Zimbabwe is southern Africa’s landlocked pearl, with a tropical climate somewhat mitigated by the country’s elevation, a hugely diverse range of landscape, and – due to a downturn in tourism in recent years – a genuine feeling of being off the beaten track, an undiscovered country.
There are three main areas/reserves to visit in Zimbabwe: Hwange, Malilangwe and Mana Pools. The first is by a healthy margin Zimbabwe’s largest park and incorporates everything from desert to wetlands, and a correspondingly comprehensive range of wildlife. Malilangwe, in the south, is a smaller concern but notable for having escaped much of the poaching which has blighted other parts of Zimbabwe. It is run as a non-profit organisation, and boasts one of the highest concentrations anywhere of black rhino. Mana Pools, meanwhile, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers incredible flora and fauna and is a model for ecologically-conscious tourism.
Though not quite as plentiful as in some other countries, accommodation in Zimbabwe encompasses quite a range, with very solid options in every category from truly luxurious lodges to the basic-but-comfortable tented camps. There are luxury camps such as Hwange’s Linkwasha Camp, which offers attentive and expert service, comfort and access to incredible game, or in the east of the park Little Makalolo, on a private concession and with the benefit of its own watering-hole.
There are some stunning safari lodges, including Malilangwe’s Pamushana, while for a truly classic camp Mana Pools’s Ruckomechi is hard to beat.
Activities centre around wildlife and spectacular scenery in Zimbabwe. How it is experienced, however, depends on the exact camp and location: from night-time driving safaris to canoeing down the Zambezi, from game walks with expert guides to fascinating talks from in-house conservationists, from rhino-tracking to bird watching, the range of possibilities is endless, with many camps offering cultural visits as well as massage/yoga facilities.
If you would like to find out more about any of our luxury and frontier Zimbabwe destinations, then please do contact us today.