ON SAFARI IN ZIMBABWE


A country of superlatives -

wildlife, wilderness and waterfalls

Wild Africa at its most beautiful

For a small, landlocked country in southern Africa, Zimbabwe is blessed with an astounding variety of wildlife, natural beauty and spectacular scenery.

In the Shona language ‘Zimbabwe’ means ‘Great Houses of Stone’ in proud reference to the ancient ruins of Great Zimbabwe (1200 AD).


When Livingstone discovered the Victoria Falls in 1855 he exclaimed: “A sight so lovely – it must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.”


The country holds great appeal for active adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts and those with an appreciative eye for exquisite beauty – from the famous Victoria Falls, to the national parks teeming with prolific wildlife.


Whether you’re a photographer, wildlife enthusiast, explorer or lover of natural beauty, Zimbabwe will leave you in awe at the end of our journey through this vast African landscape.


  • About Zimbabwe

    Situated on a high plateau between the Limpopo and the Zambezi rivers, Zimbabwe offers majestic landscapes, mysterious ruins of past civilizati ons, excellent game viewing safaris and lodges and restaurants of international standing.


    The landscape is as diverse as the wildlife – the Savannah and the Mopane forests of Hwange; the valleys and moorlands of the Eastern Highlands; the vast expanse of Lake Kariba to the arid mystery of Gonarezhou National Park, and not forgetting the most spectacular sight of all – the magnificent Victoria Falls.


    Wildlife flourishes in the untamed wilderness of the Zambezi Valley, in national parks, and on the shores of Lake Kariba. The Zambezi River offers some of the finest canoe safaris, particularly along the World Heritage site at Mana Pools, renowned for its outstanding variety of game. The saltpans and grassy plains of Hwange National Park support one of the largest concentrations of animals in the world, and is the largest game reserve in the country.

  • Victoria Falls Experiences

    When explorer, David Livingstone discovered the Victoria Falls in 1855 he exclaimed: “A sight so lovely – it must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.”


    Victoria Falls is one of nature’s greatest spectacles, and one of the few attractions that exceeds even the wildest expectations of its visitors. The mile-wide curtain of water plunges deep into the Zambezi Gorge creating a cloud of mist that can be seen up to 20 miles (32km) away. 


    The area is renowned for being the ‘adventure capital of Africa’, offering a variety of high adrenaline activities, including one of the wildest days of white water rafting on earth, and a 364 ft (111m) bungee jump into the Zambezi River gorge from the bridge linking Zimbabwe to Zambia. 


    If you’d rather sit back and relax, there are scenic flights over the area, 4x4 game viewing adventures and tranquil sundowner cruises on the Zambezi River.


    Things to do in Victoria Falls:


    Tour of Victoria Falls, one of the 7 natural wonders of the world: walk through the misty rain forest which flanks the Falls, stopping to marvel at the principal vantage points, as the Zambezi River cascades to the depths below -the Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow Falls, the Boiling Pot, Cataract Island and Livingstone Island.


    Sunset Cruise - enjoy a leisurely sunset cruise on the magnificent upper Zambezi River. After a day of travelling and exploring you’re ready to relax, sip a sundowner and enjoy some snacks as the daylight gently fades. Let this tranquil wildlife cruise float you along the Zambezi River. You’ll have the finest vantage point from which to watch hippo, crocodiles and other animals which come down to the river’s edge in the early evening, to quench their thirst.


    The Boma Dinner - a ‘must do’ experience, with exuberant cultural songs, dances and an extraordinary traditional meal!

    Tuck into traditional Zimbabwean delicacies, while Shangaan and Ndebele dancers and singers will inspire you with their pulsating energy.


    Flight of the Angels – a Helicopter sightseeing flight over Victoria Falls. The pilot banks the helicopters as you circle, so you can see right into the chasm of the falls.


    The Bridge Tour – Victoria Falls Bridge lies in “no man’s land” between Zimbabwean and Zambian Border Posts. Once the safety demonstration is completed, you may choose to walk underneath the bridge, or across the top of the Bridge along the pedestrian walkway.

