Zimbabwe

Ecologically diverse and unique, and varied in landscape and culture, a Zimbabwe safari will satisfy a wide range of bucket list experiences. Zimbabwe’s charm stretches from one side of the country to the other as its rich scenery offers an irresistible lure for safari seekers. Including wildlife havens like Hwange National Park and Mana Pools National Park and the astonishing sight of the mighty Victoria Falls in your Zimbabwe holiday itinerary are sure to create a memorable excursion. Both Mana Pools and Victoria Falls have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, together with the Great Zimbabwe Monument, the Khami Ruins and Matobo Hills.

The famed Zimbabwe national parks teem with a great variety of wildlife, including the Big 5 and with the mighty elephant herds claiming a popular spot on all the best-of-Zimbabwe lists. A Zimbabwe wildlife safari is truly unrivalled. Bordered by the Zambezi River to the north and the Limpopo River to the south, discovering Zimbabwe by water is a must. And there’s no place better for this than “The Smoke That Thunders”, as Victoria Falls are also known, with excursions like white-water rafting, sundowner cruises and even helicopter flights and bungee jumping to participate in.

Travellers to Zimbabwe can get their cultural fix in Matobo Hills, home to one of the highest concentrations of rock art in Southern Africa and evidence that the area has been occupied for more than 500 000 years. Other places of historical interest include the burial site of Ndebele king Mzilikazi and the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, a British mining magnate who served as prime minister of the Cape Colony in the late 1890s.

Highlights of a Safari to Zimbabwe

With a variety of natural and cultural wonders, iconic species and endless landscapes, a Zimbabwe safari offers endless opportunities for the most magical of experiences. From the wildlife paradises of Hwange and Mana Pools National Park to the impressive stature of the Victoria Falls and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins steeped in history and culture, a Zimbabwe holiday is inviting discovery.

The glorious phenomenon of Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a prime example of the best of Zimbabwe. Also known as “The Smoke That Thunders” it has a width of more than 1 700 metres and a height of more than 100 metres. Experience an unrivalled Zimbabwe wildlife safari in Hwange National Park, the largest wildlife reserve in Zimbabwe. It is mostly known for its 40 000-strong elephant population and also home to abundant birdlife, a twitchers paradise indeed.

Further north, the life-giving power of the Zambezi River makes Mana Pools National Park one of Zimbabwe’s best game-viewing areas. Canoe trips are offered year-round while guided walks are a memorable way to experience the area’s scenic beauty on the safari of a lifetime in Zimbabwe. Sandwiched in between, lies Lake Kariba, the largest man-made lake in the world at nearly 6 000 square kilometres, abundant with wildlife. Time on Kariba includes cruising its waters, islands and inlets, while tiger fishing has drawn fishermen from around the world.

For a cultural touch to your Zimbabwe holiday, the Great Zimbabwe Ruins is the country’s prime national monument. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back to the 11th Century, houses important archaeological findings like ancient iron tools, ceramics, pottery, gold and carvings.

Currency

Zimbabwe uses its own unit of currency, the Bond Dollar, as well as the USD. It is advised to carry small denominations of change with you, however, it is best to pay for as much as possible outside of the country. The Zimbabwe Bond Dollar and credit card work best in supermarkets, and for curios, accommodation, activities, and for gratuities, USD is still widely accepted. Be careful to not pay for items priced in Zimbabwean Bond Dollars with your foreign card as the exchange rate will end up costing too much. In most cases, suppliers are able to offer clients USD value for payment.

Cash machines do dispense USD. Clients may use USD notes, however, it is important to note some places you may receive change in the Zimbabwe Bond Dollar. Kindly be advised: Zimbabwe Dollars to be used before you depart the country as you may be unable to exchange currency outside of the country.

Banking

Banks in Zimbabwe are open for business Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 08h00 to 15h00, on Wednesdays from 08h00 to 13h00 and Saturdays from 08h00 to 11h30. They are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. Visa and MasterCard are more widely accepted than American Express, and it should be noted that very limited facilities will have credit card machines, and the connection is not always reliable so it is advisable to carry cash as a backup.

Taxis are safe and reliable and can be booked through your hotel front desk. Taxis in cities travel within a 40km radius of the city. Always take a taxi at night. Major airlines fly into Victoria Falls, Harare and Bulawayo. Charter flights are available to most attractions and camps. Zimbabwe has a good road infrastructure, by African standards, although potholed.

