Skip to main content
Zimbabwe Travel Guide

Zimbabwe Travel Guide

Planning a trip to Zimbabwe? Zimbabwe is home to Victoria Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the world, and to some of the best guiding in Africa. Here you will find the elephant herds of Hwange, canoe and walking safaris in Mana Pools, houseboats on Lake Kariba and the stone city of Great Zimbabwe. We are a local Southern Africa team, and we plan each Zimbabwe trip around you. You can visit Victoria Falls for a few nights or add it to a Botswana or Namibia safari.

Best: May to Oct Victoria Falls Top walking safaris 5 UNESCO sites

Plan your Zimbabwe trip

Tell us your dates and what you like to do. Our local team will make a plan and a price for you, and we usually reply within 24 hours.

Get a free quote Chat on WhatsApp

Or call +264 85 364 5450

Zimbabwe Travel guide

About Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a country in southern Africa, between Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana. The Zambezi River runs along its northern border, over Victoria Falls and into Lake Kariba. Zimbabwe guides train for many years before they can lead walks, so the country is known for some of the best guiding in Africa. Most visitors start at Victoria Falls, which is easy to reach by air.

Most people stay for 4 to 10 days. A short trip covers Victoria Falls and the Chobe River in Botswana. A longer trip adds Hwange National Park, Mana Pools or Lake Kariba. Many guests combine Zimbabwe with Botswana or Namibia.

Zimbabwe travel essentials
Capital
Harare
Main language
English, Shona and Ndebele
Money
US dollars are used almost everywhere. The local currency is the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). Bring small US dollar notes.
Best time to visit
May to October (the dry season, best for animals)
Visa
Most visitors get a visa on arrival or an e-Visa. The KAZA UniVisa covers Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Main airports
Victoria Falls (VFA) and Harare (HRE)
How long to stay
4 to 10 days
Malaria
Most low-lying areas, including Victoria Falls, Hwange and Mana Pools, have malaria. Ask your doctor about tablets.
Sample Zimbabwe itineraries

Featured Zimbabwe trips & itineraries

These are starting ideas, not fixed deals. We plan every trip around you. Prices are a guide, for each person sharing a room.

13 Days / 12 Nights Code: SA-BSA13

13-Day Southern Africa Safari: Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe

Windhoek • Okonjima • Etosha • Rundu • Divundu • Okavango Delta • Kwando • Chobe • Victoria Falls
From Per Person
9,440 USD
Details
16 Days / 15 Nights Code: SA-NVF16

16-Day Namibia to Victoria Falls Tour

Windhoek • Sossusvlei • Swakopmund • Erongo • Damaraland • Etosha • Kavango • Zambezi • Chobe • Victoria Falls
From Per Person
9,990 USD
Details
9 Days / 8 Nights Code: BW-BVF9

9-Day Botswana and Victoria Falls Safari

Victoria Falls • Chobe • Okavango Delta • Makgadikgadi • Maun
From Per Person
13,970 USD
Details
11 Days / 10 Nights Code: BW-BVF11

11-Day Botswana Safari with Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls • Chobe • Okavango Delta • Moremi • Makgadikgadi • Maun
From Per Person
11,440 USD
Details
Zimbabwe Trip Highlights

Five reasons to visit Zimbabwe

01
Victoria Falls seen from the rainforest viewpoints
Victoria Falls

The Smoke That Thunders

Victoria Falls is about 1.7 km wide and drops about 108 metres into the Zambezi gorge. Its local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, means The Smoke That Thunders. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Zimbabwe side has the most viewpoints along the rainforest path.

UNESCORainforest walkZambezi
02
Elephants at a waterhole in Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park

Elephants and big game in Hwange

Hwange is the largest national park in Zimbabwe, about 2 to 3 hours by road from Victoria Falls. It has one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, plus lions, buffalo, painted wolves and sable antelope. In the dry season, animals gather at pumped waterholes.

