11 Best Places to Visit in Zimbabwe This Year

Zimbabwe, a country located in southern Africa, is a treasure trove of natural wonders, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes.

Despite its turbulent past, Zimbabwe is now emerging as a popular travel destination, offering visitors a chance to explore its hidden gems.

From majestic waterfalls to national parks teeming with wildlife, there is something for every traveler in this diverse and captivating country.

Whether you are an adventure seeker, a history enthusiast, or a nature lover, Zimbabwe has it all. So, pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable experience!

Because in this article, we will show you top places to visit in Zimbabwe.

Click here to prepare your adventure to Zimbabwe

Best Time to Visit Zimbabwe

Recommended time to visit: May – October. This is when Zimbabwe is at its driest and temperatures are warm but not scorching like they are later in the year. Zimbabwe is considered a year round destination, however.

Less popular time to visit: December – February are the wettest months, but there is really no bad time to visit Zimbabwe!

Best time for wildlife: July – October is peak game viewing season, with animals crowding around the few remaining water sources in national parks. November – March is birdwatching season, with many lodges boasting they’ll show you 50 native and migratory species before breakfast!

Best time to visit Victoria Falls: You’ll want to visit the mighty falls when they’re at their fullest from February – May, with March in particular tending to offer the best spectacle. For more detail, check out our guide to visiting Victoria Falls.

Climate | Hwange

Climate | Harare

Zimbabwe Visas

Visa procurement

Please be advised that visa requirements are subject to change and that visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not Today Africa. Please also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure from Zimbabwe.

African countries are in a continual state of political flux and visa requirements can change overnight. It is essential that you check visa requirements for the most up-to-date visa information before you travel.

Please note that anyone travelling from a country infected with yellow fever. Or those having transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission must provide a certificate of yellow fever vaccination.

Visa requirements

South African passport holders do not require a visa to visit Zimbabwe. Most nationalities, including UK, Ireland, USA, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport holders, require a visa to enter Zimbabwe. This can be obtained upon arrival at Harare or Vic Falls airport, as well as border posts, or in advance from an embassy.

At present the cost of a single entry visa is USD $30 for Australian, New Zealand and US passport holders, USD $55 for British and Irish passport holders and USD $75 for Canadian passport holders. It is generally cheaper and easier to obtain visas on arrival at Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe and Zambia have re-introduced the popular, and much-awaited KAZA (Kavango-Zambezi) “Uni-Visa”. This allows visitors to stay in either (or both) countries for up to 30 days for a single payment of US$50.

Best Hotels in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a beautiful country that offers visitors many things to see and do. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or an exciting adventure. There are plenty of options available. If you’re a local looking for accommodation to stay or a 5 star hotel.

Click here to know hotels in Zimbabwe and their prices.

Packing for your lodge safari

If you’re coming to Zimbabwe for safari, it is essential that you pack light and use a backpack or soft bag, not a suitcase as it will be easier to store during long drives and room for luggage is limited in the vehicles. Don’t bring too much clothing, as there are washing opportunities along the way.

There is a luggage allowance of 20kgs. This luggage allowance is stipulated as there is limited space for luggage and an overloaded vehicle is a danger to both clients and the guide. This allowance does not include a small daypack.

Packing Essentials While Visiting Zimbabwe

• Camera with spare batteries and spare memory cards
• Worldwide Adaptor Plug
• Portable phone charger
• Towel
• Mosquito Repellent and UV protection
• Torch and batteries
• Walking shoes/trainers and sandals
• Sun hat
• Binoculars
• Light trousers/jeans
• Shorts
• T-shirts and long sleeved tops
• Windbreaker
• Swimwear

Group profile

The average age of travellers on our Lodge Accommodated Safaris is between 40 – 70, although younger travellers do join our groups as well and we often welcome families. Our safaris attract travellers from around the world.

Given the active nature of African safaris, we are unable to accept travellers aged 80 or above and passengers aged 65 years and over are required to complete a Fit To Travel form before the booking can be confirmed.

Travelling with children

Many lodge safaris accept children aged 10 and over on a request basis. Certain exceptions apply as not all lodges accept children and not all activities are suitable for children. It is also possible to travel with younger children on certain safaris. The minimum age is noted on the tour page.

