Zimbabwe

Experience one of Africa’s most spectacular countries – Zimbabwe

Despite the difficulties the country has experienced in recent years, you would be hard-pressed to find a more welcoming people. With some of the most highly-trained safari guides in Africa, guests can rest assured that Zimbabwe will provide you with one of the most raw and exciting safari experiences in Africa.

Zimbabwe’s national parks provide some of the best overall game viewing in Africa. At the top of the list are Hwange and Mana Pools national parks. Reached by road from Victoria Falls, Hwange is home to an abundance of wildlife as well as over 400 bird species. The park is renowned for its vast herds of elephant whilst predators including lion, rare African wild dog and cheetah can also be seen here. Mana Pools in the countries north is a mosaic of pools, islands and forests on the Zambezi River set opposite a magnificent escarpment. 

Zimbabwe is also renowned for walking and canoeing safaris and Mana Pools National Park on the Zambezi River offers some of the most exciting wildlife adventures in all of Africa. These types of safaris take guests out into the wilderness and offer an intimate, unrivalled safari experience. Guests are accompanied by expert guides who have undergone some of the most rigorous training on the continent. A canoe safari along the Zambezi River remains one of African Wildlife Safaris CEO Steve Cameron’s favourite safari experiences – and one he has enjoyed on 7 occasions!

Of course, no visit to Zimbabwe is complete without exploring the majestic Victoria Falls and there is far more to do here than just viewing the falls. Sunset cruises, white-water rafting, helicopter flights and sitting on top of the falls in Devil’s Pool are just a few of the many options to consider.

Best Safaris in Zimbabwe

Explore some of the experiences that we can custom-design for you. All of our safaris and tours are tailor-made to suit your interests, budget and timeframe.

Luxury accommodation in Zimbabwe

The lodges we use in Zimbabwe operate successfully in remote, wildlife-rich areas and the standard is as good as anywhere in Africa. Our portfolio includes some of the most coveted accommodation from opulent camps with private plunge pools to intimate, rustic safari chic. All are located in major game areas like Hwange or Mana Pools, or in private concessions close to the action. Victoria Falls, often the start or end point of many southern African safaris, is no exception – the Victoria Falls Hotel built in 1904 exudes colonial Edwardian charm.

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge boasts one of Africa’s finest wilderness locations set on a series of hilltops overlooking Zimbabwe’s vast Lake Kariba.

Davison’s Camp

Tucked beneath shady trees in the game-rich Linkwasha Concession within Hwange National Park, Davison’s Camp comprises of 9 classic tented suites.

Ilala Lodge

Set by the mighty Zambezi River, stylish Ilala Lodge is the closest hotel on the Zimbabwean side to the impressive Victoria Falls.

Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge

Established in 1988, Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge boasts 14 kilometres of exclusive Zambezi River frontage and borders Botswana’s elephant-rich Chobe Forest Reserve.

Ivory Lodge

Intimate Ivory Lodge is part of the home range of the Presidential herd of elephants, made famous by Alan Pincott and symbolic of Zimbabwe’s commitment to wildlife conservation.

Kanga Camp

Secluded Kanga Camp sits next to a pan that is the only source of water available all year round in a very untouched inland section of Mana Pools National Park.

Linkwasha Camp

Linkwasha Camp nestles in an exclusive private concession in Hwange National Park’s remote southwest, next to a pan that attracts prolific game all year round.

Little Makalolo Camp

Intimate Little Makalolo Camp lies in one of the most prolific gameviewing areas in Zimbabwe’s magnificent Hwange National Park, with wildlife in abundance all year round.

Little Ruckomechi Camp

Downstream from its big sister, Little Ruckomechi Camp features just three very handsome tented suites - ideal for a small group or family safari.

Ruckomechi Camp

Set on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, Ruckomechi Camp has been a favourite with visitors to the breathtaking Mana Pools National Park for many years.

