Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe punches well above its weight in the safari world. Victoria Falls — one of the Seven Natural Wonders — anchors a tourism economy that has rebounded strongly, with the falls town now connected to 12 direct regional flights and covered by the KAZA Univisa shared with Zambia. But the real draw for repeat safari-goers lies deeper in the country: Hwange's vast elephant herds, Mana Pools' walking-safari pedigree, and the houseboat culture of Lake Kariba.

Hwange National Park, the country's largest reserve at over 14,600 square kilometres, is home to an estimated 44,000 elephants and some of the continent's last viable populations of painted wild dog. Unlike East African parks where driving dominates, Hwange's concession system allows guests to leave the vehicle for guided bush walks alongside qualified professional guides — an experience that connects visitors to the African landscape in a way no game drive can. Mana Pools, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Zambezi floodplain, takes this further: it is one of the very few places in Africa where experienced walkers can approach elephant, buffalo, and lion on foot without a fence in sight.

For TourLink's multi-country circuits, Zimbabwe sits at a natural crossroads. Victoria Falls is a short hop from Botswana's Chobe, Zambia's Livingstone, and even Namibia's Caprivi Strip, making it the ideal pivot point for Southern and East Africa itineraries. Park entry at Victoria Falls is $50 per adult, and the country applies 15.5% VAT on tourism services from 2026.