Zimbabwe.Feel the Wild.
Thundering waterfalls. Giants of the African wilderness. Wild rivers. Unforgettable adventures. From the breathtaking power of Victoria Falls to Hwange's elephant wilderness and the remote river country of Mana Pools, Zimbabwe offers an extraordinary journey into the heart of Africa.
An extraordinary side of Africa.
Zimbabwe is a destination of remarkable contrasts. Stand before one of the world's greatest waterfalls, encounter vast elephant herds on safari, drift along the Zambezi and explore landscapes shaped by ancient rivers and granite mountains.
Beyond the famous landmarks lies a more intimate kind of safari: expert guiding, walking experiences, canoe adventures and remote camps where the wilderness takes centre stage.
Whether you have three nights for Victoria Falls or two weeks to explore Zimbabwe's wildest corners, Africa Compass Collection can help you find the journey that suits you.
Discover Zimbabwe's great landscapes.
Victoria Falls
Experience the sheer scale of the Falls on a guided rainforest walk, see the gorge from above on a scenic flight, or enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi.
Hwange National Park
Zimbabwe's great elephant wilderness offers excellent opportunities to observe wildlife around seasonal and pumped waterholes.
Mana Pools & the Zambezi Wilderness
Discover a more adventurous Africa on the banks of the Zambezi, exploring floodplains on foot and paddling with an experienced guide.
Lake Kariba
Exchange the safari vehicle for the water — spectacular sunsets, boat excursions, fishing and houseboat holidays.
Matobo Hills
A striking landscape of granite formations, ancient San rock art and rich cultural history, with guided rhino tracking on foot.
The parks and camps in depth.
Parks in depth Safari activities explained Camps & lodges in ZimbabweChoose your Zimbabwe safari.
Five journeys to begin with, from a three-night Falls stopover to a wilderness safari through the heart of Zimbabwe.
Falls Stopover
Falls & Elephant Trail
Authentic Zimbabwe
Falls & Ancient Hills
Falls & Chobe Express
Looking for a more exclusive Zimbabwe safari?
Explore longer journeys combining Victoria Falls, Hwange, Mana Pools and Lake Kariba, including luxury lodges, private retreats and specialist walking or canoe safaris.
Browse all Zimbabwe packagesPrices are indicative starting prices per person sharing, as published in our package catalogue. They are not confirmed quotations: please request a current quotation before booking. Request a quote
More than one kind of safari.
Zimbabwe is not a one-dimensional safari destination. Choose the style of experience that suits you.
- Classic wildlife safarisGame drives, elephants, predators and intimate safari camps.
- Walking safarisExplore the bush on foot with qualified professional guides, where permitted.
- Canoe and river safarisDiscover the Zambezi from the water in suitable locations and seasons.
- Adventure at Victoria FallsScenic flights, rafting when conditions allow, gorge activities and guided waterfall tours.
- Luxury wilderness escapesRemote camps, personalised guiding and exceptional natural settings.
- Culture and heritageAncient rock art, local communities and the distinctive history of the region.
- Lake and houseboat holidaysRelax on Lake Kariba with boating, fishing and extraordinary sunsets.
Twelve ways to experience the Falls and the Zambezi.
From rainforest walks and scenic flights to sunset cruises and cultural encounters, choose the moments that make your stay.
A 2-hour guided walk through the Victoria Falls Rainforest on the Zimbabwe side.
Helicopter flightsThe Flight of Angels: a scenic flight over the Falls in bubble-window helicopters.
Elephant encounterA Walk with Giants at the Wild Horizons Elephant Sanctuary, focused on rescue and rehabilitation.
Walking safariA half-day on foot in the unfenced Zambezi National Park, with a guide and armed scout.
Zambezi Sundowner CruiseA 2-hour entry-level sunset cruise on the river.
Zambezi Dinner CruiseA 3.5-hour sit-down dinner cruise aboard the Malachite.
The BomaDinner and drum show: a four-course braai buffet with dancing and drumming.
The Lookout CaféA restaurant on the edge of the Batoka Gorge, 120m above the Zambezi rapids.
Home hosted mealA 2-hour meal in a local family's home in Chinotimba.
Township tourA 2-hour guided walk through Chinotimba.
Horse ridingGuided rides along bush trails and the Zambezi banks.
Shopping in Victoria FallsA guided tour of open-air markets and craft halls.
Dedicated pages for each experience are not yet built; these currently link to the Zimbabwe parks deep-dive. Most are operated through Wild Horizons.
Combine Zimbabwe with Botswana and beyond.
Zimbabwe is particularly valuable as part of a wider Southern African journey. Victoria Falls connects naturally with northern Botswana, while longer itineraries can incorporate Namibia or South Africa.
