The best time to visit Zimbabwe for a safari is between July and October when wildlife watching is at its peak. Natural waterholes in the parks dry up, and large herds concentrate around lakes, man-made waterholes, and rivers.
Zimbabwe is an authentic safari destination that we highly suggest to African travellers looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience. A Zimbabwe safari holiday offers classic tented camps, fresh, wholesome cuisine, and one of the friendliest greetings in the world. In addition, the safari destination offers outstanding game-watching under the care of some of the most regarded guides in the business.
Wildlife: Best time to visit Zimbabwe for a Safari
The best time to visit Zimbabwe for safari is without a doubt during the dry winter season when the animals congregate around water sources. During the dry season, less foliage makes it easier to detect wildlife as well. This also provides safari guides an additional advantage when attempting to predict the animals’ whereabouts in their parks. Another advantage of travelling during Zimbabwe’s dry season is that the days are long and dry, with fewer mosquitoes. Travellers should be prepared for cold evenings and mornings, as open-air game drives necessitate heavy winter attire.
Zimbabwe’s flagship, Hwange National Park, is one of Africa’s most important wildlife reserves. It is home to the Big Five, vast herds of elephants, buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest, as well as numerous antelope species and predators such as lions, leopards, and wild dogs. Hwange is open all year, but the best time to visit Zimbabwe for a safari in Hwange is during the dry season, with opportunities to spot elephant herds in September and October. Some lodges are closed during the rainy season (December to March), and it is busiest between June and October.
Birding: Best time to visit Zimbabwe for a Safari
While Zimbabwe doesn’t have any endemic bird species, it’s still great for bird watching. The best time to visit Zimbabwe for bird watching would be during the wet season between October and March. Over 650 bird species have been reported in Zimbabwe, with eight of the ten groups indigenous to the African continent represented. The arid Kalahari habitat of Hwange National Park, the lush rainforests of Victoria Falls National Park, and the rocky shores of Lake Kariba are all popular birdwatching sites in Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, Mana Pools National Park is famous for its walking safaris, but it’s also worth visiting for the birds, which includes anything from enormous goliath herons to the small, iridescent Shelley’s sunbird.
Best Time to Go to Victoria Falls
The best time to visit Zimbabwe for a safari to see Victoria Falls is between June and August because there is lots of water flowing, little rain, and generally steady temperatures, and if you want to go wildlife viewing, this is the perfect season for it. Despite the fact that the Zambezi River flows at its fullest from March to May, it is not a good time to visit Victoria Falls due to the dense mist that completely obscures your view of the Falls. However, some argue that March is the best time to visit as the mist is not always about.