  • Country Facts | Climate | Safari FAQ's

    Republic of Zimbabwe

    • Area: 390,757 km²

    • Capital: Harare

    • Currency:  US dollar

    • People: Shona 80%, Ndebele 15%, other Bantu groups 5%

    • Official language: English. Shona and Ndebele is widely spoken.

    • Time: GMT +2


    Climate: 

    Temperate conditions prevail all year, moderated by altitude and the inland position of the country.


    Best time to visit:

    Traditionally peak season is from July – October and mid-season is in May and June.  These are the most comfortable times for travelling, but it is during the wet summer, from November – April, when the landscapes are a striking, fresh green.


    For high adventure enthusiasts, white water rafting is most exciting when the Zambezi waters are low, generally from August to December.


    Safari FAQ’s

    General Safari FAQs

    Describe a Day on Safari

    Who are the Big Five

    About Sustainability

    Debunking Safari Myths

    What is a Luxury Safari

    Choosing a Safari Style

    Multi-generational Safaris

    About Giving Back


TRΛVELBOECKER TΛILOR-MΛDE - All of our eco-safaris are uniquely designed to match your personal vision.


Big Five Safari
Zimbabwe Safari, Hwange National Park, elephant hide

Savour 8 days on a luxury safari in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife reserve, famous for its prolific elephant population.


This Big 5 reserve also has a well-deserved reputation for lion, leopard and cheetah sightings too. Night drives reveal the nocturnal predators - serval and civet cats, and bat-eared foxes. Then there are the rarer animals: endangered African wild dog, black rhino and the beautiful roan and sable antelopes.

Relevant article: Elephants of Hwange

  • Itinerary Overview

    Days 1 - 3 Northern Hwange

    Arrive at Victoria Falls, where you will meet your guide and set off by road into Hwange National Park, located about 2 hours south of the airport. Roaming the 15 000 km² of this iconic park’s savanna grasslands and woodlands are the Big Five and a hundred other species of mammals, the largest diversity of mammals of Africa’s national parks. 


    Located on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, Hwange has a semi-arid climate with marked seasonal changes. During the dry winter months (May to October) wildlife congregates around the shallow pans and man-made waterholes making for excellent and reliable game viewing. Once the rains arrive, however, the vegetation bursts into life, dry pans fill up and wildlife disperses to graze the more remote stretches of the park thanks to the abundant surface water. Bird watching is particularly good from November to April.


    After enjoying your first game drive, arrive at your luxury lodge, home for the next 3 nights. The lodge consists of 9 spacious tented chalets with ensuite bathrooms and outside showers, built on teak decks and overlooking a magnificent waterhole – a favoured spot frequented by a variety of wildlife and large numbers of elephants, particularly in the dry season.


    Savour the next 2 days of game drives and walks, exploring Northern Hwange National Park. Because your lodge is situated right on the edge of the mopane woodlands of northern Hwange and the Kalahari sandveld of the west, it so offers a great diversity of fauna. The elephant hunting lions of this area are famous. Night drives may reward you with various nocturnal species such as hyena, porcupines, civets, genet cats, and if you are lucky, perhaps even a leopard on hunt.


    Days 4 – 7 Southern Hwange

    This morning, embark on a 2-3hr game drive exploring the northeastern part of Hwange National Park before reaching Dete Railway Station just outside Hwange’s Main Gate. Here you will board a one of a kind game viewing train for the 2.5hr trip down the eastern border of Hwange National Park to your next camp located in the southeast corner of the park.


    Your luxury eco-camp consists of 11 raised Meru-style tents with ensuite bathrooms and a view of a waterhole that attracts a great variety of wildlife.


    During your stay you can enjoy game drives and walks, as well as horseback safaris and a visit to the local communities for an un-orchestrated look at village life in rural Matabeleland.


    Back in Hwange you will stop at a specially built underground game-viewing hide, aka the "Look-up" blind, named such because its located at the water level so you'll be looking up at the elephants! It is a perspective without compare and an experience not to be missed!


