Zimbabwe’s national parks: the best to visit for a wildlife-rich safari

Zimbabwe’s national parks offer unspoilt landscapes and a glimpse of what life might have been like on Earth millennia ago. Visiting this African oasis is seeing the natural world on a grand scale. Its vast tracts of grassland are dotted by acacia trees and backed by hazy vistas of undulating peaks. Down on the plain, herds of wildebeest thunder past while elephants trumpet in the distance and hippos and giraffes gather around watering holes to sip and wallow.

The best way to experience the majesty of this untouched land is on safari, staying in one of the excellent safari lodges in Zimbabwe and immersing yourself in the ebb and flow of life in the wild. Guided wildlife-watching excursions with expert naturalist guides open a window to the natural world, letting you in on the trials and triumphs of the spectacular wild animals that live there. Read on to discover the six national parks to visit on your next Zimbabwe safari.

Where should you visit on your Zimbabwe safari?

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa bordered by Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa. It shares national parkland with several of its neighbours, including along the mighty Zambezi River and Lake Kariba to the north. Then, of course, there’s the heart-pounding spectacle of Victoria Falls cascading from on high within the national park of the same name. To help plan your Zimbabwe safari, we take a closer look at Zimbabwe’s national parks.

Zimbabwe’s national parks

Hwange National Park

To the west, and bordering Botswana, Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest national park. It spans over 14,600 sq km of grassland snaked by rivers and dotted with seasonal wetlands, woodland and watering holes. Around the latter gather many of Hwange’s vast array of wildlife. Across the park, over 100 species of mammal roam and you’ll spot some 400 bird species swooping, nesting, and raising their young. 

The intricate story of life is played out with predators and prey jostling for resources. This is one of the top parks for seeing the Big Five in southern Africa, and the Zimbabwe wildlife-watching opportunities here are second-to-none. You can expect to see lions, hyenas, gazelle, rhinos, giraffes, and many more species putting in an appearance. The park’s African elephant population is one of the largest in the world, so if you would like an encounter with these giants of the savannah, this is the place to come.

Victoria Falls National Park

The perspective-shifting sight of the thundering Victoria Falls is of course the main event here, and is a must-visit for anyone craving a mix of jaw-dropping natural beauty and adrenaline-pumping adventure. As well as standing at the edge of one of the world’s largest waterfalls, you can enjoy spotting many wild animals roaming Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls National Park! Early morning and late afternoon game drives are the best times to see the animals in action, and with the majestic roar of the Victoria Falls in the background, every moment feels truly magical. By staying in a safari lodge within the park, you’ll be able to experience both sides of this epic story.

Mana Pools National Park

The remote Mana Pools National Park lies on the border with Zambia to the north, and runs alongside the southern bank of the Zambezi River. The river, along with its springs and pools, provides a natural focal point for wildlife-watching. Visitors to the park often take to the water in kayaks for incredible up-close encounters with the animals. You will have to hold your nerve, though, as Nile crocodiles glide through the deep, hippos make waves in the shallows, and elephants and lions alike make their way to the water’s edge. 

Cast your gaze further afield and you’ll see herds of buffalo grazing the grasslands, tails twitching. Take a moment to peep through the trees and you might just spot the leap of a leopard, or an acrobatic elephant up on its hind legs, as it reaches for the tenderest morsels.

Gonarezhou National Park

Tucked away in the southeast corner of Zimbabwe, the Gonarezhou National Park is home to some of the most varied landscapes in the country and one of Africa’s best-kept secrets. Offering a truly wild and unspoiled safari experience, it features rivers and floodplains, along with mighty baobab trees standing tall and the striking sandstone cliffs of Chilojo. The park is pretty much an extension of the Kruger National Park in South Africa, and its wildlife wanders across the border freely, as it grazes along the banks of the lazy Limpopo River.

Matobo National Park

Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe’s southwest is known for its striking granite rock formations and as the burial place for Cecil Rhodes (founder of the British colony of Rhodesia) in the Matobo Hills. You will also find Stone Age rock art here, and bizarre balancing rocks created by the erosion of the granite cliffs.

Aside from the sublime landscapes, the park has a large population of both black and white rhinos. These muscular creatures storm through the undergrowth in the game reserve section of the park. Make sure to turn your gaze skyward too, as you could witness the wide wingspan of the African hawk-eagle, soaring on the thermals high above.

Matusadona National Park

On the shores of Lake Kariba, the lovely Matusadona National Park is a haven for an abundance of birdlife. Fish eagles, Goliath herons and darters find their prey in the shallows or nest in the skeleton trees dotted across the floodplain. You’ll also have the chance to see the full Big Five here, along with speedy waterbuck and sprightly impala.

The best time to travel to Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has two distinct seasons – the dry season running from May to October, and the rainy season from November through April. Zimbabwe tours to see wildlife on safari are generally more popular during the dry season, when water is more scarce and there is less vegetation obscuring the views. Both of these factors mean that the animals are easier to spot as they gather around the few water sources, rather than dispersing into the undergrowth.

Having said that, there are other factors to consider. Taking a Zimbabwe tour in the rainy season means fewer other visitors will be around. The landscapes will be lush and green, and you may spot baby animals on the scene. Be aware that some parks will close unexpectedly due to heavy rainfall, so your Zimbabwe safari experience could suffer if you choose to travel at this time.

Make it happen

Chat to one of our local experts, who can help you pick the best of Zimbabwe’s national parks to visit on your next safari. Start planning an epic safari holiday today!