EXPERIENCE THE NATURAL WONDERS OF
ZIMBABWE
From the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls and the vast watery vistas on Lake Kariba to quality wildlife encounters in Hwange and Mana Pools, Zimbabwe’s diverse landscapes and warm, welcoming people create a truly memorable safari experience.
Image taken by Erin Flowers
THE VICTORIA FALLS
Described in the 1800s by the local maKololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya – “the Smoke that Thunders” – the Victoria Falls, a World Heritage site straddling Zambia and Zimbabwe, is a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River. Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone first heard about the falls a full four years before he arrived there. On 17 November, 1855 Chief Sekeletu of the maKololo paddled Livingstone to an island in the Zambezi, known as Goat Island. Although the water was low at the time, it’s little wonder that he felt a “tremor of fear” as he approached the wall of spray and gazed down into the churning chasm below. Although it would be fair to presume that other ‘white men’ had witnessed the falls before him (Portuguese slave traders, for example), the first written description of the falls is accredited to Livingstone, and includes “No one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England. It had never been seen before by European eyes; but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.” Over 1,700m (5,600ft) wide and 108m (360ft) high, columns of spray can be seen from far away as millions of cubic feet of water plummet every minute over the edge. The broad basalt cliff, over which the falls thunder, transforms the Zambezi from a wide placid river to a ferocious torrent cutting through a series of dramatic gorges. Facing the falls on the Zimbabwean side is a mist-soaked rainforest, located within the compact Victoria Falls National Park and offering numerous viewpoints towards the falls. The Zambian side offers fewer viewpoints but does include the exciting Knife-Edge Bridge, offering the closest (and wettest) view of the falls.
WHAT TO EXPERIENCE
WHERE TO STAY
Our preferred accommodations include:
528 Victoria Falls – Located in the quiet and leafy residential area of Victoria Falls town yet still only 2½km (1½mi.) from the entrance to the falls, 528 Victoria Falls is a boutique guesthouse that ticks all of our boxes – owner-managed (by Paul and Meredith), small and personal, high standard of service, and value for money.
Victoria Falls Safari Club – Situated high up on a plateau bordering the Zambezi National Park and within the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate – yet just a 10-minute drive from the falls themselves – Victoria Falls Safari Club offers luxurious accommodation with uninterrupted views of unspoilt bushveld and spectacular African sunsets. “Safari Club” offers 16 spacious rooms and four suites, and there’s also a daily complimentary afternoon High Tea and sunset drinks with gourmet canapés, both of which take place on a private deck with two-tiered swimming pool.
Image taken by Erin Flowers
HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s biggest and oldest game reserve – 14,650km² (5,657mi²) of wilderness. Easily accessed from Victoria Falls and a year-round option, within the park are private reserves, called ‘concessions’ which are not bound by the park’s regulations and restrictions. In addition to day game drives, camps and lodges in the concessions can also offer night game drives and morning walking safaris, plus your game drives can travel off-road should the need arise, all of which are not allowed within the general area of the national park. The concessions are not open to regular park visitors, ensuring an exclusive safari experience. With varied topography and vegetation ranging from arid semi-desert in the west to lush teak forests in the east, Hwange is hugely diverse. Home to more than 100 mammal and 400 bird species, the sheer size of wildlife populations gives it an edge over other places. Some of Africa’s largest elephant herds congregate here. Black and white rhino find reasonable sanctuary and it’s one of the best places to see lion and wild dogs. Seasonal pans and a network of pumped waterholes attract a profusion of game and predators, especially by the end of the dry season. One of Hwange’s better-kept secrets however, is the fine hospitality, deep knowledge and skills of its resident guides.
WHAT TO EXPERIENCE
WHERE TO STAY
Our preferred accommodations include:
The Hide – Owner-managed and consistently one of Zimbabwe’s best safari camps, The Hide is located within a private concession and offers luxury tented chalets overlooking the camp’s busy waterhole. A complimentary overnight stay in the Dove’s Nest is also available to all guests. Located 10 minutes’ drive from the camp, this luxury treehouse also overlooks a waterhole. The wildlife viewing at The Hide is further enhanced by the camp’s underground hide – from which the camp takes its name – that offers unparalleled ground-level sightings.
