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A safari – with its incredible landscapes and wildlife viewing – is one of the best travel experiences you can have. Your accommodation will set the tone for your entire trip, so I’ve rounded up the dreamiest Zimbabwe luxury safari lodges.
The Ultimate Safari and Zimbabwe Travel Guides
To plan the rest of your safari, browse my safari packing list, the best months for an African safari, what to budget for a safari, and things to consider when selecting a safari lodge.
If you’re going to visit Victoria Falls (which I HIGHLY recommend), check out my Victoria Falls travel guide and the closest hotels to Victoria Falls.
Here are the best Zimbabwe luxury safari lodges!
Victoria Falls River Lodge
Zambezi National Park
Located inside Zambezi National Park, this riverfront lodge is perfect for wildlife viewing and seeing Victoria Falls from the land, air, and water. Your villa will have a private plunge pool, river views, and one of the dreamiest bathtubs you’ll ever find. The property’s amenities, bar, dining, staff, and activities are the best in the area!
Old Drift Lodge
Zambezi National Park
This elegant lodge on the Zambezi River is the perfect home base for exploring Victoria Falls by land, water, and air! You’ll love this lodge’s chic design, remote location, and stunning views.
The Victoria Falls Hotel
Victoria Falls National Park
When you stay at this hotel, not only will you be able to see Victoria Falls from the property, but you’ll also be able to walk to it! This elegant building will take you back in time to an era of timeless elegance and grandeur.
The Elephant Camp
Victoria Falls National Park
Get ready to fall in love with this safari lodge, where you can see elephants on the property! Imagine waking up to gentle giants drinking from your private pool and grazing below your dining area ?
Rhino Safari Camp
Lake Kariba, Matusadona National Park
Get up close and personal with wildlife and the African bush at this luxury-meets-rustic bush camp in Matusadona National Park on the shore of Lake Kariba. Your thatch chalet will have lake views, and game viewing activities include drives, walks and tracking, and sunset cruises
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge
Lake Kariba, Matusadona National Park
Set on a hill above Lake Kariba, you can’t beat the views at this safari lodge, especially from the infinity pool and dining terraces! This lodge only has ten rooms (all with views of the lake), so this retreat is the epitome of luxury and privacy.
Khulu Lodge
Hwange National Park
You’ll love this resort’s on-site waterhole, where you don’t have to leave your cottage to see wildlife! This property is on a private concession of 6,000 acres, and you’ll love the lodge’s vintage decor and old-world design.
The Hide
Hwange National Park
This authentic, old-world-styled tented camp is the perfect nature retreat. There’s an on-site wildlife-frequented waterhole and a photography hide. In addition to your plush cottage, you can also sleep under the stars in the “Dove’s Nest.”
Shop My Safari Essentials
What do you think are the best Zimbabwe luxury safari lodges? Share with us in the comments!
For Planning The Rest Of Your Safari
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Zimbabwe Luxury Safari Lodges
Frequently Asked Questions
Which safari is best in Africa?
The Best Safari Destinations in Africa:
1. South Africa
2. Botswana
3. Kenya
4. Tanzania
5. Zambia
6. Zimbabwe
7. Namibia
8. Rwanda
9. Uganda
10. Mozambique
Pro Tip: go on safari in the dry season when wildlife is easier to find around water holes.
Is Zimbabwe good for safaris?
Yes! Zimbabwe is home to Victoria Falls, national parks, incredible safari lodges, and some of the best wildlife viewing in Sub-Saharan Africa.
While Zimbabwe is famous for Victoria Falls, this country is a world-class safari destination in its own right. I HIGHLY recommend splitting your time between the Zambezi National Park/Victoria Falls area and Matusadona National Park.
How much is game drive in Kariba?
Most people have sticker shock when they see the cost of a safari. Safaris are expensive, but you get what you pay for, so don’t skimp.
Remember that safari accommodations are usually all-inclusive, where all your food, lodging, alcohol, game drives, transfers, and other activities are included. So the only additional costs would be your flights and tips.
