Vast, wild and authentically African, Zimbabwe is a destination filled with wonder and adventure. The country offers world-class safari destinations in its private game reserves and national parks, namely Mana Pools, Hwange, Matobo and Gonarezhou, and is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, the Victoria Falls. In Zimbabwe, you can truly immerse yourself in the wilderness and discover meaningful connections under its vast night sky.
Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools National Park offers a truly unique safari experience. A UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled along the Zambezi River in northern Zimbabwe, Mana is renowned for its immersive walking safaris and tranquil canoe trips, which allow you to get closer to wildlife in a deeply personal way. Unlike more traditional game drive experiences, Mana Pools invites you to leave the vehicle behind — walk alongside elephants or lie low to photograph wild dogs on the move. The park’s lush forests and floodplains are rich with life, from hippos and crocodiles to lions, leopards, and over 400 bird species.
Mana Pools is a prime destination for photographic safaris, as you can encounter wildlife on foot — just imagine photographing wild dogs on the move whilst lying flat down on your belly. The elephants here are famous for standing on their hind legs to reach the fruit and top branches of trees, and the forest is one of the most beautiful African landscapes you’ll ever encounter. After a full day of exciting wildlife photography, unwind in luxurious comfort at African Bush Camps Nyamatusi or Great Plains Tembo Plains.
Although only four of the Big Five reside in Mana Pools National Park (there are no rhinos here), it is an incredible destination for viewing game up close during a walking safari. Big Five reserves in Zimbabwe include Hwange and Gonarezhou National Park. Matetsi Private Game Reserve is also home to four of the Big Five and is the ideal safari destination from which to explore the Victoria Falls.
Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park is an iconic destination for a Zimbabwe safari. The park, the largest in Zimbabwe, spans 14,650 km2 and is named after a local Nhanzwa chief. Once the royal hunting ground of the Ndebele warrior king Mzilikazi, it was declared a protected national park close to a century ago. Today, the park is home to an abundance of wildlife, iconic landscapes and plentiful opportunities for up-close wildlife encounters unfolding at one of its many watering holes.
Hwange offers a breathtaking tapestry of landscapes that range from endless grassy plains to dense teak forests and rugged granite koppies (small hills). Situated on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, the park is shaped by its sandy soils and semi-arid climate, which contribute to its unique ecosystem. Mopane woodlands stretch across the northern regions, while the south gives way to sparse desert scrubland. Interspersed throughout are wide grasslands adorned with palm trees and acacias, providing vital grazing grounds for the park’s iconic large herds of elephants and Cape buffalo.
Water is the lifeblood of Hwange, and over 60 manmade and natural waterholes are scattered across the park, sustaining wildlife even during the dry season. In the dry months, these water sources become bustling hubs of activity, drawing in predators and prey alike. Sometimes during the dry season, the elephants and other game frequent the plunge pools at African Bush Camps Somalisa and Wilderness Linkwasha for a deep drink! Picture sipping your gin and tonic next to the pool and toasting to wildlife right next to you…
As you might expect from a park of this magnitude, wildlife abounds here. Over 100 different mammal species can be found within its borders, including vast herds of tusker elephants, numbering an estimated 40,000 in total. Hwange is also home to lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, gemsbok, hyena, zebra, kudu, and the less common sable, roan antelope, and brown hyena, as well as one of the most prolific populations of painted dogs on the continent.
Recent conservation efforts have also reintroduced rhinos into the reserve, after the last free-roaming rhino was lost to poaching in 2007. If your adventure to Hwange includes a visit to the Ngamo in the south eastern corner of the reserve, you’ll be able to see the most elusive of the Big Five in Zimbabwe. The Community Rhino Conservation Initiative has established a rhino sanctuary in Ngamo with its protection unit called the Cobras. The initiative envisions reintroducing a viable population of free-roaming black and white rhino in the greater Hwange as their numbers grow and the population begins to thrive.
Hwange is also an incredible destination for Twitchers as the reserve is renowned for its superb green season bird watching. Over 400 species have been spotted in peak season, when migratory birds from Europe spend the summer months in sub-Saharan Africa. These include the racket-tailed roller, carmine bee-eater, and southern ground hornbill, among many others.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is another of Zimbabwe’s most incredible natural phenomena. This spectacular sight is situated on the Zambezi River, forming a natural border between Zimbabwe and neighboring Zambia, and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world, thanks to its status as the greatest curtain of falling water in the world.
To experience the Falls in all its glory, the best time to visit is in March and April when the Falls are in full flood and columns of spray can be seen from miles away. For travelers seeking action and adventure, you can experience the thrill of white water rafting on the Zambezi, or a dip in Devil’s Pool during low-water season. A more relaxing experience is a sunset cruise along the Zambezi, or a scenic helicopter flight over the falls and surrounding wildlife areas.
Victoria Falls Hotel offers accommodation in classic comfort, and nearby reserves like Matetsi Private Game Reserve and Victoria Falls River Lodge make it easy to include a wildlife safari on your visit.
