If you’re dreaming of the ultimate African adventure, few experiences rival a Zimbabwe safari.
Expect incredible wildlife encounters in spectacular National Parks and don’t forget a stop to see the thundering power of Victoria Falls. On our journey through Zimbabwe, we discovered why this incredible destination deserves a spot at the top of every traveler’s bucket list!
In this blog post we are sharing everything you need to know before visiting Zimbabwe for an epic safari. We are also including our exact itinerary, and how you can book the exact same experience that we had.
We highly recommend pairing your Zimbabwe Safari Itinerary with an unforgettable experience in Botswana as well. These destinations compliment each other perfectly! You can also add on a safari cruise, which is one of the most unique travel experiences we have ever had.
You can read more about our experience in Botswana here!
What to Know Before You Go on Safari in Zimbabwe
Planning a safari anywhere in Africa can feel incredibly overwhelming, which is why working with a specialized safari planner makes all the difference. We trusted Safari Frank to help design our itinerary, and we couldn’t be happier with how everything came together!
Our goal was to experience a diverse range of landscapes and wildlife without ever feeling like we were repeating the same camp twice. We also wanted to stay in small, boutique lodges far from the crowds. Safari Frank truly understood our vision and brought it to life in a way that exceeded our expectations.
Malaria Area: Zimbabwe is a malaria area, so precautions are recommended.
Packing Restrictions:
Because travel between safari camps is done via small charter aircraft there are a few things to keep in mind. There is a strict luggage weight limit that applies and all bags must be soft-sided. We flew with Mack Air, and if a piece of luggage did not meet the requirements, they provided a soft-sided duffle on the spot so items could be repacked. Any hard-sided suitcases or excess belongings will be securely stored at their office in the airport for you to retrieve.
TIP: To make the journey even smoother, the Safari Frank team coordinated for our remaining luggage to be forwarded to our next major airport. This allowed us to seamlessly reunite with our bags as we continued our travels through Africa
Small Plane Access: Travel between safari camps is typically via small, shared charter aircraft. This offers quick access to remote locations but it is important to note that these transfers are not included in the cost of your camp stays. The Safari Frank team coordinated all flights for us, ensuring that every transfer was seamless and perfectly timed with our itinerary!
You can find our exact safari itinerary here!
Everything to Know About Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
How to Get There: Small charter aircraft through Mack Air from Victoria Falls Airport or direct transfers from your safari lodges.
Safari Focus: Large elephant herds, lions, leopards, buffalo, and diverse birdlife. Think classic game drives and off-road, private-concession experiences!
Best Time to Visit: Dry season (May to October) offers the most reliable wildlife sightings, as animals gather at watering holes and roads are easier to navigate.
Deteema Springs Camp
Deteema Springs was our first luxury safari camp in Zimbabwe and we had high expectations coming from Botswana. (If you want to read more about our unforgettable safari in Botswana, you can do that here!) This camp is smaller than the others we had visited thus far, and it completely blew us away.
We highly recommend visiting during the dry season, because we came just after a large rain storm and some of the roads were not accessible and that was only a day of rain! Despite that, we still had an incredible experience at this camp, including quite a few close encounters with prides of female and male lions!
Accommodations
Deteema Springs Camp is a luxurious tented safari retreat featuring just 8 tents and a maximum capacity of 18 guests, ensuring an intimate experience with no large crowds!
Each tent is thoughtfully designed for comfort and convenience, with:
- A plush bed for restful nights after long game drives
- A full bathroom with hot and cold water
- A personal safe for valuables
- A small “field bar”, where staff can provide ice, fresh water, and wine of your choice upon request
Each tent also has a large deck with seating to watch the wildlife walk right by your room. We had a large pride of lions walk right by our tent! It was also a great spot to watch the sunrise.
Meals and Drinks
All of the camps we stayed at throughout our itinerary offer an all-inclusive experience with meals and drinks.
Breakfast: We started each morning with a hearty breakfast that included continental offerings, coffee, tea and then hot breakfast foods like eggs and meats available to order a la carte.
Morning Break: While out on our morning game drive, the guide will find a time and place to stop for some morning coffee and tea. This also included some snacks, like cookies!
Lunch: After our morning game drive we came back to the camp to have lunch.
Afternoon Tea: Afternoon tea was served every day before you head out for your game drive. The team prepared a variety of sweet and savoury snacks. They also had cocktails, coffee and tea!
