Zimbabwe, in our humble opinion, is Africa's finest safari country. It boasts extraordinary and diverse habitats, ecosystems, wildlife and birdlife along with the continents best professional safari guides.
Widely regarded for many years prior to 2000 as the ultimate safari destination, Zimbabwe’s tourism recovery over the past 7 or so years has been incredible. The tourism industry as a whole and the countries national parks and wilderness areas remain one of the most well organised and managed in all of Africa is a testament to the passion and commitment shown by all operators and stakeholders who stuck out the hard times.
The cost of a safari here is incredibly low considering the experiences on offer. In fact, many travellers are converted to Zimbabwe’s charms when they compare it to the higher cost of safari in Botswana. The two countries are in essence able to offer a very similar experience.
Whilst the camps are not necessarily the most luxurious you will find, they are generally of a very high quality and retain a real air of authenticity and sense of safari identity. The spectacular Victoria Falls adds an extra dimension and makes a fitting beginning or end to any safari in the country.
Wildlife numbers and the concentration of animals can be truly staggering between the dry season months of May – November. Elephant, in particular, can number in the hundreds at any one time and are some of the most impressive we have seen anywhere. It is also worth mentioning that Hwange National Park supports the largest diversity of mammals in Africa.
In the rainy season months of December - April the herds tend to scatter somewhat but game viewing can still be very rewarding and the cost of safari drops even further.
It is the high quality of safari experience, authentic in its best form, and the highest possible standard of safari guiding that is most likely to strike you here though. Zimbabwean guides undergo a very thorough and extensive apprenticeship in order to obtain their professional licences. This process often takes between 4-6 years to complete and results in some of the best guiding skills you will find anywhere. They truly set the gold standard against which all others are measured.
One of our founders, Clyde, is himself a Zimbabwean professional guide and we can speak first-hand for his complete dedication to the task of keeping others happy and enthralled on safari!
Zimbabwe Safaris FAQs
Zimbabwe is regarded by many as one of Africa's finest safari countries. We highly recommend Zimbabwe as it not only has a high quality of overall service but the field guiding is some of the best in Africa. The dry season also offers staggering wildlife numbers and concentrations of animals. Zimbabwe is home to four World Heritage Sites which include the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, outcrops of Matobo Hills, one of our favourites Mana Pools and the magnificent Victoria Falls.
Zimbabwe offers a great variety of lodges each with its own design and character. Our choice of lodges are: Gorges and Little Gorges Lodge, Imbalala Safari Lodge, Zambezi Sands, Matetsi River Lodge, The Elephant Camp, Victorai Falls River Lodge, Batonka Guest Lodge, Victoria Falls Hotel, Somalisa Camp, Ruckomechi Camp and Linkwasha Camp. But there are still a few more that we could add to this list.
Zimbabwe safaris are relatively well priced as far as luxury safaris go, starting from around $900 per person per day. Most of the camps are not the most ultimate in luxury, but the exceptional service and superior field guiding elevate the sense of luxury. The remoteness of the reserves we choose also add to the luxury of a safari.
The dry months in Zimbabwe are between June and November and is the best time for viewing game. This is when visitor numbers are at its highest. The shoulder months od April, May and December may be a better option as the visitor numbers may be slightly fewer and this improves the wildlife viewing experience so much better.
CHOOSE FROM SIXDISTINCT AREAS
Zimbabwe is true African wilderness. It is home to one of the world's seven natural wonders, the spectacular Victoria Falls. Zimbabwe safaris offer beautiful landscapes and fantastic game viewing opportunities, between the mighty Zambezi River and Limpopo River.
Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools National Park is a World Heritage site and Africa’s most sensational safari area! The combination of some of the best game viewing alongside the most experienced professional guides, breathtaking scenery, the stunning lower Zambezi river and the most incredible walking safaris really do make this national park stand out.
Lake Kariba & Matusadona National Park
Few Lakes are able to boast of having a stand-alone wildlife national park along its shores with impressive numbers of Africa’s animal and birdlife all set against the backdrop of the breath-taking Matusadona mountain range.
