Harare
Ha-ra-re
Usage
Capital city of Zimbabwe
Grammar Note
Means "one who does not sleep" in Shona, named after Chief Neharawa
Musi-oa-Tunya
Mu-si-o-a Tu-nya
Victoria Falls
Usage
One of the world's largest waterfalls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site straddling Zimbabwe and Zambia
Grammar Note
From Kololo language meaning "the smoke that thunders"; the English name honors Queen Victoria
Masvingo
Mas-vi-ngo
Usage
City near the Great Zimbabwe ruins
Grammar Note
Refers to the stone structures; Great Zimbabwe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Hwange
Hwa-nge
Hwange National Park
Usage
Zimbabwe's largest wildlife reserve
Grammar Note
Home to one of the world's largest elephant populations
Bulawayo
Bu-la-wa-yo
Usage
Zimbabwe's second-largest city and center of Ndebele culture
Grammar Note
Means "place of slaughter" in Ndebele, referencing historical battles
Kariba
Ka-ri-ba
Kariba (Lake Kariba)
Usage
Lake Kariba in northern Zimbabwe, Africa's largest man-made lake
Grammar Note
From Tonga "kariba" meaning "rocky place/trap". Created by damming the Zambezi River in 1959
Mutare
Mu-ta-re
Usage
Eastern Zimbabwe city near the Mozambique border
Grammar Note
Possibly means "metal" or "that which changes" in Shona. Known for Bvumba Mountains and scenic beauty
Chinhoyi
Chi-nho-yi
Usage
City in central Zimbabwe, famous for the Chinhoyi Caves (Sleeping Pool)
Grammar Note
Chinhoyi Caves feature crystal-clear cobalt blue water and are a world-class dive site
Nyanga
Nya-nga
Nyanga National Park
Usage
National park with Zimbabwe's highest peak, famous for hiking and waterfalls
Grammar Note
"nyanga" means "horn/traditional healer". Mount Nyangani (2592m) is Zimbabwe's highest peak
Gonarezhou
Go-na-re-zhou
Gonarezhou National Park
Usage
Vast national park in southeastern Zimbabwe, famous as a sanctuary for elephants
Grammar Note
Means "place of elephants" in Shona. Part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area
Manicaland
Ma-ni-ca-land
Manicaland Province
Usage
Eastern province of Zimbabwe with Mutare as its capital, containing the Eastern Highlands and the Mozambique border. Signposted Manicaland Province
Mashonaland Central
Ma-sho-na-land Cen-tral
Mashonaland Central Province
Usage
Province north of Harare with Bindura as its capital; the road to the Nyamapanda crossing into Mozambique runs through it. Signposted Mashonaland Central
Mashonaland East
Ma-sho-na-land East
Mashonaland East Province
Usage
Province east of Harare with Marondera as its capital, crossed by the main Harare to Mutare highway. Signposted Mashonaland East
Mashonaland West
Ma-sho-na-land West
Mashonaland West Province
Usage
Province northwest of Harare with Chinhoyi as its capital, taking in Lake Kariba and the Chirundu crossing into Zambia. Signposted Mashonaland West
Matabeleland North
Ma-ta-be-le-land North
Matabeleland North Province
Usage
Northwestern province with Lupane as its capital, containing Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and Binga. Most people here speak Ndebele rather than Shona. Signposted Matabeleland North
Matabeleland South
Ma-ta-be-le-land South
Matabeleland South Province
Usage
Southern province with Gwanda as its capital, containing the Matobo Hills and the Beitbridge crossing into South Africa. An Ndebele-speaking region. Signposted Matabeleland South
Midlands
Mid-lands
Midlands Province
Usage
Central province with Gweru as its capital, lined with mining towns such as Kwekwe, Zvishavane and Shurugwi and crossed by the main Harare to Bulawayo route. Signposted Midlands Province
Gweru
Gwe-ru
Usage
Capital of Midlands Province, roughly midway between Harare and Bulawayo and a junction on both the highway and the railway. Called Gwelo before independence, the name still found on older maps and in older books
Kwekwe
Kwe-kwe
Usage
Mining and industrial town in Midlands Province on the Harare to Bulawayo highway, known for gold and steel. Called Que Que before independence
Kadoma
Ka-do-ma
Usage
Town in Mashonaland West on the Harare to Bulawayo highway, a centre for cotton and textiles. Called Gatooma before independence
Chegutu
Che-gu-tu
Usage
Farming town about 100 km southwest of Harare on the Harare to Bulawayo highway. Called Hartley before independence
Chitungwiza
Chi-tu-ngwi-za
Usage
