A guide-led safari country where wilderness is experienced actively, not only from a vehicle
Zimbabwe lies between the Zambezi and Limpopo river systems and combines broad plateau country with major rivers, escarpments and striking geological landscapes. It has a long-established safari culture and one of the strongest professional-guiding traditions on the continent, making interpretation, fieldcraft and personal engagement central to the journey.
The country works especially well for travellers who prefer an active safari and are comfortable moving beyond standard game drives. Regional flights and road links also make it a natural bridge between Victoria Falls, Botswana and Zambia, allowing Zimbabwe to anchor a wider southern African itinerary rather than functioning only as a standalone destination.
What makes Zimbabwe different
Exceptional professional guiding and a safari culture built around walking, canoeing and close reading of the landscape.
- Capital
- Harare
- Official Languages
- 16 official languages · English, Shona and Ndebele widely used
- Currency
- Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) · ZWG; US dollar widely used
- Time Zone
- Central Africa Time · UTC+2
- Typical Safari Rate
- $119–$834 pp/day
- Best Time To Go
- June/July–October for most safari areas
- High Season
- July–October · Victoria Falls is the principal busy area
- Country Area
- 390,757 km² · 150,872 mi²
- Main International Gateways
- Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport · HRE
- Victoria Falls International Airport · VFA
- Protected Land & Inland Waters
- 28.29 % · 110,528 km²
Top Safaris
Two ways to travel Zimbabwe with us: take one of the ready-made packages below as it stands, or have us assemble one around your dates, pace and budget.
4.8Hwange6-Day Hwange & Victoria Falls Safari
From $2,120 · 6 days
4.9Mana Pools8-Day Mana Pools Canoe & Game Safari
From $3,760 · 8 days
Built around you
The same safaris, reassembled: your dates, your lodges, your pace and budget. Tell our AI assistant what you want out of Zimbabwe and we put the route together.
National Parks
Zimbabwe combines large wilderness areas with one of Africa’s strongest traditions of field guiding. Hwange is a vast mosaic of teak woodland, open plains and pumped waterholes; Mana Pools lies on the floodplains of the lower Zambezi; Gonarezhou protects rugged country around the Chilojo Cliffs; and Matobo brings granite hills, rhino habitat and ancient rock art. Victoria Falls adds a natural landmark that can be joined easily with the north-western parks. The country’s signature is not simply where you go, but how actively you can experience the landscape.
Wildlife
Hwange is renowned for elephants and a broad range of predators and plains game, while Mana Pools offers some of Africa’s most atmospheric encounters with elephant, lion, wild dog and other wildlife along the Zambezi. Zimbabwe is particularly suited to travellers who want to leave the vehicle: expertly guided walking safaris and canoe journeys place tracks, behaviour and the wider ecosystem at the centre of the experience. Mana Pools’ elephants are also famous for standing on their hind legs to reach high branches — a memorable example of local behaviour rather than a separate species or guaranteed sighting.
Best Time to Visit
The dry season from July to October is the main safari period, when wildlife gathers around Hwange’s waterholes and the Zambezi floodplain becomes progressively drier and more open. September and October can be extremely hot but often deliver intense game viewing. The green season brings lush scenery, migrant birds and fewer visitors, although some remote camps close during the rains. Zimbabwe combines particularly well with Victoria Falls, Botswana and Zambia for a broader southern-African itinerary.
Weather & Climate
Victoria Falls · 915 m / 3,002 ft
Long-term monthly averages (1970–2000 climate normals), not a live forecast.
- Average max
- Average min
- Average rainfall
Climate data WorldClim 2.1 (worldclim.org)
| Month | Average min (°C) | Average max (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| J | 19 | 30 | 158 |
| F | 18.7 | 29.9 | 132 |
| M | 18.2 | 30.6 | 74 |
| A | 15.9 | 30.6 | 20 |
| M | 11.6 | 28.7 | 4 |
| J | 8.1 | 26.1 | 0 |
| J | 8.1 | 26.1 | 0 |
| A | 10.8 | 29.1 | 0 |
| S | 15.5 | 33.3 | 2 |
| O | 19.5 | 35 | 17 |
| N | 20 | 33.7 | 63 |
| D | 19.4 | 31.1 | 146 |
Getting There
This chapter of the Zimbabwe safari guide is coming soon.
Health & Safety
This chapter of the Zimbabwe safari guide is coming soon.
