Zimbabwe
Enchanted. Captivating. Honest. Zimbabwe has grit and game in abundance.
A wilderness of towering hardwoods, dense mopani and fever tree forests, Mapari plains and Broken Hill country, this tiny, landlocked country in southern Africa has had its fair share of political issues. Though what the country lacks in stability, it makes up for in charm, wilderness, adventure, and its generous and welcoming people.
Experiences
Encounter big game on professionally guided 4x4 game drives; take a chic sunset cruise on Lake Kariba; explore Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve’s 130,000 acres, teeming with wildlife, including the critically endangered black rhino; fish on the dam for tiger fish, bass, bream and catfish; visit 10,000 year-old Saan Bushmen rock art; hang out with Shangaan people, gaining an insight into their traditional life; fly in a helicopter through the rainbows over Victoria Falls then land to stand in the spray; zip-wire over the Zambezi; head into pristine bush for a private dinner at sunset, where lions have roamed that very day.
Where to Stay
Characterful eco-lodges with crisp linen; vast and opulent private estates; bush camps serenaded by catcalls; private riverboats; a four-poster bed set up beneath the stars.
When to Go
If game is your goal, stick to July to October, while April to July is cooler for exploring the bush. Combine Zimbabwe with Botswana and Mozambique.