Satellite city about 25 km south of Harare, one of the country's most populous urban areas and largely a commuter town for Harare, served by frequent shared minibuses
Norton
Nor-ton
Usage
Town about 40 km west of Harare on the Bulawayo road, and the gateway to Lake Chivero
Ruwa
Ru-wa
Usage
Commuter town about 22 km east of Harare on the Mutare road, passed when heading east from the airport
Epworth
Ep-worth
Usage
Residential area southeast of Harare, site of the balancing rocks that appeared on Zimbabwean banknotes
Marondera
Ma-ro-nde-ra
Usage
Capital of Mashonaland East, about 70 km east of Harare on the Mutare road and known for its wine estates. Called Marandellas before independence
Bindura
Bi-ndu-ra
Usage
Capital of Mashonaland Central, about 90 km north of Harare and a nickel mining town
Rusape
Ru-sa-pe
Usage
Town on the Harare to Mutare highway and the junction where the road north to Nyanga turns off; a common long-distance bus stop
Chivhu
Chi-vhu
Usage
Town roughly midway between Harare and Masvingo, used as a fuel and rest stop on the way to Great Zimbabwe. Called Enkeldoorn before independence
Karoi
Ka-ro-i
Usage
Farming town on the Harare to Chirundu highway. The road beyond it drops down the long escarpment into the Zambezi valley, so check the current fuel situation before setting out
Chiredzi
Chi-re-dzi
Usage
Sugar-growing town in the southeastern lowveld, the main gateway to Gonarezhou National Park and served by its own airport
Chipinge
Chi-pi-nge
Usage
Town in southern Manicaland at the southern end of the Eastern Highlands, known for its coffee and tea estates
Chimanimani
Chi-ma-ni-ma-ni
Usage
Small mountain village in the Eastern Highlands on the Mozambique border range, the base for walking into Chimanimani National Park
Gwanda
Gwa-nda
Usage
Capital of Matabeleland South, a gold mining town on the Bulawayo to Beitbridge highway. An Ndebele-speaking area
Beitbridge
Beit-bridge
Usage
Border town on the Limpopo River facing South Africa, Zimbabwe's busiest land gateway; the town on the South African side is Musina
Plumtree
Plum-tree
Usage
Town on the Botswana border about 100 km west of Bulawayo; the post on the Botswana side is Ramokgwebana. An Ndebele-speaking area
Victoria Falls
Vic-to-ria Falls
Victoria Falls (town)
Usage
Tourist town on the Zimbabwean side of the falls, with the airport, railway station and the Zambian border all close together. The falls themselves are Mosi-oa-Tunya. In Matabeleland North, an Ndebele-speaking area
Hwange Town
Hwa-nge Town
Usage
Coal mining town on the Bulawayo to Victoria Falls road. It is a separate place from the national park of the same name, whose entrances lie some way to the south. Called Wankie before independence
Lupane
Lu-pa-ne
Usage
Capital of Matabeleland North, a small administrative town midway along the Bulawayo to Victoria Falls highway. An Ndebele-speaking area
Binga
Bi-nga
Usage
Remote lakeside town at the western end of Lake Kariba in a Tonga-speaking area; the approach roads include unsurfaced stretches, so check road conditions before travelling
Shurugwi
Shu-ru-gwi
Usage
Chrome mining town in Midlands Province southeast of Gweru, set in the hills of the Great Dyke. Called Selukwe before independence
Zvishavane
Zvi-sha-va-ne
Usage
Asbestos and platinum mining town in southern Midlands on the road between Bulawayo and Masvingo. Called Shabani before independence
Gokwe
Go-kwe
Usage
Town at the centre of the cotton-growing area in northwestern Midlands, off the main highways and served by limited bus routes
Mount Darwin
Mount Dar-win
Usage
Town in northern Mashonaland Central, in farming country further north beyond Bindura
Mutoko
Mu-to-ko
Usage
Town about 140 km northeast of Harare on the road to the Nyamapanda border, known for granite quarrying and market gardening
Murehwa
Mu-re-hwa
Usage
Town about 80 km northeast of Harare on the road towards Mutoko, in an area known for Shona traditional music and drumming
Mazowe
Ma-zo-we
Usage
Valley about 35 km north of Harare, known for citrus orchards and Mazowe Dam. The older English spelling Mazoe survives in the name of the drink
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport
Ro-bert Ga-bri-el Mu-ga-be In-ter-na-tio-nal Air-port
Usage
