Zimbabwe is an astonishingly beautiful, landlocked country in the southern part of Africa between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers. Its name is derived from the Shona Language, "Dzimba dza mabwe" meaning "great houses of stone." It is surrounded by South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zambia and shares Victoria Falls with Zambia at their natural border. It has been long fought for, as part of the British Crown colony of Rhodesia until the War of Independence from 1980-1999. With years of strife and conflict, the country has remained a challenging yet beautiful place to visit. The the country is host to rugged safaris, a variety of wildlife, the ancient dry stone ruins of Great Zimbabwe, and the raging Zambezi River.