Preparing for Zimbabwe

• Classic game viewing in Hwange, with waterhole-focused dry-season days
• Walking and canoe safari in Mana Pools for confident, active travellers
• Rock art, rhino tracking and landscape in Matobo
• Victoria Falls as an arrival or departure anchor with river and adventure activities

Hwange National Park

Zimbabwe's largest park, known for elephant numbers and pumped waterholes in the dry season.

Mana Pools National Park

Zambezi floodplain with albida woodland, walking and canoeing.

Matobo National Park

Balancing granite formations, San rock art and rhino tracking on foot.

Victoria Falls

The Zimbabwean side of the falls, plus river cruises and adventure activities.

Gonarezhou

Remote south-eastern wilderness for travellers who want fewer vehicles.

• The dry months typically concentrate wildlife around water and suit walking; the green season brings birds, newborns and lush scenery.
• Victoria Falls flow varies enormously through the year — high water means spray and thunder, low water reveals more rock face and opens different activities.
• Some camps close seasonally, and Mana Pools access is affected by rain.
• Conditions and sightings vary and cannot be guaranteed for any date.

Zimbabwe operates an eVisa system, and regional options such as the KAZA UniVisa may apply depending on nationality and routing. Confirm current conditions with Zimbabwe Immigration before booking.

Requirements change. Always verify current entry, health and fee information with official government and travel-health sources before you book or travel.

• Zimbabwe Immigration — eVisa
• U.S. Department of State — Zimbabwe

Ask a travel-health professional about routine vaccinations, malaria prevention and any documentation linked to your routing. Walking and canoeing activities have their own fitness expectations. Personal medical advice should come from a clinician.

• CDC Travelers' Health — destination pages
• World Health Organization travel advice

Berngo Safaris provides general planning context only and does not give medical advice.

Each link is owned by the authority named beside it and opens in a new tab.

• Zimbabwe Immigration — eVisaVisa and entry information ↗ (opens in a new tab)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCDC Traveler View — Zimbabwe ↗ (opens in a new tab)
• U.S. Department of StateCountry information — Zimbabwe ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Last link review: August 7, 2026. Requirements depend on nationality, routing and current policy. Verify directly with the issuing authority before booking or travel. Berngo Safaris provides planning links, not legal, immigration or medical advice.

Avoid unofficial visa agents. Beware of unofficial visa agents and copycat visa websites. Several look almost identical to government portals and charge inflated fees. Apply only through the official government domains linked here, and never share passport or payment details with a site you reached through an advertisement.

• Hot, dry late-season conditions in the Zambezi valley; cooler nights on the highveld.
• Winter mornings on open vehicles are cold despite warm afternoons.
• Spray at Victoria Falls can soak you completely in high-water months.

What to pack for

• Neutral, quiet clothing for walking safaris and warm layers for early drives
• A light rain jacket for falls spray, plus a dry bag for phones and cameras
• Broken-in walking shoes and sun protection
• A soft bag if your route includes light-aircraft transfers

• Victoria Falls (VFA) and Harare (HRE) are the usual gateways, with Bulawayo useful for Matobo.
• Light aircraft link the main parks; road transfers are possible but longer.
• Border crossings to Zambia and Botswana are common and add paperwork time.

• Ask before photographing people, and agree arrangements at community sites in advance.
• Treat rock art sites with care — never touch the paintings.
• Follow guide instructions on foot; Mana Pools walking is a privilege with strict rules.

Bring these to your planning conversation — they change the itinerary more than most travellers expect.

• Is walking or canoeing appropriate for everyone, and what vehicle-based alternatives exist?
• Are there age minimums at the camps you are considering?
• Do heat, mobility or balance issues need planning around?
• Would fewer camp moves make the trip more comfortable?

These pairings share flight routings or complement each other in pace. Each links to its own preparation guide.

• Zimbabwe & Zambia

  The falls straddle the border; many itineraries include both sides.

• Zimbabwe & Botswana

  Chobe is a short transfer from Victoria Falls.

• Zimbabwe & Namibia

  A desert-to-falls route via the Zambezi Region works well.

Which side of Victoria Falls should I stay on?

Both work. The Zimbabwean side offers broader panoramic views of the falls; the Zambian side offers closer, wetter perspectives at certain water levels. Your planner can weigh it against your route.

Is Mana Pools suitable for everyone?

No. Walking and canoeing require reasonable fitness and comfort in wild areas, and camps set their own age minimums.

Can I combine Zimbabwe with Botswana easily?

Yes — Victoria Falls to Kasane is a short, well-travelled transfer, subject to border formalities.