What animals live in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe is home to some of the most remarkable wildlife on earth! Hwange National Park, in the west of the country, shelters massive herds of elephants — sometimes thousands of them moving together across the dry savanna. Lions, leopards, Cape buffalo, and white rhinos also roam across Zimbabwe's grasslands and forests. The Zambezi River, which forms Zimbabwe's northern border, is home to Nile crocodiles and hippos that spend their days half-submerged in the water. Zimbabwe also has zebras, giraffes, wild dogs, and hundreds of bird species — including the fish eagle, whose sharp cry echoes across the rivers. People who live near these animals are used to sharing the land with them in ways that would surprise most of us.

What do kids eat in Zimbabwe?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! In Zimbabwe, the most important food for kids is sadza — a thick porridge made from ground maize, kind of like very firm grits. It gets scooped up and dipped into relishes made from vegetables, beans, or sometimes small pieces of meat or dried fish. Rusty loves this part: kids in Zimbabwe often eat sadza with their hands, rolling it into a little ball and using it to scoop up the sauce. Peanuts are also a big deal — Zimbabweans call them groundnuts, and they show up in soups and stews. Fresh mangoes and guavas grow there too, so when the fruit trees are ready, kids get a sweet treat straight from the branch.

How do people say hello in Zimbabwe?

Great question! Zimbabwe has two main local languages called Shona and Ndebele, and people use them every single day. In Shona, you greet someone by saying 'Mhoro' (say it like 'mm-HO-ro'), and they might greet you back the same way. It feels really good to try a few words in someone's own language — it shows you respect them. In Ndebele, the greeting is 'Sawubona' (say it like 'sah-woo-BOH-nah'), which actually means 'I see you' — what a meaningful way to say hello! English is also widely spoken in Zimbabwe since it was used during the country's British colonial history, so many people there are comfortable switching between all three languages depending on who they're talking to.

What sports or games do kids play in Zimbabwe?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Soccer — called football in Zimbabwe — is the big one. Kids play it on dusty fields, in schoolyards, and even in narrow streets, often with a ball made from wrapped plastic bags when a real ball isn't around. It brings whole neighborhoods together. Rusty wants to add that cricket is also popular, especially in schools, which is something Zimbabwe picked up from its history as a British colony. Kids also play a game called nhodo, a traditional game a bit like jacks, where you toss and catch small stones in clever patterns. Games like these have been passed down through families for generations, and they're a great reminder that kids everywhere love to play — just the way God made us.

What's the weather like in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe sits in southern Africa, and its weather follows two main seasons. The rainy season runs roughly from November to March, when afternoon thunderstorms roll in and everything turns green. The dry season, from May to October, brings sunny skies and cooler nights. Because Zimbabwe sits on a high, flat plateau — most of the country is above 3,000 feet — it stays milder than you might expect for a country in Africa. The eastern highlands near the Mozambique border get the most rain and can feel almost chilly in the evenings. Farmers depend heavily on those seasonal rains to grow maize, which is the staple food for most Zimbabwean families.

Tell me a fun fact about Zimbabwe.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Zimbabwe is home to Victoria Falls, one of the largest waterfalls on Earth. The local Kololo people called it 'Mosi-oa-Tunya,' which means 'the smoke that thunders' — and when you see the mist rising from the falling water, you understand exactly why. Zimbabwe also has ancient stone ruins called Great Zimbabwe, built without any mortar holding the stones together. Builders stacked massive granite blocks so carefully that the walls have stood for hundreds of years. The country is even named after these ruins — 'Zimbabwe' comes from a Shona phrase that means 'great houses of stone.' It is a reminder that the people of this land have a long and rich history worth knowing.

What is school like for kids in Zimbabwe?

Great question to wonder about! In Zimbabwe, most children start primary school around age six, and lessons are taught in English as well as local languages like Shona and Ndebele. Schools often have large classes — sometimes 40 or 50 kids sharing one teacher — and many students walk a long distance just to get there each day. Some families in Zimbabwe find it hard to pay school fees or buy uniforms and notebooks, which means not every child gets to finish their education. But many Zimbabwean kids work hard and love learning. Churches and missionaries in Zimbabwe have helped start schools and share the good news of Jesus at the same time — because they believe every child matters to God, both in this life and forever.

Who are the unreached people in Zimbabwe?

