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Zimbabwe

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Zimbabwe Safaris

Located between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers, this landlocked country is one of Africa’s most stunning and borders Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa. Plagued until recently by instability and unrest, Zimbabweans are warm and friendly people who openly welcome tourists to visit on a Zimbabwean safari holiday.

The list of attractions remains undiminished and includes no less than two World Heritage sites - the majestic Victoria Falls and Mana Pools, located on the floodplains of Africa's Great Rift Valley - as well as countless other areas of natural beauty. Mostly blanketed with savannah grassland in its central and western parts, with some tropical evergreen forests around the eastern highlands and rock formations to the north, Zimbabwe has terrific variety which has seen it rank amongst the top 40 most beautiful habitats in the world.

Why Natural World Safaris for your Zimbabwe safari?

Here at Natural World Safaris, our team of specialists can create tailor-made itineraries that are designed to meet your specific needs and interests. Whether you want to go on a wildlife safari, explore the country's culture, or simply relax on the beach, we can create an itinerary that is perfect for you. We are committed to responsible travel and sustainable tourism. Working closely with local communities and conservation organisations, we ensure that our trips have a positive impact on the environment and local people of Zimbabwe.

How Much Does Zimbabwe Cost?

For a 7-day safari in Zimbabwe, we recommend a starting price of $7,000 per person. This will generally include accommodation at two different lodges, transfers and private guides.

If you are looking to stay in some of Zimbabwe’s most iconic and best loved lodges as well as a beach extension, you’ll need to increase the budget to $10,000 per person including direct charter flights, intimate tented camping and other incredible excursions.

Contact us for a bespoke quote

Zimbabwe Wildlife

A guide to wildlife encounters in Zimbabwe

BIG St Zimbabwe Hwange National Park Leopard Portrait Ondrej Prosicky

Where To Stay

Ac Zimbabwe Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

Where To Go

ZIM St Zimbabwe Victoria Falls Zambezi Side Nicola Destefano

Zimbabwe Safaris


ZIM St Zimbabwe Mana Pools Wild Dog Shutterstock Shuttertock Ondrej Prosicky

Long Zimbabwe Safari

Experience the highlights of Zimbabwe; revel in the delightful remoteness of Mana Pools National Parks, its expansive wilderness plains and twisting ox-bow lakes accessible only by boat. Enjoy dazzling amber sunsets over Matusadona and wildlife spotting while cruising by boat on Lake Kariba. Encounter family groups of African Painted Hunting Dogs and sightings of elephants, elephants everywhere. Take walking safaris in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mana Pools with its varied tapestry of landscapes, perfect for photography, birding and attuning the senses.

From 17500 per person
Nicholas Dyer

Wilderness Photographic Safari: In Search of Painted Wolves

Experience the Zimbabwean wilderness with acclaimed wildlife photographer Nick Dyer in search of wild dogs. At Natural World Safaris we firmly believe in right time, right place, and Zimbabwe is the perfect destination to take advantage of good sightings of a large pack of wild dogs. Nick Dyer is an award-winning photographer and painted wolf conservationist who will be on-hand to share his in-depth knowledge throughout this safari.

From 18500 per person
ZIM St Zimbabwe Wild Dogs Splashing Jez Bennett

Short Safari

An incredible 8-day safari that combines the beautiful Zambezi National Park with one of Africa’s last strongholds for the endangered African painted dog – the Painted Dog Private Conservancy. Travel through Zimbabwe exploring the untouched surroundings of the Zambezi National Park, renowned for zebra, elephants and buffalo as well as predators like lion and leopard, before heading to Hwange National Park where you are based with easy access to the Painted Dog Conservation Centre. Amongst Hwange’s diverse habitats you’ll search for the endangered painted dogs (also known as African wild dogs) and other game with the experienced guides of Vintage Safari Camp.

From 5000 per person
ZIM St Zimbabwe Mana Pools Wild Dog Shutterstock Shuttertock Ondrej Prosicky

Talk to a Zimbabwe Specialist Today

The Zimbabwe Safari Experience

Safari in Zimbabwe is an unforgettable experience. The country offers some of the best wildlife sightings in Africa, with a variety of ecosystems and habitats providing a home to a diverse range of wildlife. The safari experience in Zimbabwe is unique and authentic, with fewer crowds compared to other popular safari destinations. Game drives and walking safaris are the most popular safari activities in Zimbabwe, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with the country's wildlife. Visitors can expect to see the Big Five, as well as a variety of other animals and birdlife.

