Southern Africa
Zimbabwe
Home to Victoria Falls, 100,000 Elephants & Africa's Finest Walking Safaris
Zimbabwe is home to Victoria Falls — the world's largest waterfall at 1,708 metres wide — Hwange National Park with over 40,000 elephants, and Mana Pools, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for walking safaris and canoe safaris on the Zambezi.
Why Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe is not just a destination. It is a feeling.
It is waking before dawn to the morning chorus — a sound so layered and alive it takes a moment to remember where you are. It is sitting around a fire, coffee warming your hands, staring at what the old hands call bush TV — the flames — while the wilderness slowly reveals itself in the half light. No notifications. No agenda. Just Africa doing what Africa has always done.
Zimbabwe is the place where you come to disconnect. Completely, profoundly, unapologetically. And in that silence, the silence of the bush at dawn, the silence between the fire crackling and the lion calling somewhere in the dark, you find something you didn't know you had lost.
This is a country that is home to the second largest elephant population on earth. Over 100,000 of the most extraordinary creatures to have ever walked this planet. Animals so intelligent they communicate in languages we are only beginning to understand, who grieve their dead, who remember landscapes across decades, whose relationship with this land makes our own connection to it feel very new indeed. To stand in Hwange and watch a breeding herd move through the golden light of late afternoon is not a safari moment. It is an encounter with a form of consciousness that has been here far longer than we have.
Zimbabwe's guides are characters. Men and women who have spent lifetimes learning a single piece of wilderness until they know it like a language. Its people have a warmth and a humour that will catch you off guard and stay with you long after you have gone home. Its colours are vivid, its sounds are rich, its skies at night are genuinely, startlingly full of stars.
Come here to disconnect. You will leave reconnected to the wild, to the people, to something quieter and more essential in yourself.
That is Zimbabwe.
Regions of Zimbabwe
Six extraordinary landscapes, each with its own character, wildlife and activities.
Where to Stay in Zimbabwe
Hand-picked lodges, camps and hotels across Zimbabwe's finest destinations.
Zimbabwe Wildlife Guide
Zimbabwe is home to all of the Big Five and over 670 bird species across 26 national parks and wildlife reserves.
African Elephant
Zimbabwe has over 100,000 elephants — one of the largest populations in Africa. Hwange National Park alone hosts more than 40,000. During the dry season, herds of over 200 elephants gather at waterholes, creating one of Africa's great wildlife spectacles.
African Lion
Zimbabwe has one of southern Africa's most stable lion populations, estimated at 1,500-2,000 individuals. Hwange and Mana Pools are prime viewing areas. The famous Cecil the lion lived in Hwange. Night drives in private concessions significantly increase sighting chances.
White Rhino
Matobo National Park runs one of Africa's most successful rhino conservation programmes. Visitors can track both white and black rhino on foot with experienced rangers. The park's granite kopje terrain provides natural protection against poaching.
African Wild Dog
Also known as painted wolves, African wild dogs are one of the continent's most endangered predators with fewer than 6,600 remaining in the wild. Mana Pools has the highest density of wild dogs on the continent, with several packs regularly seen along the Zambezi flood plain.
Leopard
Zimbabwe has healthy leopard populations across most of its national parks. Leopards are solitary and nocturnal, making them the hardest of the Big Five to spot during the day. Night game drives in Hwange's private concessions offer the best chances, with sighting rates above 70% over a three-night stay.
Hippopotamus
The Zambezi River supports one of the largest hippo populations in Africa. Hippos are easily spotted on sunset cruises from Victoria Falls and on canoe safaris in Mana Pools. Despite their placid appearance, hippos are responsible for more human fatalities in Africa than any other large animal.
Zimbabwe Travel Information
Everything you need to know before visiting Zimbabwe.
