A brief guide to National Parks of Zimbabwe

Written by Beth

Zimbabwe is roughly 1.6 times bigger than the United Kingdom, and slightly larger than the state of Montana, USA. Does it surprise you to hear that it has 11 National Parks? This article gives you a brief guide to each of Zimbabwe’s National Parks.

27% of Zimbabwe’s land is protected, which means that natural beauty is never far away. The National Parks in Zimbabwe were created as conservation areas to protect wildlife, ecosystems and natural beauty: there are hundreds of species of birds and animals in all of them. The parks are mostly unfenced, which means that the animals roam freely.

In addition to National Parks, there are other types of protected areas in Zimbabwe. More about these areas are at the bottom of the page, but for now I’ll focus on the National Parks themselves: places set aside for tourism and conservation.

Here are Zimbabwe’s 11 National Parks (and a quick reason to visit each)

Mana Pools

• Go here for a ‘pure’ safari, away from tar roads and the crowds. See elephant, lion and painted dog on floodplains near the Zambezi River.
• Read one of my blog posts about camping in Mana Pools here.

Matusadona

• Go here to see elephant, crocodile and hippo against dramatic backdrops of petrified trees in vast Lake Kariba, and the Matusadona Mountains beyond.
• Read one of my blog posts about a boat safari in Matusadona here.

Chizarira

• Go here for a remote break to see elephant and buffalo among thick woodlands and deep escarpments.

Victoria Falls

• Go here to see the thundering, jaw-dropping Victoria Falls waterfall.
• Read more about seeing Victoria Falls here.

Zambezi

• Go here to spot lion and elephant close to the town of Victoria Falls, against the backdrop of the Zambezi River.

Kazuma Pan

• Go here for wild camping in lion territory.

Hwange

• Go here to see enormous herds of elephant roaming freely amidst a plethora of other wildlife.

Matobo

• Go here to hike up huge rock-mountains, see ancient cave paintings and to spot rhino.
• Check out some of my photos of Matobo here.

Gonarezhou

• Go here to see elephants walking against the backdrop of the red Chilojo cliffs.

Chimanimani

• Go here to hike in lush green Afro-montane forests.

Nyanga

• Go here for a break to the highlands of Zimbabwe: cosy cottages with wood fires and mountainous forest walks.

The National Parks are managed by Zimbabwe Parks And Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), and there’s a reception office in each of the parks, as well as a head office in Harare. Private safari operators have lodges in the parks, and there are also ZimParks self-catering options for self-drivers.

How do I book for the National Parks?

• You don’t need to book just to enter a park. If self-driving, just go to the reception office and pay the entry fees. If travelling with a tour operator, they will advise you on entry fees and will help with payment on the day.
• However, if you want to stay overnight (or a few nights) in a park, it’s best to book ahead. Book directly with your tour operator or private accommodation. To stay in the ZimParks self-catering accommodation, email bookings@zimparks.org.zw.
• If you’d prefer to have outside help putting all the pieces of your holiday together, I’d recommend an owner-run local travel agency in Zimbabwe. Just Contact me if you’d like me to recommend a specific company for you to use.

Other types of protected areas in Zimbabwe

In addition to National Parks, other types of protected areas are: Safari Areas, State Forests, Conservancies, Recreational Parks, Sanctuaries, Wilderness Areas, and Wildlife Management Areas. Here’s a table showing the land coverage and purposes of these. There are also Botanical Gardens and Botanical Reserves but these aren’t included in the official coverage data.

Map of protected area in Zimbabwe

That’s it for this brief guide to National Parks of Zimbabwe – let me know if you have any questions in the comments!

What to pack for Zimbabwe

I’ve dedicated a whole article to items you might need in Zimbabwe and southern Africa – see What to pack for a Zimbabwe holiday.

Or, buy the Ultimate Trip Planning Kit where you can download the packing checklist along with a whole bunch of customisable planning templates.

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This kit is the essential digital bundle for anyone who wants to stop being overwhelmed by logistics and start getting excited about the adventure. It replaces messy notes and endless tabs with organised, proven templates.

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Great Zimbabwe Guide gives travel tips, information and inspiration about Zimbabwe, Africa. We share stories of Zimbabwe’s talented people, world-class wilderness & wildlife safari experiences, all wrapped up in an unmatched climate.

Do you have a question about visiting Zimbabwe? Start with the Quick-reference list of travel advice. 

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