From hippos to hip hop.
In Zimbabwe, the animals are still free to roam the legendary wilderness. While the word safari inevitably conjures up sepia-toned images of Teddy Roosevelt romping around in a pith helmet, safaris have come along way since Dr. David Livingstone stumbled across "the Smoke that Thunders" and made the mighty Victoria Falls known to the world. Whether you're a rugged walker or are looking to experience the lions in a lap of luxury, there are numerous tour operators available to meet your every need. There are also many volunteer opportunities to work with the lions and the elephants as well. If your call to the wild has a more modern tone, the country's capital Harare offers cold beer, good food, and a serious urban music scene, with musicians like Comrade Fatso and Plaxedes Wenyika strutting their Shona-influenced stuff. Even President Mugabe recently made his way to the top of the charts at 83 years of age. The complexity of this beautiful and complex country makes it a fit breeding ground for fantastic writers like Charles Mungoshi; look out for its annual book fair. Over the past few years, the political turbulence in Zimbabwe has presented the country's population with an increasing number of challenges, including food shortages and rising rates of unemployment, inflation, and HIV/AIDS, but if adversity is a test of character, then the Zimbabwean people are on their way to passing with honors, with the country's offerings far outweighing the constraints posed to visitors.
