​Overview – Zimbabwe

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip has traveled through Zimbabwe several times and is the author of more than 20 guidebooks to various African destinations.

Philip is the Zimbabwe expert for SafariBookings and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.

Philip is our Zimbabwe expert and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.

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.

Rates (USD) $198 to $974 pp/day
Best Time To Go May to September (All parks)
High Season July to October (Only Victoria Falls gets busy)
Size 390,757km² / 150,872mi²

Pros & Cons

  • Excellent guiding
  • One of the best walking safari destinations
  • A chance to see Victoria Falls
  • Competitive rates and low tourist densities
  • Some decline of facilities and wildlife numbers
  • Political instability

Zimbabwe Safari Reviews

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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.

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Zimbabwe Safari Reviews

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  • Wildlife
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Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Paul Murray  –  
United Kingdom UK

Paul is a travel writer, author of the Bradt guidebook to Zimbabwe and is closely involved in promoting tourism to Zimbabwe.

A Brilliant Past and an Outstanding Future
4/5

Yes, Zimbabwe is still beset with political and economic difficulties but none of this affects visitors much, especially those who book their stay with travel agencies and prepay most of the trip. Despite everything, Zimbabwe remains many...

Full Review

Latest User Review
Eunice Sameke  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Nov 19, 2023
Fantastic place to visit and knowledgeable guides
4/5

Zimbabwe is a beautiful and peaceful country. We had an amazing time visiting Victoria falls and Chobe. All guides were very knowledgeable. I would recommend anyone wanting to visit Zimbabwe not to hesitate.

Full Review