Somalisa Camp

Tucked away on a secluded island surrounded by seasonally inundated floodplains, Somalisa Camp offers guests a stylish base from which to discover the richness of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park.

Stanley and Livingstone Safari Lodge

The sumptuous Stanley and Livingstone Safari Lodge sits on a private game reserve around 15 kilometres outside Victoria Falls town, offering 'Big 5' encounters and plenty of old-world charm.

Find out more about our tailor made African safaris.
Get in touch with one of our Destination Specialists.

Find out more about our tailor made African safaris

Talk to one of our Zimbabwe Experts

Michael standing beside Jeep whilst on safari

Michael Fitzgerald

Senior Destination Specialist

Georgia at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro

Georgia Cowling

Destination Specialist

When is the best time to visit Zimbabwe?

The dry season (June-October) is the best time for game viewing as the bush dries out and game congregates at the precious remaining waterholes. The best time to see the Victoria Falls is early in the dry season (June to August) when there is still an impressive amount of water flowing. Late in the dry season (September-October) there will be much less water going over the Victoria Falls. Hwange National Park is open year round while Mana Pools National Park is open seasonally during the drier months between mid-April to mid-November.   

The seasonal rains are beginning to slow from April as the landscape starts to dry out. From mid-April Mana Pools National Park re-opens.

June is traditionally when visitor numbers start to increase, but not yet at their peak. Temperatures can get very chilly during the night and on the early morning game drive. From August the camps are completely full, but prime game viewing areas on private concessions offer exclusivity. Wildlife sightings are at their best during this time and October offers peak game-viewing when the parks are at their driest.

Can be a fabulous month to visit Zimbabwe. Early November may be as good as October if the rains hold off, whilst it is a much quieter time to travel and can also offer plenty of savings. There is the potential for thunderstorms in the afternoons but they can clear as quickly as they arrive. 

Zimbabwe’s quietest time of year due to the rains. The landscape is utterly transformed into lush grasslands and it is still a fantastic time for keen birdwatchers to visit. March is also a good time to visit Victoria Falls as high water-level create plumes of spray and multiple rainbows.

Zimbabwe FAQ

Yes – Zimbabwe is famous for its wildlife, in particular its huge herds of elephant in Hwange National Park. Buffalo, lion and leopard are also found across the country. Black and white rhino, once plentiful, are now restricted to select areas of Zimbabwe. 

African Wild Dogs can be seen in both Hwange and Mana Pools national parks. In 2019 a pack was translocated from Hwange to Mana Pools National Park and, after being held in a boma (enclosure), have since been released. 

For those looking for a little more adventure, there might not be a better safari in Africa! A thrilling experience that provides close encounters to some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife, canoe safaris are led by an armed, professional guide. The best place for canoeing safaris is on the Zambezi River in renowned Mana Pools National Park.

Zimbabwe also offers some of Africa’s best walking safaris and Mana Pools National Park is one of the best regions to do this. Each morning leave at sunrise and walk leisurely through the African wilderness to your next fully-serviced mobile camp. Stop en-route to look at animal tracks, interesting plants and of course, keep an eye out for the animals themselves. 

Zimbabwe is easily combinable with neighbouring countries including Botswana, Zambia and South Africa – all of which provide a different safari experience. Another popular combination with a Zimbabwean safari is a visit to Uganda or Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas.

Zimbabwe offers plenty of fabulous safari experiences and the two major national parks – Hwange and Mana Pools – are top of the list when visiting the country. For the more adventurous, Zimbabwe is one of the best countries across Africa for walking and canoeing safaris, whilst the magnificent Victoria Falls is a must-visit.

The easiest way into the country is from the South African hub of Johannesburg. Multiple major airlines fly into the city including British Airways, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Delta Airlines, Qantas, and of course South African Airways. From Johannesburg there are regular flights to Victoria Falls, the start and end point for many safaris. Alternatively, for an Edwardian-style, luxury rail experience, journey by Rovos Rail from Pretoria in South Africa to Victoria Falls.

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