Zimbabwe Luxury Safari

Zimbabwe is on the rise. Following years of political turmoil, the country’s tourism industry is now experiencing a surge in investment. Numerous camps and lodges have been revitalized, and the quality of service has consistently been outstanding. Your funds stretch further in this remarkable destination than in other upscale safari locations, making it simpler to infuse a bit of elegance into your Zimbabwe adventure.

Growing up in Zimbabwe, I’ve experienced countless thrilling animal encounters. However, treading in the actual paths of two male lions was an entirely different experience. For me, this is the ultimate way to experience Zimbabwe — immersed in the wild with a seasoned guide, taking in the sights and sounds, and soaking up every moment. Embark on a journey to explore the various regions I outline below during an unforgettable Zimbabwe safari. One can easily explore two countries in a single journey by merging the stunning Mana Pools region of Zimbabwe with the breathtaking South Luangwa National Park in Zambia.

What makes Zimbabwe the perfect destination for an upscale safari experience?

Elephant, Mana Pools National Park is a place where excitement awaits at every turn.
Zimbabwe boasts the most skilled guides in Africa, attracting aspiring guides from all over the continent to obtain their guiding diploma.

Even after qualifying, guides must embark on years of experience-gathering in diverse habitats to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of the country’s flora and fauna. Every safari activity you engage in will offer you a perspective of the bush that is enriched by the insights of an expert.

The camps and lodges offer an enticing allure. Discover pools nestled next to lively waterholes, lodges featuring luxurious spas, canvas rooms boasting private decks overlooking the vast plains, and exquisite dinners served under a starlit sky.

Exciting game drives and relaxing poolside wildlife viewing at Somalisa Camp, Hwange National Park
Somalisa Camp

Lion, Hwange National Park, a realm of untamed beauty and thrilling encounters.

Somalisa Camp masterfully blends opulence with a timeless expedition vibe, featuring clawfoot copper bathtubs, canvas tents equipped with wood-burning stoves, and rustic wooden furniture that tells a story. It’s located on an island scattered with acacia trees at the brink of a seasonal floodplain in Hwange National Park — a region famous for its lions and elephants.

The highlight of a stay, for me, is enjoying the refreshing experience of lounging in the pool. A second, smaller pool nearby serves as a gathering spot for elephants. Observe them as they gather to quench their thirst while you refresh yourself in the peak of the afternoon heat.

There are seven guest tents, thoughtfully arranged to ensure a sense of seclusion, making your experience feel uniquely intimate. Gather around a large table overlooking the vast plains, where one evening you might savor Moroccan-style chicken and couscous, and the next indulge in fish accompanied by roasted vegetables.

Embark on exhilarating game drives and immersive walking safaris from the camp, where expert guides will accompany you on two thrilling activities each day. Prepare for encounters with majestic lions, towering elephants, swift cheetahs, elusive leopards, and a variety of graceful antelope species, along with the possibility of spotting a wild dog.

I followed a female leopard as she strolled alongside our vehicle for nearly three hours, calling out for her cubs, who appeared to be lost during her hunt. I felt her urgency and began to share in her worry, but we witnessed their reunion just as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Embark on a thrilling boat safari across the expansive waters of Lake Kariba.

Perched on a ridge with the Zambezi Escarpment towering in the background, Bumi Hills Safari Lodge offers breathtaking vistas of the expansive Lake Kariba. Upon your arrival, you are welcomed with an exhilarating experience, starting with a rejuvenating 30-minute massage in the lodge’s spa.

Bumi Hills offers a more hotel-like experience compared to traditional safari camps, yet it maintains muted, earthy tones that evoke the essence of the surrounding bush. The ten rooms are positioned along the ridge, featuring air conditioning—a rare find in Zimbabwe—and spacious en suite bathrooms. A charming two-bedroom villa awaits families or groups of friends, ready to embark on memorable experiences together.

The lodge’s closeness to the lake and Matusadona National Park ensures that each day is filled with exciting possibilities. What I enjoy the most is having a personal guide for every adventure. You can choose to stick with the same guide or blend different ones based on whose skills align perfectly with the adventure you’re embarking on.

I embarked on a fishing expedition with a guide renowned for his expertise in catching the lake’s tigerfish and bream. You have the opportunity to try your hand at catching them too, and while the tigerfish are released back into the water, you can enjoy a delicious bream cooked and served for dinner that very evening.

I also suggest embarking on boat safaris. They bring you near hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds such as fish eagles, bee-eaters, and lilac-breasted rollers, along with herds of zebra and impala quenching their thirst by the water’s edge.

Embarking on walking and canoeing safaris from Nyamatusi Camp, Mana Pools National Park
Embarking on a walking safari from Nyamatusi Camp

Mana Pools is one of Zimbabwe’s most untamed regions, and it’s where I find the greatest joy in exploring the country. It’s a realm where humanity takes a backseat, vast expanses dedicated to the Pridelands, where lions reign supreme.

