Zimbabwe Travel Guide
Complete 2026 Destination Guide
Victoria Falls, Hwange & Mana Pools — Africa's Walking Safari Capital
Zimbabwe is one of Africa's most rewarding safari destinations — home to the thundering Victoria Falls (one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World), the magnificent Hwange National Park (home to over 40,000 elephants), and the haunting ruins of Great Zimbabwe. Expert walking safaris in Mana Pools, canoe trips on the Zambezi, and some of the continent's finest guides make Zimbabwe a safari connoisseur's dream. Despite its turbulent history, Zimbabwe has emerged as one of Africa's most exciting tourism destinations, offering genuine wilderness, warm hospitality, and exceptional value.
Top Things to Do in Zimbabwe
From world-famous wildlife spectacles to hidden gems — these are the experiences that make Zimbabwe unforgettable.
Victoria Falls — Smoke That Thunders
Stand at the edge of the world's largest curtain of falling water — 1.7 km wide and 108m tall, the spray rises 300m and can be seen from 50 km away.
Hwange National Park Safari
Zimbabwe's flagship park — home to massive elephant herds, lion prides, and one of Africa's largest wild dog populations. Pump-fed waterholes create spectacular viewing.
Mana Pools Walking Safari
UNESCO World Heritage Site and Africa's premier walking safari destination — track elephants and wild dogs on foot along the Zambezi River floodplain.
Zambezi River Canoeing
Paddle a canoe on the mighty Zambezi below Mana Pools — drift past hippos, crocodiles, and elephants while camping on remote river islands.
Bungee Jump off Victoria Falls Bridge
Leap 111 metres into the Batoka Gorge — one of the world's highest bungee jumps with the spray of Victoria Falls as your backdrop.
Lake Kariba Houseboat Safari
Cruise Africa's largest man-made lake on a luxury houseboat — watch elephants on the shoreline and fish for tiger fish at sunset.
Zimbabwe Safari Packages
Expert-crafted itineraries combining the best lodges, guides, and seasonal timing. All packages are fully customisable.
Best Lodges & Camps in Zimbabwe
Hand-picked accommodations from ultra-luxury to premium — each one vetted and approved by our safari specialists.
Africa's most exclusive wildlife reserve
Intimate luxury in big elephant country
Iconic Wildlife of Zimbabwe
What you can expect to see — and where to find them.
African Elephant
Hwange's 40,000+ elephants create some of Africa's most spectacular sightings — herds of 100+ gather at waterholes in the dry season.
African Lion
Hwange's lion prides are among the most studied in Africa — the park's Cecil the Lion drew global attention to conservation.
African Wild Dog
Mana Pools and Hwange are wild dog strongholds — watch packs hunt cooperatively in some of Africa's best wild dog viewing.
African Leopard
Matobo Hills is one of the best leopard-viewing areas in Southern Africa — ancient granite kopjes provide perfect habitat.
White Rhinoceros
Singita Pamushana's Malilangwe Reserve is a critical black and white rhino sanctuary with a successful breeding programme.
Nile Crocodile
The Zambezi below Mana Pools is home to massive Nile crocodiles — encounter them while canoeing the river.
When to Visit Zimbabwe
Every season offers something unique. Here's what to expect throughout the year.
Dry Season
June – October
Cool to hot, 8–33°C. No rain.
- Peak wildlife viewing at waterholes
- Hwange elephants at their most spectacular
- Walking safaris at their best
Vic Falls Peak Flow
February – May
Warm & humid, 18–30°C. End of rains.
- Victoria Falls at full volume
- Dramatic rainbow spray
- Lush green landscapes
Green Season
November – January
Hot & wet, 22–35°C. Afternoon storms.
- Migratory birds arrive
- Baby animals everywhere
- Excellent value safari lodges
Low Water Season
September – December
Hot, 25–38°C.
- Devil's Pool open (swim at the edge of Vic Falls)
- Batoka Gorge white-water rafting at its best
- Lunar rainbow at Victoria Falls (full moon)
Visa Requirements
Visa on arrival or eVisa for most nationalities
Single-entry visa available on arrival at all ports of entry. eVisa available online. KAZA UniVisa ($50) covers both Zimbabwe and Zambia — excellent for Victoria Falls visitors.