For more information, please see Expedia.

Places to Visit in Zimbabwe

1. Victoria Falls

The crowning jewel of Zimbabwe and certainly one of the best places to visit in the country.

Victoria Falls is a small town on the east side of one of the world’s great waterfalls. On the Zimbabwe side, the falls lie within the wildlife-rich Victoria Falls National Park.

From a forest path which runs along the edge of the falls, there are a number of spectacular vantage points, although prepare to get very wet from the spray.

Victoria Falls is the adventure capital of Africa with an array of air, water and land-based activities.

For a spectacular birds-eye view, take a Flight of Angels helicopter ride or an exhilarating micro light flight over the falls, and for those brave enough there is the famous bungee jump.

Click here to find hotels in Victoria Falls.

2. Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s biggest national park and is one of Africa’s finest for wildlife.

It also holds the title of one of the best places in the world to see elephants, thanks to the population of over 40,000 of these majestic animals.

The vast amount elephants isn’t the only wildlife calling card to this incredible park. Herds of buffalo, zebras, giraffe and the powerful predators of leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs are all found here. Alongside over 400 different species of bird.

The national park has public and private camping facilities so incredible wildlife encounters are available 24 hours.

The park is situated on the main road between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls making it easily accessible after visiting the natural wonder.

Although it is Zimbabwe’s premier safari destination, Hwange is almost always quiet when compared to more famous reserves in other countries, making it a great option for an off-the-beaten track safari.

Click here to find hotels around Hwange National Park.

3. Gweru

Located in the centre of Zimbabwe, the city of Gweru is the capital of the Midlands Province and the fifth largest city in the country.

The city is a thriving industrial, commercial and agricultural centre, situated in one of Zimbabwe’s finest cattle rearing areas and surrounded by extensive vineyards.

Gweru is most famous for the Antelope Park, one of Zimbabwe’s most popular tourist destinations.

See Also: 213 Business Ideas in Zimbabwe to Start This Year

The park is home to the world famous ALERT lion rehabilitation programme as seen in the major UK documentary series ‘Lion Country’.

Click here to find hotels in Gweru.

4. Great Zimbabwe

Covering almost 1,800 acres of land, the Great Zimbabwe is a complex of ruins built by indigenous Africans believed to be the ancestors of modern Zimbabweans.

Built between the 13th and 14th centuries, the complex was once the centre of a vast empire known as the Munhumutapa Empire.

There are three distinct architectural groupings known as the Hill Complex, the Valley Complex and the Great Enclosure.

Formed of regular, rectangular granite stones carefully placed one upon the other, all of the structures were built without the use of mortar.

Despite this, the remarkable buildings have survived for seven centuries. The stone walls are up to 6 metres thick and 12 metres high with a section of wall running 60 metres long.

Click here to find hotels around Great Zimbabwe.

5. Harare

The capital of Zimbabwe is the gateway to the country’s incredible wildlife destinations. However, you’d be advised to not just pass through, because it is also one of the best places to visit in Zimbabwe.

The city has plenty of attractions and boasts an enjoyable laid-back vibe. A city with many towering skyscrapers, it also has many spots of natural beauty.

The Botanical Garden of Harare has 900 various species of tree and shrubbery to admire and is a great place to spend a day. If you visit in September or October you’ll see the purple blossoms of the jacaranda tree in full bloom.

It’s also a place you can learn about Zimbabwe’s craftwork, a source of national pride in Zimbabwe on display in the National Gallery.

To admire and photograph vast vistas of this intriguing city head to Kopje, a granite hill that rises out of the centre of the city.

Click here to find hotels around Harare.

6. Matobo National Park

Considered the spiritual home of Zimbabwe, Matobo National Park has some of the world’s most impressive granite scenery.

As well as wildlife, including Zimbabwe’s highest concentration of white and black rhinos found in the game park section, the recreational park has Southern Africa’s highest concentration of ancient rock art. The 3,500 sites date back 13,000 years.

The lunar landscape of balancing rocks, known as kopjes, giant boulders stacked on top of each other, as if they’re about to topple over, is an incredible sight.

