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Bull elephant drinking at the Zambezi river
Zimbabwe your way

Tailor-made Zimbabwe vacations shaped around your passions

Bull elephant drinking at the Zambezi river

The sight of a fish eagle swooping over Lake Kariba’s smooth waters. The roar of a lion pride, out hunting at dusk. And, the musky smell of elephant marching past your vehicle in search of their next waterhole. A safari in Zimbabwe piques all the senses. With the help of some of the most highly trained guides in Africa, you have a good chance of seeing the Big Five, alongside an ensemble of other wildlife. Our safari specialists have visited the country extensively and can put together a trip that best suits your interests, such as the animals you most want to encounter.

Beyond a safari, a vacation to Zimbabwe gives you the opportunity to visit Victoria Falls and take in the thundering water by boat or helicopter or on foot. There’s also a rich history to uncover, from ancient rock art in Matobo National Park, to the Great Zimbabwe National Monument — a long-abandoned hilltop city.

Creating tailor-made tours for over 25 years

Suggested tours for Zimbabwe

These tours give you a starting point for what your vacation to Zimbabwe could entail. Treat them as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you.

Suggested activities for Zimbabwe

Whatever your interests, our specialists will build activities into your trip that connect to how you want to experience Zimbabwe.

  • Walking safari in Mana Pools National Park
    Young lion in Mana Pools

    Walking safari in Mana Pools National Park

    Mana Pools National Park

    Walking safari in Mana Pools National Park

    Mana Pools has large tracts of wilderness only accessible on foot. Experienced guides reveal big game as well as many smaller things such as animal tracks, insects and brightly colored birds.

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  • Explore the ancient city walls of Great Zimbabwe
    Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe

    Explore the ancient city walls of Great Zimbabwe

    Great Zimbabwe

    Explore the ancient city walls of Great Zimbabwe

    A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Great Zimbabwe is a ruined city that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe.

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  • Sundowner drinks on Lake Kariba
    Evening boat safari from Musango Safari Camp, Lake Kariba

    Sundowner drinks on Lake Kariba

    Lake Kariba

    Sundowner drinks on Lake Kariba

    Take a boat trip on Lake Kariba as the sun sets. Perhaps try your hand at tiger fishing before relaxing with a cold glass of wine, couple of snacks and beautiful setting sun.

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More choice for your safari

  • Inspiration across all our African destinations
  • Trip suggestions based on your interests
  • Advice on where to safari, when
  • Meet our team of safari experts

Best time to visit

Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Zimbabwe, including information about climate, events and festivals.

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Covering all seven continents, The World Your Way shows you how you can see the world with us. It features trip ideas from our specialists alongside hand-picked stays and experiences, and introduces our approach to creating meaningful travel experiences.

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Useful information for planning your vacation in Zimbabwe

What languages are spoken in Zimbabwe?

The main languages spoken in Zimbabwe are Shona, Ndebele, and English. Everyone working in popular visitor destinations speaks good English, so communication is generally easy.

What's the currency of Zimbabwe?

The currency of Zimbabwe is the RTGS dollar (ZWL). Due to hyperinflation, the financial situation in Zimbabwe is volatile. ATMs often run out of cash, and banks may not have enough currency to accommodate your requests.

US dollars are widely accepted in camps, lodges, hotels, and restaurants and we recommend carrying US dollars in several separate packages of smaller denomination notes. Avoid US$100 notes because nobody in Zimbabwe, including banks, will accept them due to a spate of forgeries.

Credit and debit cards are useful but aren’t always accepted in safari camps and lodges.

What food and drink should I try in Zimbabwe?

In Zimbabwe you should try muriwo unedovi (cabbage, spinach, or pumpkin leaves in a peanut sauce), muboora (pumpkin-leaf soup or stew), and sadza (a thick maize porridge that is rolled into a ball and dipped into a variety of stews). Other dishes to look out for include bota (peanut butter porridge), dovi (peanut stew), and mapopo candy (cooked papaya dusted with sugar).

You’ll find a good choice of places to eat from local markets to international restaurants in larger towns and cities, while most hotels and lodges catering to foreign visitors serve an international menu.

How much should I tip in Zimbabwe?