In other areas, wild dogs traverse the park’s vast plains — it was here that David Attenborough’s Dynasties documentary captured stunning footage of Blacktip and her pack. During a prior visit, I had the chance to observe her as she expertly navigated her pack around a group of grazing impala, skillfully employing their sharp hunting techniques to gain the upper hand.

Nyamatusi Camp features just six guest tents, nestled on the eastern side of Mana Pools. Each features its own living area, an en suite bathroom, and a private plunge pool on the deck, perfect for lounging in the shade while gazing out over the floodplain.

Game drives are available, but I’d recommend immersing yourself in the pristine environment by exploring on foot. In the absence of engine noise, the world comes alive — alarm calls echo, birds sing, and the trees and plants whisper in the gentle breeze.

My guide brought everything to life, sharing fascinating insights about the creation of termite mounds and how they can help you find your bearings (termites favor shade, so their mounds are typically aligned north-south). We encountered roan and sable antelope, wildebeest and zebra, and stumbled upon dusty tracks left by elephants journeying to the banks of the Zambezi.

Embark on a canoe journey, gliding along the river with a knowledgeable guide who will point out the various birds you encounter and bring you safely close to hippos and crocodiles.

Begin or conclude your lavish safari with a trip to the breathtaking Victoria Falls.
Victoria Falls is a breathtaking destination that promises excitement and exploration at every turn.
Victoria Falls
Whether a brief pause after your flight or a serene spot to unwind after your safari, Victoria Falls enhances your journey with its captivating allure. The falls speak for themselves — you come to experience their might, listen to the roaring cascade into the canyon, and feel the refreshing spray that rises like a gentle mist from the collision below.

Experience the breathtaking views of the falls from above on a thrilling 12- or 30-minute helicopter flight, where you can spot the enchanting rainbow streaks created by the sunlight dancing on the water.

I recommend exploring on foot with a personal guide. They’ll guide you to the most remarkable locations while sharing fascinating stories about the history of the falls, including their importance to Victorian explorer and colonialist David Livingstone, the first European known to have visited this place.

Afterwards, your guide can lead you on an exciting journey behind the scenes of the artisan market in Victoria Falls town. You will have the opportunity to encounter sculptors, wood carvers, jewellers, and textile makers, engaging in conversations about their craft while witnessing the creation of unique pieces available for purchase at their stalls.

Another exciting option for exploration is to join a ‘pot and paddle’ tour. First, a chef leads you on an exciting journey to craft a traditional African stew, featuring beef, lamb, or fish, combined with vibrant vegetables, aromatic herbs, and bold spices. This is cooked slowly in a potjie, a three-legged cast-iron cooking pot, nestled in the glowing embers of a fire for around three hours.

As the stew bubbles away, you embark on an exhilarating game drive through Zambezi National Park — keep your eyes peeled for elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and antelope. Then, you glide along the river back to your starting point, pausing for a refreshing sundowner along the way, before settling in for a delightful three-course dinner featuring your potjie.

Choosing accommodations at Victoria Falls

The Bulawayo room, Victoria Falls Hotel

Victoria Falls Hotel is a place where excitement and exploration await at every turn.
Exclusive plunge pool overlooking the river at Old Drift Lodge
Old Drift Lodge
The Victoria Falls Hotel stands as the most esteemed location in town, having welcomed royalty and a host of celebrities since its inception in 1904. As a guest or visitor, you can enjoy afternoon tea on the terrace or in the magnificent dining room reminiscent of the 1920s, where high ceilings are adorned with sparkling chandeliers.

I enjoy staying just outside town at Old Drift Lodge, which offers the ambiance of a luxurious safari camp. As you approach by boat, there is also the option to embark on a brief paddle to reach the falls area. The 14 suites are perfectly positioned along the riverbanks, featuring glass-sliding doors that lead to your own private deck. Behind is a waterhole where you can observe elephants, hippos, and antelopes as they come and go.

The lodge’s guides will lead you on exhilarating game drives and immersive nature walks through Zambezi National Park. As the sun sets, embark on a cruise along the river, where hippos and elephants create stunning silhouettes against a canvas of pink and orange hues in the sky.

Optimal moments for an exhilarating safari experience in Zimbabwe

Hippo, Hwange National Park
Hippo, Hwange National Park is a place brimming with excitement and exploration.
The dry season in Zimbabwe runs from June to October, offering some of the most remarkable opportunities for wildlife sightings. Mana Pools operates on a seasonal basis, with camps welcoming visitors from mid-April to mid-November. In contrast, Hwange is open throughout the year, providing unique experiences, excellent value, and abundant wildlife even during the dry months. If you’re planning a trip to Victoria Falls, consider going between June and August. During this time, the water volume is remarkable, yet it’s not so intense that the spray will obstruct your breathtaking views. Our ultimate guide to visiting Zimbabwe offers a month-by-month breakdown of the best times to explore.