Luxury Zimbabwe safaris

Zimbabwe's national parks and private concessions are entirely safe for safari travel and have been for many years. Zimbabwe's wildlife areas — Mana Pools, Hwange National Park — are among Africa's finest and least crowded. Wilderness operates exclusive concessions within both parks. Guests stay within the parks and Wilderness-managed areas; domestic travel logistics are managed entirely by Wilderness Air and ground transfers.

Zimbabwe offers two of Africa's greatest safari ecosystems. Mana Pools National Park on the Zambezi is world-famous for walking safaris, canoe trips, and spectacular concentrations of wildlife including lion, leopard, wild dog, and elephant that stand on their hind legs to reach albida pods. Hwange National Park holds the largest elephant population in the world (over 45,000) along with exceptional lion, painted wolf (wild dog) populations, and — uniquely for land-locked Africa — plains game in extraordinary variety.

Mana Pools is one of Africa's most extraordinary wilderness areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Zambezi floodplain, backed by towering albida trees, creates a theatrical wildlife setting. Mana Pools is the most famous walking safari destination on the continent — guides operate on foot alongside elephant and buffalo. Canoe safaris on the Zambezi are equally legendary. The park is seasonal (usually open April/May through October/November) and limited-access, keeping it genuinely wild.

All Wilderness camps are fully inclusive. Your rate covers all game activities (game drives, guided walks or boat trips where applicable), all meals and drinks including house wines, beers and spirits, laundry, and park fees. Excluded are items such as gratuities, spa treatments, curio purchases, and premium spirits or wines. Airport transfers between camp and the relevant airstrip are included where Wilderness Air operates the route.

Minimum age requirements vary by camp. At most Wilderness properties children aged 6 and above are welcome when booking exclusive use of a camp and vehicle or travelling as a family group. Activity restrictions (e.g. walking safaris and boating excursions) carry their own age minimums set by regional park authorities. Speak with your Wilderness Travel Designer to confirm suitability for your children's ages.

Most Wilderness camps are accessed by light aircraft — typically a 1–2 hour flight from the nearest international gateway (Maun, Windhoek, Kigali, Nairobi, Lusaka or Harare). Wilderness Air operates scheduled safari circuits in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Rwanda, connecting camps with international airports. Transfers are included in your stay for Wilderness Air routes. Your Travel Designer will arrange all in-country logistics.

Wilderness recommends neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige) for safari activities — avoid bright colours and white. Pack layers: mornings and evenings can be cool year-round in most regions. Include a wide-brim hat, good sunscreen, quality binoculars, and a camera.

Many camps have a weight limit of 15kg (33lb soft bag only) for light aircraft transfers. Full packing lists are provided in your pre-departure documentation.

The optimal season varies by destination and what you want to see. As a general guide: Zimbabwe's dry season (May to October) is best for Mana Pools and Hwange. Your Wilderness specialist can advise based on your priorities.

Wilderness operates under strict safety protocols developed over 40 years in the African bush. Guides are fully trained and licensed in wilderness first aid and wildlife safety. All camps maintain satellite communication and emergency evacuation procedures. The areas Wilderness operates in are private concessions, remote from tourist crowds, and consistently safe for guests. As with any wildlife encounter, guests follow guide instructions at all times in the bush.

Wilderness24 is our proprietary response capability internal and commitment to your wellbeing. This integrated risk management function, managed from within the business, involves internal experts and dedicated partners to ensure that if any unexpected situation arises, it is handled swiftly and seamlessly.

Wilderness camps are in the premium segment of African safari. Rates are fully inclusive (all meals, drinks, activities) and typically range from USD1,000 to USD4,000+ per person per night depending on camp, season, and configuration. Ultra-exclusive properties such as Little Mombo, The Sanctuary at Mombo, or The Sanctuary at Bisate sit at the higher end. Peak season (July to October in most regions) commands higher rates than green season. Contact a Wilderness Travel Designer for a personalised quote.

Every Wilderness camp directly contributes funds to conservation through a dedicated conservation innitiative, the Wilderness Trust. Wilderness also runs community partnerships in every region it operates — from community trusts in Botswana and Namibia to reforestation programmes in Rwanda. 

The currency in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwean Dollar. Cash transactions are accepted in foreign currency (i.e. use of Forex), with US Dollars being the most widely accepted and used – the South African Rand (ZAR) is also accepted.

Zimbabwe shares the same time zone as the rest of Southern Africa, which is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time – (GMT) + 2 hours, in the Central Africa Time Zone (CAT).

Unfortunately not. Zimbabwe does not have credit card facilities. This includes our Wilderness camps. However, payment can be made in cash and debit card transactions are accepted in Zimbabwe.

We tread lightly on the land. And our camps are always located in pristine wilderness areas. This means we often have to generate our own electricity. There are 220V power points in the camps. If you have an item that runs on 110V, please bring a converter. It is also advisable to bring additional universal travel adaptors and extra batteries.

Please remember that there may be luggage weight or size restrictions on your Zimbabwe safari. Chat to your Travel Designer who can advise you best based on your personal itinerary. As a general rule of thumb, warm clothing is recommended for the cooler months, and light clothing for summer. Bright colours and white are not advisable.

Great Zimbabwe was a medieval African city known for its large circular wall and tower. It was part of a wealthy African trading empire that controlled much of the East African coast from the 11th to the 15th centuries. Archaeologists have found pottery from China and Persia, as well as Arab coins in the ruins. A fascinating place to visit on your Zimbabwe journey.

Please check with your Travel Designer to find out if you require a visa to enter Zimbabwe. Some nationalities may have to apply in advance. However, some nationalities are able to obtain these on arrival at the port of entry.

Please speak to your Travel Designer for the latest travel advisory updates, to ensure that you are prepared for all COVID travel requirements in Zimbabwe before your departure.

If you are travelling to Zimbabwe from areas infected with yellow fever, you must have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. We advise our guests to also have an updated TPD (tetanus, pollo, diphtheria) vaccine and a hepatitis A vaccine. 

Please consult with your Travel Designer or travel clinic a few weeks before your departure. Some courses of medication may need to be started in advance of your visit to Zimbabwe.