ZIMBABWE

Are you looking for luxury Zimbabwe safari holidays? Well, you have come to the right place! Here at Ubon Safari, we provide luxury Zimbabwe holidays and exquisite African safari tours. Zimbabwe is a beautiful country which offer lots of wilderness animals, outstanding cuisine, attractions, national parks, games reserves and so much more! Our safari luxury holidays in Zimbabwe has never been more exciting.

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in the southern part of Africa with South Africa bordering its south, Zambia to its north, Botswana to its west and Mozambique to its east. With Bulawayo and Harare being the two main cities, the Zimbabwe divides into 8 provinces. The country was formerly known as Southern Rhodesia. In 1961, the country got its name Zimbabwe.

It remains one of the most intriguing destinations in the world. Our Zimbabwe safari holidays offer a large variety of scenery, make it one of the African continent’s finest and largest concentrations of wildlife and perfect climate with an average of 7 hours sunshine daily throughout the year. Also, Zimbabwe is home to one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, the magnificent Victoria Falls, this avalanche of water beckons invitingly in the heat of the African sun.

CAPITAL CITY: HARARE
AIRPORT: HARARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CURRENCY: US DOLLAR (US$)
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH, SHONA AND SINDEBELE
VOLTAGE: 220V/50Hz UK Plug

Luxury Zimbabwe Holidays, Luxury Holidays Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Safari Holidays, Luxury Zimbabwe Holidays

DRY SEASON:

APRIL TO OCT – GREAT FOR WILDLIFE SPOTTING
JUNE TO SEPT – GREAT FOR VICTORIA FALLS

WET SEASON:

NOV TO MARCH – GREEN SCENERY, CALVING SEASON, GREAT BIRDWATCHING, THICK VEGETATION
ROADS CAN BE IMPASSABLE

BEST TIMES:

MAY TO SEPTEMBER
HIGH SEASON – JULY – OCTOBER (VICTORIA FALLS IS BUSY)
LOW SEASON – NOVEMBER – APRIL (SOME LODGES ARE CLOSED)

BEST WEATHER:

APRIL, MAY, SEPTEMBER

Zimbabwe-best-times

Go to our Visa page to find out whether you need a visa to enter Zimbabwe
http://thetravelvisacompany.co.uk/ubonsafari/zimbabwe/

Find out more about Zimbabwe on the largest travel guidebook online
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/zimbabwe

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DO I NEED A VISA
AUSTRALIA – YES / EUROPEAN COUNTRIES – YES / UNITED KINGDOM – YES / USA – YES
Please enquire with the Zimbabwean Embassy in your country of Residence as we recommend you get you visa before you before you travel.
There is an option for a KAZA UNIVISA which allows you to cross between Zambia and Zimbabwe only, multiple times and is valid for 30 days.
You can purchase this Visa in arrival (only at the border points between these countries) and has to be paid in cash. For more information www.kazavisa.info

TIPPING
It is not mandatory to tip however we do recommend you to tip in Restaurants, Bars something that would suit you. For Drivers, Guides and Porters we recommend a minimum of USD 5 per person per day.

INTERNET ACCESS
Most places have WIFI / internet, however in camps and lodges you may be limited to some specified areas, in camping safaris thereis no internet.

MOBILE PHONE ACCESS
Most of the locations in Zimbabwe have great mobile coverage especially in cities and towns. There’s limited access in some of the rural areas. A local sim would be easily available for purchase.

WHAT ARE THE TOILETS LIKE?
Western style Toilets are available in most hotels, lodges and camps. Some areas may have squat toilets.

DRINKING WATER
Drinking tap water is not recommended. Mineral water is always available.

ARE CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED?
Please inform your Bank before you travel to ensure you will not have problems using your cards. Credit card facilities are available in some areas only.
Carry small denominations of US Dollars and South African Rand as Zimbabwean Dollar is no longer acceptable.

ATMS:
ATMs are available in major cities and towns.