    You may also be able to join an anti-poaching unit for an early morning “dawn patrol” of the border of Hwange National Park, checking the area for illegal snaring or signs of poaching . You can provide extra eyes to these teams and get some hands-on experience in detecting poaching activity.


    Guided bush walks are usually undertaken in the mornings or late afternoons and are conducted by a fully licensed and highly experienced armed Zimbabwean professional guide. In this remote and wild area, every walk provides fascinating insights into Hwange’s circle of life; watch Hwange’s elephants shake acacia trees to loosen and then eat the pods while on a smaller scale dung beetles roll up the elephant dung containing acacia seeds into balls. Dung beetles bury these balls, and the acacia seed is now ready to germinate and grow into a new tree.


    Just before sunset, stop at a watering hole to watch the sun sink beneath the horizon before heading back to the lodge to freshen up for your delicious dinner under the brilliant stars, the Milky Way and the Southern Cross.


    Day 8 Return to Victoria Falls

    Enjoy one last Hwange sunrise with tea or coffee on your private deck followed by a hearty breakfast in the main lodge. After breakfast, depart for your road or air transfer to Victoria Falls for your onward travel.


    Contact Africa Travel Specialist, Christine Boecker to book this Safari

    (IS)

GO EXPLORING >>

Hwange on Foot
Zimbabwe Safari, Hwange Walking Safari, Zebra

Join this 4 day authentic walking safari in Zimbabwe's iconic Hwange National Park for a truly wild experience.


Walks provide a nostalgic sense of safari. one of immersion into nature, excitement and adventure, while game drives offer the opportunity to explore further afield.


Our fully serviced safari creates a sense of exclusive glamping in Africa's wilderness.

  • More...

    Accommodation ranges from tailor-made camp sites to luxurious safaris camps. 


    The abundance of animal and bird life in mostly private wildlife areas is a result of its diverse range of habitats: teak and mopane woodlands, dry acacia scrub interspersed with pans and vast open palm-fringed plains, all of which can be explored on this exciting and adventurous walking safari.


    Contact Africa Travel Specialist, Christine Boecker to join this Walking Safari

    (IM)

START WALKING >>

Victoria Falls by Rail
Zimbabwe Safari, Rail Safari, Rovos Rail

Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a bygone era as you experience a 1,400-kilometre journey through diverse African scenery aboard an elegant Edwardian train, lovingly restored to mint condition. 


This 4 day journey begins in South Africa, includes a wildlife safari and culminates at the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

  • More...

    Enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury as the train meanders northwards from Pretoria, across the Tropic of Capricorn before entering Zimbabwe, headed to Bulawayo, second city of Zimbabwe and capital of Matabeleland.


    Continue along one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114 km – before traversing Hwange National Park, a rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary where a game drive is included.


    Contact Africa Travel Specialist, Christine Boecker to join this Rail Safari

    (RR)

GET ONBOARD >>

BeWILDered about Africa? We specialize!


Visit About African Safaris to learn what you can experience on your safari. We debunk common safari myths, elaborate on safari styles, describe the Big Five and address frequently asked questions. More >>



TESTIMONIALS




MORE REVIEWS >>


Memories from Christine's Zimbabwe Safari:

TRΛVELBOECKER ΛDVENTURES Insider’s Reports:

African luxury safari, giraffe
By Christine Boecker 12 Feb, 2021
True - July to October is the most popular time, yet wildlife roams the African savannah all year around, and there are many advantages to travelling in the off-season.
Hwange, Elephant Safari
By Christine Boecker 15 Aug, 2019
How would we make the 100-meter dash to our tent without bumping into an elephant in the dark? “We’ll just call an Uber” the camp manager said...
Zimbabwe, Hwange, Nehimba, Elephant safari
By Christine Boecker 04 Aug, 2019
At last I found myself on Safari in Hwange, home to over 40,000 elephants. Never have I been this close-up and able to look an elephant in the mouth! I could have stayed there all day...
African Safari, wildebeest migration, bicycle safari
By Christine Boecker 08 Oct, 2018
Going on a Safari is one of those bucket-list experiences. Your heart yearns for the great spectacles of nature. Find out why you should not hesitate to plan it for another moment!
Share by: