The Best of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s remote safari destinations are surprisingly easy to reach, thanks to a well-established network of scheduled charter flights connecting the country’s major safari areas. Most international visitors arrive through either Victoria Falls International Airport or Harare International Airport. There are daily flights between Cape Town/Johannesburg and Harare/Victoria Falls.

From these airports, scheduled light-aircraft charter flights connect guests to safari destinations including Hwange National Park, Mana Pools and Lake Kariba. You can also fly between the different safari destinations, making it possible to combine several parks without spending long days travelling by road. For example, you could fly into Victoria Falls, spend a few nights exploring the Falls, continue to Hwange National Park, fly onwards to Lake Kariba and Mana Pools, and finish your safari in Harare.

Don’t worry about organising the internal flights yourself. Your Earthstompers travel consultant will coordinate your scheduled charter flights, lodge transfers and connections as part of your safari itinerary.

Zimbabwe offers something increasingly difficult to find: a genuine wilderness safari experience without the crowds. While destinations such as Greater Kruger are famous for their exceptional wildlife sightings, Zimbabwe offers a slightly different safari experience. The national parks are vast, the safari camps are generally small, and many of the wilderness areas feel wonderfully remote. But what really sets Zimbabwe apart is its people. Zimbabwe has an outstanding reputation for safari guiding. Guides are exceptionally knowledgeable, passionate about wildlife and conservation, and often brilliant storytellers. Walking safaris are another major highlight, particularly in Mana Pools, where exploring the African bush on foot is an important part of the safari experience.

At Earthstompers, we particularly love Zimbabwe’s combination of excellent guiding, genuine hospitality, intimate safari camps and uncrowded wilderness.

Zimbabwe has several exceptional safari destinations, each offering something different.

Mana Pools National Park

Situated along the Zambezi River, Mana Pools is famous for its walking safaris, canoeing adventures, elephants, wild dogs and spectacular floodplain scenery.

It’s one of Africa’s most rewarding destinations for travellers who enjoy immersive wildlife experiences.

Hwange National Park

Zimbabwe’s largest national park is particularly famous for its elephants, lions, wild dogs and diverse wildlife.

Hwange offers excellent game drives, walking safaris and beautiful, remote safari camps.

Lake Kariba and Matusadona National Park

Lake Kariba combines traditional safari activities with experiences on the water.

Expect spectacular sunsets, boat cruises, fishing, game drives and opportunities to see elephants, hippos and other wildlife along the shoreline.

Victoria Falls

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls is a fantastic addition to any Zimbabwe safari.

Beyond visiting the Falls themselves, guests can enjoy sunset cruises on the Zambezi River, scenic helicopter flights, cultural experiences and a variety of adventure activities.

Our recommendation: Combine at least two safari destinations with Victoria Falls to experience Zimbabwe’s remarkable diversity.

For a traditional wildlife safari, the dry season from May to October is generally the best time to visit.

However, each season offers something different.

May to June – Early dry season

The bush is still relatively green following the summer rains, temperatures are pleasant, and wildlife viewing improves as the vegetation begins to thin.

This is a beautiful time for photography and a particularly attractive period to visit Mana Pools and Hwange.

July to August – Peak safari season

Expect cooler mornings, dry conditions and excellent wildlife viewing.

Animals increasingly concentrate around permanent water sources, making sightings more predictable.

These are popular months, so we recommend booking well in advance.

September to October – Exceptional wildlife viewing

These are typically the hottest and driest months.

As natural water sources disappear, animals gather around rivers and waterholes, often creating spectacular wildlife encounters.

Game viewing can be outstanding, but temperatures can become extremely hot, particularly in October.

November to April – Green season

Summer brings rain, lush landscapes, migratory birds and the arrival of many newborn animals.

It can be a beautiful time to visit, particularly for photographers and birdwatchers.

However, some remote safari camps, particularly in Mana Pools, close seasonally because of rain and difficult access.

Your Earthstompers consultant will recommend the best destinations and camps for your travel dates.

Most safari lodges include two guided activities per day, generally one in the early morning and another in the late afternoon.

A typical day might look something like this:

05:00 – Wake-up call with coffee, tea and a light breakfast.

05:30–06:00 – Depart on your morning safari activity. Depending on your location, this might be a game drive, walking safari, canoeing excursion or boat safari.

10:00–11:00 – Return to camp for brunch or breakfast.

11:00–15:30 – Relax at the lodge, enjoy the swimming pool, watch wildlife from your deck or simply take in the surroundings.

15:30 – Afternoon tea and refreshments.

16:00 – Depart on your afternoon safari activity.

19:00 – Return to camp for drinks around the fire, followed by dinner.

Schedules vary depending on the lodge, season and activities.

One of the wonderful things about Zimbabwe is that wildlife experiences are often very flexible, particularly at smaller camps.

One of Zimbabwe’s biggest attractions is the variety of safari experiences available.

Depending on the destination and lodge, activities may include:

Game drives: Explore the wilderness with experienced professional guides in open safari vehicles.

Walking safaris: Discover the smaller details of the bush, learn about animal tracks and experience wildlife from a completely different perspective.

Canoeing safaris: Paddle along the Zambezi River in Mana Pools, observing wildlife along the riverbanks.