Between major towns, there are frequent roadblocks. Traffic drives on the left side of the road. If you are driving yourself around Zimbabwe, be sure to check on fuel availability in advance. If you are covering long distances within the country, ensure you carry extra fuel in 5 or 10lt metal containers in case of emergency. Fuel is generally available, but supply can fluctuate.

Zimbabwe’s native cuisine is based on sadza, a cooked porridge made from ground maize which is normally accompanied by some tasty relish, perhaps made of meat and tomatoes, or dried fish. Safari camps will often prepare sadza if requested, and it is almost always available in small restaurants in the towns. Camps, hotels and lodges that cater to overseas typically serve a variety of international fare, and the quality of food prepared in the most remote bush camps is usually excellent.

If you are driving yourself around and plan to cook, then get most of your supplies in main towns. There are a number of South African shopping chains operating in Zimbabwe which will generally have all that you will need. Water in the main towns is usually purified. The locals drink it and are used to the relatively innocuous bugs that it may harbour. If you are in the country for a long time, then it may be worth acclimating yourself to it. However, if you are in Zimbabwe for just a short period of time, then try to drink only bottled water available in towns and from all camps, lodges and hotels.

According to our Zimbabwe travel advice in 2022, a discretionary ten percent tip is typical for restaurant bills, hotels and taxis. In many places, a service charge is automatically added. It is customary to tip the game guide and lodge staff while on safari.

In Zimbabwe, the rainy season is from November to March; the further north you are, the earlier the precipitation arrives and the later it leaves. Zimbabwe’s higher eastern areas usually receive more rainfall than the lower-lying western ones. By April and May, most of the rain is gone, leaving a verdant setting, which is starting to dry out. Especially in more southerly and higher locations, the night-time temperatures start to drop. June, July and August nights become much cooler, so don’t forget to bring some warmer clothes, in case you want to spend an evening outside; the days are still clear and warm.

This is the start of the ‘peak season’– days often cloudless and game sightings continually increase. During September and October the temperatures rise once again: and its wildlife areas can get up to 45 °C. During this time, you’ll see some fantastic game, as Zimbabwe’s wildlife concentrates around the limited water sources. November is unpredictable; it can be hot and dry, it can also see the season’s first rainfalls.

When in Zimbabwe the cardinal rule is to wear casual, comfortable clothes during the day as temperatures can get very hot. It is advisable to wear light loose-fitting clothing, such as cotton or linen, as they are cool and easy to wash. Warmer clothes are advised for the evenings and rainwear for the wet season.

A brimmed hat and sunglasses are a good idea year-round. Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers will also guard against the scorching sun rays. It is recommended you wear light shoes, especially if your itinerary entails a lot of walking. For safaris, please remember to wear neutral coloured clothing and closed shoes.

Internet availability can be limited, especially outside of the major cities. Most holiday accommodation venues offer internet and/or WiFi (free or paid) to their guests but there may be disruptions in service in remote areas.

The current is 220/240 volts with a frequency of 50Hz. Both types D and G plugs are used.

If your appliance’s plug doesn’t match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance’s plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. Travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 220-240 volts the socket is supplying. If you need to use appliances that are not compatible with 220-240 volt electrical input, you will need a voltage converter.

Best time to visit Zimbabwe

Dry season in Zimbabwe

The best time to book your Zimbabwe safari is during the dry season, between May and September. The temperatures are mild and pleasant with the sky clear and blue, and there are also fewer mosquitos, due to the lack of rain.

These cooler, drier months are the optimum time for a Zimbabwe wildlife safari. Animals congregate around available water sources and the vegetation is starting to thin out, making for easy spotting of species like elephants, buffalo, lions, wild dogs, and a myriad of plains game species.

If you intend to include Victoria Falls in your plans for a Zimbabwe holiday, aim to do so between May and September. Water levels are just right and the spray wouldn’t impede the view. August and September are also the best time for adrenaline activities and water sports, as the water levels are just right.

Summer in Zimbabwe

October to February is hot in Zimbabwe and daytime temperatures rarely dip below 30 degrees Celsius. Regular thunderstorms occur between November and March. The bush is very thick during this time, lush from the rain, making wildlife harder to find. This is however a good time to spot baby animals as well as ticking off countless migratory bird species from your must-see list.