Camp Hwange – Camp Hwange is located within a private concession in the north-west of the park. This is a quiet area with few other properties and guests seldom encounter any other vehicles when out on a game drive or walkinf safari. The camp offers a very comfortable standard of accommodation consisting of eight canvas-and-thatch chalets overlooking a waterhole in front of the camp.
Image taken by Vundu Camp
MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK
Mana Pools, a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the lower Zambezi River, is celebrated for its range of safari experiences, including walking safaris, canoeing, and traditional game drives led by expert guides. Here, travellers can explore the bush up close – whether paddling along the Zambezi among hippos and crocodiles, tracking wildlife on foot, or covering more ground on game drives to spot elephants, buffalo, big cats, and the endangered wild dog.
Mana Pools is known for its population of large bull elephants, with some being photographed standing on their hind legs, stretching for tree seedpods towards the end of the dry season. Many bulls return to the same areas in the park each year and as a result, several guides have known individual elephants for years and are comfortable getting close to them on foot – an unforgettable experience
The park’s landscape offers a stunning mix of open floodplains, lush riverine forests, and islands along the Zambezi, with a dramatic escarpment in the distance. This diverse terrain supports abundant wildlife and when combined with Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park on the other side of the river, it is one of Southern Africa’s most stunning wilderness areas. There are however two notable species that are not present in the park – giraffe and rhino – and it is only accessible in the dry season from April and November.
WHERE TO STAY
Our preferred accommodations include:
Stretch Ferriera Safari Camp – formerly known as Goliath Camp, the camp is owned and run by its namesake Stretch Ferreira aka “Father Mana” who is able to approach large game, such as elephant and lion, on foot because of his years of experience, which has given him the skill and knowledge on how to safely approach the animals. The photographic opportunities are excellent and Stretch’s charisma and charm, combined with wife, Adrienne’s warm hospitality and the fantastic wildlife watching opportunities makes this a special camp.
Vundu Camp – Owner/managed by renowned guide, Nick Murray, Vundu Camp lies on the banks of the Zambezi River within a private area of the national park. The camp offers less of the ‘bells and whistles’ found at many new safari camps and lodges but for an authentic safari experience – the activities, the area, the game and the guiding – Vundu is considered one of the best in all Southern Africa.
LAKE KARIBA AND MATUSADONA NATIONAL PARK
Lake Kariba, one of the world’s largest man-made lakes, stretches along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, offering a unique safari experience set against expansive waters and stunning landscapes. Formed by the Kariba Dam on the Zambezi River, this massive lake is a haven for wildlife, where visitors can explore by boat, on game drives, or on foot in nearby reserves.
Day cruises and multiple-night excursions on a house boat along Lake Kariba’s shores bring sightings of elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species, while fishing excursions target the lake’s famous tiger fish. As you glide past submerged forests and small islands, you’ll encounter a tranquil, water-based safari experience that’s both immersive and relaxing. Surrounding reserves, like Matusadona National Park, provide opportunities for land-based game viewing, where diverse wildlife roams against the backdrop of the lake and distant hills. Whether by boat or land, Lake Kariba and Matusadona National Park offer a unique, serene connection to Africa’s wilderness, with spectacular sunsets over the water completing each day.
WHERE TO STAY
Our preferred accommodations include:
Musango Safari Camp – On an island within the lake and close to Matusadona National Park, Musango Safari Camp is owner/managed by the park’s former head warden, Steve Edwards and his wife Wendy. One of the oldest and more simpler accommodation options, the lodge offers unparralleled lake views, excellent birdwatching, great service and very high-quality guiding.
Changa Safari Camp – Located on the eastern side of Matusadona National Park and within its its own private reserve (called a ‘concession’) with exclusive access to nearly 5km/3mi of Lake Kariba’s shoreline, Changa is the luxurious sister camp to The Hide in Hwange National Park.