DO I NEED A TRAVEL INSURANCE?
It is mandatory you should have Health / Travel Insurance

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Please see http://www.worldtravelguide.net/zimbabwe/public-holidays

ELECTRICITY / PLUGS:
Electricity in Zimbabwe has 220V and 3 Pin flat plugs although some new hotels are now having round pin plugs so carry your travel plug.

DOES ZIMBABWE HAVE MALARIA:
Yes, visit your GP before you travel for your vaccinations and Malaria pills.

TRAVEL TIPS

  • Dress respectfully, shoulders to knees should be covered especially in when entering places of worship.
  • Respect local traditions, customs and religions
  • Please do not buy coral, ivory or any animal products
  • Dispose of litter appropriately in bins
  • Do not throw cigarette butts especially in the parks as it may cause fire and destroy wildlife and habitats.
  • Don’t be afraid to learn the local language and smile.
  • Please support the local shops and people
  • When taking photos of people please ask permission

At Ubon Safari, we decide our time and efforts to provide our customers and clients with outstanding safari tours and luxury African beach holidays. If you would like to book a trip of a lifetime for our luxury Zimbabwe safari holidays, email info@ubonsafari.com and we will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.

PLACES TO VISIT

ZIMBABWE PARKS

Described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800’s as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning ‘The smoke that thunders’, the Victoria Falls is a spectacular awe-inspiring beauty on the Zambezi River forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. River Zambezi is the fourth largest river in Africa, at 2,574 kilometres long, it rises in Zambia and flows through Angola along the border of Namibia, Botswana then along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe up to Mozambique where it makes its way to empty into the Indian Ocean.
The noise of this powerful Victoria Falls can be heard from as far as 40 kilometres and the spray and mist of the falling water can be seen from as far as 50 kilometres. This is probably why it was called ‘The smoke that Thunders’.
David Livingstone, a Scottish missionary and an explorer is believed to be the first European to have discovered the falls and named it in the honour of the Queen of Britain; Victoria in 1855.
The water levels vary throughout the year with the peak in April and the lows in October and November. Walks through parts of the waterfall can be done during the dry season when the water levels are low. Other adventure activities such as Bungee jumping, river surfing, kayaking, Rafting, River cruises, fishing, elephant rides can also be done here.
Best time to visit:
February – June – Peak flood Season – Best time for viewing the falls
October – November – No water falls at all in some places

Formerly known as Wankie Game Reserve, Hwange is the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe occupying roughly 14,650 square kilometres. It is located in the west of Zimbabwe between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls, just about one hour from the Falls.
Due to its size, the park has different vegetation, scenery and game, from semi-desert scrubs on its south; where the park is close to the edge of the Kalahari Desert, a region with very little water and sparse vegetation and on the north it is mostly mopane woodlands valleys, forests and granite hills.
Hwange was the royal hunting grounds of the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi in the early 19th Century and was later set aside as a National Park in 1929.
Home to over 100 mammal species including Wild dogs, lions, leopards, rhino and hyena; Hwange is popular for its largest elephant population in the world.
Nearly 400 bird species recorded are recorded in the park, which include 19 large herbivores and 8 large carnivores. Some of the commonly spotted birds are Southern ground hornbill, Yellow billed kite, Dickenson’s kestrel, Kori bustard and Carmine bee-eater.
Best time to visit:
August – October and early November – Dry Season – Best time for game viewing
November – April – Rainy (Green) season – Limited game viewing

Lake Kariba, is the largest man-made lake in the world at over 223 kilometres long and upto 40 kilometres wide covering an area of 5,580 square kilometres.
Matusadona National Park is a game reserve park located on the shores of Lake Kariba.
Previously a game reserve, Matusadona became a national park in 1975. The park is a unique combination of rugged wilderness and water frontage of Lake Kariba.
The Lake Kariba offers an excellent opportunity for photography of sunset views with Matusadona mountains in the background.
The Matusadona national park lies about 20 kilometres across the lake from the town of Kariba. The wildlife around Lake Kariba and Matusadona National Park includes Elephants, buffalo, black rhino, lion, wild dog, cheetah, leopard, impala, waterbuck, zebra, giraffe and hyena.
Exceptional birdlife is found in the park of over 240 species include woodland birds, raptors, waterfowl and a healthy fish-eagle population.
Best time to visit:
July – October – Dry Season – Best time for game viewing
November – April – Rainy (Green) season – Good for bird viewing

