Adventure, Africa, Experiences, Family and Safari

Best places to visit in Zimbabwe

From ancient ruins to beautiful national parks and the world's longest zip line.

Alistair

Managing Director

Published on

19 Dec 2018

Updated on

28 Jul 2025

With its varied landscapes, amazing wildlife and fascinating history, Zimbabwe is a stunning country. A place as big and as diverse as Zimbabwe has a lot to offer in terms of exciting activities to do and interesting places to visit. Whether you are interested in wildlife, history, culture or high adrenaline sports, Zimbabwe has plenty of unforgettable experiences for you. Fly across the Zambezi River on the world's longest zip line, or visit Africa's most impressive ruins outside of Egypt. If wildlife and nature is more your forte, Zimbabwe has a huge selection of game reserves and national parks, the most popular being Hwange. If you really want to experience the African wilderness, trek across Mana Pools National Park on a seven day excursion.

Hwange National Park

A visit to Hwange National Park is the ideal addition to any Zimbabwe itinerary. The largest National Park and possibly the most well known, Hwange consists of sprawling open grasslands and vast swathes of mopane woodland. Interestingly, none of the surface water bodies are natural - instead, they are man-made and are supplied with pumped water which means that Hwange's waterholes are brilliant wildlife viewing spots all year-round. Many of these waterholes have viewing platforms and/or hides that allow you to get very close to Africa's amazing animals.The park contains more wildlife species than any other park in Zimbabwe, including high numbers of lions, leopards, wild dogs and especially elephants, of which there are believed to be 30,000 living within the park. Cheetahs, buffalo and rhinos are also present, along with over 400 different bird species. When staying at Hwange, you have the option of lodging in the main areas of the park or in one of the numerous private concessions.

Somalisa Acacia Game Drive — Go on a game drive to see Zimbabwe's stunning wildlife

Mana Pools National Park

Mana Pools is a fantastic National Park in the North of Zimbabwe, with UNESCO World Heritage status. This park’s remote location gives guests a sense of being in the African wilderness, with its stunning landscapes and abundance of wildlife. Close encounters with a wide range of animals is guaranteed. There are a number of lodges and camps offering a variety of different experiences, safaris and itineraries. One of our favourites is the 'Greater Mana Experience’, which comprises a six-night trip across Mana Pools National Park and Sapi, a private concession on the eastern border of Mana. Guests explore the Park’s wilderness by foot, vehicle and boat, taking in the sights and sounds of the African bush and getting up close to the wildlife, staying in a different camp every couple of nights. This varied itinerary means that guests receive a wide range of different experiences and have the chance to really connect with the surrounding nature. The knowledge gained of the park’s environment will also be second to none.

Wild Dogs Greater Mana — Mana Pools is teeming with wildlife.

Starbeds At Night Greater Mana — Starbeds - one of the camps on the Greater Mana Experience

Bush Walks Greater Mana — Explore Mana Pools on foot

Matobo Hills National Park

A haven for wildlife, especially white and black rhinos, Matobo Hills National Park is also a place of cultural and historical interest. It is such a remarkable location that in 2003 it was given World Heritage status. 2,000 years ago, Bushmen called the Matobo hills their home, and the artwork that they painted on the rocks and boulders can still be seen today. Guests can go on tours with knowledgeable guides to visit this incredible historical site. Matobo is also well known for its remarkable balancing rock formations, such as the ‘mother and child’.

The park is also a protection zone for both white and black rhinos, both of which are endangered species. Guests to Matobo can go on game drives to see these animals, or track them on foot on a bush walk. Bush walks are an amazing way to experience and connect with the African wilderness, and allow the opportunity to get up close to these incredible animals.