Getting There
Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) receives direct flights from Johannesburg (1.5 hours with SAA, Airlink, and Fastjet), Cape Town (2.5 hours), Nairobi, and Addis Ababa via Ethiopian Airlines. Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare (HRE) connects to Johannesburg, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Dubai, and London. Most safari visitors fly into Victoria Falls as a starting point. Internal charter flights connect Victoria Falls to Hwange (30 minutes), Mana Pools (1.5 hours), and Matobo Hills (1 hour). Overland entry is possible from South Africa via Beitbridge, from Botswana via Kazungula, and from Zambia via Victoria Falls Bridge.
Best Time to Visit
Dry season (May to October) is best for wildlife safari — animals congregate around water sources and vegetation is sparse, making game easier to spot. Peak safari season is July to September with the best game viewing in Hwange and Mana Pools. Victoria Falls is most dramatic from April to June after the rainy season, when the Zambezi is in full flood. The wet season (November to March) brings lush green landscapes, migratory birds, and baby animals, but some park roads become impassable. October is the hottest month, often exceeding 40°C in the lowveld.
Visa Requirements
Most nationalities require a visa, available on arrival at all major entry points. Single-entry visa: $30 USD. Double-entry visa: $45 USD. The KAZA UniVisa ($50 USD) covers both Zimbabwe and Zambia for 30 days with unlimited crossings — ideal for Victoria Falls visitors who want to see both sides. E-visas are available online through the Zimbabwe Immigration website. Citizens of SADC countries (South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, etc.) may enter visa-free or for a reduced fee. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
Currency & Budget
Zimbabwe uses the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency domestically, but US Dollars are widely accepted and preferred at tourist establishments. All safari lodges, hotels, and activity operators price in USD. Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at most lodges and hotels in Victoria Falls. Carry US cash (small denominations, post-2006 notes) for markets, tips, and smaller establishments. Budget accommodation starts at $30-80 USD per night. Mid-range safari lodges: $250-500 USD per person per night (fully inclusive). Luxury camps: $500-1,500 USD per person per night.
Health & Vaccinations
Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all low-lying areas including Victoria Falls, Hwange, Mana Pools, and the Zambezi Valley. Consult your travel doctor at least 4-6 weeks before departure. Yellow fever vaccination is required only if arriving from an endemic country. Routine vaccinations (tetanus, hepatitis A and B, typhoid) should be up to date. The Eastern Highlands above 1,500 metres is generally malaria-free. Tap water is not safe to drink — use bottled or purified water. Comprehensive travel and medical evacuation insurance is essential for safari travel.
Climate Overview
Zimbabwe has three distinct seasons: Cool dry season (May to August) with daytime temperatures of 15-25°C and cold nights, especially in the Highveld. Hot dry season (September to November) with temperatures reaching 30-40°C in the lowveld. Wet season (November to April) with afternoon thunderstorms, high humidity, and temperatures of 25-32°C. The Highveld (including Harare, Great Zimbabwe, and the Eastern Highlands) sits at 1,200-2,500 metres altitude and is significantly cooler year-round. Victoria Falls and Hwange are in the lowveld and experience extreme heat in October-November.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about visiting Zimbabwe for safari and travel.
What is the best time to visit Zimbabwe?
The best time depends entirely on what you are coming for. For safari and wildlife viewing, May to October is ideal — the dry season concentrates animals around waterholes for exceptional sightings, with peak game viewing from June through October. For birding, Zimbabwe offers world class birding year round with over 670 recorded species, but the green season from November to April brings migratory birds and the bush alive with activity. Victoria Falls is spectacular every month — peak flow around May after the rains. The Zimbabwe side flows through the Devil's Cataract all year, while the Zambian side can dry up late season. For budget travel, November to April offers lower rates, fewer crowds and beautiful green landscapes — significantly underrated. For photography, May to September delivers golden light and wildlife at waterholes, while October and November bring dramatic tropical storms, dusty amber light and electric atmosphere.
Is Zimbabwe safe for tourists?