Mana Pools is a wildlife conservation area and a national park in the north of Zimbabwe in the lower Zambezi valley. Mana is ‘four’ in the local language, Shona. Over many years the wide and slow Zambezi River has carved through the mineral-rich volcanic soils forming the ‘four’ large pools, which are the remnants ox-bow lakes.
The National park feels very laid back and tropical on the calm River Zambezi. On the opposite side of the River is Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park.
Covering an area of 2,196 square kilometres Mana Pool is part of the 10,500 square kilometre Parks and Wildlife Estate that runs from Kariba Dam in the west to Mozambique border in the east.
The park is known as one of the best National parks for Walking safaris. Many of the game
species are fairly relaxed when encountered on foot. Mana Pools National park is UNESCO
World Heritage Site since 1984. The game in the park includes Elephant, eland, buffalo, impala, warthog, baboon, monkey, waterbuck and hippos. Also found are lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena.
More than 380 species of birds are found in Mana Pools including Egyptian and spurwing geese, cormorants, storks, goliath herons, kingfishers and bee-eaters.
Also found are the vultures, livingstone’s flycatcher, plovers, fish eagle and white collared pratincoles.
The fertile and rich black cotton soil is a drawback for tourism during the rainy season in
Zimbabwe. All lodges close during the rainy season as accessibility becomes difficult.
Best time to visit:
August – October and early November – Dry Season – Best time for game viewing
November – April – Rainy (Green) season – Limited game viewing

Covering an area of 5,053 square kilometres, Gonarezhou is Zimbabwe’s second largest national park located in South East corner of the country adjoining with the borders of Mozambique and South Africa. Gonarezhou means ‘elephant’s tusk’ in Shona, the local language of Zimbabwe.
The Gonarezhou National Park links with Kruger National Park in South Africa and Limpopo National Park forming the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. Collectively, the area covered by Great Limpopo is 35,000 square kilometres.
Due to its remoteness, the park cannot be reached as easily as the other national parks
hence it attracts very few travellers. Good game viewing opportunities for the peace loving
travellers.
Birdlife has specials including bat hawk, thick-billed cuckoo, racket tailed roller and African finfoot.
Best time to visit:
August – October and early November – Dry Season – Best time for game viewing
November – April – Rainy (Green) season – Limited game viewing

Covering an area of 424 square kilometres, Matobo Hills National Park is part of the Matobo Hills. Matobo or Matopos mean ‘bald heads’ in local language matebele. The hills were considered sacred by the Ndebele people; the name Matobo ‘bald heads’ was given by the great Ndebele King, Mzilikazi. He was buried in the hills just a short distance from the Matobo Hills National Park.
The Matobo area is rich in history and has great spiritual and cultural significance to the local people. Over 2000 years ago, the Bushmen lived in this area and have left behind an outstanding rock art collection.
Located just 34 kilometres from south of Bulawayo, makes it an easy half an hour drive and the most accessible national park.
Home to a good variety of animal species, the park is popular for it’s black and white rhinos. Also found in the park are duiker, klipspringer, sable, kudu, eland, waterbuck, wildebeest, giraffe, baboon, monkey, crocodile, cheetah and leopard.
The park doesn’t have any lions or elephants; this makes it easy for the walking safaris.
Famous for the large concentration of fish eagles, the park has a diverse birdlife including secretary bird, francolin, weavers and Egyptian geese.
Best time to visit:
August – October and early November – Dry Season – Best time for game viewing
November – April – Rainy (Green) season – Limited game viewing

MAP

Zimbabwe Map

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