Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe family holidays

For many years Zimbabwe was the grand dame of the safari scene, undoubtedly one of the premier wildlife destinations in Africa. After a period of turbulence, it’s now back and fast reclaiming its crown. The wildlife is phenomenal and family holidays in Zimbabwe will bring you and the children up close and personal with the animals in a way that can be difficult to achieve elsewhere.

Tracking rhino on a Zimbabwe family holiday, best family holiday destinations abroad

Track rhino on foot with expert rangers on our Zimbabwe family holidays

Hwange National Park alone has more than 40,000 tusker elephants and across the country the sightings of the Big Five are superb. The guides are probably the best in Africa. Their years of training mean that they are able to take children on walking safaris, providing thrillingly intimate encounters. The scenery is incredibly varied, from the floodplains of Mana Pools to the cloud topped lush hills of the Eastern highlands. And the icing on the cake are the majestic thundering Victoria Falls, one of the 7 wonders of the natural world.

Family friendly accommodation abounds, with beautiful riverside lodges in Victoria Falls and wonderful safari camps where you can gather around the fire in the evening.

Family holidays in Zimbabwe - kids kayaking close to elephant in Hwange with a guide

Get active and explore by kayak with your guide, getting close to wildlife

Why take the kids

Zimbabwe family holidays offer a thrilling mix of adventure and spectacular wildlife encounters. Our favourite activities on Zimbabwe family holidays include:

Seeing Mosi-oa-Tunya (The Smoke that Thunders) in all its glory in Victoria Falls National Park
Spotting the Big Five on a jeep safari in Hwange National Park
Taking a ride on the Elephant Express railcar
Spotting baboons, elephants, and giraffes on route to a tented camp
Hiking through the misty mountains of the Eastern Highlands
Stargazing from your campfire seat whilst toasting marshmallows around the fire
Getting up close and personal with Hwange’s new rhino inhabitants

The safari opportunities in Zimbabwe are out of this world. The kids will love the thrill of sleeping in a tented camp, when they can listen to the distant roar of lions and the grunting of hippos. They’ll be inspired on a night drive, helping the guide to use the infrared flashlights to pick out pairs of beady eyes glowing through the darkness. And they will be mesmerised to be within touching distance of elephants from an underground hide.

Kids in a hidden hide in Zimbabwe close to elephants - on family holiday

Underground hides at waterholes let all the family get incredibly close to wildlife

Zimbabwean guides are renowned for being the best in the world and this is something which you will truly reap the benefits of on our Zimbabwe family holidays. The kids won’t just be kept busy scanning the landscape for the Big Five but they will also learn the difference between a Dung beetle and a giant Longhorn. They’ll learn to identify different animal poo and track spoor across the mopane forest. And they will be mesmerised by the constantly changing landscapes and wildlife on this quintessential African Safari experience.

Family-friendly activities in Zimbabwe for all ages

Most people start in the town of Victoria Falls, where there are countless ways to view the Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Thrill seekers will enjoy helicopter flights or zip-lining across the dramatic gorges that dominate the landscape.

Families with younger kids can enjoy more sedate activities. Perhaps a sundowner boat cruise or riding bikes over the famous bridge that links the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides of the Zambezi River.

Once you are on safari, we will ensure that the range of activities offered are suitable for your children. Families with younger kids will love the Elephant Express, a single car train that chugs slowly across Hwange National Park offering spectacular wildlife viewing combined with the excitement of ‘helping’ drive the train. Older kids will be enthralled by the opportunity to explore on foot, experiencing the wilderness and wildlife from a unique perspective.

And all families will love our selection of hand-picked camps, almost all with swimming pools for that much needed relaxation in the middle of the day.

Two photos of the Elephant Express in Hwange, take a ride on our Zimbabwe family holidays

The Elephant Express is a delightful way to travel from Victoria Falls into Hwange National Park

Zimbabwe family holiday itineraries

All of our itineraries are bespoke, which means that they are tailor-made for your own specific family, taking into account the ages of your children, your interests, your budget, and so on. However, to give you an idea of what you could do on a family holiday in Zimbabwe, have a look at our sample itinerary, Highlights of Victoria Falls & Hwange Safari.

You can also combine Victoria Falls with an exclusive safari in Botswana, taking in the world-renowned Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park – see our Highlights of Victoria Falls & Botswana itinerary.

For those with more time to spare, there is also the opportunity to explore Zimbabwe in depth. Perhaps consider adding additional national parks such as Matobo, famous for its rhino population and incredible rock formations. You can also visit Mana Pools to enjoy some of the greatest birding experiences and walking safaris or Lake Kariba, the biggest man-made lake in Africa. The lake is home to waterfront lodges and even houseboats for those who want to enjoy some R&R on an overnight cruise. Check out our Zimbabwe Places to Visit for more.