The wonders of western Zimbabwe

One of the oldest national parks in Africa and Zimbabwe’s largest, Hwange has a curiously sparse landscape but its trump card is the water-logged pans that attract wildlife from all around.

Game drives are top of the list here. They allow you to cover the most ground, spotting massive herds of elephant (one of the largest populations on the continent), elusive African painted dog and around 100 other mammals. You’ll either leave in the early morning to catch stragglers returning from their exploits, late afternoon, or after sunset when the big cats are on the hunt, and nocturnal animals like bushbabies, mongoose and, if luck is on your side, the endangered pangolin come out.

For a lesson in the subtle clues left behind by Hwange’s wildlife, a walking safari with an expert guide is an unforgettable experience that draws you closer to nature. Most lodges in Hwange have forged a close relationship with local communities, offering you the chance to learn about traditional crafting and conservation projects too.

A highlight on any Southern Africa trip, seeing Vic Falls in all its pounding, dramatic, mesmerising glory is unforgettable – and there is plenty to keep you busy in the area. Firstly, we recommend a walk (guided or unguided) to get a feel for the sheer enormity of the waterfall, before taking to the skies and marvelling from above in either a helicopter or a microlight. Both offer incredible views and big, bucket-list ticks.

To really get the adrenalin going, there’s a selection of daredevil activities to choose from – bungee jumping, gorge swinging, white water rafting and trips to the iconic Devil’s Pool (exclusively on the Zambian side, but can be arranged from Zimbabwe) spring to mind – but if something more sedate is on the cards, there are languid boat trips on the Zambezi, sundowner cruises and wonderful afternoon teas to enjoy.

If safari is on your mind, there are a couple of options to choose from. Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park offers good game viewing of elephant, buffalo, giraffe and zebra (sadly no big cats) as well as fantastic rhino tracking opportunities and walking safaris. Otherwise, take a day trip to Botswana’s Chobe National Park for the Big Five and river cruises to see the hundreds of elephant the park is rightly famous for.