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Heroes and Heroines Gonarezhou National Park
In the far southeast of Zimbabwe, lies Gonarezhou National Park, a remote and undeveloped wilderness varying from open plains to dense bush.
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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Zimbabwe Holidays
A place where every moment brings something very different. Join us in perhaps our favourite African nation and discover the lively energy that runs right through this place and its inhabitants.
It’s hard to sum up Zimbabwe. Especially its scenery because it changes and inspires at every turn. This beautiful country offers dramatic landscapes, warm people and wildlife that easily matches that of its more visited neighbours.
The quality of guiding is key on any holiday but especially on safari – Zimbabwe is home to some of the most qualified and best guides in Africa. Added to this it is currently great value for money. Who would not like it?
Hwange
Hwange National Park is in the northwest corner of Zimbabwe, on the border with Botswana and is roughly the size of Belgium…
Mana Pools
Mana Pools National Park is a wildlife conservation area in north-western Zimbabwe. It sits beside the lower Zambezi River, where the flood…
Matobo
The Matobo Hills are famous for the unique geological formations of balancing boulders, excellent rhino populations and ancient rock art.
Victoria Falls
Although the magnificent sight of the Falls is the main reason to visit, the town is also a focal point for action-packed…
Matusadona
Matusadona National park takes its name from the local Matuzviadonha Hills and is a stunning combination of flat plains and rugged mountain…
What to expect on your Zimbabwe holiday
When we began selling safari holidays in the early 90s, we sent more people to Zimbabwe than any other country in Africa. This changed dramatically in 1999 and since then one cannot ignore the fact that it has since been plagued by dubious politics and economic instability and as a result, tourism has suffered.
Recently, however, there has been a noticeable revival. Reinvestment and positive changes are taking place, new lodges are being built, existing dams restored and a quiet optimism prevails that Zimbabwe will once again regain its rightful place as one of Africa’s great wildlife destinations. We think you will be pleasantly surprised at what you find.
Some ideas for a holiday in Zimbabwe
- Mana Pools remains one of the richest and least developed wetlands in Africa and never fails to impress
- For lions try Matusadona Park, it has one of the highest concentrations anywhere
- Hwange National Park is renowned for its elephants and wild dog
- Stay in the classic colonial Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and visit ‘the smoke that thunders’
- Visit the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, built between 1100 and 1450 and once a great trading capital
- A helicopter flight over Victoria Falls.
Explore Zimbabwe
- Gonarezhou National Park
- Hwange National Park
- Mana Pools National Park
- Matobo Hills
- Matusadona
- Victoria Falls
Experiences
What do you really love doing? We’ll tailor your itinerary to suit you.
Places to stay
Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.
Meet our experts
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
Jackie Devereux
I was born in Zimbabwe. With a dad who was in the police force, we moved from place to place. I have always been passionate about travel. My grandparents mentioned that our ancestors set off from the Horn of Africa – Ethiopia – looking for better cattle pastures. They ended up settling in the south-eastern hills of Zimbabwe, in the Great Zimbabwe area.
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Illona Cross
Born in a small South African town, I have always followed my passion for nature and discovery. After studying Nature Conservation in Pretoria, I was one of the first women to complete a very tough cadetship in the Natal Parks Board. It was here where I cut my teeth in African wildlife management. My desire to see more led me to work as a guide for AndBeyond, first in South Africa, then in Tanzania as the company expanded. Here, I lived and worked in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro, guiding and running safari camps.
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Bridget Cohen
Aged five and with my Curious George toy safely tucked under my arm, I set off with my family to travel around Europe in an orange VW minibus. Looking back on the adventures we had along the way, I now know that this was where my love for travel and exploring began.
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Chris Johnston
25 years ago, my first trip to Africa took on a life of its own. I planned for three months, I stayed for two years. Whilst there, I was mistaken for a priest, attacked by sharks and arrested. Yet the countless, clattering journeys opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscapes and the grace of the people. My recent trips are undoubtedly more comfortable, but the welcome is as warm as ever and the best experiences are still those I never see coming.
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Is Zimbabwe a safe place to visit?
Despite decades of political upheaval, Zimbabwe remains an extremely safe country to visit. Even during brief periods of civil unrest, issues have been limited to Harare, which is a long way away from Victoria Falls and the most popular safari areas. And despite government rhetoric, Zimbabweans remain extremely welcoming towards outsiders and are aware of the valuable investment that foreign visitors bring. For the latest safety and security advice, check the FCO guidance here.
When is the best time to see the Victoria Falls?
Despite regular news headlines suggesting that the falls have dried up, the truth is that water levels fluctuate on a seasonal basis – with this schedule rarely changing much from one year to the next.
The falls are fed by rains in Angola, Zambia and even Congo, far away from the falls themselves. Due to this distance, water levels peak well after the rains begin, usually reaching their peak in April and May. During these months, the falls become a mass of crashing water with spray often obscuring them completely. This means that views on foot can be less spectacular than you might expect, but the views from the air are staggering.
Either side of these peak months – so January, February, June, July and August – a tremendous amount of water still flows over the falls, but the spray is less, meaning views on foot are much better. The sight from the air remains spectacular. For the best all-round experience, we would recommend travelling during these months.
Water levels fall to their lowest point between September and December. As this coincides with some of the hottest weather in October, many people prefer not to visit at this time. During these months, it is quite common for the Zambian side of the falls to dry up almost completely; however, the Zimbabwean side continues to flow and the lack of spray can make for excellent photographs.
How different is the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls?
Both sides offer different perspectives and we recommend that, regardless of whether you stay in Zimbabwe or Zambia, you cross the border to see the other side. Therefore, it is not hugely important which side you chose – both offer similar activities and a wide range of excellent accommodation.
The Zimbabwean side does have the greater flow of water, so when water levels are particularly low, this side remains more spectacular. However, the Zambian side can lay claim to the Devil’s Pool, where you can take a dip right at the edge of the falls – an exhilarating experience.
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Our team is waiting to help you tailor a trip that will leave you with stories for a lifetime. Call us on
01285 601 784Why Choose Steppes?
These may be uncertain times but they are, without a doubt, still full of opportunity to discover the extraordinary safely. Through knowledge and expertise, we can connect you to those destinations embracing travellers with the added confidence of flexible booking and decades of insight.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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