Visit Zimbabwe
Discover the best time to go, top destinations & things to do, from Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park.
Famous for the magnificent spectacle of the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe is an authentic African destination that combines rugged adventure with elegant safari spoils. The country is home to the Great Zimbabwe ruins (its namesake), as well as other World Heritage sites, including the granite outcrops of the Matobo Hills and the conservation area of Mana Pools.
However, it is Victoria Falls that really steals the spotlight in Zimbabwe. This Natural Wonder lives up to the hype. Known as “the Smoke that Thunders,” the falls, shrouded in mist and roaring, will take your breath away.
For game viewing, Zimbabwe’s conservation areas such as the enormous Hwange National Park and Mana Pools deliver spectacular wildlife sightings, whether on a 4X4 game drive, walking safari or river cruise.
Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe is the country’s largest game reserve and flagship wildlife destination. Stretching over 1.4 million hectares (3.5 million acres), Hwange is home to over 100 mammal species, including the illustrious Big 5, and large herds of buffalo, elegant antelope, giraffe and zebra.
The more remote Mana Pool National Park features magnificent landscapes along the Zambezi River and offers rich wildlife sightings. The reserve itself is small but shares unfenced borders with a larger wildlife conversation area that stretches from Lake Kariba in the west to Mozambique in the east.
Good to Know
Country
Zimbabwe
Languages spoken
English, Shona, Chewa, Xhosa, Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Tswana, Venda, Tsonga
Currency used
US Dollar (USD)
Climate
The dry winters are excellent for game viewing, while the wet summers provide excellent activity options and birding.
Top Experiences in Zimbabwe
The Victoria Falls are an experience unto themselves, whether you’re viewing them on a mist-covered walk through the rainforest or from above, on a “Flight of Angels” helicopter trip.
Take a swim in the Devil’s Pool, a natural rock pool on the edge of Victoria Falls.
A riverboat cruise along the Zambezi will reward you with up close sightings of water birds and wildlife, including elephants, hippos and crocodiles.
For avid birdwatchers, Mana Pool is home to more than 350 bird species. Several types of kingfisher can be easily spotted along the river, as well as the elusive Pel’s fishing owl and the African skimmer.
Experience Zimbabwe as the first explorers did… on foot. Mana Pools, with its good visibility and relaxed wildlife, is famous for its walking safaris.
Morning, afternoon and evening game drives in Hwange National Park are a must. You can expect to see the starring cast of the Big 5, as well as other characters, including zebra, cheetah and hyena.
When to Travel to Zimbabwe
For game viewing, travel to Zimbabwe during the dry winter season (May to October). The mild temperatures and little to no rainfall also pose a much lower malaria risk.
The wet summer, particularly at Victoria Falls, provides the perfect opportunity to experience white-water rafting, river boarding and canoe trips up the Zambezi River. This is also the best time to visit Zimbabwe for birdwatching.
Our Top Zimbabwe Tours