Zimbabwe & Botswana: Falls, Rivers & Elephants
Combine Victoria Falls with Chobe's elephant-rich riverfront, then extend into the Okavango Delta or other Botswana safari regions.
Explore Zimbabwe & BotswanaZimbabwe & Namibia: Waterfall to Desert
Pair the lush Zambezi region and Victoria Falls with Namibia's immense desert landscapes. Currently offered as a three-country journey with Botswana — there is no dedicated two-country package.
Discover the combinationSouth Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe
Create a wider Southern African journey, combining Cape Town and the Winelands, a Big Five safari, the Okavango or Chobe, and Victoria Falls.
Explore the complete collectionNext door: Chobe's elephant riverfront and the Okavango Delta are a short transfer from Victoria Falls.
Discover BotswanaWhen is the best time to visit Zimbabwe?
Dry Season Safaris
A popular period for wildlife viewing in Hwange and other safari regions, as animals often concentrate around remaining water sources. Days are generally dry, with chilly mornings and evenings during the cooler months.
The Falls in High Flow
The Zambezi's seasonal flood commonly produces a powerful, spectacular Victoria Falls experience during this period. Spray can be substantial and affect visibility at some viewpoints, while activities on and around the river depend on conditions.
Green Season
Seasonal rains bring greener scenery, dramatic skies, newborn wildlife and rewarding birding. Conditions vary, and some remote camps, roads and activities may operate seasonally.
The ideal time depends on the itinerary. A guest primarily interested in the power of Victoria Falls may choose different dates from someone prioritising dry-season wildlife viewing or a specialist Mana Pools wilderness safari.
Why plan with Africa Compass Collection?
The right safari for your interests
Whether your priority is big game, walking, canoeing, culture or a spectacular waterfall, we help you identify the regions and experiences that best fit your plans.
Well-planned routes
Zimbabwe's regions offer very different experiences and transfer requirements. We help balance travel time with the time spent enjoying each destination.
Accommodation that suits your style
From convenient Victoria Falls stays to remote wilderness camps and luxury river retreats, the right accommodation can define the entire safari.
One connected Southern African journey
Combine Zimbabwe with Botswana, Namibia or South Africa through a carefully coordinated itinerary, tailored to your interests, budget and travel dates.
Hwange and the Matobo Hills.
Two of Zimbabwe's great parks, one defined by elephants and the other by granite and rock art.
Hwange National Park
Formerly Wankie National Park, established as a game reserve by Ted Davison in 1928, a national park from 1930. Situated halfway between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls, bordering Botswana, with roads stretching roughly 480km, some closed in the rainy season.
| Detail | Hwange |
|---|---|
| Access | Charter or private flights land at Hwange Airstrip; self-drive or transfers run easily from Bulawayo or Victoria Falls: roughly 3.5 hours from Kasane, 2.5 hours from Bulawayo or Victoria Falls. No off-road or night driving inside the park. |
| Fauna | Up to 30,000 elephant, the full Big Five, and over 100 mammal species including zebra, cheetah, wild dog, sable and roan antelope. |
| Flora | Predominantly Kalahari sandveld, teak and mopane woodlands, dry acacia scrub, saltpans and grasslands. |
| Park fees | USD 20 per person per day (international visitors), USD 5 (local visitors). |
Guiding in Zimbabwe is widely regarded as among the best in Africa.
Figures above (elephant numbers, drive times, park fees) are drawn from the destination brief and should be reconfirmed with the park authority and operators before quoting — they are liable to change.
Matobo Hills
"A wilderness of granite," 45km outside Bulawayo: Zimbabwe's oldest national park, established 1926 as a bequest from Cecil John Rhodes. Over 200 recorded tree species and approximately 175 bird species, 88 mammal species, 39 snake species and 16 fish species, including white rhinoceros, sable, giraffe and a dense but elusive leopard population. Rhino were reintroduced from KwaZulu-Natal in the 1960s and the Zambezi Valley in the 1990s; Matobo is an Intensive Protection Zone for both species.
The hills hold one of the world's highest concentrations of preserved rock paintings and art, with pieces reported to date back at least 13,000 years, and shrines and sacred places still in active use.
| Detail | Matobo |
|---|---|
| Access | About 35km from Bulawayo by road; fly in to Bulawayo Airport and transfer by road. |
| Park fees | USD 15 per person per day (international), USD 5 (SADC residents). |
The rock-art dating, the "highest concentration" claim and the park fees above are as given in the destination brief and are unsourced superlatives/approximate figures — please confirm with the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe before using them with clients.
Your Zimbabwe adventure begins here.
Stand before Victoria Falls. Follow elephants through wild country. Explore the Zambezi on foot or by canoe. Discover a side of Africa that rewards those who venture beyond the ordinary.
Choose one of our selected safari packages or let Africa Compass Collection help you create a journey around the experiences that matter most to you.
