In addition to some fantastic wildlife regions, Zimbabwe is able to offer a wide range of exciting activities.
Zimbabwe is know as a walking safari destination, with guides who are experienced and confident enough to walk you into big game situations. However beyond this, Zimbabwe offers water-based activities, cultural and archaeological experiences and in Victoria Falls Town they arguably have the adventure capital of southern Africa.
Big game viewing
Big game viewing
Zimbabwe has several big game regions where game drives are the primary way of getting close to the animals. Hwange National Park and Mana Pools are the best known, with Hwange offering genuinely incredible elephant viewing during the dry season from June to October. Matusadona, Matobo Hills, Upper Zambezi, Pamashona and the wilds of Gonorezhou are further areas where big game can be seen. Please view our regions page for more information on these areas.
Night Drives
Night Drives
Night drives are available within certain private concessions within Hwange and Mana Pools National Parks and in various private conservancies and concessions throughout the country. They offer the chance to seek out nocturnal species such as genet, civet, serval, honey badger and leopard, and very much add to your safari experience where they are available.
WALKING SAFARIS
Walking Safaris
Walking is widely available in Zimbabwe and the overall standard of guiding in Zimbabwe makes it one of the best destinations for more adventurous walking safaris.
Walking in Zimbabwe is often equally orientated towards tracking and approaching big game, as it is learning about the finer details of the bush. To find out more, please see our dedicated Walking in Zimbabwe page.
BIRDING
BIRDING
With around 690 species recorded, Zimbabwe can offer keen birders a vast range of wonderful experiences. The key to the wide range of species found in Zimbabwe is the differing habitat and altitude throughout the country – from the granite hills of Matobo and the dry Kalahari woodland of Hwange to the flood plains of the majestic Zambezi River and the towering hills of the Eastern Highlands, the landscapes and habitats of Zimbabwe are incredibly diverse. Zimbabwe has also long been known for providing top class guiding, and this is fantastic news for birders who require a more specialist level of guiding.
SPECIES SPECIFIC SAFARIS
SPECIES SPECIFIC SAFARIS
Hwange National Park in western Zimbabwe offers without doubt one of the most phenomenal elephant-viewing experiences in Africa. The park ecosystem includes hundreds of water holes, many of which are ‘pumped’ during the dry season, and over 40,000 elephants congregate around these water holes, which they rely on. From June through to early November you can simply sit at some of these water holes and watch herd after herd come into to drink, cool down and play. Many of the water holes are located in front of camps so the viewing can continue during meals and rest time in camp. Hwange is also one of the best places in Africa to see the majestic Sable antelope.
Mana Pools National Park is a stronghold for wild dogs, and one of the best places to go in Africa to see them.
Matobo Hills National Park near Bulawayo has long been a stronghold for both black and white rhino, whilst it is also known as a good place to see the relatively rare black eagle.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
Whilst there are endless possibilities to interact with local people in Zimbabwe, and in a few areas you have the chance to visit authentic rural villages, some of the best cultural experiences are more linked with history than the present day. In the south of the country, Bulawayo is an interesting, if sadly declining city, whilst Matobo Hills National Park just to the south is steeped in history being home to one of the largest concentrations of rock art in southern Africa, as well as the grave of Cecil Rhodes. Just to the west of Bulawayo are the Khami Ruins, whilst across to the east near Masvingo are the more famous ancient ruins of Great Zimbabwe. Both are remnants of cities from the late iron age, with Great Zimbabwe in particular being attributed huge importance as an ancient capital and royal palace.
We can organise specialist guiding of Khami Ruins, Bulawayo, Matobo Hills and Great Zimbabwe and we would highly recommend this for anyne interested in history, archeology and anthropology. At Victoria Falls, we can also arrange historical tours and talks with expert guides.
PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS
PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS
Elephants in Hwange are a natural target for keen photographers, and the underground hide at the aptly named ‘The Hide’ is the perfect spot to take eye-level shots of the resident wildlife. The diversity of habitat in Zimbabwe is a real bonus for photographers who can frame animals against the beautiful teak woodland of Hwange, the stunning submerged leadwood forests of Lake Kariba, the impressive granite kopjies of Matobo Hills or the lazy power of the Zambezi River.
Late dry season safaris at remote water holes in Mana Pools can be especially rewarding for photographers – please see our short film on Kavinga Safari Camp, which was filmed in early November 2019.
WATER BASED SAFARIS
WATER BASED SAFARIS
With the Zambezi River, including man-made Lake Kariba, forming the entire northern boundary of the country, Zimbabwe is a great destination for water-based safari experiences. In the north-west corner of the country the Upper Zambezi region close to Victoria Falls offers canoeing, boat cruises and fishing, whilst the Lower Zambezi region in north-east Zimbabwe offers what have long been considered the best canoeing safaris in Africa (though for various reasons mainly to do with the large numbers of hippo and crocs, these days they are only suitable for very adventurous travellers, and we rarely recommend them). Mana Pools National Park does not allow motorised water activities, though some private concessions on the edge of the park or just outside the park are able to offer them, together with fishing.
Mastusadona National Park on Lake Kariba is a classic ‘water-based’ safari destination with unlimited cruising and fishing around the many inlets of the lakeshore.
FISHING
FISHING
Fishing is superb on the Zambezi River and in Lake Kariba. The legendary tiger fish is often the main quarry, though huge ‘vundu’ (catfish) and a variety of small fish can also be caught. Fly-fishing for trout is also possible in the many lakes and rivers of the Eastern Highlands region of the country.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Victoria Falls is known as the adventure capital of southern Africa with bungee jumping, gorge swings, Grade 5 white-water rafting, micro/ultra-lighting, helicopter flights and elephant interaction. We can also cater for very specific interests such as dendrology, Lepidoptera, archaeology etc.
Zimbabwe is home to a huge population of elephants and there are opportunities to interact with semi-tame elephants in a couple of places, principally close to Victoria Falls.
Horse-riding is possible in Zimbabwe, though the country is not especially known for its wide range of riding options. The best options exist in the Mavuradonha Mountains to the north of the capital Harare, and through the Zambezi and Victoria Falls National Parks close to Victoria Falls. It is also possible to ride in Hwange National Park and a new option is opening in Matobo Hills.