Zimbabwe Safari Guide

Why Travel to Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe is most famous for Victoria Falls, Africa’s adventure capital. Visitors flock to Victoria Falls to ride the rapids, bungee jump, zip-line, or bridge swing, and fly in helicopters or microlights above the falls. But beyond the numerous attractions of Victoria Falls lie superb game reserves, fascinating history, and a warm, welcoming culture.

Zimbabwe’s best reserve is Hwange National Park, which is well known for its vast elephant herds. Mana Pools, directly opposite the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia, offers excellent river-based game viewing and exceptional landscapes. To get off the beaten track, consider Matusadona and Gonarezhou National Parks for a thrilling adventure. When visiting Matobo Hills, guests can track rhino on foot and enjoy this UNESCO World Heritage Site and the abundant San rock art that proliferates amongst the granite boulders. The Great Zimbabwe Ruins are a fascinating relic of Zimbabwe’s ancient civilisations that thrived long before the arrival of Europeans.

People will greet you with a smile as you travel through the baobab-dotted landscapes all across Zimbabwe. Well connected by airports at Victoria Falls or Livingstone in Zambia, Zimbabwe safaris connect easily throughout southern Africa.

Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

“But scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight, " said David Livingstone as he stood looking across the Victoria Falls. Today, 170 years later, the spectacle of Victoria Falls in full flow remains one of Africa’s most sought-after experiences.

Known to locals as Mosi-ao-Tunya, "The Smoke That Thunders," the Victoria Falls are one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the Zambezi River forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Zimbabwe offers the best close-up views of the falls. But these days, the Zambia vs Zimbabwe debate can be easily overcome by visiting both sides of the falls on a Kaza Visa.

Visit the Victoria Falls between March and May to see them at peak flow or between September and December to take advantage of attractions like whitewater rafting and the famous Devil’s Pool on the Zambian side of the falls. For an extra thrill, take to the air for a birds-eye view of this amazing natural phenomenon.

No matter when you choose to visit the Victoria Falls, there is plenty to do. Bungee jumping, zip lines, exploring markets, game drives, Zambezi River cruises, or unwinding at your lodge are all possible.

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s Safari Hot Spot

Conveniently located close to the Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe's oldest and largest game reserve.

Teeming with African wildlife and birds, Hwange boasts one of the world's largest elephant populations. The park has amazing wildlife diversity and 108 distinct species, including the Big 5—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. It is home to impressive concentrations of giraffes, buffalo, zebra, kudu, sable, roan antelope, and gemsbok, to name just a few. Cheetahs and brown hyenas are also present, and the park has one of Africa's largest populations of endangered African painted wolves.

A mosaic of habitats sustains Hwange's incredible wildlife diversity. Located on the edge of the vast Kalahari, its landscapes include scrubland, sparse woodlands, thornveld, and mopane woodland.

The diverse habitats, with very little natural water, abundant wildlife, and low tourist numbers, make Hwange National Park an exceptional safari destination.

Zimbabwe’s Secret Delights

Beyond its famous parks, Zimbabwe hides some extraordinary, off-the-beaten-path safari gems.

Matusadona National Park, on the remote southern shore of Lake Kariba, is a haven for elephants, lions, buffalo, black rhino, and aquatic species like crocodiles and hippos. The park offers walking safaris in big cat country and is due to be restocked with cheetah and rhino, an undertaking by African Parks. https://www.africanbudgetsafaris.com/blog/african-parks/

Further south, Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe’s second largest reserve, delivers rugged wilderness and exceptional scenery, notably Chilojo Cliffs that glow pink at sunset above a bend in the Runde River. Aside from the big tuskers, leopard, and assortment of other game, the major draw card is the apparent lack of tourists.

Zimbabwe’s Matobo Hills National Park boasts breathtaking scenery and an abundance of raptors that patrol the skies. In addition to its cultural significance, the reserve is home to a healthy population of white rhinos. This is the best place to do rhino tracking in Zimbabwe, and a fantastic opportunity to get close to these amazing creatures.

Zimbabwe’s Cultural Hotspots

Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage is woven into its breathtaking landscapes.

The most famous of Zimbabwe’s cultural sites are the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. “Dzimba-dza-mabwe”, the Houses of Stone, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Great Zimbabwe ruins showcase the remains of an ancient city that once thrived between the 11th and 14th centuries. Together with the Khami Ruins, Great Zimbabwe is a popular stop with tourists on safari in Zimbabwe.