Zimbabwe's largest airport, about 15 km southeast of central Harare, airport code HRE. It was called Harare International Airport until 2017 and that name still appears on older bookings and maps
Victoria Falls International Airport
Vic-to-ria Falls In-ter-na-tio-nal Air-port
Usage
International airport about 20 km south of Victoria Falls town, airport code VFA, with direct flights from regional hubs and the usual arrival point for visitors to the falls
Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport
Jo-shua Mqa-bu-ko Nko-mo In-ter-na-tio-nal Air-port
Usage
Bulawayo's airport, code BUQ, about 20 km north of the city. Formerly Bulawayo Airport and still commonly called that locally
Buffalo Range Airport
Buf-fa-lo Range Air-port
Usage
Airport near Chiredzi, code BFO, the air gateway to Gonarezhou and the southeastern lowveld. Scheduled services are sparse, so check what is currently operating
Kariba Airport
Ka-ri-ba Air-port
Usage
Airport at Kariba town, code KAB, a base for light aircraft serving Lake Kariba and the Mana Pools area. Scheduled flights are limited, so check current services
Harare Railway Station
Ha-ra-re Rail-way Sta-tion
Usage
The national railway station just south of central Harare, where the overnight service towards Bulawayo departs. Services are infrequent and change, so confirm before travelling
Bulawayo Railway Station
Bu-la-wa-yo Rail-way Sta-tion
Usage
The country's central station and headquarters of the National Railways of Zimbabwe, starting point for the overnight train to Victoria Falls, with a railway museum alongside
Victoria Falls Railway Station
Vic-to-ria Falls Rail-way Sta-tion
Usage
Station dating from 1904, close to the falls and the bridge and within walking distance of town; terminus of the overnight train from Bulawayo. Check which days it runs
National Railways of Zimbabwe
Na-tio-nal Rail-ways of Zi-mba-bwe
National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ)
Usage
The state rail operator. The overnight Bulawayo to Victoria Falls train is the service travellers normally use; other passenger routes are very infrequent or not running at all. Check tickets and running days at the station itself
Beitbridge Border Post
Beit-bridge Bor-der Post
Usage
Crossing into South Africa over the bridge on the Limpopo, Zimbabwe's busiest land border, with long queues around holidays. Passport and vehicle papers are required; check opening hours and current waiting times in advance
Victoria Falls Border Post
Vic-to-ria Falls Bor-der Post
Usage
Crossing into Zambia at Livingstone over the Victoria Falls Bridge, within walking distance of town. Short visits onto the bridge itself may be allowed, so ask at the counter
Kazungula Border Post
Ka-zu-ngu-la Bor-der Post
Usage
Crossing into Botswana about 70 km west of Victoria Falls, used by travellers heading for Chobe National Park at Kasane. Check the opening hours in advance
Chirundu Border Post
Chi-ru-ndu Bor-der Post
Usage
Crossing into Zambia over the Zambezi on the road towards Lusaka, northwest of Harare, operated as a one-stop post where both countries clear in the same building. Heavy with freight traffic
Plumtree Border Post
Plum-tree Bor-der Post
Usage
Crossing into Botswana west of Bulawayo on the road towards Francistown; the post on the Botswana side is Ramokgwebana
Forbes Border Post
For-bes Bor-der Post
Usage
Crossing into Mozambique just east of Mutare on the road towards Beira; the post on the Mozambican side is Machipanda
Nyamapanda Border Post
Nya-ma-pa-nda Bor-der Post
Usage
Crossing into Mozambique northeast of Harare on the road towards Tete, the usual overland route for travellers continuing to Malawi
Harare-Beitbridge Highway
Ha-ra-re Beit-bridge High-way
Usage
The roughly 580 km main road from Harare through Chivhu and Masvingo to the South African border, the country's main overland artery south, with police checkpoints along the way and the busiest long-distance bus route
Harare-Bulawayo Road
Ha-ra-re Bu-la-wa-yo Road
Usage
The roughly 440 km road linking the two largest cities, passing Norton, Chegutu, Kadoma, Kwekwe and Gweru in turn; about six to seven hours by bus
Harare-Mutare Road
Ha-ra-re Mu-ta-re Road
Usage
The road running about 260 km east from Harare through Ruwa, Marondera and Rusape to Mutare and the Mozambique border, the standard route to the Eastern Highlands
Harare-Chirundu Road
Ha-ra-re Chi-ru-ndu Road
