Zimbabwe‘s best safari destinations, national parks, and game reserves
There are a host of safari destinations and tourist attractions in Zimbabwe, a country of plentiful natural resources and unspoilt wilderness. The spectacular Victoria Falls are located on the border with Zambia, and the breathtaking Falls and surrounding rainforest providing a base for a host of safari and adventure activities. Witness the diverse wildlife on traditional game-drive and self-drive safaris through one the national parks; for a unique twist, try a houseboat or canoe safari.
Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe consists of an enormous 1.4 million hectares of savannah woodland, open grassland and thornveld, interspersed with waterholes that draw wildlife all year round. The park is home to a spectacular variety of wildlife species, including the Big 5. Guests can expect superb birdlife, excellent predator activity, and healthy populations of species like big cats and antelope. There are luxury lodges as well as camping and self-catering accommodation options in the park, and the road network is perfect for a self-drive safari.
The spectacular Victoria Falls are instantly recognisable as one of Africa’s most iconic natural wonders. Also known as “The Smoke That Thunders”, due to the smoke-like appearance of the spray they generate, the Falls inspire awe as they plunge down a majestic 100m drop into the Zambezi gorge. The region is an adventure-lover’s dream, with a host of activities available, including white water rafting, bungee jumping and microlight flights. There are also less extreme safari activities available, including canoe safaris, boat cruises and elephant-back safaris in the surrounding rainforest.
Mana Pools National Park is found inland of Zimbabwe‘s Zambezi River, and is one of the country’s most popular parks. It is named after the four ox-bow lakes that were carved out by the river; the word “mana” means “four” in Shona, the local language. The pools, the longest of which is 6km, attract large amounts of wildlife to their banks, including warthog, impala, buffalo, zebra and waterbuck, as well predators like lion, leopard, hyena and cheetah. The park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
