Zimbabwe Safari Guide: Hwange, Mana Pools and Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe combines exceptional wildlife, some of Africa’s best-trained guides, dramatic landscapes and the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls. Whether you want a classic game drive, a walking adventure or a canoe safari, it delivers all year.
And from Livingstone, it is just across the bridge.
Why visit Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe is one of Africa’s premier safari destinations, with highly trained guides, diverse ecosystems and remarkable wildlife, and fewer crowds than many of its neighbours.
Exceptional guidingZimbabwe’s professional guide training is among the toughest in Africa.
Walking and canoe safarisExplore Mana Pools on foot or by canoe on the Zambezi.
Huge elephant herdsHwange and Gonarezhou are true elephant country.
Rhino trackingFollow rhinos on foot in the granite hills of Matobo.
Victoria FallsThe Zimbabwean side offers the widest panoramic views.
Remote wildernessParks like Gonarezhou and Mana Pools feel wonderfully empty.
Luxury lodgesFrom classic tented camps to lodges overlooking busy waterholes.
Excellent birdwatchingFrom Zambezi floodplains to lakeshore and granite hills.
Top national parks in Zimbabwe
Each park has its own character and best season. Here is what makes each one worth visiting.
Hwange National Park
Zimbabwe’s largest national park and home to one of Africa’s biggest elephant populations. In the dry season, herds gather at the waterholes in huge numbers.
- Outstanding elephant and predator viewing
- Game drives, photography and walking
- A few hours’ drive from Victoria Falls
Best timeJuly – October.
Mana Pools National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Zambezi, famous for walking and canoe safaris among elephants on the river floodplain.
- Walking safaris with expert guides
- Canoeing on the Zambezi
- Elephants, lions, wild dogs and buffalo
Best timeJune – October. Access is limited in the rains.
Gonarezhou National Park
One of Zimbabwe’s hidden gems in the far south-east. Its name means “place of elephants”, and its red Chilojo Cliffs are unforgettable.
- Dramatic sandstone cliffs
- Big elephant herds
- Remote, uncrowded wilderness
Best timeMay – October.
Matobo National Park
Granite hills of balancing rocks, ancient San rock art and a UNESCO World Heritage landscape near Bulawayo.
- Rhino tracking on foot
- San rock art in caves and shelters
- Spectacular granite scenery
Best timeYear-round; easiest April – October.
Matusadona and Lake Kariba
A park on the shores of Lake Kariba, where boat safaris and game drives come together against a backdrop of drowned trees.
- Boat safaris and fishing
- Game drives along the lakeshore
- Sunsets over the lake
Best timeMay – October.
Victoria Falls
The Zimbabwean side faces most of the Falls, giving the widest panoramic views year-round, plus cruises, rafting, helicopter flights and bungee jumping.
- Panoramic viewpoints and rainforest trails
- Sunset cruises and helicopter flights
- White-water rafting and the bridge bungee
Best timeYear-round. Full flow February – May.
A note on rhinos: for the best chance of seeing rhinos, choose Matobo, where you track them on foot. Mana Pools has no rhinos, and sightings in Hwange are rare.
Zimbabwe’s wildlife calendar, month by month
Zimbabwe’s best safari months are in the dry season, but some experiences, like rhino tracking in Matobo and the Falls, work all year.
Swipe sideways to see every month.
| Wildlife event | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephants at the waterholesHwange National Park | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | |||||||
| Walking and canoe safarisMana Pools National Park | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | |||||||
| Cliffs, elephants and remote wildernessGonarezhou National Park | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | ||||||
| Boat safaris and lakeshore gameLake Kariba and Matusadona | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | ||||||
| Rhino tracking on footMatobo National Park | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Panoramic Falls viewsVictoria Falls, Zimbabwe side | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Falls at full flowVictoria Falls | Good | Good | Good | Good | ||||||||
| Green-season birdingCountrywide | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Good time to go
Guide’s tip: October is the peak of the dry season, when wildlife is easiest to find but temperatures are very high, especially in Mana Pools and the Zambezi Valley. For cooler days with good game viewing, aim for June to August.
Top safari activities in Zimbabwe
Game drives
Classic safaris in Hwange, Gonarezhou and Matusadona, with elephants, lions and buffalo at the waterholes.
Walking safaris
Zimbabwe is famous for walking. Explore Mana Pools and Hwange on foot with highly qualified guides.
Canoe safaris
Paddle the Zambezi through Mana Pools, watching elephants and hippos from the water.
Boat safaris
Cruise Lake Kariba or the upper Zambezi at Victoria Falls for wildlife, birds and sunsets.
Rhino tracking
Track rhinos on foot among Matobo’s granite hills with an experienced guide.
Adventure at the Falls
Rafting, bungee jumping and helicopter flights at Victoria Falls.
Zimbabwe is just across the bridge
Brightpath is based in Livingstone, a short crossing from Victoria Falls town. That makes Zimbabwe easy to add to a Zambia or Botswana trip, whether for a day on the Zimbabwean side of the Falls or a few nights in Hwange.
We plan your Zimbabwe safari with carefully selected lodges and trusted local partners.
Popular combinations
- Victoria Falls and Hwange
- Victoria Falls, Chobe and Hwange
- Mana Pools with Zambia’s Lower Zambezi
- Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana in one circuit
Practical tips for your Zimbabwe safari
- Getting there: fly into Victoria Falls, Harare or Bulawayo, usually via Johannesburg. Many travellers also cross from Livingstone.
- Visas: rules depend on your nationality. Visiting both sides of the Falls? Ask for the KAZA UniVisa. Check the official Zimbabwe eVisa website before you travel.
- Money: US dollars are widely used. Bring clean, undamaged notes in small denominations, as change can be scarce.
- Health: most safari areas are malaria areas. See a travel clinic before you go.
- Power: mostly UK-style Type G sockets. Remote camps may run on limited solar.
- What to wear: neutral colours, a warm layer for cold winter mornings, and light clothing for the October heat.
Zimbabwe safari: frequently asked questions
When is the best time for a safari in Zimbabwe?
July to October for the best game viewing, when wildlife gathers at water in Hwange and Mana Pools. June to August is cooler and still excellent.
Is Zimbabwe safe for a safari?
Zimbabwe’s national parks and tourist areas are generally considered safe for visitors, especially with licensed guides and operators.
Can I see the Big Five in Zimbabwe?
Lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo are found in several parks. For rhino, Matobo is your best chance. Mana Pools has no rhinos, and sightings in Hwange are rare.
Can I combine Zimbabwe with Zambia and Botswana?
Yes. Victoria Falls sits on the Zambia–Zimbabwe border, and Chobe in Botswana is about an hour away. The KAZA UniVisa makes crossing between Zambia and Zimbabwe easy.
How many days do I need in Zimbabwe?
Allow 2–3 nights for Victoria Falls, plus 3–4 nights for Hwange or Mana Pools. A week or more lets you combine several parks.
Explore more of the region
Combine with neighbours
Ready to plan your Zimbabwe safari?
Your first safari or your fifth: tell us your dates and interests, and we will design a Zimbabwe trip that fits your style and budget.