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Everything you need to know about travelling to Zimbabwe with ZimTravellers.

Is Zimbabwe safe for tourists?

Yes. Zimbabwe is one of Africa’s friendliest destinations. Tourism areas are well-managed and our guides ensure your safety throughout every experience.

When is the best time to visit?

The dry season (May–October) offers the best wildlife viewing. Victoria Falls peaks February–May. The green season (November–April) brings lush landscapes and birdlife at lower prices.

Do I need a visa?

Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or through the KAZA UniVisa (covering both Zimbabwe and Zambia). We’ll advise on requirements for your nationality during the planning process.

How do I book a tour?

Browse our tours, then either book day trips instantly via WhatsApp or submit an enquiry for multi-day safaris through our Plan Your Trip page. We will personally reply within one working day.

What’s included in tour prices?

Each tour page details exactly what’s included. Multi-day safaris typically cover accommodation, meals, park fees, transfers, and expert guiding. Flights and visa fees are usually excluded unless stated.

Can you create custom itineraries?

Absolutely. Most of our guests travel on bespoke itineraries. Tell us your interests, budget, and timeframe through Plan Your Trip and we’ll design something perfect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know

Answers from someone who's lived here his whole life — not a call centre.

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Planning Your Trip

The dry season from May to October is ideal for wildlife viewing — animals concentrate around water sources and the bush is thinner, making them easier to spot. June to August is peak season with cool, dry days. September and October are hotter but offer the most dramatic game viewing. The green season (November to April) brings lush landscapes, baby animals, and fewer tourists at lower prices. Victoria Falls is most spectacular from February to May when water levels peak. Honestly, there's no bad time — it just depends what you want to experience.
For peak season (June to October), I recommend booking at least six to nine months ahead. The best guides and lodges fill up fast, particularly in Mana Pools and Hwange. Green season trips can often be arranged with two to three months' notice. If you have specific dates or a lodge in mind, earlier is always better — we can lock in availability and you'll have more flexibility with your itinerary.
Absolutely — that's what we do. Every multi-day journey we design starts as a conversation. Tell us your dates, interests, fitness level, and how you want to feel, and we'll build something from scratch. We don't sell off-the-shelf packages. Our tour collection shows what's possible, but your trip will be uniquely yours.
A week gives you a solid introduction — typically two regions with a good mix of safari and scenery. Ten days to two weeks lets you go deeper, combining three or four regions at a more relaxed pace. If you only have a few days, our day experiences from Victoria Falls or Bulawayo are an excellent way to taste Zimbabwe without a full itinerary.
Very much so, with the right planning. Many lodges welcome children from age six upwards, and some of our properties — including Khami Game Sanctuary — are particularly family-friendly with shorter game drives, bush walks adapted for younger legs, and conservation activities. We'll match you with lodges that genuinely cater to families, not just tolerate them.
Yes. Zimbabwe is one of the friendliest countries in southern Africa, and solo travellers are warmly welcomed. On guided tours and at lodges you'll naturally meet other travellers. We can also arrange small group departures if you'd prefer company. Many of our female travellers visit solo and consistently tell us they felt safe and looked after throughout.
Easily. Victoria Falls sits right on the Zambian border — most visitors cross for a day or combine both sides. Botswana's Chobe National Park is a short drive from Vic Falls, making a stunning add-on. We can also help with connections to South Africa, Mozambique, or Namibia. The KAZA UniVisa simplifies border crossings between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Booking & Payments

It starts with a conversation — either on WhatsApp or through our trip planning form. Tell us your dates, who's travelling, what interests you, and your budget range. We'll come back with a tailored proposal within one working day. Once you're happy, we confirm with a deposit and handle every detail from there — lodges, transfers, guides, activities. You just show up.
Your deposit (20–30% depending on the tour, as shown on its page) secures the booking, with the balance due 60 days before departure for journeys. For peak season bookings or high-demand lodges, some properties may require earlier payment. We'll make all of this clear in your proposal before you commit to anything.
We accept bank transfer in EUR or USD, and can arrange card payments — details are confirmed in your proposal. For smaller day experiences, payment can often be made on arrival. All payment details are included in your booking confirmation.
We understand plans change. Each tour page displays its own cancellation schedule, and that schedule governs the booking — confirmed again in your proposal. Where none is shown, the general schedule in our Booking Terms & Conditions applies. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance — it's the single best protection for your investment.
Yes. ZimTravellers is the travel brand of MY HOLIDAY LIFE AS (org. nr 836 409 752, Bekkestua, Norway). Your payments go to verified, licensed lodges and operators. We provide full booking documentation and receipts for every transaction. For additional peace of mind, travel insurance with cancellation cover is always recommended.

