ARTICLE
First Time in Zimbabwe? Here’s Why I’ve Been Going Back for 33 Years
Some places you visit just once, but Zimbabwe draws you back again and again, and the proof is in the pudding.For our Africa specialist Kirsty, it was the very first country she travelled to in Africa over thirty years ago. Since then, she has been back so many times, and to put it simply, it’s because she just absolutely loves it.She knows the guides by name, she's watched Victoria Falls in full flood, and at its quietest, she's sat beside campfires listening to birdsong with a coffee in hand before dawn game drives, she has travelled aboard the Elephant Express as lions crossed the railway tracks ahead, and seen the country evolve while never losing the excitement and warmth that made her fall in love with it in the first place. We asked Kirsty, “But why do you keep going back?”, and she paused for a second…It was obvious she wasn’t searching for an answer. Quite the opposite! Zimbabwe simply means so much to her that it’s hard to know where to start. You can see it in her face when she talks about it – I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone love a country quite so much. "The people are wonderful, the wildlife is incredible, the scenery is amazing, and the guiding is some of the best you'll find anywhere", she says. If you’re thinking about your first trip to Zimbabwe, here are Kirsty’s thoughts after her most recent research trip this June.
Rhino grazing, taken by HA expert Kirsty, 2026
People often ask me why I recommend Zimbabwe so enthusiastically. Partly, it's because it was the first African country I ever visited, and there's, of course, something special about returning to a place that first made you fall in love with a continent.Even after all these years, Zimbabwe still feels wonderfully authentic. Compared with some of Africa's better-known safari destinations, it’s still slightly under the radar. That means fewer vehicles, quieter camps and a much more personal feel. It's somewhere you can spend hours on safari without feeling like you're sharing the experience with dozens of other people.
HA expert Kirsty on a game drive, 2026.
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One thing that really struck me on this latest trip was Victoria Falls. Not the Falls themselves, I already knew how spectacular they are, but the town around them.There's been plenty of development over the years, yet it still feels welcoming rather than overdone. New restaurants, cafés and places to stay have given the area a real energy, while the Falls remain exactly as awe-inspiring as ever. It’s now somewhere you might want to spend a few days, rather than just passing through on the way to see the Falls.
Victoria Falls landscape, taken by HA expert Kirsty, 2026.
Absolutely, every single time. People often assume you need to visit when the water levels are at their highest, but I'd happily visit in any season. In fact, when the water is lower, you get to see something completely different.Instead of seeing only the immense spray, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, "The Smoke That Thunders", you get to appreciate the sheer scale of the cliffs and the depth of the gorge carved by the Zambezi over thousands of years. It's a completely different experience, and one that's every bit as amazing. The only thing photographs can never prepare you for is the atmosphere, the sound, the space, the feeling of standing beside something so immense that it almost doesn't seem real. No photograph has ever quite managed to capture that.
Victoria Falls, taken by HA expert Kirsty, 2026.
If you can, I'd always recommend at least three nights. Two nights gives you enough time to see the Falls themselves, but staying a little longer lets you enjoy everything else the area has to offer.You can take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi, visit local markets, enjoy exceptional restaurants, or simply spend an afternoon doing absolutely nothing.One of my favourite times to visit the Falls is late afternoon, just before sunset. The light becomes softer, and the crowds start to head off; you get a bit more of a quieter/peaceful view of the waters, and the whole landscape is just… wow.
HA expert Kirsty at Victoria Falls, 2026.
When I think about my time on safari in Zimbabwe, there’s the bird song, the crackle of a campfire, the smell of woodsmoke hanging in the cool morning air, and the distant calls of animals before sunrise. Some of my happiest memories are very simple: sitting beside the fire before dawn with a coffee in hand, wrapped in a blanket while waiting, all giddy for the game drive to begin.
Local safari guide, taken by HA expert Kirsty on a game drive, 2026.
