Zimbabwe

Why Zimbabwe

There are countries that deserve it. Zimbabwe is one of them: no selfie beaches, no all-inclusive formula, no mass tourism. What we find instead is Africa in its rawest and most overwhelming version. Elephants by the hundreds drinking from the red dust of Hwange. A permanent rainbow at the foot of Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. Thousand-year-old granite walls that tell, in silence, one of the great forgotten civilizations of the continent.

Zimbabwe has a name steeped in recent history. But travellers who take this step discover a country of resilience, whose welcome, generosity and cultural pride immediately disarm. The safari guides are among the best in southern Africa. The lodges in the middle of the national park rival the most mythical addresses on the continent. And the natural and archaeological sites remain, for the most part, preserved from the overcrowding that plagues other African destinations.

Coming to Zimbabwe means choosing authenticity over prefabricated comfort. It means hearing the Zambezi before seeing it. It means leaving with a handful of photos of elephants and the strange certainty that this Africa is unlike any other.

When to go to Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a destination with two distinct seasons, and the choice of time entirely determines the type of trip you will take.

The dry season (May-October): ideal for safari

From May to October, the rains stop and the vegetation gradually strips. The animals concentrate around the permanent waterholes, making observations incomparably easier. Hwange reaches its peak in September-October, when hundreds of elephants converge on the water pumps dug by the parks. Temperatures are mild: 8 to 27°C in Harare in July, cool nights in the bush camps.

June-August is the most coveted period: crowds and maximum prices. If you are looking for a compromise, May or September offer the same safari conditions at more reasonable prices. October marks the end of the dry season with sometimes intense heat in the lower valleys (up to 40°C near the Zambezi), but the exceptional concentrations of animals make it a very popular time for photographers.

The wet season (November-April): falls at their maximum

From November to April, the rains come daily, often in late afternoon thunderstorms. The bush turns green, the tracks sometimes become bumpy and the wildlife disperses. It's not the ideal time for safari, but Victoria Falls is then at its maximum flow (March-April): an absolutely overwhelming sound and visual spectacle, with clouds of spray visible from miles away. Prices drop significantly and most lodges offer their best low-season deals.

How much does it cost in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is not a budget destination, especially if you come for safaris. National parks apply entrance fees in USD (about 20-30 USD per day per person in Hwange). Bush lodges usually charge all-inclusive (meals, safaris, transfers) between 200 and 600 USD per night per person.

For a 10-day organized tour including Victoria Falls and Hwange in mid-range accommodation, count from 1,800 EUR per person excluding flights. In the comfort and charming lodges version, the budget goes up to 3,000-4,000 EUR. The luxury tour (exclusive camps, domestic flights by plane) easily exceeds 6,000-8,000 EUR.

The US dollar (USD) is the de facto currency on all tourist tours. Bring enough small bills for tips (guides, drivers, lodge staff) and handicrafts. The on-site visa is paid in USD cash. Also plan for a park fee of 10 to 20 USD per day depending on the destinations visited.

Where to go in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is discovered in a star shape from two natural entry points: Victoria Falls to the west and Harare to the east. In between, a bush road connects Hwange, Bulawayo and the Matobo Hills, forming the backbone of all the circuits.

Victoria Fallslogically dominates the imagination. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the falls spend an entire day exploring the trails lined with permanent spray. The city is home to the best lodges, restaurants and activity providers in the country.

Hwangeis a must-see for wildlife lovers. This huge park (as big as Belgium) brings together in the dry season concentrations of elephants that are unique in the world. The game drives at dawn, when the low light illuminates the savannah, are among the most intense experiences of the trip.

Harareis the logistical gateway, but worth a half-day exploration for its Mbare Market, art galleries, and soapstone sculpture dealers.

Great Zimbabwe(near Masvingo) is the archaeological jewel of the country, often overlooked but absolutely striking: walls of dry granite 10 meters high, erected without mortar between the eleventh and fifteenth centuries.

Bulawayo and the Matobo Hillsform an unmissable duo in the south: the colonial architecture of the city, the cave paintings of the hills and the tracking of the black rhinoceros on foot, a rare experience in all of Africa.

Lake Kariba, on the northern border with Zambia, is Zimbabwe's secret surprise: a houseboat in the middle of this giant artificial lake, surrounded by dead trees and herds of elephants, is one of the most unusual ways to experience a water safari.

Our itineraries

In pictures

Practical advice

Formalities

Visa: mandatory for French nationals. Possible to obtain on arrival in USD cash, but online pre-registration on evisa.gov.zw strongly recommended to save time. Single entry: 30 USD. KAZA UniVisa (Zimbabwe + Zambia): 30 USD. Passport valid for at least 6 months.

Antimalarial: mandatory in all national parks and outside Harare. Consult your doctor at least 4 weeks before departure for Malarone or doxycycline. Complementary repellents and mosquito net.

Recommended vaccines: DTP, hepatitis A, typhoid. No vaccination is compulsory except for yellow fever if transit through an endemic country.

Currency: Bring USD in cash (1, 5, 10 and 20 USD notes). Plan the entire budget for tips in cash: allow 10-15 USD per guide and per safari trip, 5-10 USD per night of lodge for staff.

Getting around

Zimbabwe is mainly travelled by 4x4 or organised safari vehicles. Car rental is possible but not recommended for non-regulars: driving on the left, sometimes degraded roads, animals crossing at dusk. Domestic flights (Zimbabwe Aeroclub, Fastjet) connect Harare, Victoria Falls and Kariba in 1-2 hours.

The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls night train (about 12 hours) is a mythical experience, in a train with a colonial atmosphere. The fares are ridiculous and the landscape crossed is superb, even if punctuality remains random.

Culture and uses

Zimbabwe is a predominantly Christian country but deeply rooted in the animist Shona and Ndebele traditions. Stone sculpture is the national art: soapstone works (green or black serpentine) can be found in all markets, some of which reach a remarkable level of finesse.

Zimbabwean safari guides are reputed to be among the most qualified in Africa. Give them your complete trust in the bush. In exchange, tipping is a well-established custom and is an important part of their income.

The main language in trade and tourism is English, a colonial heritage. A few words in Shona (Mangwanani = good morning in the morning, Maswera sei = good morning in the afternoon, Ndinotenda = thank you) are always greeted with a big smile.

Frequently asked questions