A 10% tip is standard in larger restaurants in Zimbabwe. Guides will appreciate a tip at the end of your stay in a lodge, but as the financial situation here is so unpredictable, it’s best to speak to your specialist for what amounts are appropriate. If you’d like to tip staff at your lodge, you can contribute to the communal tipping box.

Where can I find the latest travel advice for Zimbabwe?

For the latest travel advice for Zimbabwe, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the Canadian Government Travel & Tourism website.

What can I experience in Zimbabwe?

In Zimbabwe you can go on safari to see elephant, lion, giraffe, and hippo, visit Victoria Falls, see ancient rock art, and explore abandoned cities. Zimbabwe is a rewarding destination for a safari experience with highly trained guides and a good chance of seeing the Big Five alongside an abundance of other wildlife.

You can walk through the mist to feel the force of Victoria Falls rumble underfoot as you approach this natural wonder or fly over the towering cascades for a bird’s eye view. Delve into Zimbabwe’s rich history by exploring a long-abandoned hilltop city or visiting the site of ancient rock art, or simply relax by a pool with a sundowner and enjoy the dramatic landscapes before you.

Where can I stay in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe offers a great choice of places to stay, from historic hotels to luxurious safari lodges and mobile camps that follow the wildlife. For the best experience, you might want to combine a stay in a rustic tented camp where the focus is getting close to nature with some time in a more exclusive lodge where a dramatic landscape is matched by indulgent contemporary design.

We’ve got plenty of options to choose from including small safari camps overlooking busy waterholes, private villas with balconies for wildlife watching, or a luxurious tented camp on the banks of the Zambezi. Elsewhere, you can stay at a historic hotel overlooking Victoria Falls, or wilderness chalets on a private concession. Take a look at our collection of places to stay in Zimbabwe for more ideas.

Where should I go in Zimbabwe?

Most visitors to Zimbabwe choose to go to Hwange or Mana Pools national parks, Lake Kariba, or one of the country’s many private concessions before or after a visit to Victoria Falls. Wildlife viewing is a prime reason to visit, and Hwange National Park is the country’s top safari destination, offering the chance to see large herds of elephant and buffalo, big cats, and antelope grazing in woodlands and grasslands.

Set on the banks of the Zambezi River, the lakes and floodplains of the Mana Pools National Park have a different feel and are a good place to spot wild dog. For hippo, crocodile, and fish eagle sightings, we recommend a sunset boat trip on Lake Kariba. It’s also easy to combine time on safari with a visit to Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi plunges over steep cliffs in a thundering torrent.

What wildlife will I see on safari in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe is a good place to spot the Big Five — lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard — as well as cheetah, spotted hyena, wildebeest, zebra, and eland. Depending on the time of year, and your destination, you’ll encounter many other species too. Antelope, giraffe, bushbucks, and impala roam the grasslands, hippo and crocodiles lurk in the rivers and lakes, and Hwange has a large population of wild dog. Zimbabwe’s birdlife is also prolific with more than 400 bird species present in Mana Pools National Park and some lodges even guaranteeing sightings of 50 species before breakfast.

How long does it take to fly to Zimbabwe from Canada?

Flights from Canada to Zimbabwe take between 22 and 35 hours.

What’s the time zone in Zimbabwe?

The time zone in Zimbabwe is UTC+2 hours. Daylight Savings Time is not observed here.

What’s the best way of getting around in Zimbabwe?

The best way to get around Zimbabwe is to combine private transfers with some internal flights. The road network in Zimbabwe is well maintained and with a local guide to give you an insight into the landscape, history, and culture of places you pass, you’ll get so much more out of your drive. When transferring between parks or destinations at a distance from one another, travel by light aircraft is fast and efficient.

Do I need vaccinations to visit Zimbabwe?

Your doctor can provide you with immunization advice for Zimbabwe, but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the recommended vaccinations by visiting the Government of Canada - travel vaccinations website.

What’s the risk of malaria in Zimbabwe?

Malaria is a risk in parts of Zimbabwe and you should speak to your doctor about which antimalarial medication you should take. Your first line of defense, however, is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Wear long-sleeved and long-legged clothing, use an insect repellent with 50% DEET, and a mosquito net if sleeping in rooms where windows and doors are unscreened.

Do I need a visa to visit Zimbabwe, and what do I need to check with my passport?

Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Zimbabwe. Enter where you’re traveling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.

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