Great question! Zimbabwe is home to many people groups, and most Zimbabweans have at least heard the name of Jesus. But there are some groups, like the Ndau and certain communities along the Zambezi River, who have very little access to the gospel. 'Unreached' means a people group where fewer than 2 out of every 100 people follow Jesus, and there aren't enough local Christians to spread the good news on their own. The Doma people, sometimes called the 'elephant people' because they once lived deep in the Zambezi Valley near elephants and wildlife, are one small group that has had very little chance to hear about Jesus. Many rural communities in Zimbabwe also speak languages or dialects where the Bible hasn't been fully translated yet. That means missionaries, Bible translators, and local Zimbabwean Christians all have important work to do together so every person in Zimbabwe gets a real chance to hear and understand the gospel.

How can I pray for the people of Zimbabwe?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Zimbabwe is a country in southern Africa with millions of people who need Jesus. Many Zimbabweans have heard the name of Jesus, but there are still villages and communities where people have never truly understood the good news that He died and rose again to save them. You can pray that those people hear and believe. Rusty wants to add a few more things to bring before God. Pray for the churches in Zimbabwe to grow strong and faithful, teaching the Bible clearly. Pray for Zimbabwean Christian leaders who know their own people and language to rise up and share the gospel boldly. Pray too for families — moms, dads, and kids — to come to know Jesus together, because when a whole family follows Him, it changes everything.

What is a holiday or celebration in Zimbabwe?

One big celebration in Zimbabwe is Heroes' Day, which happens every August. People remember those who fought for their country's independence. Families gather, there are speeches, and the day has a serious, proud feeling to it. Zimbabwe also celebrates Harvest Festival times, and many Christian Zimbabweans mark Christmas and Easter with real joy. In fact, Zimbabwe has a large number of people who call themselves Christian, so Easter — remembering that Jesus died and rose again — is celebrated by many families with church services, singing, and being together. It is a good reminder that the best news Zimbabwe has ever received is the gospel of Jesus.

What language do people speak in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe has sixteen official languages — that is not a typo! The most widely spoken are Shona and Ndebele, but English is used in schools, government, and businesses across the country. Most Zimbabweans grow up switching between several languages every single day. Shona is spoken by more than half the population and has several dialects, meaning different groups speak it in slightly different ways. This matters a lot for Bible work — translators have worked hard to make sure God's Word reads clearly in the heart language of each group, because when someone hears the gospel in the language they grew up with, it hits close to home in a way nothing else does.

What's a famous place to visit in Zimbabwe?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most famous places in Zimbabwe is Victoria Falls — a massive waterfall on the Zambezi River that sits right on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The local Tonga people call it 'Mosi-oa-Tunya,' which means 'the smoke that thunders,' because the mist rises so high you can see it from miles away. Rusty loves this part — the falls are nearly a mile wide and plunge over 350 feet down into a gorge below. David Livingstone, a Scottish missionary who brought the gospel to many parts of Africa in the 1800s, was one of the first Europeans to see Victoria Falls. He named them after Queen Victoria, but he cared far more about the people of Africa knowing Jesus than about any waterfall — and that is a story worth remembering whenever you see his name on a map.

Zimbabwe — Kids Missions Explorer

African Elephant

Zimbabwe is home to one of the largest elephant populations on the continent, with thousands roaming Hwange National Park in family herds led by wise older females.

African Fish Eagle

This striking black-and-white raptor perches along Zimbabwe's rivers and lakes, and its haunting, echoing cry is so recognizable that it is often called the voice of Africa.

African Lion

Lions in Zimbabwe live in prides that can cover enormous territories, and young males often travel hundreds of miles before finding a pride of their own to lead.

Sadza

Sadza is a thick, stiff porridge made from ground white maize that forms the heart of nearly every Zimbabwean meal, often eaten by hand and scooped alongside stewed vegetables or meat.

Muriwo Unedovi

This dish pairs leafy greens with a rich peanut butter sauce, giving it a savory, slightly nutty flavor that is deeply satisfying on a cool evening.

Biltong

Biltong is thinly sliced, air-dried and spiced meat — often beef or game — that Zimbabweans carry as a chewy, protein-packed snack much the way some kids carry jerky.

Zimbabwe

Things you should know about Zimbabwe

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Zimbabwe

Missions in Zimbabwe

Pray for Zimbabwe