You may wish to include the following in your Zimbabwe itinerary:

  • River Cruises - Enjoy river cruises to Victoria Falls and the surrounding areas
  • Culture - Take the opportunity to visit local villages to learn about their cultures and traditions
  • Painted wolves - Stay within the Painted Dog Pvate Conservancy adjacent to Hwange National Park
  • Migration - Witness the second-largest terrestrial migration in Africa, as thousands of zebra, wildebeest and other herbivores flock to the Nxai Pan
  • Victoria Falls - Choose from a variety of activities on offer at the Falls, including bungee jumping, helicopter or microlight flights, guided walks and sunset boat cruises.

Where to Stay in Zimbabwe?

Many of Zimbabwe’s lodges were left to age gracefully during its previous period of unrest, however there are some small local operators that continue to promote their country and offer a select few tourists the country’s true colours. Zimbabwe is also renowned for the quality of its guides and they go through a very extensive training process to become successful. We use only the best and can promise that whether you are staying in a luxury tented camp on the Zambezi River or a rustic lodge in Hwange, you are in safe hands. Read more about where to stay in Zimbabwe.

When to go to Zimbabwe?

The best time to visit Zimbabwe is dependent on the wildlife you'd like to see as generally speaking, Zimbabwe is a year-round destination. You should consider what your main focus is to ensure we create the ideal itinerary to accommodate your plans. The incredible wildlife of Zimbabwe that includes zebra, antelope, the ‘Big Five’ and wild dogs can also be seen all year, although they are easier to spot during certain times. As an emerging destination, peak travel months are still much less busy than other popular safari locations in Africa. Read more about when to go to Zimbabwe

Planning & Inspiration

ZIM St Zimbabwe Zambezi River Victoria Falls Aerial View Canbedone

Victoria Falls

The spectacular Victoria Falls are the most visited attraction in Zimbabwe and understandably so. The Falls are almost one mile wide and offer some of the most impossibly scenic viewpoints in the continent, with a mist spray that can reach almost 400 metres high after the water has plummeted 110 metres into the Batoka Gorge before continuing its journey.

Read more about Victoria Falls
Gre Rasmussen Work

Greg Rasmussen

The world's pre-eminent painted dog conservationist, Dr Greg Rasmussen may have been born in London but his heart now lies in Zimbabwe.

Read more about Greg
Bubye Rhino Events

Raoul du Toit

Since 1986, Raoul du Toit has been instrumental in coordinating rhino conservation initiatives in Zimbabwe, working tirelessly through the turmoil and turbulence of Robert Mugabe’s dictatorship.

Read more about Raoul du Toit
Zambezi Expeditions Camp Zimbabwe

Zambezi Expeditions Camp

The legendary Mana Pools National Park is known for its wildlife-rich floodplains and mighty Zambezi River – the lifeblood of the park – with the Zambezi Escarpment in Zambia providing a dramatic backdrop to the scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Zambezi Expeditions offers one of the best ways to experience Mana Pools, situated as the camp is on the banks of the Zambezi.

Read more about the Camp
Vicotria Falls Safari Lodge Activities Desk

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is located high above sea level in order to provide uninterrupted views across the plains of the Zambezi National Park

Read more about the Lodge

What to Expect from a Trip to Zimbabwe

Client Reviews

Rated 4.9/5 based on 7 customer reviews
  • south-africa-zimbabwe-shannon-yrigoyen

    From our first encounter with Phoenix to our last flight from Zimbabwe the trip was FLAWLESS! The Simbavati group is excellent. We loved both locations, but Camp George was over and above. The room, spa service and wildlife were superb. At River Camp, we enjoyed multiple up close encounters with rhino and elephants. It was unbelievable.

    5 out of 5

  • south-africa-zimbabwe-cheryl-mcGriff

    The lodges and experience as a whole was fantastic. We were led through the process from planning to returning home. It was definitely a bucket list trip. We would go again tomorrow if we could!

    5 out of 5

  • africa-zimbabwe-stephen-jenks

    Our destination specialist was very helpful with planning the trip and was also very responsive. The quality of sightings was overall very good. I was able to see some lions and a rare caracal at Nehimba and the rhino experience at Matobo Hills was amazing. Overall, I was extremely happy and I thank you very much for putting together such a memorable trip.

