Why Choose Zimbabwe for Your Safari?
Zimbabwe Safaris offer one of Africa's most authentic and extraordinary wildlife experiences — yet the country remains one of the continent's best-kept secrets. With superb infrastructure, excellent English-speaking guides, and some of the most iconic safari destinations in Africa, Zimbabwe delivers a profoundly rewarding safari at every level.
Hwange National Park is home to one of Africa's largest elephant populations — over 40,000 animals — while Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is widely considered one of Africa's greatest wilderness areas, offering the rare privilege of walking and canoeing freely amongst elephant, lion, leopard, and wild dog on the Zambezi floodplains.
Combined with the thundering spectacle of Victoria Falls, rhino tracking on foot in the ancient granite hills of Matobo, and the wild remoteness of Gonarezhou, Zimbabwe offers a safari itinerary of extraordinary depth, diversity, and value.
Types of Zimbabwe Safaris
Find the perfect Zimbabwe safari experience for your travel style.
Zimbabwe Walking Safaris
Mana Pools is one of the only places in Africa where you can walk completely unguided amongst wildlife. Guided walks with expert rangers bring you face-to-face with elephant, buffalo, and predators.
Zimbabwe Canoe Safaris
Multi-day canoe safaris on the Zambezi River through Mana Pools — paddling past hippo pods, crocodiles, and drinking elephants on the opposite bank is a uniquely thrilling experience.
Zimbabwe Luxury Safaris
Zimbabwe's finest camps — Singita Pamushana, Chikwenya, and Little Ruckomechi — deliver world-class wildlife and hospitality in spectacular remote settings.
Zimbabwe Elephant Safaris
Hwange National Park hosts one of Africa's largest elephant populations. Intimate encounters with mega-herds at waterholes is one of Zimbabwe's most iconic wildlife experiences.
Victoria Falls Safaris
Combine a bush safari with the thundering spectacle of Victoria Falls — white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and wildlife viewing on both the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides.
Zimbabwe Rhino Tracking
Matobo National Park offers rare on-foot rhino tracking experiences — getting within metres of both black and white rhino in a breathtakingly beautiful granite boulder landscape.
Zimbabwe's National Parks & Wild Places
Zimbabwe's protected areas cover over 13% of the country — a network of extraordinary national parks, safari areas, and wilderness reserves offering diverse wildlife and landscapes.
Zimbabwe's largest national park and one of Africa's great elephant sanctuaries — over 40,000 elephants plus exceptional predator sightings and more than 100 mammal species.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's most extraordinary wilderness areas — famous for walking and canoeing amongst elephant, lion, leopard, and wild dog on the Zambezi floodplains.
The world's largest waterfall — the "Smoke that Thunders" — on the Zimbabwe-Zambia border, with world-class white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and superb wildlife experiences in Zambezi National Park.
A stunning landscape of ancient granite boulders, San rock art, and black and white rhino — offering tracking safaris on foot for rhino in one of Africa's most scenic parks.
The "Place of Many Elephants" in the remote southeast — wild, untamed, and home to huge tusker elephants, lion, leopard, wild dog, and the dramatic Chilojo Cliffs.
One of Africa's least-visited and most remote parks — a rugged, mountainous wilderness in northwestern Zimbabwe offering exclusive walking safaris and extraordinary solitude.
Located just upstream from Victoria Falls, this park offers superb game drives along the Zambezi River with elephant, buffalo, lion, sable antelope, and exceptional birding.
Best Time for Zimbabwe Safaris
🌅 May – October (Dry Season)
The best overall time for Zimbabwe safaris. Wildlife concentrates at waterholes, Mana Pools is at its finest for walking and canoeing, and Hwange elephant herds are spectacular at the pumped pans.
🌿 November – April (Green Season)
Lush, photogenic landscapes with newborn animals and superb migratory bird watching. Lower prices and fewer tourists. Gonarezhou's Chilojo Cliffs are dramatic in the green season light.
🐘 August – October (Elephant Peak)
Hwange elephant gatherings are at their most dramatic as thousands of animals converge on the pumped waterholes. Predator sightings peak as the bush thins and wildlife is most visible.
💦 February – May (Victoria Falls)
Victoria Falls peaks February–May when the Zambezi runs full after the rains — the most spectacular time to see the falls at full volume and dramatic spray cloud.
Zimbabwe Safari Wildlife
Zimbabwe supports the full Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Wild dog are regularly seen in Mana Pools and Hwange. Sable antelope, Zimbabwe's national animal, are spectacular in Hwange and Gonarezhou. Over 670 bird species have been recorded across the country.
Zimbabwe Safari FAQ
Is Zimbabwe safe for a safari?
Yes — Zimbabwe's national parks and safari areas are safe for tourists and the country has worked hard to rebuild its tourism reputation. Game reserves, lodges, and the safari industry operate to excellent international standards. Our team will guide you on entry requirements and any current travel advisories.
What makes Mana Pools so special?
Mana Pools is unique in Africa — it's one of the only UNESCO World Heritage parks where you can walk freely amongst wildlife without a guide. The combination of walking and canoeing on the Zambezi with extraordinarily habituated elephant, lion, leopard, and wild dog makes it one of Africa's most thrilling wildlife experiences.
How does Zimbabwe compare to Zambia for a safari?
Zimbabwe and Zambia are often combined and are complementary destinations. Zambia's South Luangwa pioneered the walking safari, while Zimbabwe's Mana Pools allows even greater freedom on foot. Hwange offers larger elephant herds than almost anywhere, while Gonarezhou provides a wilder, more remote experience. Both countries offer exceptional value.
How do I get to Zimbabwe for a safari?
Victoria Falls Airport is the main international gateway, served by flights from Johannesburg and other African hubs. Harare International Airport connects to international destinations. Charter flights from Victoria Falls reach Hwange and Mana Pools in under an hour. Most Zimbabwe safari itineraries use fly-in charter connections between parks.
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