Victoria Falls, ZimbabweVideo: Nesnad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe, made simple: thundering falls, ancient stone cities and wild rivers
Zimbabwe has the best views of Victoria Falls, some of Africa's finest safari guides, the ruins of Great Zimbabwe and the granite hills of Matobo. Its people are famously warm and well educated. This guide takes the guesswork out of entry, cash, seasons and getting around so you can travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry rules, the KAZA UniVisa, malaria advice and seasons, answered
- LandingHarare, Victoria Falls or Bulawayo, US dollars, SIM cards and your first evening, explained
- Your days in ZimbabweFalls, parks, ruins and highlands, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain how cash, cards and park fees work so nothing catches you out.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Zimbabwe should feel like a homecoming of the heart, not a puzzle of currencies, border posts and park permits. We answer the worries before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Flying home to family in Harare, Bulawayo or Mutare after years in the UK or South Africa, or dreaming of your first walk in Hwange? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your ZimbabweVictoria Falls, Hwange, Great Zimbabwe, Matobo, the Eastern Highlands or the capital: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, malaria advice, cash, cards and seasons, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for food, culture, nature and stays in each area.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to shape your days and how you move between them.
Everything your Zimbabwe trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Harare, Victoria Falls, Hwange, Bulawayo and Matobo, Great Zimbabwe and the Eastern Highlands, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, lodges, markets and viewpoints, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Harare, Victoria Falls and Bulawayo, plus stays across the country.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Zimbabwe trip
The Falls, Hwange, then the stone cities
Many first trips start with three nights at Victoria Falls, then a few nights in Hwange for elephants and lions, then Bulawayo, Matobo and Great Zimbabwe for granite hills, rock art and history. Mana Pools and the Eastern Highlands are rewarding additions if you have more time.
- Walking the rainforest path opposite Victoria Falls
- Elephant herds at a Hwange waterhole
- Tracking rhino on foot in the Matobo Hills
- The Great Enclosure at Great Zimbabwe
Start with the destinations
See how the Falls, the parks and the ruins fit together.
Zimbabwe destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Zimbabwe rewards a little planning: distances are long, the best safari months fill early and cash matters more than in most countries. Our free planner helps you choose a realistic route, pace and budget level.
- Realistic travel times
- The right season for the Falls and the parks
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Zimbabwe
From a leafy, friendly capital to the world's most famous waterfall, great elephant country, ancient stone cities and misty mountains.
Harare Metropolitan Province
Harare
Zimbabwe's green, friendly capital, with world class stone sculpture, busy markets and easy day trips.
Read the guidePhoto: Ryan Timothy777, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Matabeleland North
Victoria Falls
The smoke that thunders, seen from its best side, with adventure, cruises and wildlife on the doorstep.
Read the guidePhoto: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Matabeleland North
Hwange National Park
Zimbabwe's biggest park, with huge elephant herds, lions and painted dogs close to Victoria Falls.
Read the guidePhoto: Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bulawayo and Matabeleland South
Bulawayo and the Matobo Hills
Zimbabwe's second city and a UNESCO landscape of balancing granite, ancient rock art and rhino.
Read the guidePhoto: ru:User:Digr, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Masvingo Province
Great Zimbabwe
The largest ancient stone city in sub-Saharan Africa, near Masvingo and Lake Mutirikwi.
Read the guidePhoto: Andrew Moore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Manicaland Province
The Eastern Highlands
Cool green mountains on the Mozambique border, made for hiking, waterfalls and quiet escapes.
Read the guidePhoto: Seabifar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Zimbabwe safe to visit?
Most visits to Zimbabwe are trouble free, and the main tourist areas such as Victoria Falls, Hwange and Matobo are calm and welcoming. Petty theft and bag snatching happen in central Harare and Bulawayo, especially after dark. Avoid political gatherings and demonstrations, and check your government's latest travel advice before you go.
Do I need a visa for Zimbabwe?
It depends on your passport. Some nationalities need no visa, many can get one on arrival or online, and others must apply in advance. The KAZA UniVisa can cover Zimbabwe and Zambia together. Confirm the current rules on the Zimbabwe Department of Immigration's official site before you book.
What currency does Zimbabwe use?
Zimbabwe has its own currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), but US dollars are widely used and accepted, and most tourist businesses price in dollars. Bring clean, recent US dollar notes in small denominations, as change can be hard to find.
What is the capital of Zimbabwe?
Harare, a green city of jacaranda lined avenues in the north east of the country. It has the main international airport, good restaurants, galleries and the Mbare market, and it is where many diaspora families live.
When is the best time to visit Zimbabwe?
The dry season from May to October is best for safaris, with June to August cool and pleasant. Victoria Falls is fullest from about March to May. The rains from November to March turn the country green and bring fewer visitors.
How many days do I need in Zimbabwe?
Ten days covers Victoria Falls, Hwange and Matobo or Great Zimbabwe. Two weeks lets you add Mana Pools, the Eastern Highlands or time with family in Harare and Bulawayo.
Ready to find your Bliss in Zimbabwe?
Use the free trip planner to turn ideas into a route that fits your dates and budget.