This site has an incredible history stretching back some 2,000 million years when molten rock erupted across the landscape.

The Matobo Hills is still incredibly important to the local community with them used as shrines and sacred places. This national park is in the perfect location for people to visit when on the road to Hwange and Victoria Falls.

Click here to find hotels around Matobo National Park.

7. Lake Kariba

The mighty Zambezi flows into the waters of Lake Kariba, one of the world’s largest artificial lakes.

Covering an area of 5,00sq km and holding 180 billion tonnes of water, Lake Kariba is an area of extreme beauty, the expanse of water reflecting the nearby landscape.

Remote and slightly trickier to get to than Zimbabwe’s other wildlife destinations, those who do make the journey here will be rewarded with an incredible safari experience.

As well as being home to the Big Five, the largest island on the lake has impalas, hippos, crocodiles and an array of birdlife.

A wonderful way to experience the wildlife of Lake Kariba is by setting off on a houseboat or motorboat.

Click here to find hotels around Lake Kariba.

8. Bulawayo

Bulawayo is one of Zimbabwe’s most attractive cities. The country’s second city is rich in cultural history. Founded in the 1840s by the Ndebele king, Lobengula Khumalo, it was colonised in 1894.

The striking colonial architecture still stands today, lining the tree-lined avenues and streets. Walk down the boulevards to the beautiful parks full of jacaranda trees.

Read Also: Nelly Paulser: Building a Customer-centric Graphic Design Business in Zimbabwe

The city’s attractions include the Bulawayo Railway Museum, where you’ll learn the history of the country through the extensive railway network, the Natural History Museum, Zimbabwe’s largest, a number of galleries and a cathedral.

It is one of the best places to experience Zimbabwe’s cultural diversity as well as a relaxed atmosphere.

Click here to find hotels around Bulawayo.

9. Mana Pools National Park

One of the country’s lesser known national parks, in part due to its remote nature, Mana Pools is a great venue to enjoy close encounters with the wildlife.

Its name comes from the word for ‘four’ in the Shona language, after the four inland pools that are left from the oxbow lakes.

Wildlife gathers around the banks of the Lower Zambezi, elephants, lions, zebras, leopards and cheetahs all stopping for a drink, creating the perfect photo opportunity.

One of the things which makes this national park so unique is it allows you to head out on a walking safari. While this might seem slightly risky to some, the sense of adventure available is undeniable.

Click here to find hotels around Mana Pools National Park and their prices.

10. Mutare

Zimbabwe’s fourth largest city has an incredibly picturesque setting, found at the foothills of the Eastern Highlands north of the Bvumba Mountains.

Set in a valley and surrounded by rolling green hills, the city has a relaxed rural feel. Mutare means ‘metal’, the city’s name coming from its history as a fort when gold was discovered in the nearby Penhalonga Valley.

The Mutare River flowed through with gold panning taking place in the same area. Its here you can visit the Mutare Museum and Murahwa Hill known for its rock paintings and Iron Age village.

Click here to find hotels around Mutare and their prices.

11. Chinhoyi Caves

Discover the enchanting beauty of the Chinhoyi Caves, a hidden gem located in the Mashonaland West province.

These limestone and dolomite caves are surrounded by lush greenery and are a paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.

Embark on a thrilling adventure as you explore the extensive cave system, with its crystal-clear blue waters and unique rock formations.

Take a dip in the natural pool inside the caves, known as the Sleeping Pool, and marvel at the mesmerizing beauty of this underground wonder.

Conclusion

Zimbabwe is a country of wonders, offering visitors an unforgettable experience. From the majestic Victoria Falls to the ancient ruins of Great Zimbabwe, and the diverse wildlife of Hwange National Park, there is something for everyone.

So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and embark on an adventure to discover the wonders of Zimbabwe. It’s time to create memories that will last a lifetime!

Click here to prepare your adventure to Zimbabwe

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to try the local cuisine, such as sadza (a staple food made from maize meal) and biltong (dried meat), and immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural traditions of Zimbabwe’s diverse ethnic groups.

Note: Some images used in this article are for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily depict the actual destinations mentioned.

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