Zimbabwe
A country of mighty waterfalls, vast national parks and the stone ruins that gave it its name. Zimbabwe can be a short addition to a trip through Southern Africa, or a destination in its own right for those who want more than a single stop.
Why Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe lies between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers and offers an unusually rich mix of nature and history. Since independence in 1980, when the former Rhodesia became Zimbabwe, the country has carried a name derived from "dzimba dza mabwe" — "houses of stone" — after the medieval city of Great Zimbabwe. Unlike more crowded tourist destinations, there's still plenty of room here for unhurried exploring.
What you can experience
Victoria Falls
The country's main draw, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, "the smoke that thunders". The Zimbabwean side offers the longest view of the falls, over a kilometre and a half wide, and ranks among the finest natural scenery in all of Southern Africa. The falls are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and we visit them regularly.
Wildlife
Hwange National Park is the country's largest and famous for its large elephant herds. Safari here has a different character from the best-known parks — fewer vehicles, more quiet. We choose the programme based on what interests you and how much time you want to give to nature.
History and landscape
The ruins of Great Zimbabwe, once a trading and political centre from the 11th to 15th centuries, rank among the most important archaeological sites in sub-Saharan Africa. The granite hills of Matobo, meanwhile, are home to rhinos and rock art, and are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How it fits into your trip
Zimbabwe combines very well with South Africa, Botswana or Zambia. You can fly straight to Victoria Falls from Johannesburg, so it only takes a few extra days added to the main route. For a longer version that includes Hwange, we'll build it around your time, interests and budget, and realistically weigh up the travel involved and how many days are worth spending in the country.
When to travel
The dry season from May to October is best for wildlife viewing, as animals gather around water sources. Victoria Falls are at their most powerful after the rains, roughly from March to June. We'll fit the timing together to what you want from the trip.
Visa, health and administrative information is handled separately, as part of the practical preparation before you travel.
Add Zimbabwe to your trip
Write to us and we'll talk through how Zimbabwe best fits into your itinerary.