3 Top National Parks For A Safari In Zimbabwe In 2023

Zimbabwe offers some of the best national parks in the whole of Africa, including the iconic Victoria Falls National Park, Zambezi National Park and more. Each is set in beautiful and natural landscapes and filled with prolific wildlife. If planning a trip to Zimbabwe, the following are three top national parks for a safari experience of a lifetime.

1. Victoria Falls National Park, Zimbabwe

A trip to Zimbabwe isn’t complete without visiting the stunning Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Known by the locals as Mosi-oa-Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders), the falls are within the Victoria Falls National Park and are also on the Zambian side of the bridge. Pictured above and top, this is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. For instance, by comparison to Niagara Falls, Victoria Falls is twice as high and 1.5 times as broad and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

One feature here is the rainforest, where trees and plants thrive in the spray from the falls. These include palms, liana vines, ferns, as well as trees such as mahogany, not found anywhere else in the region. As for wildlife, here tour drives and walking safaris give the opportunity to view elephants, southern white rhinoceros, Cape buffalos, hippopotami, eland and other antelope species.

2. Hwange National Park (formerly Wankie National Park)

Hwange is the largest and most famous of Zimbabwe’s national parks and is famous for its vast population of the famous Big Five. Here, visitors are almost guaranteed to see lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape Buffalo. In fact, along with zebra, giraffe and more, the park is renowned for its excellent animal viewing experience.

The best time to visit is during the dry season (April to November) when it is easy to spot leopards and other wildlife quenching their thirst on the river banks.

3. Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

Located below Lake Kariba, Mana Pools National Park has rightfully made it to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. More than 43 miles of the mighty Zambezi River pass through the park, forming pools of water, thus giving the park its name. Meanwhile, Mana Pools has a unique ecosystem, supporting a huge range of wildlife.

Of Zimbabwe’s several national parks, this one boasts a massive population of elephants and buffaloes. Meanwhile, plenty of hippos and crocodiles can easily be seen, along with nearly 400 species of water and woodland birds.

It should be noted that Mana Pools National Park is best explored by canoe or on foot. Moreover, it is important to note that the park is only open during the dry season (April to November).

This article offers a brief look at some of Zimbabwe’s national parks. To find out more information, visit the country’s official national parks website.