Zimbabwe Safari — Cricket World Cup 2027
Hwange's extraordinary elephant herds, Mana Pools' legendary walking safaris and the thundering spectacle of Victoria Falls — classic Africa at its most authentic.
Safari in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has a strong professional guide tradition. The country's Professional Hunters and Guides Association (PHGA) training programme is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous in Africa, producing guides of exceptional knowledge and skill. Walking safaris remain a defining feature of Zimbabwe's top camps, particularly at Mana Pools.
The country suffered significant economic disruption from 2000 to 2009, during which tourism infrastructure declined and wildlife populations in some areas were reduced by poaching. Since 2010, a substantial recovery has taken place, with Zimbabwe's national parks now back to high quality and many private lodges rebuilt or newly constructed to international luxury standards.
For Cricket World Cup 2027 visitors, Zimbabwe is a compelling destination. The ICC tournament will include matches at Harare Sports Club (Harare) and Queens Sports Club (Bulawayo) — two of cricket's most historically significant grounds. Both cities provide access to world-class safari experiences.
October and November represent Zimbabwe's finest game viewing period. The dry season has reached its end, vegetation is at its most sparse, and wildlife is concentrated around permanent water sources. Mana Pools opens each year in April and closes in November — meaning the final weeks of the tournament coincide with the park's last operating period of the season.
Zimbabwe's Premier Safari Destinations
Hwange National Park
Zimbabwe's largest national park covers 14,651 km² of Kalahari sandveld and mopane woodland in the northwest corner of the country. Established in 1929, Hwange is best known for its extraordinary elephant population — estimated at 45,000 to 50,000 animals, one of the largest concentrations in Africa. The park also supports over 100 mammal species and 400 bird species. Unlike the flood-fed ecosystems of the Okavango or Zambezi, Hwange is entirely dependent on pumped waterholes for dry-season game viewing — a system managed by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority since the 1960s.
Mana Pools National Park
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, Mana Pools is widely regarded by professional guides as Zimbabwe's finest safari destination and one of the best in Africa. The park occupies the flood plain of the Zambezi River on Zimbabwe's northern border with Zambia, characterised by vast open grassy plains studded with enormous albida (winter thorn) trees. During the dry season, the pools — remnants of old Zambezi channels — attract extraordinary concentrations of elephant, buffalo, hippo and predators. Mana Pools is globally renowned for walking safaris, with habituated wildlife that allows remarkably close approach on foot.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls — known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, "The Smoke That Thunders" — is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and the world's largest waterfall by combined width and height. The falls are 1,708 metres wide and 108 metres at their highest point. The Zambezi River plunges into a narrow chasm creating a spray visible from 50 km away. During peak flood (February–April), over 500 million litres per minute flow over the falls. The surrounding rainforest, created entirely by the falls' spray, contains exceptional birdlife. Victoria Falls town offers a complete activity base — helicopter flights, white-water rafting, bungee jumping, sunset cruises and safari day trips into Chobe National Park (Botswana).
Safari from the Tournament Cities
From Harare
Harare is Zimbabwe's capital and primary international hub. Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport receives direct flights from Johannesburg (1.5 hours), Nairobi (3 hours) and Addis Ababa (3 hours). From Harare, Mana Pools is approximately 5 hours drive to the northwest. Domestic flights to Victoria Falls take approximately 1 hour. Hwange National Park is 5-6 hours by road or accessible by domestic flight via Hwange Airport (approximately 2 hours flying time with connection).
From Bulawayo
Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second city, located in Matabeleland in the southwest. Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport operates flights from Johannesburg and Harare. Hwange National Park is the closest major safari destination — approximately 1 hour from Bulawayo via the A8. Victoria Falls is 3-4 hours northwest via the A8. The Matobo Hills National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing ancient San rock paintings and the grave of Cecil Rhodes, is 45 minutes south of Bulawayo.
Plan Your Zimbabwe Safari
Browse guided Zimbabwe wildlife experiences including Victoria Falls tours, Hwange game drives and Zambezi sunset cruises.