Africa is an extraordinary country, the cradle of humanity, a reservoir of natural wonders and a melting pot of cultures. Nature lovers cannot wish for a better place than Zimbabwe to satisfy their curiosity: here, a qualified guide can make you discover a world behind every pebble as well as bring you close to the most iconographic animals on the planet, as well among the local people for an unforgettable cultural experience. Photography enthusiasts never stop shooting pictures and those who love history will find it in every corner, as tangible as a granite rock. But nothing should be taken for granted: the bush gives emotions to those who deserve them, waiting patiently. We are not in a zoo and you cannot book the sighting of an animal “on the menu”; even the most crowded pool of water can remain deserted for our entire stay, just as the least likely place can give us an extraordinary encounter with the rarest of animals. Zimbabwe is a melting pot of different environments and landscapes and day after day you will be amazed by the variety of landscapes, vegetation and wildlife that every day will add surprises and wonders to your journey. The slogan of our Zimbabwe Tourism Authority is “Zimbabwe, a world of wonders” and you will discover how truthful it is. Therefore, open your mind and follow your guide not only in the tracks of the leopard, but also as he leads you through the structure of a rock, among the linphatic system of a tree or among the constellations of the night sky, because the little things will help you understand the immense nature’s world.

Zimbabwe has a good tarred road network and a network of dust roads and paths. To get in the natural areas it is almost always necessary to drive along 4×4 tracks and those who do not like to get dirty with the dust, could experience a little discomfort in getting in the wilderness, but this discomfort will be blown away by the beauty of the wild nature that will find there.

In general, Zimbabwe is characterized by a tropical climate, typical of southern Africa, and has two main seasons, the dry one and the rainy one. The dry season ranges from April to October: the sky is mostly clear with little rainfall, dry weather and mild temperatures during the day and colder at night. The country is largely occupied by the Great Dyke plateau (where, for example, Harare, the Midlans and Marondera are located), whose altitude reaches 1500 m.s.l.m. In the winter months, particularly in June and July, the minimum temperatures can drop even up to 3 or 4 degrees Celsius, but the clear weather during the day, still allows confortable temperatures around 20 – 22 degrees Celsius. In this season, nature is drier and, in August and September, most of the vegetation is dry. The sighting of the fauna is exceptionally easy because of the scarce vegetation cover and the low availability of water forces animals to concentrate around the few remaining seasonal waterholes or along the rivers. The areas around cities of Gweru and Bulawayo can be particularly cold in winter. The Eastern Highlands, due to the altitude (which can reach 2600 m) are very cold during the winter and sometimes, at night, the temperature can drop just below freezing. The Zambezi Valley and the Lowveld, on the other hand, are located at low altitude and temperatures are very hot during the mid summer months and mild during the winter. The rainy season ranges from November to March and is characterized by stormy rainfall and, in the months of January, February and March, by persistent rains and overcast sky. This does not mean that there are no beautiful sunny days. The humidity reach its maximum peak between December and February and the temperatures are high. In this period, sighting large mammals is less easy due to the dense vegetation and the abundance of water all over the bush, that disperses the fauna; but the opportunities to spot animals are still very high. The landscape is deep emerald green and colorful flowers bloom everywhere. Many male birds develop extraordinary colorful plumages and the colors of the sorrounding environment become so bright to stunn you. It is the birth season for many herbivores and it is not uncommon to spot cute calves, fawns and puppies. In this season, some routes may not be practicable and certain destinations may become unreachable. However, climate changes has affected Zimbabwe and southern Africa as well, and in recent years we have experienced a unusually longer dry season. On the one hand, this allows the safari season to extends until the end of December, with little rain; but on the other hand it hardly affects wildlife and environment.

Clothes should preferably be of natural or neutral colors (olive green, khaki, gray, brown) to blend in better with the natural environment and cause less disturbance to the animals, avoiding to stand out against the background. Pockets are always very useful and resistant fabrics are preferred. Avoid white colour.

From April to October
DAY: light and comfortable clothes such as t-shirts, short-sleeved shirts, shorts. A hat and sunscreen are essential to protect yourself from the strong African sun; sunglasses are also very useful. Comfortable and light shoes or sandals during transfers and in town; a pair of light boots for trekking and walking safaris. EVENING: long sleeved clothes such as long trousers, long-sleeved shirts; a jersey, a heavy jacket and a wool cap will make the evening cold more bearable. A windproof jacket will be useful during windy days, night excursions, open vehicles and trekking. Boots and wool socks will keep your feet safe and warm.