Sun Downer: A sun downer experience is a must have when on safari in Africa. This took place out during our game drive. Our guide would choose a scenic spot for some cocktails and snacks to watch the sun go down!
Dinner: After our evening game drive we came back to the lodge for a candle light dinner each night. We had appetizers and fresh bread. Then a choice of main course options and a delicious dessert.
Drinks: Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages were always available. There was always a fresh water carafe in your ten. You could request hot water, and your favourite bottle of wine to be stocked in your tent as well.
Activities at Deteema Springs Camp
The highlight of our stay at Deteema Springs Camp is undoubtedly the game drives! They are designed to put you as close as possible to Hwange National Park’s incredible wildlife. Safari vehicles accommodate a maximum of 6 guests. They have comfortable seating, secure storage for cameras and gear, and ponchos in case of rain.
Each day, our guide took us out on long morning and late-afternoon drives, maximizing wildlife sightings in the surrounding area.
The open terrain around the camp makes for exceptional wildlife viewing, allowing longer observations and better opportunities to track predators, elephants, and other iconic African species in their natural habitat.
You can also opt for a walking safari, which is guide dependent.
Other Inclusions and Facilities at the Camp
Deteema Springs Camp has a lot to offer that is included in your stay:
- Laundry is included and can be left in the basket in your tent and you will get it by the next day.
- Swimming Pool, with loungers
- Tented Main Area for dining and relaxing
- Library
Tip: While laundry is included, many camps will not wash undergarments so there is washing powder provided for you at your sink in your bathroom. Keep in mind most of the laundry is hand washed, so we do not recommend bringing anything delicate
Verney’s Camp
The Camp is located at Verney’s Pan, which is situated on a large open floodplain surrounded by teak forest. The waterhole at Verney’s is what really separates this camp from the others! Expect to see numerous animals around here throughout the day, especially the famous elephant herds!
Accommodations at Verney’s Camp
Verney’s Camp is an exclusive safari lodge situated in a private concession of Hwange National Park, offering intimate luxury and unparalleled wildlife access. With just 10 tents, the camp only holds a maximum of 24 guests, meaning a personalized experience with no crowds!
Each tent includes:
- A comfortable bed with crisp linens for restful nights
- A full ensuite bathroom with hot and cold water
- A personal safe for your belongings
- Fire Pit
- Thoughtful touches like a field bar stocked with ice, water, and your preferred beverages
Each tent also has a large deck facing the watering hole. Be prepared to see a large herd of elephants gathered around it from your tent! We also had a pack of hyenas pay our tent and early morning visit!
Activities at Verney’s Camp
The highlight of our stay was the game drives. Just like the other camps we stayed at, the safari vehicles accommodate a maximum of 6 guests. During our time at Verney’s they had enough guides for every group of guests to have a private experience. If you want a guaranteed private vehicle, you do need to request it prior to your arrival.
Each day, our guide took us out on long morning drives which included a morning coffee and snack stop. We then went out again on a late-afternoon drive, maximizing wildlife sightings in the surrounding area. There was also an option for a sundowner during our late-afternoon drive.
We were lucky enough to see a pride of lions, herds of elephants, hyenas and SO much more.
You can also opt for a walking safari, which is guide dependent.
Meals and Drinks at Verney’s Camp
Verney’s Camp has an identical set up in schedule for all of the food and drinks as Deteema Springs Camp. There is a main dining area where we had all of our meals. Just like the other camps, you can request to have your favourite bottles of wine stocked in your “field bar” in your tent as well!
Other Inclusions and Facilities at the Camp
Verney’s Camp has a lot to offer that is included in your stay:
- Laundry is included and can be left in the basket in your tent and you will get it by the next day.
- Swimming Pool, with loungers
- Tented Main Area for dining and relaxing
- Fire Pit
- Curio shop for any souvenirs or essentials you may have forgotten
Final Thoughts: Why You’ll Fall in Love With Zimbabwe
A Zimbabwe safari adventure is the perfect pairing to your unforgettable experience in Botswana! With unique landscapes, diverse wildlife sightings, and incredible camps, this safari experience is one of our favourites.
If you want to follow the exact itinerary we had, you can find all of the information to book the EXACT same safari experience as us here!
As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment or message us on one of our socials.
