Zimbabwe is a land of giants. It has massive granite boulders, huge herds of elephants, and one of the largest waterfalls in the world. But what truly sets it apart is the people. The warmth and resilience of Zimbabweans makes every visitor feel like family.
This country offers some of the best game viewing in Africa without the crowds. It is famous for its high standards of guiding. A Zimbabwean professional guide has gone through years of rigorous training. When you walk in the bush with them you are in the safest hands possible.
Victoria Falls
Mosi oa Tunya means "The Smoke that Thunders." It is the perfect name. The noise of the water hitting the gorge below shakes the ground. The mist rises like smoke and creates rainbows that you can see from miles away.
Most safaris in the region start or end here. You can walk the paths along the edge of the falls for incredible views. The town of Victoria Falls is bustling with activity. You can go white water rafting, take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi, or enjoy high tea at the historic Victoria Falls Hotel. It is a place of energy and history.
Hwange National Park
Hwange is the largest park in Zimbabwe. It is famous for its elephants. During the dry season tens of thousands of elephants gather around the pumped waterholes. Seeing a herd of fifty or more giants drinking together is a common sight here.
The park has a mix of terrain from teak forests to open grassy plains. This supports a huge variety of wildlife. You can see large prides of lions, cheetahs hunting on the plains, and flourishing populations of wild dogs. The game viewing here is consistent and reliable all year round but it peaks in the dry months.
Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools is legendary among safari enthusiasts. It sits on the banks of the lower Zambezi River. The forest undergrowth is open and park like which makes it perfect for walking.
This is the home of the famous standing elephants. Some of the older bulls have learned to stand on their back legs to reach the seed pods of the albida trees. Seeing a six ton animal balance on two legs is something you have to see to believe. The light here is particularly beautiful for photography with blue haze filtering through the trees.
Lake Kariba
Kariba is one of the largest man made lakes in the world. It feels like an inland sea. The sunsets here are famous for their deep reds and oranges.
A houseboat safari on Kariba is a relaxing way to spend a few days. You can fish for tiger fish or just watch the world go by. The Matusadona National Park on the shores of the lake is recovering well and offers great game viewing against the backdrop of the water and mountains.
Matobo Hills
In the south of the country lies the Matobo Hills. The landscape is dominated by balancing granite rocks that look like they were placed there by giants.
This is a spiritual place with ancient San rock art hidden in the caves. It is also the best place in Zimbabwe to see rhinos. You can track both black and white rhinos on foot here. The experience of creeping up to these prehistoric looking animals is intense and rewarding. There is a peace here that is hard to describe.
When to Go
The dry winter months from May to October are the prime safari season. The bush is thin and animals congregate around water. The days are sunny and nights are cool.
Victoria Falls is at its highest flow around April and May after the rains. The spray can be so heavy that it hides the view but the power is incredible. In October and November the water level is low which allows you to see the rock formations of the gorge but it is also very hot.
