Rich with biodiversity, lush landscapes, awe-inspiring sunsets, and beautiful cultures, Zimbabwe offers visitors much more than an exceptional safari experience.
Below are some of our favorite places to visit in Zimbabwe, and what makes each area so special:
Hwange National Park: Arguably THE best game-viewing park in Africa, Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest and is an extremely diverse wilderness where visitors often spend days in order to soak in all that this vast region has to offer. Comprised primarily of savanna, scrubland, dispersed waterholes, and woodlands, Hwange National Park is often referred to as “Noah’s Ark” for its rich biodiversity. The area is also known for its large herds of buffalo, one of the biggest populations of wild dog in Africa, 400 species of bird, and a variety of fierce predators. We suggest visiting Hwange during the months of September through November when there are large populations of roan and sable antelope, and we also recommend booking a private guide for a highly exclusive Zimbabwe safari tour.
Ideal for:
- Traveler’s looking for unique glamping (glamorous camping) experiences
- Nature enthusiasts
- Traveler’s who want to spend hours amongst nature, simply relaxing
Victoria Falls: A trip to Zimbabwe just isn’t complete without witnessing Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The feeling of the ground as the Falls plummet into a thundering cloud of mist and the sheer sight of this 360-foot spectacle, known by locals as “The Smoke that Thunders,” is truly indescribable. With tons of exciting activities to take part in, such as white water rafting, bungee jumping, hiking excursions, zip lining, canoe safaris, and helicopter tours, you’ll never be short of memories or epic stories to tell after visiting this world-renowned site. We also highly recommend the private Victoria Falls tour, which brings to light a unique perspective on the Falls and its history.
Ideal for:
- History buffs
- Adventurists
- Adrenaline junkies
- Nature lovers
Mana Pools National Park: Picture this . . . A place where untouched landscapes span as far as the eye can see, where the only inhabitants are animals, and where a sense of calm and excitement simultaneously find a place within your mind, body, and soul. This is in Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe.
Located on the southern bank of the Zambezi River, Mana Pools is a peaceful place where visitors can witness a variety of wildlife, including over 380 species of bird, grazing buffalo, still crocodiles, wading elephants, and hippo families.
In addition to exceptional canoeing safaris, Mana Pools also boasts some of the greatest walking safaris in Africa. It’s the only park in Zimbabwe, and one of the few in Africa, where you can walk among the roaming wildlife. There isn’t a river in the world that offers the big game, wilderness location, and adventure that you’ll find at Mana Pools.
Ideal for:
- Adventurists
- Canoe enthusiasts
- Hikers
Matobo National Park: Matobo Hills are ancient granite formations of balancing boulders, or kopjes as the locals call them, which stand in the middle of a flat and dry landscape. Matobo Hills is of great historical and spiritual significance to Zimbabwe, as they house artifacts dating back thousands of years.
The local Ndebele claim this land as a sacred shrine and still pray to Mwali to petition for rain.
Today, the Matobo National Park is best known for its black and white rhino population and, due to its high concentrations of birdlife, many bird lovers “flock” to this area in search of some of the world’s most fascinating species. In addition to birding, Zimbabwe safari tour visitors also have the opportunity to witness large game, including antelope, zebra, giraffe, leopard, impala, and many other animals.
Individuals on a Zimbabwe safari vacation will undoubtedly also be fascinated by Matobo’s famous rock art, which is the work of Bushmen who lived in this region for thousands of years. The rock art found here depicts humans playing, running, hunting, and dancing, in magnificent detail. Some experts suggest these paintings date back to nearly 20,000 years ago.
Ideal for:
- Bird lovers
- Art enthusiasts
- Traveler’s who want to spend hours amongst nature, simply relaxing
Lake Kariba: Created by damming the Zambezi River, Lake Kariba is a vibrant sanctuary where fish eagles wild dog, elephant, lion, black rhino, and leopard find refuge. Best known for its game drives, fishing safaris, and canoe safaris, Lake Kariba offers nature-enthusiasts a unique perspective on the areas biodiversity and contrasting eco-systems. The area is also celebrated for its exceptional birding safaris where you can observe indigenous species such as the western banded snake-eagle, Lilian’s lovebird, African golden oriole, carmine bee-eater, Pel’s fishing-owl, and much more.
Ideal for:
- Bird lovers
- Nature enthusiasts
- Travelers who love to fish