A guide-led safari country where wilderness is experienced actively, not only from a vehicle
Zimbabwe lies between the Zambezi and Limpopo river systems and combines broad plateau country with major rivers, escarpments and striking geological landscapes. It has a long-established safari culture and one of the strongest professional-guiding traditions on the continent, making interpretation, fieldcraft and personal engagement central to the journey.
The country works especially well for travellers who prefer an active safari and are comfortable moving beyond standard game drives. Regional flights and road links also make it a natural bridge between Victoria Falls, Botswana and Zambia, allowing Zimbabwe to anchor a wider southern African itinerary rather than functioning only as a standalone destination.
What makes Zimbabwe different
Exceptional professional guiding and a safari culture built around walking, canoeing and close reading of the landscape.
- Capital
- Harare
- Official Languages
- 16 official languages · English, Shona and Ndebele widely used
- Currency
- Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) · ZWG; US dollar widely used
- Time Zone
- Central Africa Time · UTC+2
- Typical Safari Rate
- $119–$834 pp/day
- Best Time To Go
- June/July–October for most safari areas
- High Season
- July–October · Victoria Falls is the principal busy area
- Country Area
- 390,757 km² · 150,872 mi²
- Main International Gateways
- Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport · HRE
- Victoria Falls International Airport · VFA
- Protected Land & Inland Waters
- 28.29 % · 110,528 km²
Top Safaris
Two ways to travel Zimbabwe with us: take one of the ready-made packages below as it stands, or have us assemble one around your dates, pace and budget.
- 4.8Hwange
6-Day Hwange & Victoria Falls Safari
From $2,120 · 6 days
- 4.9Mana Pools
8-Day Mana Pools Canoe & Game Safari
From $3,760 · 8 days
Built around you
The same safaris, reassembled: your dates, your lodges, your pace and budget. Tell our AI assistant what you want out of Zimbabwe and we put the route together.
National Parks
Zimbabwe combines large wilderness areas with one of Africa’s strongest traditions of field guiding. Hwange is a vast mosaic of teak woodland, open plains and pumped waterholes; Mana Pools lies on the floodplains of the lower Zambezi; Gonarezhou protects rugged country around the Chilojo Cliffs; and Matobo brings granite hills, rhino habitat and ancient rock art. Victoria Falls adds a natural landmark that can be joined easily with the north-western parks. The country’s signature is not simply where you go, but how actively you can experience the landscape.
Wildlife
Hwange is renowned for elephants and a broad range of predators and plains game, while Mana Pools offers some of Africa’s most atmospheric encounters with elephant, lion, wild dog and other wildlife along the Zambezi. Zimbabwe is particularly suited to travellers who want to leave the vehicle: expertly guided walking safaris and canoe journeys place tracks, behaviour and the wider ecosystem at the centre of the experience. Mana Pools’ elephants are also famous for standing on their hind legs to reach high branches — a memorable example of local behaviour rather than a separate species or guaranteed sighting.
Best Time to Visit
The dry season from July to October is the main safari period, when wildlife gathers around Hwange’s waterholes and the Zambezi floodplain becomes progressively drier and more open. September and October can be extremely hot but often deliver intense game viewing. The green season brings lush scenery, migrant birds and fewer visitors, although some remote camps close during the rains. Zimbabwe combines particularly well with Victoria Falls, Botswana and Zambia for a broader southern-African itinerary.
Weather & Climate
Victoria Falls · 915 m / 3,002 ft
Long-term monthly averages (1970–2000 climate normals), not a live forecast.
- Average max
- Average min
- Average rainfall
Climate data WorldClim 2.1 (worldclim.org)
| Month | Average min (°C) | Average max (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| J | 19 | 30 | 158 |
| F | 18.7 | 29.9 | 132 |
| M | 18.2 | 30.6 | 74 |
| A | 15.9 | 30.6 | 20 |
| M | 11.6 | 28.7 | 4 |
| J | 8.1 | 26.1 | 0 |
| J | 8.1 | 26.1 | 0 |
| A | 10.8 | 29.1 | 0 |
| S | 15.5 | 33.3 | 2 |
| O | 19.5 | 35 | 17 |
| N | 20 | 33.7 | 63 |
| D | 19.4 | 31.1 | 146 |
Getting There
This chapter of the Zimbabwe safari guide is coming soon.
Health & Safety
This chapter of the Zimbabwe safari guide is coming soon.