Magnificent wildlife, miles of grasslands and woodlands, plus spectacular rivers and waterfalls — the stunning natural beauty of Zimbabwe leaves all visitors to the country awestruck. Exploring the country’s different national parks is the best way to appreciate its incredible landscapes and wildlife. They offer the opportunity to enjoy unique experiences — from getting a close look at Africa’s big five (lion, elephant, leopard, rhinoceros and Cape buffalo) to taking in spectacular sunsets. Visitors can explore Zimbabwe’s rugged countryside via bushwalking, safaris, boat rides and experience its beauty first hand. Read on to find out the best national parks in Zimbabwe.
1. Hwange National Park (Matabeleland North Province) (from USD 260.0)
Located in the northwestern region of Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park is the largest natural park in the country. It used to be the royal hunting grounds. Today, the park hosts over 100 different species of animals and over 400 birds. The park is particularly known for its enormous population of African elephants. Hwange is dotted with several waterholes and dams such as Nyamandhlovu Platform where you can enjoy game sightings and beautiful African sunsets. There are also walking trails that you can explore in the company of tour guides.
Full-Day Hwange National Park Tour from Victoria Falls
Duration: 12 hours
2. Victoria Falls National Park (Hwange)
Home to breathtaking Victoria Falls, this national park in northwest Zimbabwe is a must-visit destination for any visitor. Counted among the Seven Wonders of the World, the sight of the huge curtain of water cascading down is unforgettable. Apart from experiencing the beauty of the waterfalls from various vantage points like the Knife-edge Bridge, and Boiling Pot, you can explore its lush rainforest setting, and drive or hike for game sights as the park hosts elephants, buffalos, white rhinoceros and more.
Victoria Falls National Park
Address: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Website: Victoria Falls National Park
Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 30 USD
3. Nyanga National Park (Nyanga)
Zimbabwe’s oldest national park, Nyanga National Park is a scenic wonder with miles of green hills and lush riverscapes. Its cool climate makes it a great place to relax and enjoy nature. Explore the beautiful landscapes of the park by hiking or mountain-climbing through trails. Don’t miss out on the incredible sight of the Pungwe Falls, a charming tiered waterfall that is a highlight of the park.
Nyanga National Park
Address: Nyanga District, Zimbabwe
Website: Nyanga National Park
Price: 10 USD
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4. Matusadona National Park (Mashonaland West)
Located on the shores of Lake Kariba, Matusadona National Park is a comparatively unknown paradise featuring rollings hills and open woodlands. The park featuring two rivers is home to numerous animal species — the most famous of which is the black rhino. Other sightings here include elephants and lions. One of the best ways to explore the park is to take a cruise so you can enjoy the landscapes and the game alongside the river. The terrain is also great for walking safaris. The sight of “drowned forests” in the northern parts of the lake is an unusual sight you must not miss.
Matusadona National Park
Address: Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe
Website: Matusadona National Park
Price: 15 USD
5. Mana Pools National Park (Mashonaland West)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mana Pools National Park is renowned for its unspoiled natural beauty. The park is located in northern Zimbabwe along the southern side of the Zambezi River. In addition to the main four pools, the river’s low-lying flood plains turn into lakes with the rainy season that attracts a large array of wildlife, making it a prime game-spotting terrain. You can walk unguided through its trails to explore its beauty, or take a canoe trip which offers incredible scenic views.
Mana Pools National Park
Address: Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe
Website: Mana Pools National Park
Price: 20 USD
6. Gonarezhou National Park (Chiredzi)
Gonarezhou National Park’s most famous attraction is the stunning Chilojo Cliffs, the towering, multi-hued natural sandstone formations that make for an astonishing sight. The park has three rivers running through it, providing great, scenic landscape to enjoy and prime opportunities for game sightings. The name Gonarezhou means “the place of the elephants” so you can expect to see lots of elephants as well as other animals including the big five, hippos and giraffes.
Gonarezhou National Park
Address: P Bag 7003, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe
Website: Gonarezhou National Park
Price: 9 USD
7. Chizarira National Park (Gweru)
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
More remotely located than other national parks of Zimbabwe, Chizarira National Park features rugged landscape filled with austere mountains, stunning gorges and gulches. The open plains with lush vegetation are home to numerous species including four of the big five: elephants, leopards, lions and buffaloes in addition to small animals like hyenas, waterbucks and kudus. Given its relative remoteness, the park hosts rare animals like Roan antelope and common tsessebe that may not be found in other parks. The 5-km-long (3 mi.) gorge located inside is particularly a fantastic spot for bird-watching. However, visitors need to be ready for the true African safari as facilities are kept to a bare minimum in this park.
Chizarira National Park
Address: Gweru, Matabeleland North Province, Zimbabwe
Website: Chizarira National Park
Price: 10 USD
8. Kazuma Pan National Park (Matabeleland North)
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Kazuma Pan National Park lies on the border of Botswana and Zimbabwe. Relatively underdeveloped, this park offers untouched African landscapes to admire. One of its striking features is the Baboon Trees that attracts a huge number of animals. Its grassy plains offer fantastic opportunities for sighting numerous animals, including lion, leopard, giraffe, zebra, antelopes. The park is particularly known for its large population of buffalos and the migratory birds it attracts. The park is also home to a special type of antelope — the oribi.
Kazuma Pan National Park
Address: Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe
Website: Kazuma Pan National Park
Price: 10 USD
9. Zambezi National Park (Hwange) (from USD 97.0)
Located upstream from Victoria Falls, Zambezi National Park is relatively lesser-known yet its pristine beauty and rich wildlife make it a wonderful option. The park is split by a road between Victoria Falls and the Kazangula border divides the park into two distinct sections. The Zambezi River Game Drive goes along the river offering spectacular scenic views and sights, while the Chamabondo Game Drive goes into the woodlands. Sightings are aplenty including elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, and hippos. Be sure to take a canoe ride here, which is one of the best ways to explore the river’s attractions.
Victoria Falls Zambezi National Park Game Drive
Duration: 3 hours
10. Matobo National Park (Matobo) (from USD 102.0)
Matobo National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage site located in southern Zimbabwe — is where you can feast your eyes on spectacular granite formations balancing against each other set amidst thick green vegetation. The park is also an important cultural site hosting several landmarks such as graves of historical figures — including King Mzilikazi and Cecil Rhodes. In addition to its scenic beauty, you will be able to enjoy a range of game-sighting here, including elephants, leopards and a wide variety of birds. The park is, in particular, a well-known sanctuary for black and white rhinos (within the game park). Be sure to swing by the World’s View viewpoint and the ancient San rock art caves (within the recreational park).
Matobo National Park Day Trip Safari
Duration: 7 to 8 hours
Enjoy Zimbabwe's splendour in full
Plan a trip to one of the 10 best national parks in Zimbabwe to experience the unique, natural wonders of this country. One of the ways to ensure you have the best experience is to stay inside these parks. Many of them have camps and retreats located close to scenic views and game-sighting spots so you can enjoy it at your leisure.
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