Zimbabwe walking safaris: the top camps and lodges
It is extremely difficult to fully qualify as a walking guide in Zimbabwe; a huge amount of dedication, and some financial backing, is essential to complete the ZPHGA (Zimbabwe Professional Hunters and Guides Association) Programme. All 'Zim Pro' walking guides have full gun licences and at least five years bush walking experience. The ZPHGA is regarded as probably the best qualification for walking safari guides in Africa and it certainly results in Zimbabwe having some of the most skilled safari guides in Africa.
Walking is permitted in all of Zimbabwe's wildlife areas, including its National Parks. This means that many camps include walking safaris as part of their activities, and some have clear focus on walking.
Lion Safari
7 days • 2 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
US$6,950 - US$9,830 per person
Vundu Camp
Mana Pools is one of Africa's best parks for walking, and Vundu Camp focuses squarely on the very best professional guiding. The open environment gives good visibility, and walkers can often get surprisingly close to relaxed bull elephants, or packs of wild dogs.
Camp Hwange
For a wildlife safari in Zimbabwe, consider Camp Hwange, which has a very strong focus on top guiding. Whether watching wildlife by vehicle or tracking it on foot, you can expect to be led by incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides with a real passion for the bush.
Side-striped Jackal Safari
6 days • 2 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
US$3,480 - US$5,460 per person
Hwange Bush Camp
Walking safaris in Zimbabwe are exemplified by Hwange Bush Camp. Tracking big animals such as elephant, lion and occasionally black rhino on foot would be typical of a morning's activity – and you’ll also be introduced to the smaller creatures of Hwange National Park.
Camp Hwange
For a wildlife safari in Zimbabwe, consider Camp Hwange, which has a very strong focus on top guiding. Whether watching wildlife by vehicle or tracking it on foot, you can expect to be led by incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides with a real passion for the bush.
Bat Hawk Safari
7 days • 2 locations
HARARE AIRPORT TO JOHANNESBURG AIRPORT
US$7,880 - US$9,130 per person
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge
Gonarezhou is one of Zimbabwe's least developed and least visited national parks. This largely unspoilt wilderness is one of the best places to explore on a walking safari and Chilo Gorge's guiding team are one of the best to show you around.
Little Vundu
Mana Pools renowned for its walking safaris, the open environment gives good visibility and walkers can often get surprisingly close to relaxed elephants, or packs of wild dogs in the company of a fully qualified professional guide from Little Vundu.
Ground Hornbill Safari
9 days • 3 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO BULAWAYO AIRPORT
US$5,270 - US$8,560 per person
Camp Hwange
For a wildlife safari in Zimbabwe, consider Camp Hwange, which has a very strong focus on top guiding. Whether watching wildlife by vehicle or tracking it on foot, you can expect to be led by incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides with a real passion for the bush.
Sable Self-drive Safari
12 days • 7 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
US$6,170 - US$9,330 per person
Onguma Camp Kala
Want a break from Namibia's bumpy roads? Why not stretch your legs on a walking safari, accompanied by a guide from Onguma Camp Kala? It's a great way to see another side of the bush.
Nkasa Lupala
Experience the lush environment of the Caprivi Strip on a walking safari from Nkasa Lupala. Led by a professional guide and an armed community ranger this is a great opportunity to experience the bush from a different perspective.
Rock Hare Self-drive Safari
20 days • 12 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
US$5,270 - US$8,390 per person
Ongava Lodge
Expertly trained, armed guides lead walking safaris from Ongava Lodge in the Ongava Reserve. The focus of these walks is often on tracking white rhino, although you may also see some of the reserve's wide variety of other game species.
Kazile Island Lodge
Led by a professional guide a walking safari from Kazile Island Lodge is great opportunity to focus on the small things and see things often missed from a 4WD.
Best camps & lodges for Walking safaris in Zimbabwe
Stretch Ferreira Safaris
Mana Pools is a top destination for walking safaris. The open environment lends good visibility, and walkers often get very close to big game. The focus at Stretch Ferreira Safaris Camp is squarely on Stretch’s guiding; his passion and knowledge of the wildlife are the major draw.
Camp Hwange
For a wildlife safari in Zimbabwe, consider Camp Hwange, which has a very strong focus on top guiding. Whether watching wildlife by vehicle or tracking it on foot, you can expect to be led by incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides with a real passion for the bush.
Hwange Bush Camp
Walking safaris in Zimbabwe are exemplified by Hwange Bush Camp. Tracking big animals such as elephant, lion and occasionally black rhino on foot would be typical of a morning's activity – and you’ll also be introduced to the smaller creatures of Hwange National Park.
Vundu Camp
Mana Pools is one of Africa's best parks for walking, and Vundu Camp focuses squarely on the very best professional guiding. The open environment gives good visibility, and walkers can often get surprisingly close to relaxed bull elephants, or packs of wild dogs.
Little Makalolo Camp
Little Makalolo's walking guides are fully qualified Zimbabwean professional guides. The exams for this qualification are tough, and the guides that qualify usually have excellent bush skills – knowledge that allows for some great walking safaris in Zimbabwe.
Little Vundu
Mana Pools renowned for its walking safaris, the open environment gives good visibility and walkers can often get surprisingly close to relaxed elephants, or packs of wild dogs in the company of a fully qualified professional guide from Little Vundu.
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge
Gonarezhou is one of Zimbabwe's least developed and least visited national parks. This largely unspoilt wilderness is one of the best places to explore on a walking safari and Chilo Gorge's guiding team are one of the best to show you around.
Walking safaris elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Walking safaris in other countries.
Botswana
Botswana isn't well known for walking safaris. This stems primarily from the lack of strong national ...
Kenya
Walking is prohibited in most of Kenya's national parks and reserves; driving is often the only option...
Namibia
Namibia has some of Africa's most dramatic scenery and many great hikes and walking trails: it's ...
Tanzania
Tanzania classifies its wild areas in different ways, each with different rules - meaning that ...
Zambia
Zambia offers Africa's widest choice of reliably excellent walking safaris. Strict guiding exams ...
Where to see wildlife species in Zimbabwe
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
3,432 sightings from 4,241 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
2,215 sightings from 4,715 observations
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
33% SUCCESS
1,171 sightings from 3,574 observations
Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
995 sightings from 3,110 observations
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
4,147 sightings from 4,557 observations
White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
43% SUCCESS
565 sightings from 1,308 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,452 sightings from 4,490 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
702 sightings from 2,310 observations
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
2,903 sightings from 3,490 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
49% SUCCESS
1,645 sightings from 3,357 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
3,992 sightings from 4,651 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
3,022 sightings from 3,377 observations
Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
70% SUCCESS
1,526 sightings from 2,187 observations
Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
24% SUCCESS
565 sightings from 2,316 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
23% SUCCESS
543 sightings from 2,334 observations
Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
67% SUCCESS
2,792 sightings from 4,162 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
4,361 sightings from 5,183 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
81 sightings from 3,737 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
64 sightings from 3,774 observations
Brown Hyena
Parahyaena brunnea
This largely solitary scavenger is one of the more elusive and little-known of Africa’s carnivores. Shaggier than its spotted cousin, it occurs only in the arid southwest of the continent.
16% SUCCESS
277 sightings from 1,756 observations
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