    5 out of 5

  • africa-zimbabwe-eric-dunipace

    Overall the trip was great, especially Tswalu. We'd love to travel again - NWS does a superior job organising and detailing our trips and the logistics required. I highly value their expertise and knowledge of adventure travel locations.

    4 out of 5

  • africa-zimbabwe-margaret-ainsley

    This is my third trip with NWS and they are always just wonderfully organised. The guides in the destinations are always perfect. The planning is also impeccable. Would definitely go on another trip with NWS.

    5 out of 5

  • africa-zimbabwe-joan-washam

    The trip of a lifetime. Amazing camps, guides, and accommodations. Ellen was excellent in trip planning and guidance. Thank you, NWS.

    5 out of 5

  • africa-zimbabwe-cassandra-costello

    I'd travel with Natural World Safaris again because they put together a beautiful trip for us. The lodges were all 5-star, king-size beds, gourmet meals, and guides whose knowledge was amazing. They identified all the birds we saw, knew all the animals, their habits and mating seasons. And they were able to answer all of our questions. It was quite amazing!

    5 out of 5

Zimbabwe Safaris FAQs

Is Zimbabwe safe for tourists?

Zimbabwe is a safe country to visit, especially on the main tourist routes.

There is an issue with petty theft, as with lots of destinations around the world, so we would recommend you take care not to display any valuables and be discreet when withdrawing money from the cash machines. Do not walk around at night; use a taxi service or a hire car.

Whilst on safari, you must listen to your guide who will take your safety as paramount. You will be in wilderness areas around wildlife, so be sensible with your decisions and you will remain safe.

What languages do they speak in Zimbabwe?

The three main languages in Zimbabwe are English, Shona and Ndebele. Pretty much everybody has a good grasp of English, so communication is not generally an issue.

What are the currencies of Zimbabwe?

The official currency of Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL). The country has gone through various changes in its currency system over the years, including periods of hyperinflation and the use of foreign currencies like the United States Dollar (USD) and the South African Rand (ZAR). However, as of June 2019, the government reintroduced the Zimbabwean Dollar as the sole legal tender.

Can you drink the tap water in Zimbabwe?

The tap water in some areas of Zimbabwe is fine to drink, and in others it is not.

We would recommend you always drink bottled water to be safe during our time away and to eliminate any worry you may have.

How to get around in Zimbabwe?

The distances between national parks is quite large, so we usually recommend light aircraft as being the best way to travel.

Not only does this shorten the time you spend transferring, it also gives you a completely different perspective of the stunning landscapes of Zimbabwe. It is possible to do some transfers by four wheel drive vehicle and we always ensure these vehicles are of a very comfortable standard.

Whatever the option, we’ll work with you to plan out your full itinerary.

What’s the food like in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwean cuisine is strongly influenced by Europe, with pasta, rice and potatoes readily available.

On safari, you will generally be served European style cuisine with an African twist. Maize is the most common thing to eat and you must make sure you try Sadza, kind of like maize balls that you roll up with your hands and dip in your stew.

Trying new and local foods as it is all part of the experience.

What’s the service and accommodation like in Zimbabwe?

You can expect a high level of service at your accommodation and from your guides.

Guides in Zimbabwe are trained to the highest standards, and they go through an extensive training process. The accommodation facilities will obviously vary according to the standard you have booked into, but in general, accommodation is very good. We select our accommodation to the highest standards and levels of comfort, but our foremost priority is the location. A majority of the lodges we choose are in prime wilderness areas, home to some of Zimbabwe’s best wildlife.

Discover more about where to stay in Zimbabwe.

What is there to do in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe is a destination bursting with activities and things to do.

Explore a range of diverse national parks, including Hwange, famous for its huge elephant herds, to Matobo, where you will find a landscape mainly consisting of large granite rocks, home to lots of rhino. You can canoe around Mana Pools National Park, the perfect way to view the wildlife as it comes to drink. There is also, of course, the magnificent Victoria Falls. Arguably better from the Zimbabwean side, from here there is a range of activities to enjoy, including bungee jumping, white-water rafting, abseiling, horse safaris and fishing.

For a more cultural, historical and architectural experience, you can head to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, built way back in the 11th century. Once the grand capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe, it still stands shrouded in mystery, its huge stone structures thought to be the key to a lost civilisation.

Check out our guide on where to go in Zimbabwe for more information.