Matobo National Park
Matobo National Park, just outside Bulawayo, offers a dramatically different experience from other national parks in Zimbabwe. Renowned for its otherworldly granite rock formations, the park’s name, meaning “bald heads” in Ndebele, comes from the distinctive boulder-strewn landscape. This UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site is rich in history and spirituality, home to ancient Khoi rock art and the grave of Cecil Rhodes, perched atop a granite hill with panoramic views.
Beyond its cultural importance, Matobo is a haven for wildlife lovers. It’s one of the best places in Zimbabwe for rhino tracking on foot, offering intimate and thrilling encounters with both black and white rhinos. Matobo lacks lions and elephants, making it ideal for walking safaris and horse trails through peaceful terrain. The park also boasts one of the highest densities of Verreaux’s eagles globally. Best visited from May to October, the dry season offers excellent visibility and a truly immersive safari and cultural experience.
Gonarezhou National Park
Known as The Place of Elephants, Gonarezhou is Zimbabwe’s second-largest National Park. This famed wilderness area is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes in southern Africa, including the iconic red sandstone Chilojo Cliffs. Tucked away in the southeast of Zimbabwe, this transfrontier park (it shares borders with Mozambique and South Africa) is a less crowded gem that offers an off-the-beaten-path experience.
The park is home to all of the Big Five and 50 fish species, including the Zambezi shark and the small-tooth sawfish at the confluence of the Save and Runde rivers. The park’s unique landscapes and species make it the perfect destination for experienced safari-goers seeking new experiences.
Planning Your Zimbabwe Safari
From ultra luxurious safari lodges to more traditional tented camps, Zimbabwe’s safari destinations offer a range of accommodation options and ample choices to suit every taste and budget. Tented camps often offer an immersive, secluded experience and access to encounters off the beaten track. For a truly exclusive experience, Singita Pamushana is set in the remote Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve and offers the chance to completely immerse yourself in pristine wilderness. It is an incredible setting with inimitable views of the shimmering Malilangwe Dam below.
Activities will vary from place to place, but daily game drives are a standard offering. Some lodges offer night drives or walking safaris, guided bird watching, or immersive cultural experiences. Working with an experienced tour operator to plan your Zimbabwe safari means you can tailor your adventure to include all the activities and experiences that interest you and your family. You might also want to weave in other stops on your safari, like a visit to nearby Victoria Falls, or one of Zimbabwe’s other national parks.
Best Time to Visit Zimbabwe: A Seasonal Guide
Zimbabwe offers incredible wildlife viewing and scenic beauty throughout the year, but the experience changes with the seasons. It has a tropical climate with a dry season (winter) and wet season (summer). The dry season, from April to October, is the most popular time to visit. Wildlife sightings peak between July and October, when large herds – especially elephants – congregate around waterholes. These months offer clear skies, sparse vegetation, and excellent visibility, making it easier to spot animals.
Dry Season (April to October)
Best for: Wildlife viewing, especially elephants and predators
- April
- End of wet season
- Occasional showers taper off
- Mornings can be chilly – bring warm clothing for early game drives
- May to July
- Coolest months of the year
- Daytime: ~26°C (79°F)
- Nighttime: ~7°C (45°F) – can be very cold in open vehicles
- Dry, clear weather with excellent visibility
- August
- Temperatures begin to rise
- Continued dry conditions
- Great wildlife sightings around waterholes
- September to October
- Hottest months of the year
- Daytime: Often exceeds 32°C (90°F); can reach 40°C (104°F) in October
- First rains may fall in late October, refreshing the landscape
- Prime time for wildlife photography and game viewing
Wet Season (November to March)
Best for: Birdwatching, lush scenery, fewer crowds
- November
- Start of the rainy season
- Hot days (~32°C / 90°F)
- Rain is usually brief and falls in the afternoon
- December to February
- Wettest months
- Daytime: ~29°C (84°F)
- Nighttime: ~18°C (64°F)
- Afternoon rain showers are common
- Lush green vegetation and migratory birds arrive
- March
- Rain begins to ease
- Temperatures: 30°C (86°F) to 16°C (61°F)
- Transition month between the wet and dry seasons
The best time to visit Zimbabwe depends completely on the experience you’re planning. Whether you’re looking to see animals in great numbers during the dry season or experience the vivid colors and birdsong of the green season, the country is a year-round safari destination that caters to every type of nature lover.
Wild & Wonderful Zimbabwe
Whether it’s the sight of elephants silhouetted against a flaming sunset or the rare brown hyena prowling through the brush, Zimbabwe’s dramatic scenery and ecological diversity offer an unforgettable window into wild Africa. A trip to Zimbabwe can easily include iconic safari destinations like Mana Pools or Hwange, combined with an excursion to Victoria Falls, or one of Zimbabwe’s other premier safari destinations, including Matobo or Gonarezhou.
If you’re ready to explore Zimbabwe in your unique way, get in touch with our experienced team and we can craft a once-in-a-lifetime experience in this incredible country.