Top 5 Reasons to Travel to Zimbabwe
The Heart of a True & Authentic Safari Experience
Are you ready for the ultimate African safari adventure? There is no better place than Zimbabwe to tick some incredible and exciting safari experiences and adventures off your African travel bucket-list.
Zimbabwe is one of Southern Africa’s most rewarding big game safari destinations. Authentic, untamed, and rugged, it offers visitors, avid adventurers, and eager nature and wildlife enthusiasts an off-the-beaten-track African safari experience unlike any other. Boasting incredible national parks and reserves, vast and vibrant landscapes, and an abundant diversity of wildlife, including the renowned Big5, a trip to Zimbabwe should be on everyone’s African travel bucket list.
With so much to explore, discover, and experience, the reasons to travel to Zimbabwe are truly endless.
Here are the top 5 reasons to travel to Zimbabwe as well as a few important tidbits to keep in mind before you venture into the wild heart of Africa.
#1 Incredible Wildlife Sightings & Encounters
Zimbabwe is one of Southern Africa’s most rewarding big game safari destinations. Boasting incredible national parks and reserves, vast and vibrant landscapes, and an abundant diversity of wildlife, including the renowned Big5, a trip to Zimbabwe will undoubtedly exceed all your expectations. In addition to delivering superb game viewing and exceptional Big 5 sightings, witnessing the wildlife of the Zambezi River – hippos, crocodiles, and shy water buck – are a real treat!
Home to a number of game-rich wilderness areas, northern Zimbabwe is regarded as the top region for wildlife safaris. Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park is arguably one of Africa’s very best Big 5 safari destinations and National Parks. Covering a vast expanse of around 5,655 square miles/14,650 square kilometers, it is both the largest and oldest of Zimbabwe’s game reserves. Hwange National Park is also one of Zimbabwe’s top tourist attractions, especially among avid wildlife enthusiasts, as the park is considered to have the biggest diversity of mammals out of the world’s national parks.
Home to over 100 species of mammals, including the renowned African Big 5, Hwange National Park’s game viewing is truly unparalleled. In addition to its exceptional diversity of wildlife, this world-renowned National Park is famous for its profound population of elephants, boasting over 50 000 elephants. The Hwange elephant population is thought to be one of the largest in the world.
That’s not all! This magnificent wilderness and wildlife gem is said to boast one of the largest populations of endangered wild dogs in Africa. Travellers and wildlife lovers can also look forward to some spectacular sightings of various other wildlife species, some of which include: Masses of hippos, crocodiles, zebra, giraffe, impala, cheetah, several rare antelope species such as roan and sable antelope (a Hwange special), plenty of plains game, African wildcats, serval, honey badgers, civet, and spotted hyaenas, to mention merely a few. Hyenas, bat-eared foxes, and springhares, typically inhabit the Kalahari sands of the region.
The shores of Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba is a haven for enormous herds of elephants, rhinos, and a thriving lion population; Whereas the far-flung remote wilderness of neighboring Gonarezhou National Park and Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve offers travelers a truly rewarding African safari and wildlife experience, featuring massive big-tusker elephants, all the big cats, as well as nearly 400 bird species. This is merely scratching the surface of the sensational wildlife and birdlife Zimbabwe has to offer.
#2 Best Time to Visit Zimbabwe
One of the best things about Zimbabwe is the fact that it is a great year-round safari and wilderness destination, with every season offering something unique, rewarding, and exciting. As Zimbabwe is one of the best year-round destinations in Africa, the best time to go on your unforgettable safari holiday to Zimbabwe is highly dependent on the type of experience you wish to have and what you would most like to do, see, explore, discover, and experience on your trip.
Victoria Falls: Tumbling down 100-metre-high cliffs surrounded by lush forests, Victoria Falls is the largest sheet of falling water in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Regarded as one of Africa’s most astounding natural wonders as well as one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, the magnificent Victoria Falls reigns supreme as not only one of Zimbabwe’s top tourist attractions, but one of Africa’s most exceptional sights to behold. If you’re looking to witness this marvel in all its glory, the best time to plan your trip to Zimbabwe is between April and June, at the end of the rainy season, when the Falls are in full flow.
**BONUS: The mighty Victoria Falls offers several thrilling activities and experiences for all the adrenaline-junkies, such as white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and helicopter flights over colossal cascading waters.
Game viewing: For the ultimate game-viewing experience and best wildlife sightings and encounters, travelling to Zimbabwe during its dry winter season, which takes place from May to October, is definitely the way to go. In addition to sensational wildlife sightings, Zimbabwe’s dry season boasts a mild climate, with the weather being more temperate during this time, plus the risk of malaria is much lower.
Adventure: Now, if you’re seeking the thrill of white-water rafting on the mighty Zambezi River, then listen up! The best time to take the plunge is from August to December when the river water levels are lower.
#3 Zimbabwe boasts an incredible variety of famous sites & attractions to explore
Besides being chock-full of fascinating history, vibrant culture, exceptional wildlife, breathtaking scenery, diverse landscapes, and must-visit wilderness destinations, Zimbabwe is widely known for its seriously brag-worthy UNESCO World Heritage sites and amazing attractions.
