Wildlife in Zimbabwe
Top-quality guiding, real diversity in its national parks, and strong numbers of many big game species mean that Zimbabwe invariably delivers a fantastic safari experience.
Wildlife has long been vital to Zimbabwe. Currently over a quarter of the country is protected by parks and private wildlife reserves.
The wildlife here has been studied for decades, a wealth of knowledge which has helped Zimbabwe to develop Africa’s toughest system of training and exams for its wildlife guides. The quality of the guiding here is always assured.
Zimbabwe’s highlights include the rich, tropical woodlands of Mana Pools – where legendary guides crawl up to wild dogs at eye-level and sit at the feet of individual bull elephants as they feed.
Zimbabwe’s largest national park, Hwange, protects a massive tract of dry Kalahari bushveld harbouring large numbers of birds and animals, including perhaps Africa’s largest concentration of elephants.
In contrast, the granite kopjies of Matobo National Park provide perfect cover for leopard and a stunning population of spectacular black eagles, whilst its plains host a high density of rhino (black and white).
Great wildlife safaris to Zimbabwe
Our ideas for amazing holidays focussed on Zimababwe's wildlife
Nyala Safari
10 days • 3 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
A superb luxury safari in iconic Hwange and Mana Pools national parks, staying in a pair of the finest safari camps in Zimbabwe, with a grand finale at Victoria Falls
US$10,150 - US$15,050 per person
Ground Hornbill Safari
9 days • 3 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO BULAWAYO AIRPORT
This Zimbabwean odyssey explores Hwange National Park from two small camps, renowned for their great guiding, before ending with insights into cultural history, a little luxury and first-class rhino tracking in the Matobo Hills.
US$5,070 - US$8,240 per person
Grysbok Safari
9 days • 3 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO HARARE AIRPORT
Discover three of Zimbabwe’s iconic destinations in style, flying between Hwange, Mana Pools and Lake Kariba on this varied safari adventure staying at authentic yet luxurious camps.
US$8,990 - US$14,380 per person
Buffalo Safari
9 days • 3 locations
HARARE AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
Combining Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools and Hwange national parks with stays at intimate six-tent safari camps offering excellent walking, canoeing and game drives. Superb wildlife viewing and a real wilderness-focused experience.
US$7,450 - US$10,820 per person
Pied Kingfisher Safari
9 days • 3 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO HARARE AIRPORT
A luxury safari combining three of Zimbabwe's top highlights. The trip uses some of the finest safari camps in Zimbabwe and is perfect for a family or small group.
US$7,000 - US$10,780 per person
Klipspringer Safari
8 days • 3 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO BULAWAYO AIRPORT
An outstanding-value Zimbabwe safari exploring Victoria Falls and two contrasting locations in western Zimbabwe – Hwange and the Matobo Hills – giving you a real feel for Zimbabwe, its people and wildlife.
US$2,880 - US$3,500 per person
Banded Mongoose Safari
8 days • 2 locations
HARARE AIRPORT TO HARARE AIRPORT
A safari to two beautiful spots in northern Zimbabwe – peaceful Lake Kariba and wild Mana Pools National Park – staying in great-value camps with celebrated guiding.
US$6,960 - US$8,680 per person
Lion Safari
7 days • 2 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
The classic Expert Africa Zimbabwe safari. Combining two of our favourite independent camps, each run by celebrated guides, exciting game drives, world-class walks and canoeing in premier wildlife watching destinations.
US$6,730 - US$9,320 per person
Bat Hawk Safari
7 days • 2 locations
HARARE AIRPORT TO JOHANNESBURG AIRPORT
Explore two areas revered by safari enthusiasts with some of Africa’s best walking and some superb guiding – even by Zimbabwe’s high standards – for a varied and wonderfully immersive wilderness experience.
US$8,110 - US$10,240 per person
Great Egret Safari
12 days • 4 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
A wonderfully varied adventure to Botswana and Zimbabwe combining three fantastic safari areas, a luxury river cruise and the mighty Victoria Falls.
US$8,460 - US$14,990 per person
Zimbabwe's top camps for wildlife safaris
Click on the dots on the map to show the sightings from that lodges or camps for the species selected. It's based on 1578 reports by 238 groups of our our travellers since May 2018.
