There’s much to love about Zimbabwe. Five World Heritage sites, including a natural wonder of the world, Victoria Falls, wildlife so diverse it’s rivalled only by Tanzania’s Serengeti and South Africa’s Kruger National Park, and virtually no crowds. Zimbabwe is nature in the raw, and one of this century’s best comeback stories.
There’s much to love about Zimbabwe. Five World Heritage sites, including a natural wonder of the world, Victoria Falls, wildlife so diverse it’s rivalled only by Tanzania’s Serengeti and South Africa’s Kruger National Park, and virtually no crowds. Zimbabwe is nature in the raw, and one of this century’s best comeback stories.
Following a two-decades-long dictatorship, post-Mugabe Zimbabwe looks and feels wonderfully optimistic. Wildlife numbers, thanks to private conservation efforts, are up. Some of the world’s best guides are back. And, compared to neighbouring Botswana and South Africa, the country remains relatively good value. Its camps are intimate, extravagant and positioned in perfect proximity to Zimbabwe’s safari scene, namely Hwange and Mana Pools National Parks. And its central location means it can easily be tagged on to a longer, multi-destination trip. No wonder South Africans choose to take their annual leave there.
While considerably smaller than its neighbours, with a petite but elite portfolio of national parks, Zimbabwe delivers wildlife like nowhere else on Earth. Home to 350 mammal species, over 650 types of bird and the world’s second-largest elephant population, Zimbabwe feels like a concentrated snapshot of Southern Africa’s natural wonders.
But appreciation for the country’s magnificent landscape and wildlife hasn’t always been felt, particularly during Mugabe’s tenure when trophy and canned hunting, along with illegal wildlife trading, were rampant. Although these issues still persist to some extent under Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership, things are slowly changing.
Investment in Zimbabwe’s tourism industry and infrastructure has grown significantly. Luxury hotel groups like Hyatt and Anantara have already put roots down in Harare and Victoria Falls; the latter as recently as late-2024 with a 16 suite boutique retreat nestled between the Falls and Zambezi National Park. While stalwarts such as Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, built over 20 years ago, have introduced a butler service and plan for an $18 million theme park; signalling a shift towards more luxurious and family-focused travel.
Tourists are taking note too, with a 35% increase in arrivals compared to the same period last year. European visitors contributed 17% to the figure, while the United States is expected to generate the most revenue, with a projected revenue of £180 billion in 2025.
These changes are paving the way for the country to once again become a strong competitor in the luxury safari market. Its two main national parks, Hwange National Park to the west (along the border with Botswana) and Mana Pools National Park in the north, are proof. But what sets Zimbabwe apart, and always has, is its reputation for possessing some of Africa’s finest guides. Their rigorous training, which takes up to five years to complete, emphasises the country’s legacy as a big game player. Their knowledge of the land means they are also endlessly adaptable. Whether you’re flying between its major parks on the country’s ever-expanding network of light aircraft, traversing plains on specially curated self-drive itineraries or tracking wildlife on foot, this activity-focused country offers up adventures of a lifetime, and is the perfect destination for those looking to experience more than standard game drives.
Hwange is classic safari territory; a land of vast grassy plains, mopane and teak woodlands, big cats and wild dogs. It’s home to one of the world’s largest elephant populations and an estimated 500 bird species. Glamorous bush camps and experienced rangers pockmark the 14,651 square kilometre park, including the extraordinary Nyamandlovu pan where it isn’t uncommon to see the Big Five all together in one slightly overwhelming yet life-affirming sighting. To the park’s east, away from the crowds, lies a quieter haven, home to the park’s lesser-known yet extraordinary wildlife, including large herds of sable and roan antelope.
Head north to Mana Pools, one of the world’s last true walking parks, where the atmosphere feels entirely different. Grassy floodplains replace sun-scorched savannahs, birdsong oust sounds of rumbling 4x4s and the meandering Zambezi, which fringes the park’s northern edge, is where all forms of life gather. Watch elephants defy gravity, rising on their hind legs to feed from bank-lined trees, wild dogs hunt through wild fig forests and lion prides stalk prey in open grasslands. A park of epic proportions and a firm favourite among seasoned safari goers makes it a must-visit on a Zimbabwe itinerary.
These changes are paving the way for the country to once again become a strong competitor in the luxury safari market. Its two main national parks, Hwange National Park to the west (along the border with Botswana) and Mana Pools National Park in the north, are proof. But what sets Zimbabwe apart, and always has, is its reputation for possessing some of Africa’s finest guides. Their rigorous training, which takes up to five years to complete, emphasises the country’s legacy as a big game player. Their knowledge of the land means they are also endlessly adaptable. Whether you’re flying between its major parks on the country’s ever-expanding network of light aircraft, traversing plains on specially curated self-drive itineraries or tracking wildlife on foot, this activity-focused country offers up adventures of a lifetime, and is the perfect destination for those looking to experience more than standard game drives.
While occupying only a small section of the Zambezi River, the Victoria Falls are nothing short of extraordinary. Especially in Zimbabwe, which hosts two thirds of the aptly named ‘smoke that thunders’. See the country’s top tourist site from all angles on guided walking tours and riverboat cruises along the Zambezi. If you’re feeling adventurous, catch the 1,708 metre sheet of water on an exhilarating helicopter ride or heart-pounding bungee jump that sends you soaring off the Victoria Falls Bridge.
The Falls can keep you transfixed for days so spend a few nights at the nearby Victoria Falls Hotel—synonymous with old-school elegance—and a day in the nearby eponymous town. Home to craft breweries, a thriving art scene and truly inspiring community projects, it’s well worth a visit year round. Add the fact that you can fly direct to both Cape Town and Johannesburg and easily connect to Kasane in north-western Botswana, and Victoria Falls become an effortless and extraordinary addition to any Southern Africa trip.
Matopos Hills may be Zimbabwe’s smallest national park, but it’s easily its most captivating. Characterised by smoothly eroded granite kopjes, formed over 2 billion years ago, and verdant valleys steeped in history and legend, it feels unlike anywhere else in Southern Africa. Visit the final resting place of Cecil Rhodes, along with other notable 19th-century white settlers, at the summit of Malindidzimu, aptly called the ‘View of the World’ for its breathtaking views. Study some of its 3,000 rock art sites—an open-air museum of the San people that called the area home over 2,000 years ago—track rhino through the valleys and enjoy some of the best views of the country atop its hulking boulders.
The park is a 4 hour drive from Hwange and just 35 minutes to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second city. Rich in history and eager to cultivate a tourism renaissance after years of political and economic uncertainty, you’ll find the only arms to greet you as you head further off the beaten track, or on its traditional tourist trail, in this hardy and special country are open ones.
As with any international travel, it’s important to exercise caution when visiting Zimbabwe. However, with expert guides—some of the best in the world—leading you through its national parks, and lingering challenges from the Mugabe regime actively overcome, there are few reasons not to explore the remarkable country. Contrary to inaccurate rumours of resistance, its locals are friendly and enthusiastic , its national parks possess some of the best wildlife watching in Southern Africa and the variety of its landscapes is truly breathtaking. With tourism figures projected to rise to approximately 2.8 million by 2028, there truly couldn’t be a better time to visit.
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