Visas & Travel Documents

Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at any port of entry. Single-entry visas cost USD $30 for most countries, and double-entry visas are USD $45. Some nationalities — including those from most EU countries, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Scandinavian countries — qualify for visa on arrival. We'll confirm the exact requirements for your nationality when planning your trip.
The KAZA UniVisa (USD $50) covers both Zimbabwe and Zambia, making it perfect if you're visiting Victoria Falls and want to explore both sides. It's available to citizens of around 65 countries and valid for 30 days. It's a genuine time and money saver, especially for day trips across the border to Zambia's Livingstone.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date from Zimbabwe, with at least two blank pages for stamps. If you're combining countries, allow extra blank pages. We recommend scanning your passport and storing a digital copy separately — standard travel sense, but worth mentioning.
We consider it essential, not optional. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and personal belongings gives you genuine peace of mind. Medical evacuation from remote safari areas can cost upwards of USD $50,000 without insurance. We can recommend providers experienced with safari travel if you need guidance.
Only if you're arriving from — or have transited through — a yellow fever endemic country. If you're flying directly from Europe, the UK, the US, or most Asian countries, no certificate is required. If your route includes a stop in East Africa or certain parts of West Africa, you'll need proof of vaccination. Check with your airline and we'll confirm based on your specific routing.

Safety & Health

Yes. Zimbabwe is one of the safest countries in southern Africa for tourists. Zimbabweans are genuinely warm, welcoming people — hospitality is deeply cultural here. Tourist areas, national parks, and lodges are well-managed and secure. Like anywhere, standard precautions apply — don't flash valuables in cities, use reputable transport. But honestly, the warmth you'll experience from Zimbabwean people is one of the highlights of any trip here.
Malaria is present in low-lying areas including Victoria Falls, Hwange, Mana Pools, and the Zambezi Valley, particularly during the wet season (November to April). Prophylaxis is recommended for these areas — consult your travel health clinic at least four to six weeks before departure. Higher-altitude areas like Matobo Hills and the Eastern Highlands have very low or no malaria risk. We'll advise on the specific risk profile for your itinerary.
No vaccinations are compulsory for entry to Zimbabwe (unless arriving from a yellow fever area). However, most travel health professionals recommend being up to date on hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and routine vaccinations. Rabies vaccination is worth discussing if you plan extended bush walking. Consult a travel health clinic for personalised advice based on your itinerary and medical history.
At lodges and established camps, filtered or bottled water is provided as standard. In cities, bottled water is readily available and inexpensive. We wouldn't recommend drinking untreated tap water in rural areas. All the properties we work with take water quality seriously — it's never something you'll need to worry about on one of our trips.
Major cities (Harare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls) have hospitals and clinics with competent medical staff. Safari lodges carry first aid equipment and most guides are wilderness first aid certified. For serious emergencies, medical evacuation services operate across all major safari areas. This is precisely why we insist on comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover.

On Safari

Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, beige) in lightweight, breathable fabrics. A warm layer for early morning game drives — it gets surprisingly cold in an open vehicle at dawn, even in summer. Comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, high-factor sunscreen, insect repellent, and binoculars. Most lodges offer laundry service, so you don't need to overpack. We send a detailed packing list tailored to your specific itinerary once you've booked.
Early wake-up (around 5:30am) with tea or coffee, then a morning game drive when animals are most active. Back to the lodge for brunch by mid-morning. Afternoons are free for siesta, swimming, or a bush walk. The afternoon game drive heads out around 3:30pm, often continuing into a sundowner stop and a night drive back. Dinner under the stars. It's a rhythm that feels completely natural after the first day.
Zimbabwe is home to all Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Hwange National Park is exceptional for elephant and lion. Mana Pools offers intimate encounters with elephant and wild dog (arguably more exciting than traditional Big Five). Matobo Hills is one of the best places in Africa to track rhino on foot. We'll design your itinerary to maximise your chances across multiple parks.
For first-time visitors, guided is the clear recommendation. Zimbabwean guides are among the best-trained in Africa — they'll find animals you'd never spot, share stories that bring the bush alive, and keep you safe. Self-drive is possible in some parks but requires 4x4 experience and solid preparation. We can arrange either, or a combination. If you want genuine depth, go guided.
Remarkably close. Zimbabwe's parks, particularly Mana Pools, are famous for allowing walking safaris where you can be within 20–30 metres of elephant. In vehicles, it's not unusual to have elephant walk right past you. Predator sightings can be thrillingly intimate. Your guide manages distance and safety — the closeness is what makes Zimbabwean safaris legendary, and it's done responsibly.
Bring the longest lens you own — 200mm minimum, 400mm ideal for wildlife. A beanbag is more useful than a tripod in a vehicle. Shoot in early morning and late afternoon golden light. Keep settings ready for fast action (high shutter speed, burst mode). Charge batteries every night and bring more memory cards than you think you'll need. Most importantly, put the camera down sometimes and just watch.

Accommodation & Lodges

Zimbabwe offers everything from ultra-luxury lodges with private plunge pools to authentic tented camps under canvas, comfortable mid-range safari lodges, and raw wilderness camping. The standard across the board is high — even tented camps are properly furnished with real beds, en-suite bathrooms, and hot showers. We match accommodation to your comfort level and budget.
Lodges are permanent structures with all amenities — proper buildings, restaurants, swimming pools, Wi-Fi (usually). Tented camps offer a more immersive experience — you sleep under canvas but with proper beds, linen, and en-suite facilities. Camping means your own tent at designated campsites with shared ablutions. Each has its charm. Many of our best itineraries combine lodge and tented camp for variety.
Most lodges and larger camps offer Wi-Fi, though speeds vary — this is the African bush, not a city hotel. Remote wilderness camps may have limited or no connectivity, which honestly is part of the appeal. Mobile coverage exists in and around towns and some parks. We'll let you know exactly what to expect at each stop on your itinerary. Our advice: embrace the digital detox.
Yes. Most lodges are experienced with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary needs — just let us know when booking and we'll ensure every property is briefed. Zimbabwean hospitality extends very much to the kitchen. Allergies and medical dietary needs are taken seriously. The more notice we have, the better the kitchen teams can prepare.
We own and operate Khami Game Sanctuary — a 6,500-acre private conservancy near Bulawayo with a luxury lodge, four exclusive campsites, and active conservation programmes including our Presidential Elephants initiative. We also operate Matobo Hills Lodge in the stunning Matobo Hills. These properties give us direct quality control and let us offer experiences you simply can't get elsewhere.

About ZimTravellers

I'm Josh Elliott — fifth-generation Zimbabwean, born and raised in this country. My father, Alan Elliott, is a legendary safari guide and founder of Touch the Wild, one of Zimbabwe's most respected conservation organisations. Our family has called Zimbabwe home for over 150 years. ZimTravellers is the evolution of that heritage — taking everything we know about this land and sharing it with travellers who want more than a standard safari.
We're a destination specialist and tour operator. We don't sell other companies' packages — we design original itineraries using our own properties and a network of trusted partners we've known for years. Every experience we offer, we can stand behind personally. That's the difference between booking through an operator who lives here and one who's visited once for a conference.
Yes. We're based in Zimbabwe — this is home, not a satellite office. ZimTravellers is operated by MY HOLIDAY LIFE AS. Having a genuine local presence means we can react quickly, maintain relationships with every lodge and guide in our network, and ensure quality control that remote operators simply can't match.
Three things. First, depth of knowledge — our family has been in Zimbabwe for five generations. We don't research destinations; we live in one. Second, we own properties, so we control the quality of key experiences directly. Third, every trip is designed personally by me — not assigned to a sales team. When you message ZimTravellers, you're talking to the person who'll design your journey. That matters.

Still Have Questions?

Ask Josh Directly

Every trip we design starts with a conversation. There's no such thing as a silly question — just unanswered ones.

Plan Your Trip Chat on WhatsApp
Five generations in Zimbabwe
100% owner-operated
Based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
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Let's Design Your Zimbabwe

Share your dates and how you want to feel. We'll design a journey you couldn't find on any other website — because it doesn't exist until we build it for you.

Plan Your Trip Chat on WhatsApp

josh@zimtravellers.com  ·  +263 77 587 6661

Peak season is May–October. The best lodges and guides book out 6 months ahead.

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