Honeymoon Ideas and Reviews for Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is best known for its huge population of elephants, and for its spectacular waterfalls on the northern border with Zambia, Victoria Falls.

English is widely spoken in Zimbabwe, their currency is US dollars and there is an incredibly low crime rate.

From the wilderness of Mana Pools National Park, to the Great Zimbabwe Mountains overlooking Mozambique, to fine dining in the capital city of Harare, or even bungee jumping into Victoria Falls, there will be something for every couple.

The most rainfall occurs during rainy season from November to March, and as Zimbabwe moves into April and May, the weather clears and the landscapes are fresh, green and luscious. With clear skies comes cooler nights, and June, July and August bring warmer days and even colder nights, as Zimbabwe moves into its peak season.

In September and October, day time temperatures soar up to 40 degrees and sightings of game dramatically increase as landscapes become bare and barren and the animals all congregate around the remaining waterholes.

From late October the weather is unpredictable, either turning to an early wet season or remaining hot and dry. Be warned; as soon as the rains come the animals move to more remote areas and it becomes hard to see game.

According to locals, the pick of the Zimbabwe National Parks is Manapools which has the advantage of the Zambezi river and Zambezi Escarpment for a picturesque setting, with all the wildlife concentrated along the river.Expect to see large herds of zebra, wilder beast, impala, elephants and eland.

Getting to Manapools: Driving via Zambia it is a 6 hour drive or there are regular flights from Victoria Falls to Manapools, however, if you have time to take the picturesque route, drive to Kariba and take an overnight ferry across the lake, continuing the drive on the other side of the lake to Manapools.

However, for ease of transport and minimal innoculations, most people chose Hwange National Park, just an hour south of Victoria Falls.

1. Spend a night in Victoria Falls Hotel, the huge, classic, colonial hotel close to the Zambezi. Take a tour of the waterfalls; it takes a couple of hours on an easy walking trail, and at full moon there is the option of going in the evening.
2. A three hour drive south, most of it through a game park, takes you to Camp Hwange in Hwange National Park for 3 nights of game viewing. Read our full review.
3. For a few days of luxury, consider a couple of nights at Hwange's best known luxury camp, The Hide.
4. Returning closer to Victoria Falls, on the Zimbabwe / Botswana border, spend a night or two relaxing by the Zambezi river, enjoying river and land safaris at The Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge. Read our full review.
5. If you have time to extend your trip, consider a few days in the huge Chobe National Park in neighbouring Botswana.
6. Return to Victoria Falls for elephant riding and a night of utter luxury at The Elephant Camp. Read our full review. From your base there you can enjoy a day of activities ranging from white water rafting to helicopter tours, from around $130 per person.