Usage
The road northwest from Harare through Chinhoyi, Karoi and Makuti to the Chirundu crossing on the Zambezi; the turnoffs for Kariba and Mana Pools leave it at Makuti. Watch for the steep escarpment descent and for wildlife on the road
Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road
Bu-la-wa-yo Vic-to-ria Falls Road
Usage
The roughly 440 km road northwest from Bulawayo through Lupane and Hwange to the falls, with the entrances to Hwange National Park along it and frequent elephant crossings. Fuel stops are far apart, so check the current fuel situation
Bulawayo-Plumtree Road
Bu-la-wa-yo Plum-tree Road
Usage
The road running about 100 km west from Bulawayo to Plumtree on the Botswana border, the overland gateway towards Botswana and Namibia
Victoria Falls Bridge
Vic-to-ria Falls Bridge
Usage
Steel bridge over the Zambezi gorge completed in 1905, carrying road, rail and a footway between Zimbabwe and Zambia, and well known as a bungee jumping site
Mbudzi Interchange
Mbu-dzi In-ter-change
Usage
Major junction in southern Harare where the Beitbridge highway meets the ring road, long known as Mbudzi Roundabout; a pick-up point for buses heading south
Samora Machel Avenue
Sa-mo-ra Ma-chel A-ve-nue
Usage
The main east-west avenue through central Harare, lined with ministries, banks and hotels and continuing east onto the Mutare road; a useful reference street when directing a taxi
Robert Mugabe Road
Ro-bert Mu-ga-be Road
Usage
Commercial street through central Harare running east-west parallel to Samora Machel Avenue, dense with shops and money changers
Avondale
A-von-dale
Usage
Residential and shopping district northwest of central Harare, with a shopping centre and restaurants and a good deal of visitor accommodation
Borrowdale
Bor-row-dale
Usage
Affluent district in northern Harare with embassies, large shopping centres and the racecourse, about 25 km north of the airport
Mbare
Mba-re
Usage
Harare's oldest township, just south of the centre, where most long-distance buses and shared minibuses start and finish. Very crowded, so keep an eye on your belongings
Highfield
High-field
Usage
Historic township in southwestern Harare, known as a centre of the independence movement
Africa Unity Square
Af-ri-ca U-ni-ty Square
Usage
Public square in the middle of Harare, ringed by flower sellers and by government offices and the old parliament building; a handy landmark for giving directions in the city
National Heroes Acre
Na-tio-nal He-roes A-cre
Usage
National memorial cemetery about 7 km west of central Harare on the Bulawayo road, where leaders of the liberation struggle are buried. Ask at the entrance about photography
Great Zimbabwe
Great Zi-mba-bwe
Usage
Ruined stone city about 30 km south of Masvingo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the origin of the country's name, from Shona dzimba dzemabwe meaning houses of stone. The Hill Complex and Great Enclosure are walked in a circuit
Khami Ruins
Kha-mi Ru-ins
Usage
Stone ruins about 22 km west of Bulawayo, capital of the state that succeeded Great Zimbabwe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Signposted Khami Ruins National Monument. The surrounding area is Ndebele-speaking
Matobo National Park
Ma-to-bo Na-tio-nal Park
Usage
Granite hill country about 35 km south of Bulawayo, known for balancing rocks, San rock art and white rhino; the Matobo Hills are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also written Matopos in older sources. An Ndebele-speaking area
World's View
World's View (Matobo)
Usage
Granite hilltop inside Matobo National Park with Cecil Rhodes's grave and a wide view over the hills. Its Ndebele name is Malindidzimu, the place of benevolent spirits
Mana Pools National Park
Ma-na Pools Na-tio-nal Park
Usage
National park on the Zambezi and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for walking safaris and canoeing, reached by unsurfaced road from Makuti. It closes for part of the rainy season, so check before travelling
Matusadona National Park
Ma-tu-sa-do-na Na-tio-nal Park
Usage
National park on the southern shore of Lake Kariba. Road access is rough, and most visitors arrive from Kariba town by boat or light aircraft
Zambezi National Park
Za-mbe-zi Na-tio-nal Park
Usage