💡 Tips
- •Get the KAZA UniVisa ($50) if visiting both Zimbabwe and Zambia sides of Vic Falls
- •Pay in USD cash at the border — exact change helps
- •Passport must have 2+ blank pages
- •eVisa portal: evisa.gov.zw
Vaccinations & Health
⚠️ Required Vaccinations
- Yellow Fever (if arriving from endemic area)
💡 Recommended Vaccinations
🦟 Malaria Information
Malaria risk throughout Zimbabwe, especially in the Zambezi Valley (Mana Pools, Victoria Falls, Kariba) and low-lying areas. Prophylaxis recommended for all safari areas.
💡 Tips
- •Malaria prophylaxis essential for Victoria Falls, Hwange, and Mana Pools
- •Harare and Bulawayo are at altitude with lower risk
- •DEET repellent and long sleeves at dawn/dusk
- •Lodges provide mosquito nets
Currency & Money
🏧 ATMs
Available but unreliable — bring cash. ATMs may dispense Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) at poor rates.
💳 Cards
Visa accepted at most tourist establishments. Mastercard less common. Always have USD cash backup.
💡 Tips
- •Bring plenty of USD cash in small denominations
- •Most tourist pricing is in USD
- •Do NOT rely on ATMs — bring all the cash you need
- •$1 and $5 bills are essential for tips and small purchases
- •Safari lodges accept card payments but tips should be cash
Tipping Guide
Tipping is important in Zimbabwe — tourism wages are modest.
🦁 Safari Guide & Staff
$10–15 per person per day for guides, $5–10 for camp staff.
🍽️ Restaurants
10% for good service.
🚗 Transfers & Porters
$5 for drivers. $2 per bag for porters.
💡 Tips
- •USD cash is the only practical tip currency
- •Tip your safari guide generously — they are world-class
- •Vic Falls activity guides appreciate $5–10 per person
- •Hotel porters expect $1–2 per bag
Safety
Zimbabwe is safe for tourists. Victoria Falls, Hwange, Mana Pools, and all safari areas are well-secured and tourist-friendly. Zimbabweans are incredibly warm and welcoming.
💡 Tips
- •Tourist areas are safe and well-managed
- •Victoria Falls town is very walkable and safe during the day
- •Safari guides are among the best-trained in Africa
- •Keep valuables in lodge safes
- •Use lodge-arranged transfers rather than freelance taxis
Travel Insurance
Essential — medical facilities outside Harare are limited. Many visitors are evacuated to South Africa for serious conditions.
Must-Have Coverage:
- ✓Medical evacuation to South Africa
- ✓Adventure activity coverage (bungee, gorge swing, white water rafting)
- ✓Emergency medical treatment
- ✓Trip cancellation coverage
💡 Tips
- •Victoria Falls has an adrenaline activity hub — ensure coverage
- •Medical evacuation to Johannesburg is the standard for serious cases
- •Ensure your policy covers white water rafting on the Zambezi
Language
Official Languages
English is universal in tourism. Shona and Ndebele are the main local languages.
Useful Phrases
Getting There
✈️ Airlines Serving Zimbabwe
💡 Tips
- •Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) has direct flights from Johannesburg
- •Harare (HRE) is the main international hub
- •Kasane (Botswana) is a 1.5-hour drive from Victoria Falls
- •Road transfer from Livingstone (Zambia) to Vic Falls is 30 minutes
Packing List
Safari Essentials
- ☐Neutral-coloured clothing
- ☐Binoculars
- ☐Camera
- ☐Sunhat & sunglasses
- ☐Sunscreen SPF50+
Victoria Falls
- ☐Waterproof jacket/poncho (spray is intense)
- ☐Waterproof phone/camera case
- ☐Spare dry clothes
- ☐Non-slip shoes
- ☐Dry bag for electronics
Clothing
- ☐Light layers
- ☐Warm fleece for early mornings
- ☐Quick-dry fabrics
- ☐Comfortable walking shoes
- ☐Smart casual for hotel dinners
Documents
- ☐Passport (valid 6+ months, 2+ blank pages)
- ☐USD cash (small denominations)
- ☐Travel insurance documents
- ☐Printed visa/eVisa (if applicable)
- ☐Accommodation confirmations
Emergency Contacts
Zimbabwe FAQs
More Travel Guides
Ready for Zimbabwe?
Let our Zimbabwe specialists handle every detail — from flights and visas to lodges and game drives.