Zimbabwe Safaris

Zimbabwe Safari: Why Now?

Zimbabwe's safari industry contracted severely during the political and economic turmoil of the 2000s. The private lodges that anchor its finest national parks are now rebuilt and operating at a quality that matches or exceeds the East African equivalents — but tourist numbers have not yet recovered to pre-2000 levels. The consequence for safari travellers is a remarkably uncrowded experience: Hwange's elephant concentrations with almost no other vehicles, Mana Pools walking safaris with a genuine sense of isolation and Kariba's houseboat safaris on an inland sea the size of Switzerland.

Zimbabwe is not a compromise destination. It is the finest safari country in southern Africa for serious wildlife travellers who have done East Africa and want something different.

Zimbabwe's Key Safari Destinations

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya — "the smoke that thunders") is the world's largest waterfall — 1,708 metres wide and up to 108 metres high, with a plume of spray visible 50 km away. The Zimbabwean side has the most complete view of the full curtain of falling water (the Zambian side gives the best view of the gorge below). Activities from the Zimbabwe side: the gorge swing, white-water rafting on the Zambezi's Grade 5 rapids below the falls, bungee jumping from the 111m Victoria Falls Bridge, and the sunset Zambezi River cruise with hippo and elephant on the banks. An essential 2 to 3 day stop on any southern Africa itinerary.

Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe's largest national park — 14,651 sq km of dry acacia savanna and teak woodland in western Zimbabwe. The park's wildlife is defined by its elephant herds: Hwange is home to approximately 45,000 to 50,000 elephants, one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. In the dry season (May to October), herds of 200 to 500 animals converge on the artificial water holes that ZIMPARKS maintains throughout the park. Lion, wild dog, sable antelope, roan antelope, eland and the endangered painted dog (African wild dog) add to a wildlife profile that is among the richest in southern Africa. The private camps adjacent to Hwange — particularly those operated by Zimbabwe's finest safari companies in the Linkwasha and Davison's areas — are some of the best-value luxury safari properties in Africa.

Mana Pools National Park

Mana Pools National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Zambezi River floodplain in northern Zimbabwe — a park famous for an approach to safari that the rest of Africa has largely abandoned: walking without armed guards in areas with lion, leopard, elephant and hippo, trusting the guide's knowledge rather than a rifle. Mana Pools' top guides are wildlife experts who read animal behaviour well enough to approach elephant on foot and who take guests through the jesse bush on foot without a weapon. This is genuinely wild, genuinely intimate safari of a kind that is almost impossible to find elsewhere on the continent.

The park's landscape — four permanent pools (the "mana" in the name means "four" in the Shona language) left by ancient Zambezi channels, surrounded by mahogany and acacia forest, with the Zambian escarpment visible across the river — is also among the most beautiful in southern Africa.

Matobo Hills

Matobo Hills National Park near Bulawayo combines two extraordinary experiences: white and black rhino tracking on foot (Matobo has the highest density of black rhino in Zimbabwe) and the ancient San rock paintings that cover the granite boulders throughout the hills — over 3,500 documented sites with art up to 13,000 years old. Cecil Rhodes is buried on the summit of Malindidzimu ("the hill of benevolent spirits"), with a panoramic view of the granite kopjes that makes the site one of the most historically layered in Zimbabwe.

Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe — the ruins of the medieval capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe, built between the 11th and 15th centuries — is the largest ancient structure in sub-Saharan Africa after the Egyptian pyramids. The dry stone walls, some 11 metres high, were constructed without mortar from granite blocks quarried nearby. The site gives Zimbabwe its name and represents one of Africa's most significant pre-colonial civilisations. A half-day from the Masvingo area, easily combined with a Gonarezhou safari in the southeast lowveld.

Zimbabwe Southern Africa Combinations

Victoria Falls sits on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia — both countries' national parks (Mosi-oa-Tunya on the Zambian side) are accessible from the falls town. Chobe National Park in Botswana is 2 hours by road from Victoria Falls — the most productive elephant viewing on the continent on the Chobe River, easily combined with a Zimbabwe circuit. A natural 10-day southern Africa itinerary: 3 nights Hwange, 2 nights Victoria Falls, 2 nights Chobe (Botswana), fly home from Kasane or return to Victoria Falls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Zimbabwe safe for tourists?

Yes. Zimbabwe's national parks and safari destinations are safe for international visitors and have been consistently so for the past decade. The political situation has stabilised significantly since 2017. The safari infrastructure — lodges, guides, airstrips — is mature and internationally operated. Standard travel precautions (travel insurance, avoiding political demonstrations, sensible urban behaviour) apply as they would anywhere in Africa.

What currency does Zimbabwe use?

Zimbabwe has undergone several currency changes in recent years. Most safari operations and lodges quote and accept USD — this is the practical currency for international visitors. ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold) is the official local currency but USD is universally accepted in the tourist economy. Confirm current payment arrangements with specific lodges at booking.

What is the best time for a Zimbabwe safari?

May to October (dry season) is the prime safari window — short grass, animals concentrated at water, the finest Hwange elephant viewing and the most comfortable temperatures (20 to 30°C days, cool nights). Victoria Falls is most impressive from February to May when the Zambezi is at high water and the falls are at maximum volume, though the spray can obscure the view in March and April. Mana Pools is closed from mid-November to April (rainy season).

Can I combine Zimbabwe with Tanzania on one trip?

Yes, with a flight connection. The most common routing is: Northern Tanzania safari (Serengeti, Ngorongoro), fly from Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg, connect to Victoria Falls or Hwange. A 14-day combination gives 6 days Tanzania (Migration safari) and 6 to 7 days Zimbabwe (Hwange elephant and Victoria Falls). Two completely different safari ecosystems, two iconic natural wonders.