National park along the Zambezi just upstream of Victoria Falls town, close enough to the falls to be done in half a day and useful for travellers short of time
Kariba Dam
Ka-ri-ba Dam
Usage
Arch dam on the Zambezi that created Lake Kariba, completed in 1959; the road along its crest is also the border crossing into Zambia. Photography is restricted in places, so follow the officials' instructions
Lake Chivero
Lake Chi-ve-ro
Usage
Reservoir about 35 km west of Harare near Norton, the city's water supply and a recreational park with giraffe and rhino. Called Lake McIlwaine before independence
Lake Mutirikwi
Lake Mu-ti-ri-kwi
Usage
Reservoir east of Masvingo, right beside Great Zimbabwe and run as a recreational park. Called Lake Kyle before independence
Chinhoyi Caves
Chi-nho-yi Caves
Usage
Limestone caves about 8 km northwest of Chinhoyi town on the Harare to Chirundu highway, containing the deep blue Sleeping Pool, called Chirorodziva in Shona
Mount Nyangani
Mount Nya-nga-ni
Usage
Zimbabwe's highest peak at 2,592 m, inside Nyanga National Park; a walk of a few hours to the summit, but mist closes in suddenly. Sign in at the base and do not walk it alone
Mtarazi Falls
Mta-ra-zi Falls
Usage
Zimbabwe's highest waterfall, in Nyanga National Park, dropping off the escarpment into the Honde Valley; the viewpoint can be reached by car
Bvumba Mountains
Bvu-mba Moun-tains
Usage
Mountains about 30 km southeast of Mutare, known for misty forest, botanical gardens and tea estates, with views into Mozambique. Signs use both the spellings Bvumba and Vumba
Chimanimani National Park
Chi-ma-ni-ma-ni Na-tio-nal Park
Usage
Mountain park on the Mozambique border, entered on foot rather than by road, with a mountain hut and caves for overnight stays. Arrange entry and check the weather beforehand
Eastern Highlands
Eas-tern High-lands
Usage
The chain of mountains running north to south along the Mozambique border, taking in Nyanga, Bvumba and Chimanimani; cool and wet, with Mutare as the gateway
Zambezi River
Za-mbe-zi Ri-ver
Usage
The great river forming Zimbabwe's northern border, with Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba and Mana Pools all along it. Take care at the water's edge because of crocodiles and hippos
Limpopo River
Li-mpo-po Ri-ver
Usage
River forming Zimbabwe's southern border with South Africa, crossed by the bridge at Beitbridge; it runs low in the dry season
Save River
Sa-ve Ri-ver
Usage
River flowing southeast from the eastern highlands into Mozambique, spelled Sabi in older sources; the Mutare to Masvingo road crosses it at Birchenough Bridge
Birchenough Bridge
Bir-che-nough Bridge
Usage
Arch bridge over the Save River completed in 1935, a key point on the road between Mutare and the southeast, with a small settlement of the same name at its foot
Chilojo Cliffs
Chi-lo-jo Cliffs
Usage
Red sandstone cliffs above the Runde River inside Gonarezhou National Park, the park's signature view; a four-wheel-drive vehicle is needed to reach them
Great Dyke
Usage
Narrow ridge of igneous rock running about 550 km north to south through the country, holding the platinum and chrome deposits that mining towns such as Shurugwi and Zvishavane sit on
Domboshava
Do-mbo-sha-va
Usage
Granite hill about 30 km north of Harare, a national monument with San rock paintings and a view back towards the city. The name means red rock in Shona
Epworth Balancing Rocks
Ep-worth Ba-lan-cing Rocks
Usage
Stacked granite boulders at Epworth southeast of Harare, the formation shown on Zimbabwean banknotes, about thirty minutes by car from the city
Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe
Na-tu-ral His-to-ry Mu-se-um of Zi-mba-bwe
Usage
National museum in Centenary Park, Bulawayo, with large zoological, geological and archaeological collections and a good option in bad weather. The city is Ndebele-speaking
Honde Valley
Ho-nde Val-ley
Usage
Low-lying valley east of Nyanga running down to the Mozambique border, growing tea and bananas, with Mtarazi Falls dropping into it from the escarpment above. Noticeably hotter than the highlands
Makuti
Ma-ku-ti
Usage
Small junction settlement on the Harare to Chirundu highway where the roads to Kariba and to Mana Pools turn off. Fuel stops are scarce beyond it, so check the current fuel situation
More Shona phrases
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