Boat safaris: Explore Lake Kariba or the Zambezi River, with excellent opportunities for wildlife and birdwatching.

Fishing: Seasonal catch-and-release fishing experiences are available at selected camps.

Birdwatching: Zimbabwe offers outstanding birdlife, particularly during the summer months.

Cultural experiences: Visit local communities and learn more about Zimbabwe’s people, traditions and conservation initiatives.

Not every activity is available at every lodge, and some activities depend on seasonal water levels and weather conditions.

Zimbabwe is widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading walking safari destinations. Professional safari guides undergo extensive training, and walking safaris are conducted according to strict safety procedures. Unlike a game drive, a walking safari allows you to experience the African wilderness at a slower pace. Your guide will interpret animal tracks, explain the surrounding vegetation and introduce you to the smaller details of the ecosystem that are easily overlooked from a vehicle. In areas such as Mana Pools, walking safaris can also offer extraordinary opportunities to observe larger wildlife on foot, always under the guidance of experienced professionals. Naturally, walking in areas with dangerous wildlife involves inherent risks, and guests must follow their guide’s instructions at all times. Age restrictions and walking requirements vary between camps.

We generally recommend spending at least three nights at each safari lodge. This allows enough time to settle in, experience different safari activities and enjoy the surrounding wilderness without feeling rushed. For a first-time Zimbabwe safari, we would suggest: 6 nights: Combine two safari destinations, such as Hwange and Mana Pools. 8–9 nights: Combine three destinations, such as Victoria Falls, Hwange and Mana Pools. 10–12 nights: Experience a more comprehensive Zimbabwe safari, including Victoria Falls, Hwange, Lake Kariba and Mana Pools.

Zimbabwe is also an excellent destination to combine with South Africa and Botswana, particularly Greater Kruger, Cape Town, Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta. Your itinerary can be tailored around your interests, available time and budget.

Absolutely! In fact, Victoria Falls is one of the most convenient starting or finishing points for a Zimbabwe safari. You can fly into Victoria Falls International Airport, spend two or three nights exploring the area, and then continue by scheduled charter flight to Hwange, Lake Kariba or Mana Pools. Victoria Falls is also easily combined with Chobe National Park in neighbouring Botswana. Road transfers between Victoria Falls and Kasane generally take around two hours, although border crossing times can vary.

For travellers wanting to experience both Zimbabwe and Botswana, we can arrange all the necessary transfers and connections.

This is a very important consideration when planning your safari. Most scheduled light-aircraft charter flights have strict luggage restrictions because of the aircraft’s size and weight limitations. A common allowance is approximately 20 kg per person, including hand luggage, although this varies by operator, aircraft and route. Soft-sided duffel bags are generally required, as hard suitcases may not fit into the aircraft’s luggage compartments. We recommend packing light and bringing comfortable, practical safari clothing. If you’re travelling with larger suitcases, please let us know in advance. We can investigate luggage storage arrangements or alternative solutions. Your Earthstompers consultant will confirm the exact luggage allowance and bag dimensions for your booked flights.

Yes! Zimbabwe can be an exceptional family safari destination. Several safari lodges offer family suites, private safari activities and programmes designed to introduce younger travellers to the African wilderness. For example, family-friendly camps such as Nyamatusi Mahogany in Mana Pools and Somalisa Acacia in Hwange are designed with families in mind. Children can learn about wildlife, animal tracks, conservation and the natural environment through engaging activities led by experienced guides. However, some lodges have minimum age requirements, particularly for walking safaris and canoeing activities. We will help you select appropriate lodges based on your children’s ages and your family’s interests.

Yes. Zimbabwe is considered a malaria-risk destination, including its major safari regions. We recommend consulting a travel health professional before departure to discuss appropriate malaria prevention medication and other recommended precautions. Regardless of the season, it’s important to protect yourself against mosquito bites. Most luxury safari lodges provide mosquito nets, insect repellent or other protective measures, but we recommend bringing your own repellent as well.

Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Some nationalities can enter Zimbabwe without a visa, while others can obtain a visa on arrival or must apply in advance. Visitors planning to combine Zimbabwe and Zambia may also qualify for the KAZA UNIVISA, which allows eligible travellers to visit both countries using a single visa. The KAZA UNIVISA can also cover certain day trips to Botswana. Visa regulations can change, so we recommend checking the latest requirements with the Zimbabwean immigration authorities before travelling. Your passport should generally be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.

At Earthstompers, we believe the best travel advice comes from firsthand experience. We know because we go. We’ve personally explored Zimbabwe’s remarkable safari destinations, including Mana Pools, Lake Kariba, Hwange and Victoria Falls. We’ve stayed at the lodges, experienced the activities and travelled between the destinations ourselves. This allows us to recommend safari experiences based on genuine knowledge rather than simply relying on brochures. We specialise in carefully selected, smaller safari lodges offering excellent guiding, personal service and authentic wilderness experiences. We also believe responsible tourism should benefit the places and people that make these destinations so special. When you book with Earthstompers, we’ll help you put together a seamless safari itinerary, including your accommodation, scheduled charter flights, transfers and activities. All you need to do is enjoy the adventure!