6 National parks to visit in Zimbabwe
It’s no secret that Zimbabwe is one of the most beautiful places in the world, especially after Forbes ranked the country the world’s best place to visit in 2025.
If Zimbabwe is on your bucket list, we’ve interviewed South African content creator, Jordy Johnson of We the Wests, to share the best places to visit. Here are the national parks you are going to want to visit while you’re there.
Hwange National Park
Young male lion.
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As Zimbabwe’s oldest and largest national park, Hwange borders Botswana’s Kalahari Desert. It also forms part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area that comprises protected areas in Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, and Botswana.
Hwange is well known for its large male lions and huge herds of elephant and buffalo. It has one of the largest populations of wild dogs in Africa, as well as wildlife such as leopards, cheetahs, roan and sable antelope, aardvarks, and aardwolves.
With large numbers of wildlife that thrive in the park, Hwange is a popular safari destination in Africa.
Mana Pools National Park
Elephant Family Crossing the Zambezi River.
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Mana Pools National Park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, covering 22,000km2 of pristine wilderness. The park is situated on the country’s northern border between the Zambezi escarpment and the iconic Zambezi River.
If you’ve seen photos of elephants balancing on their hind legs, reaching into the trees, they were probably taken in Mana Pools. The large Faidherbia Albida trees, or Ana trees, are a firm favorite among the bull elephants. They can be seen reaching into the trees for the delicious seedpods.
Other than elephants, the park supports large herds of buffalo, waterbuck, zebra, and eland, as well as predators such as leopards, lions, cheetahs, and wild dogs.
Gonarezhou National Park
On the edges of the herd, a Blue Wildebeest bull stands watchful for predators.
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Zimbabwe’s second-largest national park and another big bucket-list destination is Gonarezhou National Park.
The word Gonarezhou means “the place of the elephant,” and the park is home to over 11,500 elephants.
While the wildlife is reason enough to visit, the landscapes completely steal the show.
The famous Chilojo Cliffs comprise a 13-kilometer sandstone ridge that overlooks the Runde River floodplain. They are the most photographed feature in the national park, and when you see them, you’ll understand why.
Kazuma Pan National Park
Kazuma Pan National Park.
(Christopher Scott via Getty Images)
Kazuma Pan National Park is an important wildlife corridor that allows animals to migrate between Hwange National Park and Botswana’s Chobe National Park.
The park has a diverse range of wildlife that congregates around the water pans, especially in the dry season. Guests to Kazuma have the chance to see buffalo, elephants, eland, sable, and predators such as leopards, lions, and hyenas.
Birders love the park for its array of bird life, including raptors, secretary birds, and kori bustards.
Victoria Falls National Park
The lush vegetation surrounding the Zambezi River as it plunges through Victoria Falls.
(SHANE P WHITE via Getty Images)
If you’re going to be in Zimbabwe, you had better add Victoria Falls to your itinerary.
This UNESCO Site is the world’s greatest sheet of falling water, and the mist from the falls can be seen over 20 kilometers away.
This 2-kilometer waterfall can be experienced from both Zimbabwe and Zambia, and is one of the most breathtaking phenomena you will ever see.
Pack a rain jacket, though, as you get drenched in the water spray as you walk along the length of the waterfall.
Chimanimani National Park
Scenic view of landscape at sunset, Chimanimani, Manicaland, Zimbabwe.
(Christopher Scott via Getty Images)
Away from the wildlife, Chimanimani National Park is considered Zimbabwe’s least-known park.
The Chimanimani Mountain range is composed of ancient crystalline rock formations that form the border between Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
This area is perfect for adventure seekers who love rock climbing, hiking, birding, and camping in caves.
The natural pools and waterfalls are ideal for cooling off between activities, and the scenery makes the visit completely worth it.
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