Zimbabwe
A landlocked southern African nation of ancient stone cities, mighty Victoria Falls, and incredible wildlife — home of the mbira, one of Africa's most spiritual instruments.
🎵Hey there, I'm Amy!
Hi, I'm Amy! Zimbabwe completely took my breath away — the thunder of Victoria Falls, the ancient stone walls of Great Zimbabwe, and the most beautiful mbira music playing under the stars. Truly unforgettable!
Quick Facts About Zimbabwe
Capital
Harare
Population
16 million
Languages
Shona, Ndebele, English (16 official languages)
Currency
Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG)
Discover Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a country of extraordinary history, breathtaking landscapes, and deep cultural pride. At its heart stands Great Zimbabwe — a magnificent ancient city built from dry-stacked stone without a single drop of mortar. Completed between the 11th and 15th centuries, it was the capital of a powerful trading empire, and the country takes its name from this incredible place. "Zimbabwe" means "great stone house" in the Shona language.
Sharing its border with Zambia, Zimbabwe is home to Victoria Falls — one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The Zambezi River plunges over 100 metres in a thundering curtain of mist and rainbow that local people call Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning "The Smoke That Thunders". Standing at the edge, you can feel the ground shake.
Zimbabwe's wildlife is spectacular. Hwange National Park is home to one of the largest elephant populations on Earth — over 40,000 elephants roam its vast grasslands. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, and buffalo all share this remarkable ecosystem.
But perhaps Zimbabwe's greatest cultural treasure is the mbira — a thumb piano made from metal tines mounted on a wooden board. Played inside a resonating gourd, the mbira is considered sacred by the Shona people and is used to communicate with ancestors in spiritual ceremonies called bira. Its shimmering, layered sound is one of the most distinctive voices in all of African music.
Map of Zimbabwe
Flag of Zimbabwe
The flag represents the unique identity and heritage of Zimbabwe.
For Educators
- • Ready-to-use facts, maps, and highlights for ages 7-12
- • Quick lesson starters: use the Did You Know and Highlights as bell-ringers
- • Link to Explorer's Guide, videos, and games for extension activities
- • Great for geography, social studies, and cross-cultural projects
✨Did You Know?
Great Zimbabwe was built without mortar — its stone walls still stand after 700 years through perfectly fitted dry-stone engineering
The mbira is considered sacred by the Shona people and is played at all-night spiritual ceremonies called bira to communicate with ancestors
Victoria Falls is almost twice as wide and twice as tall as Niagara Falls — it's the largest curtain of falling water on Earth
What Makes Zimbabwe Special?
Victoria Falls
Stand before one of the world's greatest waterfalls — Mosi-oa-Tunya, "The Smoke That Thunders".
Great Zimbabwe
Explore the ancient stone city that gave Zimbabwe its name, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hwange National Park
Encounter one of Africa's largest elephant populations in a stunning wildlife sanctuary.
Mbira Music
Listen to the sacred thumb piano — the spiritual voice connecting the living to their ancestors.
Big Five Wildlife
Spot lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalo, and elephants across Zimbabwe's game parks.
Zambezi River
Canoe, raft, or cruise along one of Africa's greatest rivers.
Ready to Explore Zimbabwe?
Join the Can Do Kids Band on an amazing adventure to discover Zimbabwe!