Zambia and Zimbabwe are the safari connoisseur's countries — superbly guided, wonderfully wild, refreshingly uncrowded and often the best value in the region. They share Victoria Falls (one bank each) and a proud walking-safari tradition. For travellers who have done the classics and want something rawer and more on-foot, the choice between them is delicious. Here is how they compare.
Zambia: the home of the walking safari
Zambia's South Luangwa is where the modern walking safari was born, and it remains one of the great leopard destinations, superb for night drives. The Lower Zambezi adds canoeing beneath the escarpment. Guiding standards are exceptional, camps are intimate and seasonal, and the sense of wilderness is profound.
Zimbabwe: guiding, Hwange and Mana Pools
Zimbabwe's professional guides are among the best-trained in Africa. Hwange delivers huge elephant herds, and Mana Pools — a UNESCO site — is a walking and canoeing paradise famous for its cathedral-like forests and habituated elephants. Add the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls and the value is outstanding.
Victoria Falls: which side?
Both countries share the falls. The Zimbabwean side offers the broader panoramic views and more of the falls' face; the Zambian side (Livingstone) offers the thrilling up-close experience and Devil's Pool in low water. Many visitors do both — it is a five-minute crossing.
| Factor | Zambia | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Signature | Walking safaris, leopards | Guiding, Hwange, Mana Pools |
| Walking safaris | Birthplace, superb | Excellent (Mana Pools) |
| Victoria Falls side | Livingstone (up-close) | Panoramic views |
| Elephants | Good | Exceptional (Hwange) |
| Value | Very good | Excellent |
| Best for | Purists, walking, night drives | Guiding, elephants, value |
Our verdict
Choose Zambia for the ultimate walking and night-drive experience and superb leopards; choose Zimbabwe for world-class guiding, Hwange's elephants, Mana Pools and unbeatable value. And since they share Victoria Falls, combining them is easy — we do it often.
Zambia & Zimbabwe safaris to tailor
Private journeys to either — or both:
- Ultimate Walking Safari — 7 days, from $4,500 pp
- South Luangwa Explorer — 5 days, from $2,500 pp
- Zimbabwe Wilderness — Mana Pools & Victoria Falls — 8 days, from $6,450 pp
- Victoria Falls Getaway — 3 days, from $1,200 pp
Explore both countries
Compare Zambia and Zimbabwe:
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Start Planning
Every walking safari we craft is private and built entirely around you — your dates, your pace, your budget and the wildlife you most want to see. Our specialists have travelled this ground themselves and design each itinerary by hand. Speak to our team to begin, or browse our safari packages for inspiration.