Journeys that include ZIMBABWE
8-Day Kruger-Zambezi-Chobe Safari
This 8-day safari offers an itinerary that concentrates on Southern Africa’s must-see destinations and activities. This includes staying in a wildlife-rich, “Big Five” private game reserve in Greater Kruger, visiting the majestic Victoria Falls, quality wildlife viewing in Chobe National Park and a sunset boat safari on the Chobe River.
12-Day Southern Africa Safari, Including Chobe
This 12-day safari offers an itinerary that concentrates on Southern Africa’s must-see destinations and activities. This includes exploring the iconic city of Cape Town with a specialist local guide, staying in a wildlife-rich, “Big Five” private game reserve in Greater Kruger, visiting the majestic Victoria Falls, quality wildlife viewing in Chobe National Park and a sunset boat safari on the Chobe River.
12-Day Zimbabwe-Botswana Safari
This 12-day safari offers an itinerary that concentrates on Zimbabwe and Botswana’s must-see destinations and activities. The journey visits the majestic Victoria Falls, and includes a rhino walking safari in Zambia, private game drives and boat safaris in Chobe National Park, bush walks and game drives in Hwange National Park and a 3 day excursion into the remote Okavango Delta wilderness.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Zimbabwe?
The seasons in Zimbabwe are generally the same as in other southern hemisphere countries, with spring/summer from October to April and winter/autumn from May to September.
WET SEASON
November to March is what we term the “wet season” in Zimbabwe. The weather is generally characterised by hot, humid days that are sometimes cooled down by afternoon thunderstorms and accompanying light-to-heavy showers. Due to the rain, the vegetation is at its highest and thickest during these months and this can impact on wildlife viewing because the thick foliage can obscure your view plus the wildlife is widely dispersed due to the amount of ground water available. However, this season of abundance can still be a great time to be on safari as it’s the time that many mammals give birth. These ‘nurseries’ are usually easy to locate/view and make for some wonderful memories and photographic opportunities. It’s also worth noting that there are always resident populations of predators that prey upon the newborn, and the guides at your camp/lodge will have a good idea of where to find them. The birding is also very good at this time due to the increase in insect activity. Perhaps best of all, there are far fewer visitors during the wet season and the cost of accommodation is usually much more affordable. Note however that the camps in Mana Pools National Park are closed at some time during the wet season, due to the inaccessibility of the (dirt) road network.
DRY SEASON
Beng on safari in Zimbabwe between April to September offers clear and warm days and generally no rain at all. Known as the “dry season”, this is regarded the best period for wildlife viewing as the permanent waterholes attract many animals and the thin vegetation offers unobstructed views. While the dry, brown landscape can be a bit underwhelming, the wildlife viewing can be exceptional. The temperature is mild to warm, however the evenings can get surprisingly cold from dusk to dawn. The morning game drive initially requires warm clothing, but the day has usually warmed up considerably even before the end of the drive and you are taking off layers by the time you return to your camp/lodge.
OCTOBER
It’s worth noting that the month of October can be very hot and uncomfortable in Zimbabwe, especially in the Lower Zambezi Valley/Mana Pools region, as the rains have usually not arrived but the cool winter weather has usually ended. But your wildlife viewing will be tailored around this, with your game drives departing very early in the morning as well as later than usual in the afternoon.
For your visit to the Victoria Falls it is worth noting that the dry season is when the Zambezi River is at its lowest and the falls can subsequently be better described as a trickle, especially on the Zambian side when it’s a great time to do the Livingstone Island/Devil’s Pool tour . Conversely, the months of February to May can see the river at its highest level and the spray at it’s most ‘thunderous’.
What do I need to know about visas?
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your time in Zimbabwe, and it is a good idea to bring a few photocopies in case you lose the original.
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Zimbabwe and it can be pre-acquired online or acquired upon your arrival at the airport or border. Please speak to us about your options.
What do I need to know about TRAVELLERS HEALTH?
No compulsory vaccinations are required to enter Zimbabwe. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is not required unless you are coming from – or you are in airport transit for more than 12 hours within – a country deemed to be infected with Yellow Fever. The World Health Organisation lists the southern African countries of Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe as being free from Yellow Fever.
Malaria is present in most of Zimbabwe.
Please speak to us regarding our recommended health precautions for travelling in Zimbabwe.