Mana Pools National Park
It is home to not one, but five renowned cultural gems and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, namely the Khami Ruins, Victoria Falls, Mana Pools National Park, Great Zimbabwe National Monument, and the Matobo National Park, two incredible natural wonders that are the mighty and magnificent Victoria Falls and remarkable Mana Pools – one being one of largest waterfalls in the world and the other a notable National Park that’s home to an abundance of extraordinary wildlife.
Victoria Falls
The Mana Pools, which forms a large part of the iconic Mana Pools National Park, boasts four massive oxbow pools that were created by the changing currents of the Zambezi over thousands of years. Today, it attracts flocks of wildlife during Zimbabwe’s dry season. It’s a wonderland for walking and canoeing safaris and offers a remote and rugged wilderness experience filled with a plethora of wildlife, including lion, leopard, endangered wild dogs, and so much more.
Zimbabwe’s Best National Parks, Game Reserves & Attractions
- Hwange National Park
- Victoria Falls
- Mana Pools National Park
- Matoba National Park
- Nyanga National Park
- South Gonarezhou National Park
- Lake Kariba
- Chimanimani National Park
- Chinhoyi Caves
- Matusadona National Park
- Great Zimbabwe National Monument & Masvingo
Have a look at our ‘Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Zimbabwe’ blog for everything you need to know about Zimbabwe’s most sought-after attractions and must-visit National Parks.
#4 Once-in-a-lifetime safari adventures & bucket-list worthy experiences
Zimbabwe has plenty to see and do, but some activities, attractions, adventures, and experiences deserve a special mention. Here are some of our favourite things to do on your Zimbabwe safari holiday:
- See the Victoria Falls:Walk through the lush Victoria Falls National Park to admire the majestic Falls from 16 different lookout points.
- Walking safari in Mana Pools National Park:A walking safari in this game-rich national park will give you a unique and immersive perspective of the bush and its wild residents.
- Game drives in Hwange National Park:The largest national park in Zimbabwe, Hwange, is a safari lover’s dream with large elephant herds, plenty of lions, African wild dogs, and many more.
- Sunrise and sunset cruises on the Zambezi:Enjoy a cruise on the Zambezi, the fourth-longest river in Africa, for views of spellbinding sunrises and sunsets, hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife.
- Zimbabwe safari on Lake Kariba:As the world’s largest artificial reservoir by volume, Lake Kariba offers water-based activities like fishing, bird watching, scenic boat cruises, and game viewing.
- Explore the wilderness in Gonarezhou National Park:Dubbed “The Place of Elephants”, this national park promises exciting sightings and has a unique conservation success story to how it got to its current glory.
#5 Zimbabwe is filed with rich culture, history & heritage
Zimbabwe is teeming with history and heritage. Its array of unique rock art and archaeological ruins have become one of its top attractions to witness. Evidence of then ancient civilization can be found at the Metopos Hills, where some of the best-preserved rock paintings in Africa are located, as well as an incredible selection of interesting artifacts dating all the way back to the pre-middle stone ages.
Zimbabwe’s wealth of ethnic groups includes the Shona people, whose soapstone sculptures are famous in the artisanal world. See Zimbabwe’s awe-inspiring sights for yourself and broaden your horizons as you learn about its fascinating cultures, history, and heritage.
When you are visiting a foreign country, it’s great to immerge yourself in its culture. The area around the Victoria Falls is rich with fascinating history, with stories dating back to over 700 years. The local guides will give you a glimpse into the daily lives of the people who call this area home. Be sure to try the local cuisine and learn more about the traditions of the communities staying close to one of the world’s most mighty waterfalls.
#BONUS
Boasting ultra-luxurious accommodation, lavish facilities, and superb safari experiences – Zimbabwe is any travellers dream come true. Accommodation in Zimbabwe is set within the heart of the wilderness and positioned to provide true away-from-it-all indulgence. With panoramic views of its pristine wildlife and stunning surroundings, the only ‘interruptions’ you’ll encounter are the glorious thunderous sounds of Victoria Falls, wandering elephants, curious giraffe or, if you’re lucky, a lion basking in the midday sun.
Zimbabwe offers some amazing accommodation options for those wanting to experience the more luxurious side of Africa and the wonderful Victoria Falls. Here are some of our favourite luxury hotels, camps, and lodges located around Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls.
- The Victoria Falls Hotel
- The Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel
- Matetsi Victoria Falls
- The Elephant Camp
- Victoria Falls River Lodge
- Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
Click here to find out more about these exceptional luxury hotels, camps, and lodges located in and around Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls.
Zimbabwe is without a doubt one of the best safari destinations in Africa. It’s got all the bells and whistles of a top-notch Big 5 safari like the Greater Kruger National Park, but with fewer tourists, making for a more intimate and exclusive safari experience.
When visiting Zimbabwe you’ll most definitely want to check out the likes of the famous Hwange National Park (home to tons of elephants and big cats, not to mention wild dogs and cheetahs), the Mana Pools National Park (where the elephants stand tall, the Zambezi River flows, and it’s perfect for walking safaris), and let’s not forget Zimbabwe’s super-secret, totally out-there Gonarezhou National Park (regarded as Zimbabwe’s ultimate hidden gem, complete with the world-famous Chilojo Cliffs).
What are you waiting for? Start planning your bucket-list worthy trip to Zimbabwe right away to experience all the beauty, wonders, wildlife, and adventures it has to offer.
