Botswana & Zimbabwe guide
Find out more about combining two Southern African countries in a single trip.
Things to see & do in Zimbabwe
Falling for Zimbabwe
A mile-long, raging waterfall and one of the Earth’s most marvellous spectacles, going to Zimbabwe and not seeing Victoria Falls is like going to Paris and foregoing the Eiffel Tower. No amount of superlatives can describe what it’s like to be stood in front of its full force and power. And now there’s a handy Univisa allowing travelers access to the Falls from both the Zimbabwean and the Zambian side, you can spend hours gawping at them from various viewpoints.
Protected by the eponymous national park, as well as the Zambezi National Park, there are those who want to explore the river that creates these great falls in other ways. White water rafting for example, or canoeing on the gentler sections is a wonderful way to explore this iconic river. Always do so with responsible operators as this is not a river to be messed with, but when paddled responsibly is one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have. Adrenaline seekers will always love the bungee jumping and swimming in the Devil’s Pool above them, or of course you can always take a helicopter ride over them.
A hidden hiking heaven
Seems silly now, but we just kept singing 'Chim chiminey, Chim chiminey' as we hiked through the Chimanimani Mountains. But then again, just like Mary Poppins, this place is pure magic.![]()
When you stand in Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands and look out across its mountainous magnificence, or indeed summit its highest peak, Mt. Nyangani, it’s hard not to think back to the crowds at Victoria Falls and wonder why they are all crammed into one place. With well-maintained trails and expert local guides, but empty luscious landscapes, this is one of the hiking destinations of the future.
National Parks & wildlife
Most first time Zimbabwe goers tend to head north to pair Victoria Falls with a safari in Hwange National Park, which makes for an amazing vacation. If you’ve been to Zimbabwe before, however, and have already ticked those off your list, the less frequented parks like Matobo and Gonarezhou – a national park tucked right down in the south of the country that, in places, resembles the Okavango Delta and has massive pink cliffs that overlook it – are well worth returning to the country for. Matobo is the best park in Zimbabwe to see white rhino, but leopard, wildebeest and zebra are also common. Walking safaris are popular here, an ideal way to take in the spiritual aspect of this park, considered almost sacred by local people. Certainly, if you spot one of its rare black rhinos, your prayers will have been answered.Our top trip
Zimbabwe & Botswana game tracker safari
A lodge safari through Kruger, Zimbabwe & Botswana
From
US $3580 to US $3830
16 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2026: 30 Sep, 10 Oct, 21 Oct, 24 Oct, 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 19 Dec
2027: 9 Jan, 23 Jan, 30 Jan, 20 Feb, 20 Mar, 3 Apr, 10 Apr, 1 May, 8 May, 15 May, 29 May, 5 Jun, 19 Jun, 26 Jun, 3 Jul, 10 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 6 Nov, 13 Nov, 20 Nov, 18 Dec
2026: 30 Sep, 10 Oct, 21 Oct, 24 Oct, 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 19 Dec
2027: 9 Jan, 23 Jan, 30 Jan, 20 Feb, 20 Mar, 3 Apr, 10 Apr, 1 May, 8 May, 15 May, 29 May, 5 Jun, 19 Jun, 26 Jun, 3 Jul, 10 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 6 Nov, 13 Nov, 20 Nov, 18 Dec
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Riding through the Zim
We asked the tour operator if they could tailor make horse riding into a family trip, with horses to suit our teenage daughters. They did happily. And nothing made us happier.![]()
As Zimbabwe’s tourism opens up slowly but surely, more activity based tourism is going to appear on the scene. For now, however, horse riding is one of the most beautiful and natural ways to see the landscape, riding in the environs of Hwange National Park from one camp to the next.
More Zimbabwe articles
Zimbabwe has been turned upside down and inside out since gaining independence in the 1980s.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that the only thing to see in Zimbabwe is Victoria Falls.
You may feel that nothing roars louder than Mugabe, but then you remember that the real roar is from Zimbabwe wildlife.
Famed for its enormous elephant population, Hwange has emerged from difficult times.
Discover the history and significance of Zimbabwe’s ancient capital.
Find out how to enjoy one of Africa’s most beautiful national parks.
Is it a boulder? Is it a rhino? In Matobo National Park, famous for both, it might be harder to tell than you think.
Keep an open mind and open eyes when you're in Zimbabwe and use our advice and tips from our partners in the country.
Help ensure Zimbabwe's tourism grows sustainably, and with positive environmental impacts.
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