What I Learned on a Safari in Zimbabwe

Going on a safari in Zimbabwe was one of the most surreal and grounding travel experiences I've ever had. I’ve been lucky enough to explore wildlife across several countries, but there was something raw and honest about Zimbabwe that stayed with me long after the trip ended. If you’re thinking about doing a safari in Zimbabwe, I want to share what actually surprised me, what I wish I had done differently, and what made the experience unforgettable.

I’d done a fair amount of research on African safaris beforehand, including costs, safety, and which countries offered the best experience. Zimbabwe wasn’t always at the top of the typical lists, but I found that it has some of the most authentic, less-commercialized safaris on the continent.

Here’s what I learned along the way.

Key Points

• Don’t overlook smaller or lesser-known parks. Hwange is amazing, but parks like Mana Pools offer more solitude and closer wildlife encounters.
• Expect rustic luxury, not polished resort vibes. Safari camps in Zimbabwe often focus on eco-consciousness and connection to the landscape over five-star finishes.
• The dry season makes or breaks your sightings. Going in the wrong season can mean missing the very animals you came to see.

Planning a Safari in Zimbabwe: What I Figured Out the Hard Way

There were definitely a few curveballs I didn’t expect when I was planning this trip—some good, some a bit frustrating. From the remoteness of the parks to how I chose my camp, I learned a lot by trial and error.

Zimbabwe’s Safari Parks Are Wild in the Best Way

Most people think of Kenya or South Africa when they picture a safari, but Zimbabwe’s parks are just as rich with wildlife—and far less crowded. I chose Zimbabwe partly because I wanted something a little off the beaten path, where I wouldn’t be jockeying for a view with ten other safari trucks. Hwange National Park was where I spent most of my time. It’s the largest park in the country, known for its elephant herds and lion prides. The density of animals was impressive, but it was the freedom and openness of the park that really stood out.

But Mana Pools was the real highlight for me: no fences, no crowds, and the kind of silence that makes you forget you’re in a modern world. We stayed at a small camp along the Zambezi River, and each morning felt like stepping into a dream—hippos groaning in the distance, birdsong from every direction, and the occasional elephant wandering through camp.

The whole experience felt more intimate and stripped down than the all-inclusive African safari vacations I’d seen online. That ended up being a good thing. If you're looking for raw, immersive wildlife encounters over pampered tourism, Zimbabwe absolutely delivers.

The Logistics Were Trickier Than Expected

Getting to Zimbabwe wasn’t difficult, but getting around once there took more planning than I expected. I flew into Victoria Falls, which worked well as a starting point—especially since I was thinking about possibly combining it with a safari in Botswana or Zambia. But after landing, I realized quickly that the parks I wanted to visit weren’t just around the corner. Mana Pools, for example, required a bush flight followed by a pretty rough drive. I had to remind myself that part of what makes these places so special is exactly how remote and untouched they are.

One thing I’m really glad I did was hire a local guide for each park. I didn’t use a tour company for the whole trip—just booked transfers and lodging myself—but once inside the parks, having someone who knows the land and the animals made all the difference. My guide in Hwange could read tracks like a storybook and pointed out things I never would have noticed on my own, like how vultures circling meant there was likely a recent kill nearby. It made me feel safer and more connected to what was happening around me.

Cost-Wise, It’s More Affordable Than You Might Think

Compared to places like Kenya or Tanzania, Zimbabwe was noticeably more budget-friendly, especially for someone like me who didn’t want to sacrifice quality but still had a realistic budget. I stayed at a small, eco-friendly camp near Hwange that offered all meals, twice-daily game drives, and even the option for a guided walking safari—all for just under $400 a night. It wasn’t cheap, but it felt like an incredible value given the personalized service, the wildlife access, and the overall experience. I was expecting to pay a lot more for something this immersive.

I kept my costs lower by booking everything directly with the camps and arranging my own internal flights and transfers instead of going through a luxury safari operator. It took more legwork, but I actually liked having more control over my itinerary. If you’re curious about how costs scale up or down depending on what kind of trip you want, this guide on how much safaris cost helped me understand what to expect and where to trim or invest.

What Surprised Me Most About the Wildlife

I expected to be amazed by the animals, but I didn’t realize how emotional some of the encounters would feel. Seeing these creatures up close in their natural habitat was humbling. Here’s what really caught me off guard.

Up Close, It’s a Different World

I’d seen plenty of documentaries and read lists of safari animals, but nothing compares to being ten feet from a lion as it yawns. It was early morning, and the light was golden. We had tracked a pride through the bush for almost an hour before we came upon them resting near a waterhole. The lioness yawned, stretched, and looked straight in our direction before laying her head down. The guides kept us at a respectful distance, but even from that range, I could hear her breathing. That kind of proximity shakes you—in a good way.

Zimbabwe’s guides are incredibly trained. One of ours had worked in Hwange for over 15 years and could identify individual elephants by their tusks. He explained how to tell if an elephant is agitated just by the way it holds its ears or shifts its weight. He also taught us how to read fresh tracks—how recent they were, whether the animal was running or walking, and even what direction the wind was blowing when the tracks were made.

Those kinds of small, layered observations made the experience so much richer.

Walking Safaris Were a Game Changer

I didn’t realize until I arrived that some areas, like Mana Pools, allow guided walking safaris. I signed up a bit hesitantly, but it ended up being the highlight of my trip.

On foot, everything feels amplified—the sounds, the smells, the adrenaline. You become acutely aware of every rustle in the grass and every distant bird call. One morning, we tracked a group of wild dogs through the bush. We followed their prints and a trail of disturbed grass until we spotted them ahead. Watching them interact—nipping each other playfully and moving as a coordinated unit—was unforgettable.

Our guide kept us at a safe distance, always making sure the wind was in our favor and we weren’t disturbing the animals.

He carried a rifle just in case, but emphasized that the goal was to observe, not interfere. If you’re used to game drives, walking adds an entirely different dynamic. It’s more physical and much more intimate.

Just make sure your guide is certified, experienced, and that the area legally permits walking safaris.

A Few Tips to Make Your Safari Smoother

Before I went, I assumed most of the challenges would be about spotting wildlife or staying safe. But honestly, the little logistical things made the biggest difference. Here's what I wish someone had told me ahead of time—just a few simple tips that made my safari smoother, more memorable, and way less stressful.

1. Understand the Dry vs. Wet Season

The dry season (May to October) is the best time to visit because animals congregate around water sources, making them easier to find. I went in late August, which was ideal. During the rainy season, the grass is taller, the roads are worse, and the wildlife is more spread out.

2. Don’t Try to Do Too Many Countries at Once

It’s tempting to fit in a whirlwind tour of southern Africa—South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique—but I found it more rewarding to slow down. I spent 10 days in Zimbabwe, and I still feel like I barely scratched the surface. If you have limited time, pick one or two parks and do them well.

3. Choose Your Camp With Intention

Some camps are ultra-remote, and others are easier to access but more built-up. I personally preferred the rustic tented camps over lodges that felt like hotels dropped into the bush. It helped me feel closer to the landscape and the wildlife. You can browse some unique African safari hotels if you're not sure what kind of base you'd prefer.