From November to March
DAY: light and comfortable clothes such as t-shirts, short-sleeved shirts, short shorts. A hat and sunscreen are essential to protect yourself from the intense African sun; sunglasses are also very useful. Don’t forget a waterproof jacket and a few more spare clothes so as not to be caught unprepared by the rain. Comfortable and light shoes or sandals are indicated during transfers and city life, whilst a pair of waterproof boots are ideal for trekking and walking safaris.
EVENING: long sleeved clothes such as long trousers, long-sleeved shirts to protect against mosquitoes; a sweatshirt and a windproof jacket will be useful during evening or night excursions, night excursions, open vehicles, trekking and storms.

Tents, mattresses, blankets, pillows, bed-sheets, pillow cases, towels, water bottles, lamps for the tent. In time of COVID-19 we provide a personal prevention kit consisting of face masks, hand sanitizer, disposable gloves.

Sleeping bag, shower slip-slops, personal hygiene kit, sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, torch (no head-torch). Belt, sunglasses, binoc, camera or video-camera.

To enter Zimbabwe, a passport valid for at least 6 months and with at least 3 free pages is required. We will send you the Immigration Form in good time, to be filled following our guide-lines and to be presented at the arrival airport, at Immigration desks, together with the passport. The entry visa to Zimbabwe is obtained upon arrival at the international airport of destination, at the immigration desks, and costs US$ 30 for single entry and US$ 45 for double entry (the latter recommended in case of excursion outside the country – e.g. to Botswana).

Antimalarial prophylaxis is recommended in all areas where malaria is present or even endemic, especially during the rainy season. The type of drug must be guided by the general practitioner and / or by the doctor of the competent Health Authority. Vaccinations against: hepatitis A and B, typhus, rabies, tetanus, cholera are useful. Yellow fever vaccination is not required to entry Zimbabwe.

Malaria is a disease transmitted by parasitic protozoa of the genus Plasmodium and is widespread in Africa, Asia and South America. The vector of this parasite is a mosquito of the genus Anopheles, an insect responsible for the transmission of more than one disease. The first stages of life of the mosquito (egg, larva and pupa) preferably occur in fresh and still water, while the adult stage occurs in a subaerial environment, with mainly crepuscular and / or nocturnal habits. The adult is similar to many other species of mosquitoes which feed mainly on nectar. The Anophele female, however, needs to integrate its diet with extra proteins during the development of the eggs, and it founds it in blood of vertebrates (usually mammals) that sucks thanks to the modified sucking apparatus, which, unlike that of the male, is also able to sting. The female of Anopheles, attracted by carbon dioxide and sebaceous secretion (produced by the epithelial glands of mammals) lands on the skin and pierces a capillary. It then injects saliva containing an anticloths substance to suck out the required amount of blood. It is at this stage that Plasmodium, present in the mosquito’s saliva, can be transmitted into the host’s body. Although malaria is a plague in many regions of Africa, which (especially the one caused by Plasmodium falciparum) is responsible of a large number of victims every year, to get it is not as easy and people thinks, riding an excessive fears. To transmit the disease, in fact, the Anophele mosquito must have previously stung an infected subject and the parasite must have settled in the salivary glands of the insect (which occurs only in the genus Anophele, while in other mosquitoes the parasite is digested together with the blood). In order for transmission to take place, it is necessary to be close to an inhabited center, where the presence of infected human beigs is likely. In fact, the mosquito does not fly more than three or four kilometers away, therefore, if you are reasonably distant from an inhabited center and there are no infected people nearby, the probability of contagion is nil. The Anopheles mosquito is not active during the day, so long-sleeved outfit and insect repellent during twilight hours and at night, together with the correct use of the mosquito net at night, further protect against the contagious. In regions far from rivers, lakes and waterholes, in desert areas or at higher altitudes, the Anopheles mosquito is much less present or even absent. For proper prevention, however, it is always necessary to consult your doctor and the Hygiene Office in charge beyond any advice from unqualified people.