Zimbabwe is an excellent destination for both new and veteran safari travelers. It's best known for the spectacular Victoria Falls, which it shares with its neighbor Zambia. Because of the plethora of outdoor activities offered here, including rafting, kayaking, zip lining, and helicopter tours, the area is one of the top adventure travel destinations in Africa. The falls are the fullest between April and May and shower visitors in huge clouds of mist. August through December is low water season, which is best for rafting.
Less well known to the general public but a favorite among wildlife enthusiasts is Mana Pools National Park. The dramatic light and wild location on the banks of the Zambezi River make it one of the best places for walking and photographic safaris in the country. Visitors looking for a more remote destination should consider Gonarezhou National Park in Eastern Zimbabwe, which has dramatic cliffs and a large elephant population.
Go for Victoria Falls and some of the finest safari guides in Africa.
Each dimension is rated 0–3: 0 = not offered / avoid, 1 = fair, 2 = good, 3 = excellent. For the monthly strip, a higher score means a better time to travel.
These are our own expert ratings, drawn from years of planning and operating safaris across Africa. They reflect first-hand experience and traveler feedback rather than measured statistics, and conditions vary year to year.
Source: Fauna Travel Safari Seasonality & Suitability Ratings, updated 2026-10-05 — https://faunatravel.com/destination/africa/zimbabwe
Monthly averages at Victoria Falls · 2021–2025. Bars show rainfall; lines show average daily high and low.
Warmest around Sep and Oct (daily highs near 35°C / 95°F); coolest around Jun (26°C / 79°F); wettest in Jan (~263 mm); driest in May–Oct. Based on 2021–2025 averages at Victoria Falls.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°C / 81°F | 20°C / 68°F | 263 mm | 24 |
| Feb | 30°C / 86°F | 20°C / 68°F | 129 mm | 14 |
| Mar | 30°C / 86°F | 19°C / 66°F | 45 mm | 7 |
| Apr | 29°C / 84°F | 17°C / 63°F | 21 mm | 3 |
| May | 28°C / 82°F | 14°C / 57°F | 0 mm | 0 |
| Jun | 26°C / 79°F | 11°C / 52°F | 0 mm | 0 |
| Jul | 26°C / 79°F | 11°C / 52°F | 0 mm | 0 |
| Aug | 30°C / 86°F | 13°C / 55°F | 0 mm | 0 |
| Sep | 34°C / 93°F | 18°C / 64°F | 0 mm | 0 |
| Oct | 35°C / 95°F | 21°C / 70°F | 3 mm | 1 |
| Nov | 33°C / 91°F | 21°C / 70°F | 60 mm | 8 |
| Dec | 32°C / 90°F | 21°C / 70°F | 150 mm | 16 |
Visa — required; get it in advance. US passport holders need a visa. It’s available on arrival, but applying ahead through Zimbabwe’s official eVisa site is quick and speeds you through immigration. If your trip crosses into Zambia — for instance, the Devil’s Pool experience at Victoria Falls — ask for the KAZA UniVisa instead: one visa covering both Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Passport. Valid at entry, with 2 blank pages — or at least 6 blank pages if you’re arriving via South Africa.
Vaccinations. A yellow-fever certificate is required if you’re arriving from or transiting a country where yellow fever is a risk.
Currency. No limit on what you bring in; up to US$2,000 may be taken out (more if you declared and documented it on arrival). Bring enough cash for the whole trip — small bills ($1s and $5s) are the most useful — and declare what you’re carrying at entry (Form 47).
Good to know. Immigration may ask to see a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
U.S. Embassy, Harare: zw.usembassy.gov
Guidance is for U.S. passport holders and can change — always confirm with the official source before you travel. Confirm at travel.state.gov →
A short affordable safari that packs in a great river stay and one of the best walking safaris in Africa.
Victoria Falls, Hwange, and wild Mana Pools: an African Bush Camps journey through Zimbabwe.
Start with thundering Victoria Falls then wild dive into Botswana's Okavango Delta and private reserves.
Matusadona National Park
Hwange National Park
Mana Pools National Park
Matopos National Park
Malilangwe
Victoria Falls
Hwange National Park
Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools National Park
Zambezi National Park (Victoria Falls)
Malilangwe
Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park
Victoria Falls
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