Matobo Hills Zimbabwe — Beautiful and photogenic

Rock Paintings — Visit Matobo Hill's ancient rock paintings

Rhino Tracking Zimbabwe — Rhino tracking in Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe is the biggest historical site in Africa after the Pyramids in Egypt and is one of the few genuine historical experiences that you can have on the continent, due to the heavy focus on wildlife and safaris. Once an important town, Great Zimbabwe was made up of impressive granite buildings, with towers, turrets and elegant staircases. Expert craftsmanship built these structures without using mortar – instead, the stones were packed tightly together to create some rather unique shapes. Historians believe that between 10,000 to 20,000 people called this affluent trading centre home, doing business with nations such as China, India and Persia. However, by the 16th century, the town was deserted and had fallen into ruins. No one knows why.

Doorway At Great Zimbabwe — Amazing craftmanship

Gonarezhou National Park

Off the beaten track, Gonarezhou is a fantastic national park located in the South East of Zimbabwe. Filled with rivers, flood plains, waterfalls and rocky gorges, Gonarezhou is an absolutely beautiful location. Breathtaking views can be seen from the top of the Chilojo cliffs – giants red sandstone towers that loom 200 metres above the surrounding plains and instill a sense of wonder in their beholders, making them one of the park’s most distinctive features. A series of conservation breakthroughs means that Gonarezhou is teeming with wildlife, including large populations of elephants, lions, cheetahs and African wild dogs to name just a few. The lack of other tourists gives visitors a sense of truly being in the African wilderness and provides a more personal, private experience. There are a variety of accommodation options in Gonarezhou, although no matter where you stay, you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable safari experience.

Eastern Highlands

A stunning mountain range in the East of Zimbabwe, with spectacular views and a huge variety of fun and exciting activities on offer, the Eastern Highlands are a worthy contender on any itinerary. Full of unspoilt wilderness, the area contains several national parks and nature reserves, such as Nyanga National Park and Cecil Kop Wildlife and Nature Reserve. It is also an ideal place to go hiking, with many established walks throughout the area, of varying degrees of difficulty. For more of an historical experience, there are several small ruins that can be visited, including the Ziwa ruins, which date back to 200AD. Alternatively, you can tour the Rhodes Nyanga Historical Exhibition or visit Tessa’s pool, a natural swimming hole with ancient rock paintings nearby. The Eastern Highlands also boasts several waterfalls and caves that can be explored.

Grevys Zebra — Visit a reserve or National park

Victoria Falls

If high adrenaline sports are what you're after, then Victoria Falls is the place for you. Located on the Zambezi river, this area has a number of water based activities on offer, such as white water rafting in canoes and kayaks. Or, if you are feeling particularly daring, you can ride the rapids on a body board. Aerial adventures include experiencing Victoria Falls’ zipline, the longest one in the world at 425 metres, or bungee jumping from the Victoria falls bridge. Not the highest bungee jump in the world, but perhaps the most scenic, with Victoria falls providing a stunning backdrop while you hurtle 111 metres downwards towards the world famous Zambezi river. A less hair-raising activity is taking a flight over Victoria falls waterfall in a helicopter, an amazing experience that provides breathtaking views.

Bungee Jumping Illala Lodge — Get your adrenaline racing with a spot of bungee jumping.

Wondering when to visit? Take a look at this guide on the best time to visit Zimbabwe.

Looking for some more inspiration? Take a look at our best safari holidays ideas, our favourite family safaris, our big five safari guide or our top African safari honeymoon suggestions.

Start planning your own tailor-made holiday to Zimbabwe - call us on 01768 603 715

Speak to a Zimbabwe expert today

and start planning your tailor-made holiday

Call 0203 111 1315

Enquire Now

Alistair

Tamara

George W

This was our 2nd trip organised via Far & Wild from Australia - previously Africa and now Sri Lanka. Nia and the rest of the team were great - excellent itinerary, happy to modify the trip based on my suggestions and research, and they handled some last minute changes caused by a health issue without any problems at all. They were very quick to reply to all messages - and the trip went really smoothly. If you want an up-market holiday, this is a great organisation to organise that sort of trip!

