Discover Zimbabwe's incredible safari destinations. From elephant herds in Hwange to walking safaris in Mana Pools and the thundering Victoria Falls, this guide covers everything.
Why Zimbabwe Deserves a Place on Every Safari Wishlist
Zimbabwe is one of Africa's most underrated safari destinations, offering world-class wildlife experiences at a fraction of the cost of neighbouring Botswana. With some of the continent's best guides, enormous elephant herds, incredible walking safari opportunities, and the magnificent Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe delivers an authentic, uncrowded African safari experience that's hard to match.
After years of political instability, Zimbabwe's tourism industry has experienced a remarkable renaissance. Investment in lodges and infrastructure has surged, and the country now offers everything from luxurious fly-in camps to accessible self-drive options. The warmth and expertise of Zimbabwean safari guides is legendary—many of the best guides in southern Africa trained here.
Hwange National Park: Zimbabwe's Safari Crown Jewel
Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest national park, covering 14,650 square kilometres of diverse landscapes from Kalahari sandveld to mopane woodland. It's home to one of Africa's largest elephant populations—an estimated 40,000 elephants roam the park, and sightings of herds numbering 200+ individuals are common at waterholes during dry season.
The park's artificial waterholes, maintained by pumped boreholes, are a game-viewing feature unique to Hwange. During the dry months of August to October, these waterholes become gathering points for extraordinary concentrations of wildlife. Sitting at a waterhole hide as hundreds of elephants come to drink, accompanied by buffalo, zebra, giraffe, and predators, is one of Africa's great safari spectacles.
Beyond elephants, Hwange supports healthy populations of lion, leopard, cheetah, African wild dog, spotted hyena, sable antelope, roan antelope, and gemsbok. The park's wild dog population is one of the largest in Africa, and sightings are regular, particularly in the Linkwasha and Somalisa concession areas.
Accommodation ranges from luxury camps like Linkwasha Camp and Somalisa Expeditions to mid-range options and budget national parks lodges. The main camp at Hwange has affordable self-catering accommodation, making Hwange accessible to budget travellers as well.
Mana Pools National Park: Walking Safari Paradise
Mana Pools, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Zambezi River floodplain, is arguably Africa's finest walking safari destination. The park allows experienced guides to lead walking safaris among large dangerous game—including elephants, lions, and buffalo—creating an unrivalled sense of connection with the wilderness.
What makes Mana Pools unique is its landscape: a flat floodplain dotted with ancient mahogany and albida trees that create a parkland atmosphere. During the dry season, the Zambezi River and its pools concentrate wildlife into a relatively small area, creating incredible density and diversity of sightings.
The famous "upright elephants" of Mana Pools—elephants that stand on their hind legs to reach seed pods in tall albida trees—are a bucket-list sight. Photographers travel from around the world for this spectacle, which occurs primarily between September and November.
Mana Pools also offers exceptional canoeing safaris on the Zambezi, combining paddling with wildlife viewing. Hippo pods, crocodiles, elephants bathing, and a stunning diversity of waterbirds make canoe safaris a highlight. Multi-day canoe trails with bush camping are available for the adventurous.
Victoria Falls: The Adventure Capital
No Zimbabwe safari is complete without Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The falls are 1,708 metres wide and up to 108 metres high, creating the world's largest sheet of falling water. The spray can be seen from 30 kilometres away, and the thunder is audible from even further.
The Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls offers the best overall views, with a network of paths and viewpoints along the gorge rim. The peak flow is March-May after the rainy season, when the volume is so great that the spray obscures the falls themselves. For the best combination of water and visibility, visit June-August.
Victoria Falls town is also southern Africa's adventure capital. Activities include bungee jumping off Victoria Falls Bridge (111m), white-water rafting on the Zambezi (Grade 5 rapids), helicopter flights over the falls, zip-lining, micro-lighting, and sunset cruises on the upper Zambezi. Many travellers combine 2-3 days at Victoria Falls with a Hwange safari.
Matobo Hills: Rhinos and Rock Art
Matobo Hills National Park, near Bulawayo, is a dramatic landscape of balancing granite boulders and caves containing the world's highest concentration of rock art. The park is also home to one of Africa's densest populations of both black and white rhinos, making it an excellent destination for rhino tracking on foot.
Walking among the ancient rock formations with a guide, searching for rhinos, is an unforgettable experience. The park is also excellent for leopard sightings, with the rocky terrain providing ideal habitat. Black eagles nest on the granite cliffs, and the birding is superb throughout.
Gonarezhou National Park: The Wild Frontier
Gonarezhou, meaning "place of many elephants," is Zimbabwe's second-largest national park and one of its wildest. Forming part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (which includes Kruger in South Africa and Limpopo in Mozambique), it offers a genuine frontier safari experience with very few other visitors.
The park's Chilojo Cliffs—towering red sandstone formations overlooking the Runde River—are one of Zimbabwe's most spectacular landscapes. Wildlife includes elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog, and the rare nyala antelope. Gonarezhou is for experienced safari-goers seeking solitude and raw wilderness.
Sample Zimbabwe Safari Itineraries
Classic 7-Day Zimbabwe Safari: Day 1-2: Victoria Falls activities and sunset cruise. Day 3-5: Hwange National Park game drives and waterhole sits. Day 6-7: Mana Pools walking safari and canoe trip. This itinerary captures Zimbabwe's three flagship experiences and can be done as a fly-in safari or self-drive.
10-Day Comprehensive Zimbabwe: Day 1-3: Victoria Falls. Day 4-6: Hwange National Park. Day 7-8: Matobo Hills rhino tracking. Day 9-10: Mana Pools walking and canoeing. This adds the unique Matobo Hills experience for a complete Zimbabwe overview.
Zimbabwe combines beautifully with neighbouring countries too. A Zimbabwe-Botswana itinerary (Victoria Falls + Hwange + Chobe + Okavango Delta) is one of southern Africa's best safari combinations. Let us design your perfect Zimbabwe safari itinerary.
