ZIMBABWE SAFARI

Zimbabwe is home to some of Africa’s most unique natural attractions and wildlife destinations. The adventurous traveler will have to search hard to beat this incredible destination. There is so much to choose from – the magnificent Victoria Falls, the wildlife haven of Mana Pools along the banks of the Lower Zambezi, spectacular Hwange National Park bordering Botswana, idyllic Lake Kariba, the Great Zimbabwe Ruins and many more.

Zimbabwe has some of the best safari guides in Africa and they generally are good leaders of people who have vast knowledge of their field and fun to travel with. You will find the locals to be friendly, soft spoken, well-mannered and good hearted. 

The country developed a bad reputation in the past due to the collapsed economy as well as the harassment of local folk by the Zimbabwean police.

Although the economy is still in the doldrums new President Emmerson Mnangagwa is pulling out all the stops to turn things around and get the economy back where it belongs. Harassment of the locals as well as tourist is pretty much something of the past and it has become a pleasure travelling in Zimbabwe since his appointment.

SHOPPING & EATING

Shopping in the tourist areas varies depending on what you are looking for. Groceries are scarce and very expensive, whilst basic clothing, pharmaceutical items are freely available. Eating out is as good as it gets and better. Wonderful lodges have top end restaurants and you will be spoilt for choice.

BANKING & CURRENCY

Banking remains a challenge and I advise anybody travelling to Zimbabwe to bring sufficient USD to last for the duration of your stay. Hotels are generally good and accept master as well as visa cards. Network outages can interfere with the working of cards and therefore cash remains king.

MEDICAL

Medical care is fair to good and available in the big city as well as smaller towns. Emergency evacuations is also well looked after and the travel insurance you buy before you depart your country of origin will cover emergency procedures. Most towns have at least a good basic clinic where smaller health issues can be addressed.

Zimbabwe is a malaria country and prophylaxis is recommended. Speaking to your health care practitioner before departure for your vacation is recommended.

WATER

Watering taps are generally fine for drinking but I would still recommend you buy bottled water for drinking, whilst tap water can be used for other purposes.

ACCOMMODATION

Most lodges are great and on par and better than the rest of Africa and the world for that matter.

ROADS

Roads are good in some areas and average in others and poor in some instances. Be prepared for the lot.

BATHROOMS

Bathrooms and general hygiene in all hotels is on par with any developed country in the world if not better.

CRIME

Crime in the tourist areas is not a problem and most areas are well policed.

 CLIMATE

Temperatures vary greatly from wet to dry season. Dry season, May to September, can see freezing cold nights but beautiful mid 20s day, whilst the rainy season has warm humid days where 40⁰C is nothing unusual.

WILDLIFE

Wildlife in Zimbabwe is as good as it gets with large numbers of elephants, hippo, crocodile, lion, giraffe, many antelope species and more. With parks like Mana Pools and Hwange National Parks available to tourists you will leave Zimbabwe fulfilled.

CELL/MOBILE & COMMUNICATION

Cellphone reception and digital connections are generally good although network outages do occur at times.

FUEL

Fuel can be problematic and careful planning is essential for self-drivers, whilst folk travelling on a paid safari have no problems here.

So what is it like as a tourist in Zimbabwe?

Fantastic, great, marvellous are a few words to describe tourism in Zimbabwe. You will be pleasantly surprized by the friendly people, the great lodges and restaurants, the wildlife as well as the scenic beauty of the country.