Two weeks in Zimbabwe – a holiday itinerary

Zimbabwe remains one of the best travel destinations on the African continent, boasting attractions such as the thundering Victoria Falls, the rugged Eastern Highland and game-rich wildlife parks and reserves.

If you’d like to experience what Zimbabwe has to offer, here’s a two week holiday itinerary which will show you what to do in Victoria Falls. Use these suggestions in creating a bespoke Zimbabwe safari.

Spend four days around Victoria Falls

Best time to go to Victoria Falls: Victoria Falls can be visited all year-round. In Zambia on the other hand, you might not see much during the dry season. The best time to visit Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is from May to September. The water will be mid-to-low and the view won’t be blocked by the spray.

You can start your two week trip to Zimbabwe at the Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world. This is a definite highlight and a must-see in Africa.

What to see

Zimbabwe offers you outstanding views of the Victoria Falls, around three quarters of the Victoria Falls lies in Zimbabwe. A highlight is the Zambezi River, where white water rafting, canoeing and kayaking can be enjoyed.

Where to stay

Gorges Lodge, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Thirty minutes from the Victoria Falls Town and right on the edge of the Batoka Gorge is where you’ll find the Gorges Lodge. The lodge offers you outstanding views of the Batoka Gorge and the Zambezi River.

Ilala Lodge, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

The Ilala Lodge is the closest hotel to the Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side. The Victoria Falls is within walking distance for guests, as is the Victoria Falls town centre. Wild animals often graze on the hotel lawns and restaurant diners can see and hear the majestic roar of “the smoke that thunders” in the background.

Spend three days in Hwange National Park

Best time to go: The best time to visit Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe is during the dry season between July and October. During this period, animals will gather around waterholes. They will also be easier to spot since the vegetation has become thinner.

Only a hour away from the Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park is the largest park in Zimbabwe, covering an area of 14,650 square kilometers.

What to see in Hwange National Park

If you’d like to see elephants, then you’re in luck as the elephant population is one of the largest in the world. The park is also home to 100 mammals including the rhino, lion and leopard.

The park offers you several options to spot the wildlife, from game drives and walking safaris to a visit to one of the waterholes. These waterholes are a great place to hide and watch the wildlife, this will give you exceptional views.

Where to stay in Hwange National Park

Bomani Tented Lodge, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

The Bomani Tented Lodge is located in the Ngamo Forest Area, just five minutes away from a private gate into the national park. The lodge offers you views over the Bomani Pan, giving travellers the chance to see zebra and wildebeest quietly graze, or sip a sundowner as giraffe and elephant soak up the day’s final rays.

The Hide Safari Camp, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

The Hide Safari Camp is a great place to stay during your safari to the Hwange National Park. Stay in one of just ten beautiful tented suites with views over a waterhole, where animals congregate day and night.

Spend three days in Matobo National Park

Best time to go: The best time to visit the Matobo National Park is during the dry season starting from June to October. Animals are easier to spot during this season.

The Matobo National Park has been named a World Heritage Site in June 2003 for having an area of rock landforms rising above the granite shield. These rock formations have created some places where rock painting is hidden.

What to see

Matobo National Park home to a large population of Black and White rhinoceros in an Intensive Protection Zone where they can breed successfully. Other wildlife you might see are zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, eland, leopard, hyena, cheetah, hippo, warthog, wildcat, crocodile and baboons. If you are a bird-lover, you’ll also feel home here. The park has a great richness that can be seen from the diverse bird life.

Where to stay

Amalinda Lodge, Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe

Located in the Matobo Hills, Amalinda Lodge is our recommended safari camp.

Spend four days in Matusadona National Park and Lake Kariba

Best time to go: Wildlife viewing can be best done in between June to October, in the dry season. This is because animals gather around the Lake Kariba and will be easier to spot.

Matusadona National Park is an area full of diverse flora and fauna of around 1400 square kilometres.

What to see

The wildlife in the Matusadona National Park is diverse and includes animals as elephant, buffalo, mongoose, hyena, wild cat, lion. Leopards, cheetah dassie, rhinoceros, zebra warthog, waterbuck, baboon, hippopotamus and many more. Next to spotting wildlife you can go on a hike, fish in the river or canoe down the river. Besides, you can also take a visit to the Kariba Recreational Park itself. Here you can go on a safari as well as relax on a boat cruise or club.

Where to stay

The Matusadona, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

The Matusadona is the only luxury motor cruiser of its kind on Lake Kariba. Easily accessed from Marineland harbour near the town of Kariba or from Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, the options to combine a traditional African Safari with a private cruise are endless.

Changa Safari Camp, Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe

Changa Safari Camp is located on the shores of Lake Kariba, looking over the mountains of Matusadona. The proximity to nature and true wilderness is unparalleled… four and a half kilometers of shoreline on a private concession ensure that this luxurious tented camp becomes a relaxing and remote retreat.