Zimbabwe is very safe for tourists in all major safari destinations. Victoria Falls, Hwange, Mana Pools and other key areas are well established and welcoming. Zimbabweans are exceptionally warm and hospitable — the people are one of the highlights of any visit. In tourist areas, wildlife is a bigger consideration than crime. Elephants, buffalo and warthog genuinely roam through Victoria Falls town, which gives you a sense of just how wild and special this destination is. Standard travel common sense applies as anywhere in the world — stay in tourist areas, book through reputable operators, and your experience will be overwhelmingly positive. Government travel advisories from the US, UK and Australia reflect urban realities in Harare and should not be mistaken for the safari tourism experience, which is entirely different.
Do I need a visa for Zimbabwe and how do I get one?
Most visitors need a visa — and the process is simple. Apply online at evisa.gov.zw before you travel. There are four options: Single Entry at US$30 valid for 30 days, ideal for Zimbabwe-only visits. Double Entry at US$45 valid for 3 months, perfect if crossing to Zambia and back. The KAZA UniVisa at US$50 valid for 30 days is the smart choice for most Victoria Falls visitors — it covers unlimited crossings between Zimbabwe and Zambia plus day trips into Botswana, all on one visa. Multiple Entry at US$65 valid for 6 months suits frequent travellers. Citizens of 118 countries can get a visa on arrival, but applying online at least 3 weeks before travel is strongly recommended. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel date. Note that visa validity begins from the date of issue, not the date of entry, so time your application accordingly.
Which side of Victoria Falls is better — Zimbabwe or Zambia?
Both sides are extraordinary — but Zimbabwe has a year-round advantage most people don't know about. The Zimbabwe side flows through the Devil's Cataract, the deep water channel of the Zambezi, which runs consistently throughout the year. The Zambian side can dry up significantly in the late dry season. For reliable, dramatic viewing at any time of year, the Zimbabwe side is the stronger choice. The main viewing path on the Zimbabwe side runs the full length of the Falls, giving you uninterrupted views of the world's largest waterfall at 1,708 metres wide. That said, for the full Victoria Falls experience, cross to both sides — exactly why the KAZA UniVisa is worth getting.
What makes Zimbabwe different from Kenya or South Africa for a safari?
Zimbabwe offers something increasingly rare in African safari travel — genuine wilderness immersion. Kenya is iconic for good reason: world famous game, the spectacular Great Migration, rich Maasai culture and incredible birdlife. It is the classic African safari experience. Zimbabwe offers a fundamentally different experience. Zimbabwe's professional guides are widely regarded as the most highly trained on the continent — uniquely, qualified guides can lead walking safaris in national parks without a parks ranger, something not permitted in most African countries. Walking through Mana Pools or Hwange at ground level in one of Africa's last true wild places cannot be replicated anywhere else. Zimbabwe's parks receive a fraction of the visitor numbers of Kenya or South Africa — you will not share a sighting with fifteen other vehicles. Kenya shows you Africa's greatest wildlife spectacle. Zimbabwe makes you feel like the only person in Africa. Many travellers choose both — and we would not argue with that.
How much does a Zimbabwe safari cost?
Zimbabwe consistently delivers exceptional value compared to Botswana and other premium African destinations. All prices are per person for a typical 7 to 10 day trip excluding international flights. Budget: from US$2,000 per person for self-catering camps and smaller lodges — genuine wilderness experiences at a price point that does not exist in Botswana or East Africa. Mid-range: US$8,000 to US$15,000 per person for quality lodge experiences with professional guides, game drives, meals and activities included — the sweet spot for most first-time visitors. Luxury: US$15,000 and above for Zimbabwe's finest lodges in Hwange, Mana Pools and the Zambezi Valley — fully inclusive, walking safaris with master guides, private concessions — at significantly better value than comparable Botswana experiences. Budget separately for park entry fees, internal transfers and flights between destinations, visa fees and comprehensive travel insurance.
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