Zimbabwe is remarkably varied. Hwange National Park, the country's largest, is home to an estimated 45,000 elephants, along with lion, wild dog and big herds of buffalo. Mana Pools, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Zambezi, is one of Africa's great walking and canoeing destinations, with the neighbouring Sapi Reserve adding even more private wilderness. Lake Kariba offers big skies and water-based safaris, while the granite hills of Matobo are known for rhino tracking and ancient rock art. In the remote southeast, Gonarezhou and the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve add sandstone cliffs and some of the most exclusive game viewing in Southern Africa.

Choosing Zimbabwe Camps

The best Zimbabwe safari doesn't come from choosing one great camp. It comes from combining the right ones: a Hwange camp for big game, a Mana Pools camp for walking and canoeing, and a Victoria Falls stay to open or close the journey.

For the highest level of luxury, Safari Guru can design itineraries through Singita Pamushana in the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve and Wilderness, whose camps include Linkwasha in Hwange and Chikwenya and Ruckomechi in Mana Pools. We also work with Great Plains Conservation, including Tembo Plains in the Sapi Reserve, supporting their Sapi Reserve Restoration Project. As a preferred Australian partner of African Bush Camps, we can offer Somalisa in Hwange, Nyamatusi in Mana Pools, Bumi Hills on Lake Kariba and Khayelitshe House in the Matobo Hills. Each offers outstanding guiding, a strong sense of place and excellent value.

Plan with Safari Guru

Safari Guru brings the right camps, regions and light-aircraft connections together into one seamless Zimbabwe journey. We can pair Hwange's elephant country with Mana Pools' walking and canoeing, add Matobo's rhino and rock art, or tailor a family, photographic, private-guide or high-end luxury safari around how you like to travel.

Timing matters. Mana Pools is at its best in the dry season, when wildlife gathers along the Zambezi, while Victoria Falls is at its most powerful after the rains. Weather patterns play a significant role in wildlife movement, as does seasonality, so it's worthwhile allowing Safari Guru to suggest the combination that suits you best.

Zimbabwe pairs beautifully with Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa. Victoria Falls and Harare both have international air links.

EMAIL SAFARI GURU WITH YOUR DATES, GROUP SIZE AND SAFARI WISHLIST, AND LET US DESIGN YOUR ZIMBABWE JOURNEY.

Before you book a Zimbabwe safari, there is a short list of things every traveller should think through — passports, malaria cover, seasons, light-aircraft luggage limits and how tipping actually works on the ground — and Safari Guru's Zimbabwe Safari Requirements fact sheet covers each of them.