Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: The Soul of the Safari
The Ultimate Bespoke Journeys by Beyond Africa Safaris
Zimbabwe is not for the passive tourist. It is for the traveler who wants to feel the dust on their boots and the pulse of the wild in their chest.
While its neighbors offer polished, glass-fronted luxury, Zimbabwe offers something rarer: Authenticity. This is the home of the best guides on the African continent. Here, the "High-Cost, Low-Impact" model isn't just a policy; it's a way of life.
The crowds are non-existent. The wildlife is staggering. And the experience is visceral.
In Mana Pools, you don't just drive; you walk through forests of Winterthorn trees with elephants towering above you. In Hwange, you don't just see herds; you feel the ground shake as thousands of elephants converge on a single waterhole. At Victoria Falls, you don't just look; you are drenched by the spray of the world's greatest curtain of falling water.
This is the Beyond Africa difference.
We don't book you on a bus tour of the Falls. We secure private access to the "Devil's Pool" edge. We don't put you in a crowded park camp; we fly you to private concessions where the only footprints are your own. We connect you with the legendary guides who can read the bush like a newspaper.
This is not a holiday. This is a return to the wild.
The Guiding Standard
This is Zimbabwe's secret weapon. The training to become a Professional Guide in Zimbabwe is the most rigorous in Africa, taking up to 5 years.
The Result: Your guide isn't just a driver; they are a naturalist, a tracker, and a protector. They can safely walk you into a lion sighting or explain the medicinal use of a shrub. In Zimbabwe, the guide is the experience.
When to Go: The Water & The Wildlife
Zimbabwe has two distinct rhythms.
July – October (Dry Season)
Peak Safari. The bush is thin, water is scarce, and animals congregate in massive numbers at waterholes. This is the best time for Hwange and Mana Pools.
February – May (High Water)
Peak Victoria Falls. The river is swollen, and the Falls are at their most thunderous. The spray can obscure the view, but the power is undeniable. The landscape is lush and green.
Access & Exclusivity
While Zimbabwe is less crowded than its neighbors, the prime spots can still get busy.
- Private Concessions: We prioritize lodges in private concessions bordering the parks (like the Linkwasha concession in Hwange). This grants you off-road driving, night drives, and freedom from public vehicles.
- Logistics: We use private air charters to connect the remote north (Mana Pools) with the west (Hwange/Vic Falls), saving you days of travel time.
Where to Go: The Icons of the Zambezi & Beyond
We build your itinerary by linking the water, the wilderness, and the wonder.
1. Victoria Falls: The Adrenaline Capital
More than just a waterfall, this is the hub of adventure.
The Experience: Bungee jumping, white-water rafting, or a refined high tea at the historic Victoria Falls Hotel.
Our Touch: We recommend staying upstream of the Falls (e.g., Matetsi or Old Drift) where the river is calm, private, and filled with hippos, visiting the Falls on a private tour to avoid the midday crowds.
2. Mana Pools National Park: The Walking Wilderness
A UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Lower Zambezi.
The Experience: This is a park for purists. The canopy of Albida trees creates a cathedral-like atmosphere where you can see for miles.
Must-Do: A multi-day canoe safari down the Zambezi, camping on islands in the river, or tracking the famous "standing elephants" (like Boswell) who rear up on hind legs to reach branches.
3. Hwange National Park: The Elephant Stronghold
Zimbabwe's largest park, roughly the size of Belgium.
The Experience: In the dry season, the waterhole pumped by your lodge becomes a theater. You don't need to drive; you can sit on the deck with a gin and tonic and watch 500 elephants parade by.
Where to Stay: Somalisa Camp (famous for its "elephant pool" right on the deck) or Linkwasha for the best game viewing in the park.
4. Lake Kariba & Matusadona: The Riviera
A massive man-made lake that feels like an ocean.
The Experience: It's all about the water. Sunset cruises, fishing, and game viewing by boat along the grassy shorelines of Matusadona National Park.
Why Go: To relax. It is the perfect "chill" interlude between the intensity of Hwange and the activity of Vic Falls.
Where to Stay: The Curated Portfolio
We partner only with the lodges that offer world-class design, sustainability, and privacy.
1. The Icons of Luxury
- Matetsi Victoria Falls: Sleek, modern, and ultra-luxurious. Located on a private stretch of the Zambezi with a private wine cellar and personal butlers.
- Singita Pamushana (Gonarezhou): Perched high on a sandstone ridge in the remote southeast. This is arguably the most exclusive lodge in Zimbabwe, offering 5-star luxury in a virtually untouched wilderness.
2. The Authentic Bush Camps
- Chikwenya (Mana Pools): Located at the confluence of the Sapi and Zambezi rivers. It offers barefoot luxury and some of the best walking and canoeing in the country.
- Somalisa Camp (Hwange): Famous for its "Elephant Pool"—a swimming pool frequented by thirsty elephants who drink while you swim.
3. The Hidden Gems
- Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge (Gonarezhou): Experience the remote and rugged beauty of the "Place of Elephants" from a lodge that is deeply integrated with the local Shangaan community.
- Amalinda Lodge (Matobo Hills): Built directly into the granite boulders of the Matobo Hills. It is quirky, historical, and utterly unique.
Best Time to Go: Best: Good:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Zimbabwe Highlights: The Non-Negotiable Experiences
Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya)
The "Smoke that Thunders." One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Whether seen from a helicopter "Flight of Angels" or drenched in its mist on foot, it is a display of raw power that humbles every visitor.
The Mana Pools Walking Safari
The holy grail of safari. Mana Pools is the only National Park that allows unguided walking (though we always provide an expert). Walking with lions and painted wolves here is the most intimate wildlife encounter on Earth.
The Giants of Hwange
Hwange National Park is synonymous with elephants. In the dry season, the sheer density of these giants gathering at pumped waterholes is a spectacle unrivaled anywhere else in Africa.
Lake Kariba Sunsets
A vast inland sea studded with fossilized trees. Staying on a luxury houseboat or island lodge here offers a "water safari" experience of hippos, crocodiles, and the best sunsets on the continent.
Rhino Tracking in Matobo Hills
A landscape of balancing granite rocks that looks like it was sculpted by giants. This is the spiritual heart of Zimbabwe and the best place to track both Black and White Rhino on foot.
Tiger Fishing on the Zambezi
For the angler, landing a ferocious Tiger Fish on the Zambezi River is the ultimate challenge. It is a thrill that combines sport with the stunning backdrop of the river valley.
Zimbabwe In A Flash!
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