Victoria Falls
There are few sights as enchanting and stunning as the Victoria Falls. One of the original 7 wonders of the world and also a world heritage site, Victoria falls is an absolute must-see add-on to any safari in Southern Africa.
Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s best-known and largest National park and is a real heavyweight in the contender for Africa’s finest. Certainly, in terms of the diversity of wildlife, birdlife and ecosystems we think it is pretty hard to beat from late June through to Mid- November.
Matobo Hills National Park
Until you see huge Granite rocks balancing on top of one another in impossible ways it is quite hard to imagine why they would capture the imagination, this is Matobo Hills National Park.
Gonarezhou National Park
Gonarezhou National Park is simply epic! A truly last frontier kind of wildlife area that is fast becoming harder and harder to find.
Our Top Zimbabwe Lodges & Camps
At Gorges you can relax away from the hustle and bustle of Victoria Falls town - our peaceful guest accommodation is nestled in a landscaped garden that makes walking to your room a joy, and our staff are renowned for their warm hospitality ... Read more
Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge is an unspoilt wilderness experience, on the banks of the Zambezi. Despite being completely refurbished over the years, Imbabala is still a small unpretentious safari camp offering a true “African Safari Experience” ... Read more
At Zambezi Sands you set the pace. You can even explore the Zambezi River by inflatable canoe or motorised boat. However, relaxing in your private deck splash pool – whilst overlooking the Zambezi – is perhaps just as enjoyable ... Read more
Matetsi Victoria Falls combines dramatic architectural design and luxurious interiors with the vibrancy of the Zimbabwean people. Just 40 km upstream from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Victoria Falls ... Read more
The Elephant Camp is famous for its magnificent views, spacious design and beautiful location in the Victoria Falls National Park. The main deck overlooks the cavernous Batoka Gorge, with the 'Smoke That Thunders' resting lightly on the horizon ... Read more
Victoria Falls River Lodge is ideally located for exploring Victoria Falls and combines the African Safari experience with one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World – the iconic Victoria Falls ... Read more
Batonka Guest Lodge offers 27 well-appointed rooms with elegant, contemporary style décor encompassing Victoria Falls’ colonial past and African flavour. All rooms are air conditioned; have ensuite bathrooms and a private balcony/patio ... Read more
The Victoria Falls Hotel, popularly known as “the grand old lady of the Falls”, is situated in the Victoria Falls National Park, a world heritage site, and is a member of the exclusive Leading Hotels of the World group ... Read more
Zimbabwe Special Offers
Why Tailormade Africa?
Wildlife Specialists
With our well established, strong personal relationships with all of our ground operators, National Park Authorities and Conservation Management teams in Zimbabwe, we are always kept up to date on the most recent information of wildlife & conservation projects, ensuring you get to see wildlife viewings like never before.
Zimbabwe Safari Experts
Clyde & Rob are two of the most knowledgeable experts in the world on Zimbabwe safaris and have travelled extensively to most of Zimbabwe's National Parks, camps and lodges. Clyde also grew up and work as a field guide in Zimbabwe.
Bespoke Zimbabwe Safaris
With Tailormade Africa, no two safari holiday itineraries are ever the same. The combination of our in-depth knowledge of the country and taking the time to get to know all of our clients' travel personalities ensures truly bespoke itineraries and a trip specifically tailored to you.
Experience a Zimbabwe Safari
The Iconic Victoria Falls and the nearby behemoth of a safari park, Hwange National Park , attract most of the tourists to the country and have done so for many years due to their safe proximity to multiple border points. For the initiated among safari travellers, there is so much more to Zimbabwe and some gems that will blow you away.
Mana Pools National Park in the north and Gonarezhou National Park in the south-east are perhaps two of the wildest and most untouched safari areas on the continent. Mana Pools is undoubtedly our favourite and the contender for Africa's best national park.
Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Lake Kariba and Matusadona National Park , on an exquisite and exciting houseboat safari option atop this watery wilderness. Matobo Hills in the south completes the set and is home to a number of the majestic yet endangered Black and White Rhino.
