Philip has traveled through Zimbabwe several times and is the author of more than 20 guidebooks to various African destinations.
In Zimbabwe, tourists are few and prices are competitive. Years of political instability has paid its toll on the country, but the main parks are still cared for and well worth visiting. Hwange National Park is not to be missed, and Mana Pools National Park offers great canoeing safaris on the Zambezi River. Victoria Falls, Africa’s largest waterfall, is a must-go-to destination; standing in the spray of this powerful curtain of flowing water is both moving and majestic.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Hwange and Mana Pools are Zimbabwe’s prime sites for wildlife viewing. The most commonly spotted animals are the elephant and hippo, while the giraffe, zebra, lion and hyena are also present in good numbers. When it comes to the leopard or other cats, however, sightings can prove rare. The beautiful sable antelope and the bat-eared fox are two lesser-known highlights of the local animal population.
Weather & Climate
Zimbabwe’s temperate climate is characterized by a Dry season (April to October) and a Wet season (November to March). The drier months are cool to warm, although the temperature shoots up in advance of the rains. In the wetter months, the temperature climbs to an afternoon average of around 30°C/86°F with high levels of humidity.
Best Time To Visit
Although the Wet season is a beautiful time of the year, wildlife viewing is generally best in the Dry season (April to October). Note, though, that views of Victoria Falls are often obscured by a veil of spray from March to April because of the amount of water tumbling down its face. You’ll have a much clearer view of these famous falls if you visit from May to September, when the Zambezi River calms down.