On her most recent visit, Kirsty visited Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest natural reserve. Zimbabwe is home to 11 national parks, each with its own unique character and some of Africa's most rewarding safari experiences. Hwange is the largest and a real wildlife haven, sheltering around 100 mammal species and nearly 400 bird species. You'll find huge herds of elephants here, along with lion, leopard, buffalo and the rare wild dog. Mana Pools is a favourite for its wildlife gatherings along the Zambezi and its lush floodplains. At the same time, Gonarezhou, the second-largest park, is a true wilderness with over 5,000 square kilometres of untamed landscapes to discover. Each park has its own magic, which is exactly why Zimbabwe is such a dream for anyone who loves wildlife.
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After decades of travelling to Zimbabwe, I’m lucky to have countless wildlife memories that stick in my mind.One that still makes me smile is watching around twenty lions calmly cross the railway tracks ahead of the Elephant Express. Everything stopped while they wandered past, completely unbothered by our presence.
Lioness on the train tracks in Hwange National Park, taken by HA expert Kirsty, 2026
Another unforgettable experience was walking with rhinos as part of a Hwange rhino conservation initiative. Being on foot was fantastic because you notice every sound and every movement. It was an incredibly humbling experience.
HA expert Kirsty walking with the rhinos at Imvelo Camelthorn, 2026
And then there are the elephants! One of my favourite times on this latest trip was when they decided to join us for breakfast. Gosh, it was absolutely breathtaking; I will never be able to put that feeling into words; it was magnificent. We got the most incredible video of the moment; it really was one I’ll never forget.
Elephant and her baby drinking water, taken by HA expert Kirsty, 2026
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One of the great things about Zimbabwe is the variety. There are beautifully simple camps where open-air bucket showers connect you to the surrounding bush, alongside luxurious lodges that somehow still blend in with the surroundings.Every property feels different, but all share one thing in common: incredibly warm hospitality.One of my favourite places from this trip was the treehouses at Bomani Tented Lodge (Tum Tum), where waking to views of elephants from my room felt completely surreal.
Kirsty's bucket shower, 2026.
This is a question I get asked often, and my answer is always the same. Yes.I have always felt incredibly welcome travelling in Zimbabwe. The people are genuinely kind, friendly and proud of their country.In fact, I think many people's perception of Zimbabwe is still shaped by headlines from twenty or thirty years ago. The reality today is very different.It's warm, welcoming and full of people who are delighted to share their country with visitors.
Kirsty's local Zimbabwe guides, 2026.
Honestly? Almost everyone.Couples, friends, solo travellers, families with older children - I’d say it’s probably best suited to children around seven years old. I have been with my family a few times, and it is the most wonderful thing to watch them experience it.Basically anyone with a love of wildlife, beautiful scenery and extraordinary guiding will love it here.A Zimbabwe holiday also combines brilliantly with visits to neighbouring countries such as Botswana, Zambia and South Africa if you're hoping to create a longer African journey.
Kirsty and her friends, 2026
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If you ask me, I'd simply say to go sooner rather than later. The reason being, Zimbabwe has remained one of Africa's quieter safari destinations for many years, but I have noticed that's slowly beginning to change.People are rediscovering just how special it is, and honestly? I think that's exactly what it deserves.If I could leave you with one piece of advice, it would simply be this:Book it before everyone else realises what they've been missing.
Butterfly landing on Kirsty's wrist, 2026
Zimbabwe is a fantastic place to visit at any time of year, with each season bringing its own highlights. The dry season, from May to October, is a favourite for safari, as animals gather around waterholes and the thinner vegetation makes wildlife spotting that bit easier. If seeing Victoria Falls in full flow is on your wish list, the Falls are usually at their most powerful between February and May, just after the rains. Later in the year, when the water levels drop, you’ll get much clearer views of the dramatic gorge, and it’s easier to take in the sheer scale of the Falls without the heavy spray. The best time to visit really depends on what you want to experience, and we’ll help you pick the perfect time for your holiday.
Visit Zimbabwe before everybody realises how amazing it is
Once you go, expect to have the Zimbabwe itch forever. Speak to Kirsty today to chat about all things Zimbabwe.
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