Best chances to see
Good chances to see
Some sightings
No sightings yet
Lion
86%
Quick facts about Lion
Scientific name:
Panthera leo
Habitat:
Savanna & woodland
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
120–225kg
Leopard
21%
Quick facts about Leopard
Scientific name:
Panthera pardus
Habitat:
Savanna, woodland, forest, mountains
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
30–90kg
Cheetah
24%
Quick facts about Cheetah
Scientific name:
Acinonyx jubatus
Habitat:
Grassland & woodland
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
50–70kg
Wild dog
36%
Quick facts about Wild dog
Scientific name:
Lycaon pictus
Habitat:
Savannah & woodland
IUCN status:
Endangered
Adult weight:
20–36kg
Elephant
83%
Quick facts about Elephant
Scientific name:
Loxodonta africana
Habitat:
Woodland and savanna
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
2,500–6,500kg
White Rhino
82%
Quick facts about White Rhino
Scientific name:
Ceratotherium simum
Habitat:
Woodland savannah
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
1,800–2,700kg
Spotted Hyena
49%
Quick facts about Spotted Hyena
Scientific name:
Crocuta crocuta
Habitat:
Semi-desert, forest, savannah
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
40–80kg
Black Rhino
1%
Quick facts about Black Rhino
Scientific name:
Diceros bicornis
Habitat:
Scrub & open woodland
IUCN status:
Critically Endangered
Adult weight:
800–1,400kg
Buffalo
66%
Quick facts about Buffalo
Scientific name:
Syncerus caffer
Habitat:
Floodplains, mixed bush & moist grasslands
IUCN status:
Near-threatened
Adult weight:
500–950kg
Eland
58%
Quick facts about Eland
Scientific name:
Taurotragus oryx
Habitat:
Open savanna & grasslands
IUCN status:
Least concern
Adult weight:
340–940kg
Giraffe
77%
Quick facts about Giraffe
Scientific name:
Giraffa camelopardalis
Habitat:
Woodland savanna
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
800–1,200kg
Hippo
80%
Quick facts about Hippo
Scientific name:
Hippopotamus amphibius
Habitat:
Freshwater rivers & wetlands
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
1,300–2,600kg
Oryx
11%
Quick facts about Oryx
Scientific name:
Oryx beisa and Oryx gazella
Habitat:
Arid savannah
IUCN status:
Endangered (O.b) /Least Concern (O.g)
Adult weight:
120–210kg (O.b) /180–240kg (O.g)
Roan antelope
51%
Quick facts about Roan antelope
Scientific name:
Hippotragus equinus
Habitat:
Savannah woodland
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
180–300kg
Sable antelope
43%
Quick facts about Sable antelope
Scientific name:
Hippotragus niger
Habitat:
Savannah woodland
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
220–235kg
Wildebeest
45%
Quick facts about Wildebeest
Scientific name:
Connochaetes sp.
Habitat:
Open savannah & grasslands
IUCN status:
Least concern
Adult weight:
250–290kg
Zebra
72%
Quick facts about Zebra
Scientific name:
Equus quagga
Habitat:
Woodland and savannah
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
155–322kg
Aardvark
1%
Quick facts about Aardvark
Scientific name:
Orycteropus afer
Habitat:
Grassland & woodland
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
60–80kg
Pangolin
1%
Quick facts about Pangolin
Scientific name:
Smutsia temminkii
Habitat:
Savannah woodland
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
5–27kg
Brown Hyena
10%
Quick facts about Brown Hyena
Scientific name:
Parahyaena brunnea
Habitat:
Semi-desert & savannah
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
37–43kg
What makes Zimbabwe’s wildlife safaris
Some of Africa’s best guides bring the bush to life, helping you to make the most of Zimbabwe’s wildlife.
It's all about the guiding
The big game is here – lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and a multitude of other animal and bird species – but what makes the experience of wildlife in Zimbabwe really stand out is its guides.
These guides are really interpreters: wildlife experts who will bring the tracks, sounds and smells of the bush to life. They’ll spin the wheel of your 4WD to divert towards a distant guineafowl alarm call – and so find a leopard, the cause of the upset.
They’ll follow ox-peckers to a herd of buffalo, before positioning your vehicle perfectly to observe the lion hunt which unfolds. They’ll pilot your canoe safely down the mighty Zambezi River, anticipating the movements of the hippo pods and crocodiles, whilst pausing beside tiny, iridescent malachite kingfishers.
These guides will walk you in and out of the bush – tracking everything from lion to rhino on foot. They’re the reason that often elevates your wildlife experience in Zimbabwe to result in some of Africa’s most memorable safaris.
Other top destinations for wildlife
To understand more about the the wildlife in our other key destinations in Africa, click on the countries below.