I recommend opting for all-inclusive options, unless you’re road tripping. If you’re staying at a different accommodation every couple of nights and/or hiring a driver or guide, the all-inclusive rate might not be the best choice.
As a general rule of thumb, you should plan on spending a minimum of $1,000 per night per person at an all-inclusive resort. You can find cheaper options, but this is a red flag for your experience, the service you’ll receive, and how the lodge treats wildlife and locals.
If you need to reduce your safari costs, take a shorter trip. A three-day safari at a lodge of your dreams will be a better trip than a week-long safari at an accommodation you have to settle for.
Browse my ultimate guide to budgeting for a safari to break down the financial details of your trip!
How many safaris are in Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe has a safari lodge for every budget and preference!
Your safari accommodation will set the tone for your entire trip. Unlike hotels where you come and go, your lodge will be where you spend most of your time. And in most cases, your safari lodge will also provide the game drives and any other activities you want to do.
For better or worse, your safari lodge will likely be the only place you interact with on your trip. So before you commit, do your due diligence.
Ask yourself these questions to determine what type of safari lodge is for you:
-What kind of room do you want to sleep in? Bush tent, private bungalow, glamping tent, treehouse, or something else? There is a safari accommodation for every preference!
-What amenities do you want your lodge to have? Wifi, shared pool, private pool, multiple restaurants, adults-only, etc.?
-Do you want to do more activities than just game drives? Every lodge will have game drives, but if you want to do bush walks, riding safaris, visit local villages, or other activities, you’ll need to confirm that a lodge offers these options.
-Is a safari lodge you’re considering an ethical accommodation? Safaris are centered around safely and responsibly entering animals’ habitats without adversely affecting the wildlife. Sadly, too many companies prioritize profit over environmental welfare. So do your due diligence in researching a safari camp’s policies on interacting with wildlife, their habits, and local populations.
My guide for choosing the right safari camp will take you step-by-step through selecting the best accommodation for your safari.
Which is the best month to visit Zimbabwe?
June – September are the driest months of the year and the peak travel season because wildlife is easy to find around water holes. These months have the highest prices and crowds, so book your lodge and tours as far in advance as possible. Daytime temperatures average in the 60s and 70s (remember, it’s winter here), and nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing, so bring layers.
May, June, and October are the shoulder months. The rains will have stopped (or won’t have started yet), the landscape will be lush, and wildlife will be easily visible at waterholes (though not as high a concentration as in July – September). Travel costs will be less during these months, and the safari lodges and destinations won’t be overrun with tourists. Daytime temperatures range from the 60s to 80s, while nighttime temperatures can come close to freezing, so bring layers for the mornings and evenings.
November-March are the rainy and off-season months. It will be wet and humid, and wildlife will be hard to find because they won’t need to gather at watering holes. You can score some great accommodation deals during these months, though, and it can feel like you have the entire country to yourself.
April – July are the best months to visit Victoria Falls because its water level will be at its highest.
What are the big 7 safari?
A “Big 5” safari is where you see (at least one) lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo. A “Big 7” safari can only be done in South Africa because it includes seeing Southern Right whales and Great White sharks.
What is the best safari in the world?
The Best Safari Destinations in Africa:
1. South Africa
2. Botswana
3. Kenya
4. Tanzania
5. Zambia
6. Zimbabwe
7. Namibia
8. Rwanda
9. Uganda
10. Mozambique
Pro Tip: go on safari in the dry season when wildlife is easier to find around water holes.
What are the Top 5 for safari?
The Best Safari Destinations in Africa:
1. South Africa
2. Botswana
3. Kenya
4. Tanzania
5. Zambia
6. Zimbabwe
7. Namibia
8. Rwanda
9. Uganda
10. Mozambique
Pro Tip: go on safari in the dry season when wildlife is easier to find around water holes.
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This article about the best Zimbabwe luxury safari lodges is not a sponsored post, and the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Some of the links in this post about the best Zimbabwe luxury safari lodges are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this post about the best Zimbabwe luxury safari lodges.
