Sabbatical & Experiential Travel to Zimbabwe

Holidays & Sabbaticals to Zimbabwe – In a Nutshell

Zimbabwe is the stuff of historic travelling legend, typifying the romance of Africa. Look beyond its iconic highlights of Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and Mana Pools, and you find much more in this country. Topographically it ranges from huge, fossilised forests, plummeting valleys and mountain highlands, and vast savannah plains to some of the most dramatic waterways in the world.

It has correspondingly diverse and sophisticated guest appeal – from high octane adventure such as white-water rafting to more sedate experiences such as Steam Train Safaris. Eclipsing all these, of course, are the rich and authentic wildlife opportunities, both land- and water-based, to experience the large animal populations which roam and hunt across the incredible wilderness of Zimbabwe.

Experiences you shouldn’t miss in Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls: Come for the spectacular Falls and white-water rafting down the Zambezi; but make sure you plan in time for the lesser-known activities in the area
Lions in Hwange: Hwange National Park has a high concentration of lions, making for incredible viewings of hunts and kills
Diverse Landscapes: In Hwange, experience a variety of environments: acacia forests, woodlands, springs and riverines, and vast central plains
Matobo domes: Walk among the incredible natural rock formations, featuring ‘dwala’ domes and balancing boulders, of the Matobo Hills. View the highest concentration of rock art in Southern Africa here
Unique elephants: Elephants in Mana Pools National Park have learnt to stand on their hind legs to reach higher vegetation. This is the only place this natural behaviour is common
Black & White Rhinos: See these colossal creatures protected in the sanctuary of Hwange
Water Wilderness: View the large populations of hippos that flourish in the rivers of Kariba & Matusadona National Park

Off the Beaten Path in Zimbabwe

Tram safari: Take the Bamba Tram, a renovated 19th Century icon, for an alternative mini-safari around Victoria Falls, with a vertiginous view down the gorge dividing Zimbabwe and Zambia
Gallop across the plains in the Victoria Falls region on horseback
Conservation Safari: Take a walking safari with the Anti-poaching rangers at Victoria Falls and learn about how they are actively protecting wildlife
Practise photography: Snap away in Mana Pools National Park. Acacia forests provide cathedral-like frames and the unique blue hue of the evening attracts top photographers worldwide
Cliff views: Watch herds of elephants saunter along the riverbank, against the backdrop of the sheer, russet-coloured Chilojo cliffs, in Gonarezhou (‘Place of Elephants’)
Walk the Skywalk, a chain bridge, across a plunging valley over the thundering Mutarazi Falls, in the lush Eastern Highlands
Tea Time: Drop into a tea plantation in Bvumba, or ‘Mountains of the Mist’, for a private visit
Hug a Tree, or try to. With trunks up to 6m wide, in the Land of the Giants in Chimanimani, these red mahoganies are more easily observed than embraced
White Water for kids: Take the kids white water rafting on Pungwe River through Honde Valley (under-15s cannot at Victoria Falls)
Join the Rangers on a game count to contribute to the wildlife census in Hwange

Wildlife in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is hard to beat for sightings of large mammals, predators and prey. In particular, lions are highly concentrated in places such as Hwange, offering fantastic opportunities for viewings of hunts and kills. Hippos congregate like bulbous stepping stones in the watery wildernesses, especially of Kariba & Matusadona National Park. Zimbabwe provides sanctuaries for Black and White rhino, and takes great pride in its conservation programmes.

Bird life is hugely rich and varied in particular in the misty mountains of the Eastern Highlands.

When & Weather – Zimbabwe

Dry season is April to December – this is best for spotting wildlife as it congregates around sources of water.
– September to October are best avoided as can see highs of 40 °C.
– June to July sees the lowest temperatures, dipping to under 10 °C at night but staying around 20 °C in daytime.

Rainy season is December to March. This is great for seeing Zimbabwe bloom and for exclusivity as it is considered the low season, however, sightings are harder.

Who will Zimbabwe appeal to?

Nature lovers
Photographers
Families with kids from 12 (note some activities have age limits of 15 years, such as white water rafting at Victoria Falls)