December, 2025

Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

August, 2025

Nick and Carly

Thank you to Nia and Far & Wild. My wife and I wanted to go to Vietnam and capture a real taste of the country from top to bottom but didn't have a clue where to start. We weren’t even sure if it was possible. Through speaking to Nia, sharing ideas and asking questions we were able to book what looked to be an extremely exciting trip - we could not wait to go. The reality of the trip more than matched our expectations. We had unforgettable experiences that we would never have been able to organise ourselves. The true value in this trip was that someone who knew what they were doing could give us the experience we truly craved. Well done Nia, it was a holiday we will never forget and we can’t wait for the next one. Thank you!

November, 2026

Kamal

Had an absolutely amazing 3 weeks in Chile and Argentina! We were a group of 8 friends - 4 couples. The vans used for our private excursions were very good and spacious. All the ground arrangements were as planned … the guides were very good - their English and knowledge was amazing. They made sure we had a good time. The picnic lunches were served in great locations with fabulous views and setup with tables and table cloths! Highly recommend Far & Wild! Looking to book another trip with them next year!

December, 2025

Lucinda F

Seamlessly organised! Brilliant suggestions of where to go which really gave us a 360 view of Kenya and hit our families need for adventure and mine for a bit of luxury.

November, 2025

Richard S

Alistair took time to understand what we were after and came up with an unforgettable Kenyan safari and beach holiday which we will all remember for a very long time. Real memory making trip with our 10 and 12 year old boys. Exactly what we hoped for and more!

November, 2025

Sue S

Otti organised a superb holiday to Kenya and Seychelles for my husband and I and our 2 adult daughters. It was our first safari and we only had a vague idea about where to start. Otti made the process so simple for us, suggesting an itinerary which she tweaked following discussions about the camps and hotels, and was really quick responding to my many queries; she was friendly, helpful and gave me complete confidence we were in excellent hands throughout. Far and Wild clearly have knowledge about the places they are recommending and work as team to provide the best service - definitely a 10 out of 10 for customer service and organising an amazing holiday for us.

September, 2025

Anonymous client

We can't thank the Far and Wild team enough for the most incredible trip we just had in Kenya. Otti really took into account what we were after and delivered an experience that exceeded all expectations. It was the trip of a lifetime! We had the most beautiful and unique time while on safari at the Instinct of the Mara. We really wanted to visit a camp that took ethical and sustainable practices seriously without compromising on the experience... and wow, it was truly wonderful and special! We'll definitely be returning. Our time at Diani beach was also lovely and very relaxing. Every step of the trip was seamless and we didn't have to worry about a thing. We had 4 domestic flights and a handful of car rides to take and everything was extremely organized and ran smoothly. We can't wait to book our next big trip!! Very grateful.

September, 2025

Claire L

Ben and Tamara at Far & Wild were exceptional in every respect. They offered thoughtful advice, excellent recommendations, and meticulous planning, weaving together their personal connections to help our family transform a collection of ideas into a magnificent six-week adventure. Every detail was handled with care - no transaction overlooked - which is all the more impressive given the complexity of moving three people across four regions of the country by every mode of transport imaginable. Their expertise gave us complete peace of mind and allowed us to simply enjoy the journey. I have already recommended Far & Wild to friends and would not hesitate to do so again.

August, 2025

Steven V

So great to be able to leave the details to the professionals at Far & Wild. Our two-week tour of Buenos Aires and southern Uruguay was pitch-perfect to our requests and goals. Amanda understood clearly what we were after, and crafted an idyllic itinerary with our style of hotels, guided tours, and transfers. Complementing Far & Wild's first-person knowledge of the territory were the excellent resources "on the ground" in Argentina and Uruguay to handle last-minute changes and requests. We've found our travel partner!

November, 2025

Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

July, 2024

Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

March, 2024

Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. It was good value for the level of luxury we had.

June, 2024

Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

July, 2024

Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps was ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

June, 2024

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

May, 2024

Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

April, 2024

Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

March, 2024