Zimbabwe Luxury Safari Guide: An Unforgettable African Experience

Nov 07, 2025 0

Thanks to conservation success stories, a resurgence of investment in new lodges and camps, and fantastic value for money, Zimbabwe is now THE place to go on safari. Going on safari in Zimbabwe is like a concentrated version of the safari experience. In practice, this means incredible wildlife, a small but elite portfolio of national parks, excellent accommodation at both ends of the price spectrum, and some of Africa’s best guides.

The variety of the landscapes, the high levels of professionalism in the local safari industry, generally low-density safari accommodation: these are also Zimbabwean specialties. It is the country's wonderful wildlife, the extraordinary level of guiding and varied national parks - along with Victoria Falls - that are most famous, and why thousands upon thousands of safari lovers flock here every year.

Zimbabwe's safari guides are considered among the best in the world thanks to their extremely rigorous training. It takes at least five years to complete the course, which involves everything from learning all the Latin names of birds, plants, insects and animal species to basic first aid, advanced driving skills and weapons training. It is so tough that it is estimated that in some years only five percent of the incoming class make it to the final written exams.

Each season in Zimbabwe has something unique to offer, with a diverse range of wildlife and a small fraction of the crowds other countries in Africa receive. Zimbabwe might be Africa’s best kept secret. It combines the perfect mix of wildlife viewing, conservation, and outdoor adventure-from kayaking the Zambezi and walking above Victoria Falls to safari by railcar.

Mana Pools National Park.

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Top Destinations for a Luxury Safari in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe boasts two World Heritage Sites - Victoria Falls and Mana Pools - but there’s so much more to experience: Hwange’s plethora of wildlife, Matobo’s majestic leopards, the dramatic remoteness of Gonarezhou, and the gorgeous sunsets over Lake Kariba.

Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe's largest conservation area with an elephant population that rivals that of Botswana's Chobe National Park, the biggest on the planet. If you love these gentle giants, you won't be disappointed with a safari in Hwange - there are about 40,000 to 50,000 ellies living in the park! Hwange is most commonly combined with Victoria Falls as they are closest to each other. The most famous and visited park is Hwange (pronounced ‘wang-gee'), which spans over 14 600 square kilometres / 5 850 square miles, and provides a haven for 107 mammal species and more than 400 recorded types of birds, many of which flock to Mandavu Dam during the mid-year dry season.

If it's elephants you want to see (there are between 45 000 and 60 000 living in Hwange), then the area around Nyamandhlovu Pan is the place to be - it literally means, ‘Meat of the Elephant'.

Mana Pools National Park

Many travellers fall in love with UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mana Pools National Park, in northern Zimbabwe. That may have something to do with the scenery - a series of pools on the Zambezi River floodplain, an escarpment backdrop, semi-arid plains sprinkled with baobabs. But in my experience, what makes Mana Pools especially thrilling is that here you feel like you’re a part of the food chain.

That’s because Mana Pools is one of few major parks in Africa where you are free to go walking wherever you want around the park, including without a guide. Its location near the Zambezi River gives it large pools that support a plethora of wildlife and activities like canoe safaris - a terrific way to see hippos, elephants, crocodiles and aquatic birdlife like herons, jacanas and terns.

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Victoria Falls

Probably the biggest attraction in Zimbabwe and the classic end-point to a safari. PlaceIt may be a cliché, but there’s a very good reason why Victoria Falls is one of the most popular places to visit in Africa. The Falls, traditionally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya or ‘the Smoke that Thunders', are the largest in the world when you combine their height and width.

By all means dive into the activities on offer here, from kayaking to bungee-jumping. Once you’ve seen the Falls from every possible angle, I’d suggest you leave the crowds and head for Zambezi National Park. Much of the park is river frontage: stay in a lodge overlooking the mighty Zambezi River. You might see lion, leopard, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and hippo while you’re here.

Other Notable Destinations

Matusadona National Park: For one thing, it rises beautifully from the shore of Lake Kariba in the country’s north. I’ve never quite understood why Matusadona isn’t world-famous. You can even go on walking safaris here, including one where you track black rhino with the experts. If Matusadona has a drawback, it also lies in its proximity to Lake Kariba. The lake is one of Zimbabwe’s most popular resort areas.
Gonarezhou National Park: This is a true hidden gem, down south in Zimbabwe and sharing wildlife with parks just across the borders with Mozambique and South Africa. But if you weren’t coming here on safari, you might well do so for the scenery alone. Gonarezhou sees far fewer visitors than it deserves, possibly because the park was once ravaged by conflict and poaching. Thankfully, those days are long gone.
Great Zimbabwe Ruins: Welcome to one of Africa’s most celebrated archaeological sites, and the best-preserved medieval ruins south of the Sahara, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Zimbabwe. The site dates back to the 13th to 15th centuries and is a fascinating add-on to any safari visit.

Elephants in Hwange National Park.

Luxury Accommodations in Hwange National Park

Zim was once dotted with simple ‘bush camps' and 2-person tents; now lodges have private plunge pools, designer interiors and gourmet food, all of which is indicative of the confidence investors have in the country.

