Welcome Lykkers! If you're planning an unforgettable adventure filled with nature, wildlife, and breathtaking scenery, Zimbabwe offers some of the most captivating destinations in Africa.
From thunderous waterfalls to vast savannahs, peaceful lakes, and ancient stone structures, this guide takes you through the must-see parks and landscapes across the country. Get ready for a journey where the wilderness comes alive!
Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls
The Experience
Victoria Falls, known locally as "Mosi-oa-Tunya", is one of the most powerful and awe-inspiring waterfalls on Earth. It plunges 110 meters into a narrow gorge along the Zambezi River, stretching 1,700 meters in width.
During the rainy season, over 5 million cubic meters of water crash down every minute, creating a mist that rises high above the landscape. This mist can be seen from kilometers away.
How to Get There
The falls can be accessed from both Zimbabwe and Zambia. Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe is the most popular base. Flights are available from Harare or Johannesburg. The park entrance is within walking distance from most accommodations.
Opening Hours and Tickets
Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (extended hours during full moons). Entry for international visitors is approximately $30.
Unique Feature
Don't miss the rainbow visible during full moon nights — a magical natural light show over the falls.
Zambezi National Park
The Experience
Just upstream from the falls lies this park along the Zambezi River. It's home to gazelles, kudu, impalas, and many bird species. The park offers riverfront drives and guided game tours.
How to Get There
Easily accessible by car or guided tour from Victoria Falls town.
Opening Hours and Tickets
Open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entry costs around $15 for international visitors.
Unique Feature
Perfect for birdwatching and riverbank picnics with frequent sightings of wildlife in their natural environment.
Lake Kariba and Matusadona National Park
The Experience
Lake Kariba is one of the world's largest artificial lakes, offering scenic boat rides and spectacular sunsets. The nearby Matusadona National Park is known for elephants, antelopes, and other wildlife. It's also a hotspot for spotting the fierce tigerfish and engaging in canoe safaris.
How to Get There
Accessible by road or light aircraft from Harare or Victoria Falls. Kariba town serves as a gateway.
Opening Hours and Tickets
Park access from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entry is around $10–$20. Boat rentals vary by provider.
Unique Feature
The Sanyati Gorge offers dramatic cliffside boating experiences through narrow river passages.
Hwange National Park
The Experience
As Zimbabwe's largest park (over 14,000 km²), Hwange is known for its immense herds of elephants and rich biodiversity, including over 100 mammal and 400 bird species. Night drives and remote safari routes offer rare sightings and solitude.
How to Get There
Located 150 km south of Victoria Falls, it's reachable by car or guided tour.
Opening Hours and Tickets
Open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entrance is about $20 per person.
Unique Feature
Dry season (August–October) reveals the best wildlife action around waterholes, many with elevated viewing platforms.
Mana Pools National Park
The Experience
This lush floodplain park offers a unique mix of walking safaris and canoe trips. Elephants, hippos, and diverse birdlife are abundant along the Zambezi River channels and oxbow lakes.
How to Get There
Accessible via road (high-clearance vehicles recommended) or chartered flights from Harare.
Opening Hours and Tickets
Open from April to October. Entry is around $20.
Unique Feature
Guided canoe excursions allow visitors to glide silently among animals, creating a calm and close experience with nature.
Limpopo National Park
The Experience
Part of a vast cross-border conservation area with Kruger Park and Mozambique's reserves. Featuring dry plains, rivers, and the Lebombo Mountains, it supports 147 animal species and over 500 bird types.
How to Get There
Accessible through border crossings from South Africa or by road from southern Zimbabwe.
Opening Hours and Tickets
Open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entry typically around $10–$15.
Unique Feature
Elephants relocated here have adapted and multiplied, helping restore natural balance to the area.
Matobo National Park
The Experience
Nicknamed "Bald Heads" due to its smooth granite domes, this park is dotted with ancient rock art. It's a key refuge for rhinos and offers sweeping views from elevated rock outcrops.
How to Get There
Located near Bulawayo, accessible by car or bus.
Opening Hours and Tickets
Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entrance fee is around $10.
Unique Feature
Home to the densest population of black and white rhinos in Zimbabwe.
Gonarezhou National Park
The Experience
Meaning "Place of Elephants" in the Shona language, this vast park spans over 5,000 km². Known for baobabs and sandstone cliffs like the Chilojo Cliffs, it offers dramatic landscapes and authentic safari experiences.
How to Get There
Located in southeast Zimbabwe, best reached by 4x4 from Chiredzi.
Opening Hours and Tickets
Open May to October. Entry costs about $15. Camping only, so come prepared.
Unique Feature
Part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, allowing animal migration across countries.
Great Zimbabwe Ruins
The Experience
This ancient stone city, dating from 1250–1450 AD, is a marvel of dry stone architecture. The Great Enclosure and Hill Complex reveal remarkable engineering using only stacked granite blocks.
How to Get There
Located 30 km from Masvingo, reachable by road.
Opening Hours and Tickets
Open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Entry fee is around $10.
Unique Feature
The tallest structure is 12 meters high and completely mortar-free — a timeless symbol of the area's ingenuity.
In Conclusion
From thunderous waterfalls and serene lakes to sprawling savannahs and mysterious stone structures, Zimbabwe offers nature lovers a rich and varied experience.
These parks and landmarks are not just scenic — they are alive with movement, history, and rare encounters. Whether you're into wildlife, landscapes, or cultural heritage, Zimbabwe's treasures are sure to inspire wonder. So, Lykkers, ready your cameras and curiosity — there's no better place to reconnect with the wild.
