Chirundu (Zimbabwe)
Chirundu is a border town on the Zambezi River in the Mashonaland West province in Zimbabwe, just a little east of the Kariba Dam at 347 meters above sea level opposite the town of the same name in Zambia . The Otto Beit Bridge , built in 1939, crosses the Zambezi and was closed due to the increasing traffic after a new road bridge was opened next to it in 2003.
The place on the Zimbabwean side comprises 80 houses, mainly for officials from customs, immigration and the police. 550 houses are in "Baghdad", a "wild" settlement. Most of the houses there are made of clay. There are no leisure facilities other than bars.
The most important formal sources of income in Chirundu, Zimbabwe, are retail, freight, construction, customs, domestic services, police, animal parks and immigration, all of which together provide employment and income for around 300 people. The main informal sources of income are street trafficking and prostitution.
The attractions of both Chirundu are the Zambezi, fishing for the tiger tetra , which can weigh up to 15 kilograms , which several safari operators offer, elephants and baobab trees. The roads to Harare and Kafue are paved, but lead through animal-rich areas.
From Chirundu in Zimbabwe, Mana Pools National Park can be reached on the southern side of the river and from Chirundu in Zambia, the Lower Zambesi National Park across from it on the northern side of the river. Also on the Zambian side is the Chirundu Fossil Forest , where 150 million year old tree remains can be found.
Coordinates: 16 ° 3 ′ S , 28 ° 52 ′ E