The 8 Best Wildlife Encounters in Zimbabwe

1.Matobo Rhino Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · from $120Our pick

Start at 1:00 pm with hotel pickup and a small group of up to eight. With local guides such as Blessing and Bongani, you’ll track white rhinos, read footprints and dung, identify useful plants, meet park rangers, visit ancient cave paintings, and finish with a barbecue lunch, snacks, and sundowners.

“Pick up was on time and the drive to Matobo NP took some 30 min. Straight away we saw two rhinos in the park and approached them, taking photos and video clips for my YouTube channel. We spent around 25 min with the rhinos and leRead more”

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2.Lion & Wildlife Sanctuary Excursion Victoria Falls

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 31 reviews · from $120

Meet lions from a secure safari vehicle, walk near curious hyenas, watch an eye-level lion feeding, and hear the stories of rescued animals. Guides such as Liki lead the experience, with ostrich feeding, refreshments, pickup, and a maximum of 24 people. The hyena walk may have a 15-year age limit, so confirm before booking.

“Awesome!!! Watay beyond my expectations. The ostriches were a great surprise. I got to feed the ostriches. So special!!!”

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3.Matobo Hills Day Trip with Rhino Tracking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · 8 hours · from $140

Join guide Blessing in a white open safari truck for an 8-hour Matobo Hills outing from Bulawayo. You’ll track rhinos on foot, visit Bushmen paintings, see balancing rocks and Cecil Rhodes’ grave, then enjoy lunch at a local lodge. Expect walking, wildlife viewing, history, and changing weather.

“Amazing day, highly recommend it to everyone! Must so if you're in Bulawayo, and in my opinion, even in Zimbabwe. The guide Blessing is extremely knowledgeable, and can answer every question. He makes sure you have an excellent day.”

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4.Baobab-Sunrise-Sunset-Vulture-Moonlight Safaris, 4 Options

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $80

Savannah Adventures Safaris takes you by open safari jeep from Victoria Falls into town and nearby bush. You’ll see landmarks, baobabs, the Zambezi gorge, local markets, and wildlife habitat. Choose a sunrise, sunset, vulture, or moonlight departure. The small group holds up to 10 people, with pickup, refreshments, and a return to the meeting point.

“We did not go to see the vultures, and the safaris was a drive around town in the dark. I could of done that myself. I had booked other tours with this company due to disorganization they didn't happen. How to ruin a hoilday. They driver was friendly the fault was mismanagement”

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5.Moments with Elephants

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · from $180

Start with pickup at 7:30 am and join a small group of up to 15 people. Expert carers, including Israel, introduce you to individual elephants, explain their abilities, and allow close contact, feeding, and gentle touch before you watch the herd play, bathe, and roll in mud.

“Amazing experience! The driver was on time! The staff was very knowledgeable and it was clear they were passionate about helping elephants and making the world a better place!!!!! Israel was so informative and kind!”

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6.The Cheetah Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $180

Meet your guide for hotel pickup, drive through Zambezi National Park, then walk beside cheetahs in a conservation area. You can learn about their behavior, habitat, and survival challenges, with time for close interaction and petting. The experience lasts about three hours, takes up to 15 people, and includes a mobile ticket.

“My husband and I were utterly thrilled by this once in a lifetime experience. To walk with and pet these marvellous animals was a real privilege and some ear tickling brought on the loudest of purrs. I even had them drinking water out of my cupped hand. Just amazing. One of the best activities ever.”

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7.Vulture Safari and Bush Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $78Best value

Ride through Victoria Falls with an English-speaking Savannah guide, stopping at historic landmarks, the Zambezi gorge, a baobab tree, and a vulture-feeding hide. After a short walk, watch hooded and white-backed vultures rush in for a fast, noisy meal. Hotel pickup, water, and beer are listed as included.

“Uns hat die Geier Safari mit Bush Walk so gefallen, dass wir sie nochmal gebucht haben. Tolle tour, sehr interessant und das Safarifeeling in Victoria Falls ist einfach atemberaubend. Danke ans Team von Savannah, werden euch guten Gewissens weiterempfehlen.”

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8.Elecrew Through The Eyes Of An Elephant

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $148

Travel from Victoria Falls to Jafuta Lodge for a two-hour elephant experience with EleCREW. You’ll join a safety briefing, meet an ambassador herd, learn how elephants sense and communicate, and hear how conservation projects help rural communities. Refreshments and transfers are included.

“one of the most meaningful things I’ve done. This nonprofit is doing critical work rescuing elephants at risk from culling and drought with 9 in total, and it shows in how thoughtfully everything is run. The guides were informative, the environment felt calm and respectful, and the focus stayed on the elephants (not entertainment). I came out knowing so much about them and it’s amazing to get up close with them. Highly recommend if you want an ethical, heart-full experience.”

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