Zimbabwe offers more variety in terms of styles of safari than any other country. Its menu of walking, riding, canoeing, boating and traditional vehicle safaris makes it appealing to all ages.

The Zambezi Valley provides the main focus for safaris in Zimbabwe, coupled with a visit to the Victoria Falls. Birdlife is rich with African skimmers, fish eagles, many types of heron and colonies of carmine bee-eaters. The rugged hills, valley floor and thick bush of Matusadona National Park which overlooks Lake Kariba provide excellent walking and the chance to track rhino on foot under the supervision of an expert guide.

Mana Pools National Park on the banks of the Lower Zambezi must qualify as one of Africa’s most beautiful parks. The shaded pools, carpeted in hyacinth and lilies, attract game to drink throughout the day. Shy bushbuck, kudu, eland, impala, and elephant all take their turn whilst buffalo and waterbuck make their way to the sandy banks of the Zambezi. Elephant wander through the tented camps overlooking the river, as they forage for acacia pods.

Away from the Zambezi, the most visited park is Hwange, which is approximately the size of Belgium. Hwange is known for its heavy concentrations of game, particularly elephant and buffalo, and packs of endangered wild dog. Safaris here are by vehicle or on foot. Matopos National Park provides a very different landscape of wind sculpted granite hills and rock kopjes with both black and white rhino, a high concentration of raptors and ancient Bushmen cave paintings.

Weather
All areas including Mana Pools, Matusadona, Lake Kariba, Hwange and Victoria Falls
Prime Time: May – October
Hottest time: September and October
(It can be quite cold at night and in the early morning from June to August - in the Hwange area dropping to freezing. Daytime winter temperatures pleasantly comfortable)