Here are some luxury safari camps in Hwange National Park:

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Somalisa Camp: We can go on about Somalisa's ‘elephant pool' right in front of camp (perfectly situated for armchair game viewing) or its luxurious tented suites, but it's the camp's fantastic staff that really makes it a cut above the rest.
Davison's Camp: Davison's is nestled within a prolific wildlife pocket of Hwange and overlooks one of the best-loved waterholes for the area's elephant and buffalo herds.
Verney's Camp: Verney's Camp is situated in a very exclusive part of Hwange that is not frequented by other safari-goers and regular park visitors. This amphitheatre-like safari camp is built around a busy waterhole and fringed by teak forest.
Linkwasha Camp: This safari camp lies in the wildlife-rich south-eastern corner of Hwange, on the edge of the famous Ngamo Plains - a magnet for large numbers of game all year round. Linkwasha has been designed to be as eco-friendly and energy-efficient as possible while not compromising guests' creature comforts.
The Hide: The Hide Lodge as a whole is one of the luxury safari camps in Hwange National Park which overlooks a favoured waterhole. Known as the former royal hunting grounds of the Ndebele kings, Hwange is well-established as a place of abundant game, a fact which is well highlighted here.
The Private Hide: The Private Hide falls under the greater lodge and is a great choice for a family safari in Hwange. It's an intimate safari camp where children of all ages are welcome and you'll enjoy perks like private dining, a private vehicle and guide, as well as a private plunge pool.
Little Makalolo: The legendary ‘Little Mak' offers superb privacy for guests who prefer smaller safari camps. Being in a private concession also means that you'll be able to go on spot-lit night game drives and guided walks to experience Hwange's ecological diversity up close. With its intimate layout and comfortable family unit, Little Makalolo welcomes younger explorers.
Somalisa Expeditions Tented Camp: Secluded in the depths of Hwange National Park amongst a grove of acacia trees stands Somalisa Expeditions Tented Camp. As one of the more intimate Hwange camps, it features a handful of Meru-style tents that ooze 20th century charm.
Deteema Springs Camp: With a collection of springs on one side and Deteema dam on the other, this Hwange National Park camp is a hotspot for wildlife. While well-appointed canvas tents and solar power ensure continued comfort back at camp, exhilarating safari adventures await away from home base.
Nehimba Lodge: Prepare for one of the most immersive Hwange National Park accommodation options. With wild plains as far as the eye can see and constantly available views, even from the en-suite bathroom, the wildlife rich surroundings captivate every traveller.
Somalisa Acacia: Located by its sister property, Somalisa Camp, along the Kennedy vlei line means ample action on game drives and exciting sightings of big game. Between guided walks and game drives, discover each suites' private deck and relaxing hammock or enjoy a refreshing dip in the communal plunge pool.

Other accommodations include:

Rhino Safari Camp: Everything you could want in a tented camp while on safari, Rhino Safari Camp removes you from the Lake Kariba crowds.
Sapi Springs Safari Lodge: On stilts high above the Savé River, this superb safari lodge takes full advantage of the park’s scenic landscapes.
Ruckomechi Camp: On a remote private concession and right by the Zambezi River, Ruckomechi gives you the best of all possible worlds.
Tony's Camp: Bestselling thriller writer Tony Park owns this lodge out in the park’s west. It’s an excellent place to stay, the safari trails in this part of the park only see a fraction of those elsewhere but with much the same wildlife, and if Tony’s in residence, he’s a fine host and raconteur.

Best Time to Visit Zimbabwe for a Luxury Safari

As is the case throughout much of southern Africa, the best time to go on safari in Zimbabwe is during the dry season months from April to October. Zimbabwe has a distinct “dry season” (May-early-November) and “green season” (late-November-April). Both offer fantastic wildlife viewing possibilities, making it a great destination to visit all year round.

The best time to go depends on where you want to go - on safari or to see Victoria Falls. Naturally, almost all travellers would like to do both, which leaves a much smaller window to see both at their best. The best time for a Zimbabwe safari is during the dry winter months, from about May to October.

The best time to see Victoria Falls in all its glory is from about February to May, or summer to late autumn. The Zambezi River feeds the Falls, and is in turn fed by rains that fall far away on the Angolan Highlands.

If you want to see Vic Falls when the water is still high and have a good safari, aim for May, June or July. After this, the safari will improve but the Falls will begin drying up and you won't get the full curtain of water. If you visit from September on, you may find large parts of the Falls completely dry.

If you have limited vacation time, we suggest trying to take it in May, June or July if you want to travel to Zimbabwe to see the Falls and go on a safari.

Planning Your Trip

Here is a monthly breakdown to help you plan your trip:

February: The water levels of the Zambezi river are high this month, meaning that the falls might be obscured by mist and spray. The high water levels at Victoria Falls are ideal conditions for viewing the world’s largest waterfall. Depending on the severity of rainfall, dirt roads can sometimes be impassable because of flooding.
June to October: Zimbabwe safari peaks from June through to October.
October: High temperatures can be a little unbearable in October, but then the rains arrive from November, and camps and lodges start to close in Mana Pools due to accessibility. This is peak season for bushfires and wildlife viewing is exceptionally good as the heat wave prevails.
November: November in Zimbabwe heralds the start of the rains amidst green vegetation.

Responsible Tourism

WT is deeply committed to the interconnected relationship between responsible tourism, local communities, and conservation. Zimbabwe is a shining example of how impactful this can be. Our trips donate directly to a wide array of initiatives such as sponsoring schools, dental care, eye care, solar water pumps, anti-poaching teams, and most recently bringing white rhinos back to a community-owned conservation area around Camelthorn Lodge in Hwange National Park-for the first time in over 50 years!