus, flight, ferry and road, side by side
- Plan a tripFrom anywhereThe planner compares every way there from wherever you are.
No local-transport research exists yet for Rhodesia
Our researched notes are written from a sourced entry: every shared taxi, boat and village bus with its operator, its rule, its fare and the year we saw it, and what could not be confirmed. Nobody has done that work for Rhodesia. What is above is what we hold from open sources; nothing here pretends to be more.
- Get inThis visa can be obtained on arrival and is valid for both countries for visits up to 30 days while remaining within Zambia and Zimbabwe (including day trips to Chobe National Park in Botswana at Kazungula).
- Get aroundMinibus taxis are available for intra-city transport, and are relatively inexpensive by European standards.
- Get aroundHitchhiking is also a viable option, but tourists need to take care with whom they accept lifts from; hijackings and robberies of hitchhikers, especially within Harare, have been on the increase in the last few years.
From Wikivoyage: Zimbabwe, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us; that article was last edited 2026-08.
- 01683 km
- 02758 km
- 031,223 km
- 041,638 km
- 051,738 km
If you know how people move in Rhodesia – the stand, the rule, the fare – tell us, and the note gets an entry.