ElephantsWaterholesBig game
03
Elephant under the trees at Mana Pools
Mana Pools National Park

Walk and canoe on the Zambezi

Mana Pools is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Zambezi River. You can walk with a licensed guide and paddle a canoe past elephants, hippos and buffalo. It is one of the few parks in Africa where you can explore on foot like this.

Walking safariCanoeingUNESCO
04
Houseboat on Lake Kariba at sunset
Lake Kariba

Houseboats on Lake Kariba

Lake Kariba is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. You can stay on a houseboat, fish for tigerfish and watch elephants and buffalo on the shore of Matusadona National Park.

HouseboatFishingSunsets
05
Stone walls of Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe and Matobo

Stone cities and rock art

Great Zimbabwe is a stone city built between the 11th and 15th centuries, and it gave the country its name. In the Matobo Hills you can track white rhinos on foot and see old San rock paintings. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

HistoryRhino trackingRock art
1.7 km
Width of Victoria Falls
108 m
Drop of Victoria Falls
5
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
14,600 km²
Hwange National Park
Zimbabwe Experiences

Top things to do in Zimbabwe

From the spray of Victoria Falls to canoe trips on the Zambezi, these are the things that make a Zimbabwe trip special.

Walk the Victoria Falls rainforest

Follow the path past 16 viewpoints and feel the spray of the falls.

Zambezi sunset cruise

Watch hippos, crocodiles and elephants from a boat above the falls.

Helicopter flight over the falls

Take the 15-minute Flight of Angels and see the whole falls and gorge from the air.

White-water rafting

Raft the rapids of the Batoka Gorge below the falls, mostly from August to December.

Game drives in Hwange

Look for elephants, lions, buffalo and painted wolves at the waterholes.

Rhino tracking in Matobo

Walk with a guide to find white rhinos in the granite hills of Matobo.

Zimbabwe Highlights

Top things to see in Zimbabwe

The places and wildlife that make Zimbabwe a top choice for a Southern Africa trip.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, on the Zambezi River.

Victoria Falls Bridge

Victoria Falls Bridge

The 1905 bridge between Zimbabwe and Zambia, with bungee jumps and bridge tours.

Elephants in Hwange

Hwange elephants

Large herds of elephants at the waterholes in the dry season.

Mana Pools on the Zambezi

Mana Pools

Tall trees, river channels and walking safaris on the Zambezi floodplain.

Great Zimbabwe ruins

Great Zimbabwe

The largest old stone city south of the Sahara.

Granite hills of Matobo

Matobo Hills

Balancing granite rocks, San rock art and white rhinos.

Where to go in Zimbabwe

Destinations in Zimbabwe

These are the main areas and parks we plan trips around. Put a few together to see the best of the country.

Victoria Falls town

Victoria Falls

The main gateway to Zimbabwe, with the falls, river cruises and adventure activities.

Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park

The largest park in Zimbabwe, about 2 to 3 hours from Victoria Falls.

Mana Pools National Park

Mana Pools National Park

Walking and canoe safaris on the Zambezi. Best from May to October.

Lake Kariba

Lake Kariba and Matusadona

Houseboats, fishing and game viewing on the lake shore.

Matobo National Park

Matobo Hills

Rhino tracking, rock art and granite hills near Bulawayo.

Great Zimbabwe National Monument

Great Zimbabwe

The stone ruins near Masvingo that gave the country its name.

Chilojo Cliffs in Gonarezhou

Gonarezhou National Park

Remote south-east park with the red Chilojo Cliffs and large elephant herds.

Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe

Eastern Highlands

Cool green mountains, waterfalls and hiking near Nyanga and Mutare.

When to go

Best time to visit Zimbabwe

You can visit Zimbabwe at any time of year. The best time for game viewing is the dry season from May to October, when animals gather at rivers and waterholes. Victoria Falls has the most water from about February to June, with lots of spray. From September to December the flow is lower, so you can see more of the rock face and raft the gorge.

JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Best: dry season, great for animals Good: in-between time, high falls in March and April Quiet: rainy season, fewer people

These months are a guide only. Please check the weather when you book.

Ways to travel

Zimbabwe holiday types

No matter how you like to travel, we can plan it. Here are some popular kinds of Zimbabwe holiday and trip:

Victoria Falls Luxury Stays

Victoria Falls Luxury Stays

Stay in a river lodge or a classic hotel close to the falls, with cruises and tours included.

Victoria Falls Adventure Trips

Victoria Falls Adventure Trips

Rafting, bungee jumping, gorge swings and helicopter flights, all close to town.

Zimbabwe Walking Safaris

Zimbabwe Walking Safaris

Walk with licensed guides in Mana Pools and Hwange.

Zimbabwe Fly-In Safaris

Zimbabwe Fly-In Safaris

Fly between Victoria Falls, Hwange, Lake Kariba and Mana Pools in light aircraft.

Victoria Falls Honeymoons

Victoria Falls Honeymoons

Sunset cruises, private dinners and a quiet lodge by the Zambezi.

Victoria Falls and Botswana Combos

Victoria Falls and Botswana Combos

Add Chobe and the Okavango Delta to your Victoria Falls stay.

Peace of mind

Why travellers trust us

Real local people

Named, qualified Namibian guides; not an anonymous call centre.

24/7 on-trip support

A real person on call throughout your journey, in your time zone.

No hidden costs

Every quote is itemised; the price we agree is the price you pay.

Secure & protected

Clear written terms and a transparent deposit and cancellation policy.

Simple & personal

How it works

What happens after you get in touch.

Step 1

Tell us your plans

Share your dates, interests and budget by form, phone or WhatsApp. There’s no cost and no obligation.

Step 2

We design your trip

Your travel designer builds a tailor-made route with hand-picked lodges and a clear, fully itemised quote, refined until it’s right.

Step 3

Travel with confidence

Book with written terms and 24/7 support, then explore with your dedicated Namibian guide while we handle the details.

Good to know

Zimbabwe travel FAQs

Yes. Victoria Falls, Hwange, Mana Pools and the other main tourist areas are safe and used to visitors. Your guide and lodge staff look after you. As in any country, keep your valuables safe in towns.

Most visitors need a visa. You can get one on arrival at the main airports and borders or apply for an e-Visa before you travel. A single-entry visa costs about US$30 for many nationalities. The KAZA UniVisa costs about US$50 and covers Zimbabwe and Zambia, plus day trips to Chobe in Botswana. Rules change, so always check what you need for your own country before you book.

Plan for 2 or 3 nights at Victoria Falls. Add 3 nights for Hwange and 3 nights for Mana Pools or Lake Kariba. Most trips that include Zimbabwe last 4 to 10 days.

May to October is the best time for game viewing. Victoria Falls has the most water from about February to June. September and October are hot and dry, with the best game viewing in Hwange and Mana Pools.

US dollars are used almost everywhere, and many lodges take cards. The local currency is the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). Bring clean, small US dollar notes for tips and markets.

No. Victoria Falls, Hwange, Mana Pools and Lake Kariba have malaria, mostly in the rainy season from November to April. Speak to your doctor about tablets before you travel.

The Zimbabwe side has more viewpoints and the best views of the main falls. The Zambia side lets you get closer to the edge in the dry months. With a KAZA UniVisa you can visit both.

Yes. Victoria Falls is about 80 km from Kasane in Botswana, so it pairs well with the Chobe River and the Okavango Delta. We also plan trips that drive from Namibia through the Zambezi Region to Victoria Falls.

Reviews from real people

★★★★★ 4.9/5 on Google · based on 80+ reviews
“

What our guests are saying

Tailor-Made Expeditions

Connect with an expert today to begin designing your dream vacation...

Aina
Aina
Emilia
Emilia
Albin
Albin

Direct Channel Access

Reach out to one of our specialists or schedule a video consultation for inspiration and guidance.