The Matobo Hills National Park contains a breathtaking landscape, impressive granite outcrops, and delicately balanced rocks. Another African UNESCO World Heritage Site that easily combines with a Zimbabwe safari, Matobo Hills is home to hundreds of San rock-art sites scattered throughout the park. Dating back around 13,000 years, this is one of Africa's densest collections of San rock art. Today, the Matobo Hills retain their spiritual significance within the Mwari religion.

Matobo is also home to Cecil John Rhodes's grave, set atop the "View of the World," a dramatic granite outcrop offering sweeping views.

Together, these sites illustrate Zimbabwe’s complex cultural history and wealth.

Well Connected for Epic Safaris

The main route into Zimbabwe is through Victoria Falls.

While it is possible to travel overland, Victoria Falls International Airport connects via flights from Cape Town, Johannesburg, Windhoek, Addis Ababa, and, seasonally, Frankfurt in Germany. Because of these extensive connections, it’s easy to combine Zimbabwe’s spectacular sights with other iconic African safari destinations.

After exploring Matobo Hills, Hwange, Mana Pools, and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, travel on to South Africa’s Kruger National Park, Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Namibia’s Etosha, or neighbouring Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.

Once you’ve had your fill of spectacular wildlife, unwind on the beaches of Cape Town, Mozambique, Lake Malawi, or Madagascar.

Zimbabwe’s well-connected position makes it easy to experience the best of Southern Africa.

Need Help Planning Your Zimbabwe Safari?

African Budget Safaris has an experienced team of safari consultants with years of safari experience. While planning an African safari can be overwhelming, we pride ourselves on finding the best package for you and your Zimbabwe safari budget.

Whether you are looking for a Victoria Falls safari that visits Zimbabwe’s highlights or want to take a longer overland tour throughout Southern Africa, contact African Budget Safaris today. From luxury lodge stays to budget safaris and tailor-made adventures suited to your unique needs, we'll help you find the best options for your Zimbabwe safari budget.

When is the best time to travel to Zimbabwe?

The best time to visit Zimbabwe on safari is from June to October during the dry winter season when game viewing is at its best.

The best time to see Victoria Falls at its most dramatic is between April and May, when the Zambezi is in full flow.

Zimbabwe from January to March

January’s heavy rains mean thick, lush bush, making wildlife more challenging to spot. This is an excellent time for lower rates and fewer crowds. It is low-water season at Victoria Falls. As the rains continue in February, the Zambezi River swells, sending Victoria Falls into full flow. The force of the Vic Falls creates a massive cloud of mist that can obscure ground views, and it's a good idea to take it to the air for an impressive aerial perspective. With regular afternoon thunder showers, March remains warm and humid, but these are usually short-lived. Water levels at Victoria Falls are ideal, creating spectacular spray rainbows and offering dramatic views of the surrounding gorges.

April to May in Zimbabwe

The weather in April is unpredictable, but the rains begin to ease and temperatures cool, leaving the national parks lush and green. May is the beginning of Zimbabwe’s peak safari season. Victoria Falls is in full flow, and game viewing conditions are ideal. It’s a popular time to visit, so booking well in advance is recommended. Rates are higher during this time.

June to September in Zimbabwe

June is one of the best safari months in Zimbabwe. As natural water sources dry up, large herds gather around permanent watering holes, making wildlife viewing excellent. This is the best time of year for rhino tracking in Matobo Hills and witnessing the giant elephant herds in Hwange National Park.

By July, winter sets in, bringing chilly nights and crisp mornings. As wildlife gathers on the shores of Mana Pools, canoe safaris are excellent with clear skies and mild weather.

August is another excellent safari month with bright, cloudless days. This is peak safari season, and rest camps are often fully booked. It's also the best time for white-water rafting at Victoria Falls, as the lower water levels expose more rapids.

Hwange National Park hosts its annual game count in September, allowing visitors to join park rangers in monitoring wildlife at busy waterholes.

October to December in Zimbabwe

October is Zimbabwe’s hottest month. Dry conditions linger as the high safari season nears its end, and wildlife sightings remain excellent, especially when watching elephants at Hwange’s man-made watering holes.

November is a quieter tourist month, offering a more intimate safari experience. The weather is unpredictable. The longer the rains take to arrive, the more the heat builds. However, early rains are often heavy and can result in flooding. November is an excellent birding month as migratory birds begin to arrive for the wet season.

December brings steady summer rains, which turn the landscape lush and green. Birdwatching remains outstanding, but Victoria Falls is at its lowest flow, often reduced to a trickle.