General Information

Planning Your Zimbabwean Safari

Zimbabwe has its challenges, don’t let this put you off its amazing tourism and safari opportunities. A safari in Zimbabwe has so much to offer as do the people who give you a warm welcome filled with smiles and hospitality. By the end of your Zimbabwean adventure you will wish you had visited earlier.

Victoria Falls is Zimbabwe’s crown jewel and understandably a tourism hot spot. It has been said on few occasions that the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls gives the best views. To experience Victoria Falls in full let us arrange a ‘Flight of Angels’ for you to witness the majesty of Victoria Falls from above.

Near to Victoria Falls is Hwange National Park, known for its large herds of elephant gathering at the man-made waterholes. Mana Pools on the Zambezi River is altogether a much wilder area, particularly abundant with elephant, hippo and buffalo grazing the lush banks. It’s the best place in Zimbabwe for a canoe safari, a unique safari option to view the wildlife from a different aspect and observe Africa’s great animals in their natural environment. Although, make sure you don’t take any oranges into Mana Pools National Park – they are banned because elephants have a craving for them and will do anything to get to an orange!

Weather in Zimbabwe - Times to Travel

Summer Rains:

December to March it’s rainy, hot and humid. This brings life to the bush in all its forms; increased foliage, baby animals being born, increased insect life (including mosquitoes) and abundant birdlife.

April and May:

The rains (if they come) cease by April leaving Zimbabwe’s game reserves lush and green and populated with African wildlife. The land starts drying out quite quickly and the evening temperatures start to drop as you head towards winter.

Winter:

June to August are the cooler months. Early morning and evening game drives can get cold. Days are still warm and clear and this is the start of the peak season for tourism as the bush dries out and game is easier to see.

September to November:

As the winter fades September heats up quickly and by October it’s really hot. It’s a fantastic time for game viewing as the animals are concentrated around the limited water holes. Storm clouds start to gather then leave without a drop of rain and the heat increases, until one day in November the rain begins.

What to Bring on your Safari

You are going on safari in Zimbabwe, and will probably do safari drives and nature walks. This is the gear we recommend:

  • Cotton khaki clothing with long sleeves and long pants for evening
  • Binoculars, camera and spare batteries
  • Sturdy sandals and closed walking shoes
  • Anti-malarial prophylaxis 
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
  • Swimming costume and sarong/kikoi for time around the pool
  • Luggage should be soft-sided bags as you may be travelling on light aircraft – a luggage weight limit will be given to you once your itinerary is finalised
  • Small medical kit and your own medications
  • Insect repellent and after-bite cream

Health in Zimbabwe

Precautions against Malaria are usually taken when travelling in Zimbabwe and it’s more prevalent in the wet season (November-March). Bring insect repellent and make sure to apply it before dusk falls.

Drink bottled water.  

Consult a travel clinic to find what vaccinations are required.

Moving Around in Zimbabwe

The destinations we use in Zimbabwe will be part of a larger itinerary, so we’ll look after getting you around by light aircraft, road transfers and even boat transfers.