A Quintessential African Adventure
Zimbabwe is one of those places that stays with you long after you’ve left. It’s wild, diverse, and full of moments that catch you off guard. For anyone planning an overlanding trip in Africa, Zimbabwe should be high on the list. Below are things to know, where to go, and how to plan your adventure travel through this incredible safari destination.
Why Zimbabwe Deserves a Spot on Your Safari Map
- Rich wildlife: You can realistically expect to see the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo), especially in parks like Hwange, Mana Pools, and Matusadona.
- Dramatic scenery: Think mighty waterfalls, expansive floodplains, granite hills, ancient forests, and massive lakes.
- Variety of safari styles: Zimbabwe offers game drives, canoe safaris, walking safaris. Whatever fits your style of overlanding and exploration.
- Warm people and culture – The hospitality is genuine, food is local and flavoursome, and history runs deep from the Great Zimbabwe Ruins to the ancient rock art.
Top Places to Visit
Here are our must-visit wildlife and landscape regions for a Zimbabwe safari with Drive Africa:
- Hwange National Park – a huge park and one of the best places to spot large herds of elephants and predators.
- Mana Pools National Park – famous for its floodplains, river-based safari and special elephant population. It’s also one of the last strongholds of the African wild dog.
- Victoria Falls – probably the most iconic natural attraction in Africa and the continents only official world wonder. The scale and power of the falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, adds a different kind of awe to any safari trip. More than just the falls, local wildlife and stunning hikes in a rain forest. like environment are also not to be missed. For those with a really adventurous side, Vic Falls is also one of the activity centres of Africa with bungee jumps, rope swings and helicopter rides all on offer.
- Lake Kariba & Matusadona – great for combining wildlife viewing with rest and relaxation on the water with a sunset cruise.
- Matobo National Park – for something different; rock formations, caves, leopards, and rich cultural heritage.
- Gonarezhou – remote, rugged, quieter than many safari destinations; ideal if you want fewer people, raw landscapes, and more adventure.
- Nyanga – Most people go to Zimbabwe expecting a magnificent world wonder and excellent wildlife spotting. What surprises people is the diversity of the landscapes. In the lesser visited eastern side of the country, Nyanga National Park is home to some of the most spectacular views anywhere in Africa, along with Zimbabwe’s highest peak.
- Honde Valley – Just a stones throw away from Nyanga, the view from through your windscreen changes yet again, suddenly surrounded by the banana and tea plantations of the Honde Valley. An area worth driving through just for the road side scenery.
- Great Zimbabwe Ruins – Explore the ancient stone city that once stood as the heart of a powerful African kingdom, offering a fascinating glimpse into Zimbabwe’s rich cultural past.
When to Go
Timing matters if you want both great wildlife sightings, a stress free drive and optimal weather.
- Dry season (May to October) is best overall for safari in Zimbabwe. Animals gather around fewer water sources, vegetation thins, roads are more reliable; all ideal for self drive safari.
- Victoria Falls in full flood is usually February to May. Dramatic, loud and beautiful. Often mist from the Falls can be seen from miles away.
- Shoulder season (May to July) can be a sweet spot: Falls still flowing well, game viewing strong, and fewer crowds than peak dry season.
Planning Tips for Overlanders & Self Drive Travellers
Here are practical things to consider when organising a Zimbabwe safari with a self-drive or overlanding mindset:
- Vehicle & Gear: You’ll need a reliable 4×4, spares, recovery gear, good tyres. Some parts of the route get rough, especially after rains.
- Permits and Park Access: Parks like Mana Pools may require permits, especially for canoeing or walking safaris. It’s important to plan well and book ahead where possible.
- Accommodation: Zimbabwe offers everything from rustic bush camps to comfortable lodges. For us, a combination of both usually offers the best balance. It mixes comfort and luxury while still immersing yourself in nature.
- Food & Supplies: Stock up where possible; remote areas have limited supply options. Fuel up well before heading into large parks or remote regions.
- Wildlife: Knowing how to behave and react when driving around wildlife is important, especially when it comes to big game such as elephants and buffalo. Read up on how to respect the wildlife while safely enjoying the amazing creatures that that call this country home.
What to Expect & What It Costs
- Safari lodges and camps range from basic to luxury. We can help you to plan a budget friendly trip if you choose simpler camps, or splurge on private lodges for more comfort or combination of both.
- Activities add cost. National park entries, canoe trips, walking safaris, night drives, cultural visits. If you’re paying as you go on a self planned trip it’s important to budget for all costs. If you book a Drive Africa trip all of these costs will be outlined beforehand.
- Distances between lodges and parks can be long. Expect some travel days, dirt and gravel roads, possibly seasonal road conditions.
Final Words
If you’re after adventure travel in Africa that’s wild, varied, and memorable, Zimbabwe really delivers. For those of us at Drive Africa, a self-drive journey here means exploring rivers, forests, hills, and plains. It means waking up in bush camps, spotting animals from your vehicle, stunning mountain vistas, all wrapped up in legendary Zimbabwean hospitality.
If you’re planning your next overlanding trip, let Zimbabwe be a part of it. Drive Africa can help with routes, vehicles, permits, places to stay and activities, so your journey becomes more than a safari, it becomes an unforgettable story.
