ZimbabweTravel Guide

The Victoria Falls Hotel needs little introduction. This five-star Grande Dame opened her doors in 1904 and has long enjoyed superstar status within the global safari community. Blending colonial glamour with modern facilities, she’s not only easy on the eye but comfortable and welcoming, with a stellar location just next door to the ‘Smoke that Thunders’.

If wildlife viewing tops your agenda, snap up a few nights at Old Drift Lodge. Just a 15-minute drive from the Zambezi National Park and seven kilometres upstream of Victoria Falls, you’ll find yourself in the heart of all the action. This luxury river lodge features magnificent, tented suites with river frontage, outdoor showers and plunge pools, impeccable service and fine dining. Need we say more?

Located in a private reserve bordering Hwange National Park, Elephant’s Eye offers an intimate escape from the crowds. The tented chalets are well-placed for guests to view the waterhole where herds of elephants gather to drink. A major highlight here is, of course, the ‘The Eye’, a bucket list-worthy bush sleep-out where you can bed down right under the stars.

No visit to Zimbabwe is complete without experiencing the Victoria Falls. This iconic waterfall can be viewed at the local town of Victoria Falls, which has long built its reputation as a thrill-seekers paradise. Aside from guided walks to witness the rumble and spray of the falls, bungee jumping, white-water river rafting, and scenic helicopter flips are the order of the day.

Cameras at the ready! Zimbabwe’s unspoilt national parks promise some of the best game-viewing opportunities in Africa. High on the list is the Zambezi National Park, where you’ll encounter anything from elephants and wildebeest to hyenas, hippos and perhaps even a big cat or two. Located upstream from Mosi-oa Tunya (Victoria Falls) on the Zambezi River, it supports a thriving wildlife ecosystem best experienced via canoe safari.

No Zimbabwe travel guide is complete without a mention of Lake Kariba. Replenished by the Zambezi River, this legendary lake supports a bucket-list variety of bird species (yes, plenty of flamingos!), but it’s also a great spot for fishing for tigerfish. Be sure to witness her in all her glory at sunset as she shimmers in hues of red, orange and pinks – truly the stuff safari dreams are made of.

This watery wonderland hits the sweet spot for an aquatic safari experience. Meaning ‘four’ in the local Shona language, mana refers to four large pools located within the park which sustain a generous bounty of birds and wildlife. Adding to that is the park’s glistening waterways, grasslands, and groves where buffalo and ellies roam, and Nile crocodiles bask in the sun.

Let’s not forget about Hwange National Park. As one of the oldest parks on the continent and the largest in the country, it has earned its rightful place in the hearts of diehard safari-goers. Its network of water pans sustains a variety of birds and game, most notably mega herds of ellies often seen plodding across the mopane-tree-dotted plains. See it all on guided game drives but do add a walking safari into the mix.

When a restaurant like Garwe comes highly recommended by locals, you know it’s going to be good. Located in the capital city of Harare, this lunchtime eatery takes the top spot when it comes to traditional cuisine, offering local favourites such as sadza (maize-meal porridge), zvinyenze (lamb’s tripe and rice with peanut butter (yes, it’s a thing in Zim!).

The town of Victoria Falls is ideal for those looking to pick up the pace after sunset. Should you like to go out with a bang on your last night, make a beeline for The Three Monkeys. Open seven days a week from noon until late, you can munch your way through local Matabeleland beef burgers, fresh salads, wood-fired pizzas and homemade breads. There’s also gin and tonic on tap and a generous selection of local beers, so you’re all set for sundowners.

There’s nothing better than tucking into a big plate of delicious food after some exhilarating game viewing, and one place to do just that is MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. With too many awards to count, it’s easy to understand why so many travellers return. Their à la carte dinner menu features hearty dishes with international flare. Slow-cooked, coffee-infused beef ribs, anyone?

Should your safari holiday take you through Harare, don’t skip Sam Levy’s Village, where you can find just about any shop and establishment you want, from restaurants and pubs to grocery stores.

The city is also brimming with art galleries selling traditional and contemporary Zimbabwean art, along with boutiques offering jewellery, furniture, fabrics, and leatherwork. Buy a unique Shona sculpture to wow your friends back home at the Newlands Art and Craft Market or the Chapungu Sculpture Park with its fascinating collection of stone art.

In the market for handcrafted jewellery? Pop in at The Zuri Collection, where you can pick up pieces handcrafted from locally mined silver and semi-precious gemstones. The Orange Elephant also offers an enjoyable shopping experience, with a selection of books, toys and other trinkets. Looking for leather goods? Head to Ubuntu leathercraft, a great place to go if you’re on the hunt for a new pair of sandals.

Pull on your sensible walking shoes and grab your shopping bag. Over in Vic Falls, you’re guaranteed to discover curio shops galore. The Elephant’s Walk Shopping Centre and Artists’ Village features a bounty of upmarket shops for art, jewellery and crafts. If you have a bit of extra time, continue browsing at the Sawanga Mall, Landela Complex and the Phumula Centre.

When it comes to self-driving in Zimbabwe, the roads near major metropoles like Bulawayo, Harare and Victoria Falls tend to be in fairly good condition. However, to save you the stress of navigating unfamiliar or unpredictable areas, speak to one of our experienced travel experts to help you arrange package tours or private transfers. Public transport and local minibus taxis are best left to locals.

Yes, there is an option for ferry travel in Zimbabwe. If you’re venturing along the route between Kariba and Victoria Falls, feel free to give it a try. We have, and we highly recommend it!

There are several scheduled domestic flights connecting Harare, Victoria Falls and Bulawayo. Air Zimbabwe is the local carrier, but there are several other options to choose from. If you’ve got room in the budget, want to live it up, and want a more direct route to your chosen safari destinations, opt for a private charter plane.