Zimbabwe · Holidays from the UK

Zimbabwe holidays from the UK

Victoria Falls on the Zambezi, elephants and giraffes in Hwange National Park, and the capital, Harare. A UK consultant arranges your flights, hotels, lodges and transfers as one ATOL protected holiday.

Packages from £1,249 per person, with return flights, hotel and transfers

One stop from London

There are no direct flights from the UK. Most routes connect in Johannesburg, Addis Ababa or Nairobi.

Victoria Falls

Walk the rainforest path opposite the Falls, or add a sunset cruise on the Zambezi.

Halal meals on request

Many lodges can arrange them if you ask in advance; choice varies by place.

ATOL protected

Holidays that include a flight are protected under ATOL 10416.

Zimbabwe holiday packages

Zimbabwe holiday packages

Flights, hotel and transfers in one price. Every package can be changed: more nights, a different hotel or another UK airport.

3 packages · guide prices per person

Overview

Zimbabwe holiday guide for UK travellers

Zimbabwe holidays from the UK take approx. 15 hours with one stop, usually in Johannesburg, Addis Ababa or Nairobi, as there are no direct flights. Most people fly to Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi drops into a gorge on the border with Zambia. Many add game drives in Hwange National Park or a few nights in Harare, the capital.

Victoria Falls is on the Zambezi river, in the north-west of the country. The rainforest path along the cliff opposite the Falls has viewpoints for the main cascades, and the Victoria Falls Bridge crosses the gorge nearby. The flow changes with the seasons: highest from around February to May, when spray can soak you, and lowest from around October to December, when parts of the cliff face run dry. You can add a sunset cruise on the Zambezi.

Hwange National Park lies south-east of the Falls and is Zimbabwe’s largest park, with elephants, giraffes, zebras and big cats. Game drives are at their most rewarding in the dry months, from June to October, when animals gather at waterholes. Harare is the capital, in the north-east, with a cooler climate, tree-lined streets, markets and a small Muslim community.

Where to stay

Where to stay in Zimbabwe

Three bases for a first visit: Victoria Falls for the water, Hwange for wildlife and Harare for the capital. Transfer times are approximate and depend on your hotel or lodge.

Victoria Falls pouring down a dark cliff, seen through bushes

Victoria Falls

Waterfall · Zambezi · Adventure

The town beside the Falls, with the rainforest path, the Victoria Falls Bridge and sunset cruises on the Zambezi. Hotels are a short drive from the park entrance.

Nearest airport: Victoria Falls Airport, approx. 30 mins

Packages from £1,249 pp
A herd of elephants gathered in the shade of a large tree on dry ground

Hwange National Park

Safari · Elephants · Waterholes

Zimbabwe’s largest park, with large herds of elephants and many other animals. Lodges sit in or beside the park, and game drives run morning and evening.

Nearest airport: Victoria Falls Airport, approx. 2 to 3 hrs by road

Packages from £2,149 pp
A tall glass-fronted office tower in Harare at sunset

Harare

Capital · Markets · City stay

The capital, with wide streets, markets and a cooler climate than the Falls. It has mosques, and some halal restaurants and shops.

Nearest airport: Harare Airport, approx. 30 mins

Packages from £1,699 pp
Things to see

Places to see in Zimbabwe

A few of the sights to plan your trip around. We can suggest hotels close to the ones you most want to see.

Victoria Falls pouring down a long dark cliff
Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls Bridge crossing the gorge, with a rainbow over the river
Victoria Falls Bridge
A narrow rocky gorge with water falling into it
The Batoka Gorge
The Zambezi river with spray rising in the distance
The Zambezi
An elephant drinking in a river at sunset
Elephants
A giraffe and four zebras at a waterhole
Giraffes and zebras
A hippo partly under water, with a white bird on its back
Hippo
A twin-towered brick cathedral in Harare, with cars passing in the evening light
Harare
Weather

Zimbabwe weather by month

Average daytime highs at Victoria Falls and in Harare. Seasons are those of the southern hemisphere, so the chart starts in July. Hover over or tap a month for the figures.

Average daytime highs Victoria FallsHarareDry season
View as a table
Average temperatures by month (°C)
MonthVictoria FallsHarare
Jul26°C21°C
Aug29°C24°C
Sep33°C27°C
Oct34°C29°C
Nov33°C28°C
Dec31°C26°C
Jan31°C26°C
Feb30°C26°C
Mar31°C26°C
Apr30°C25°C
May28°C23°C
Jun26°C22°C

Long-term averages from weather2travel.com. Actual weather varies year to year.

July to October

The dry season, with clear skies and animals around the waterholes in Hwange. Victoria Falls is cool in July, at around 26°C, and hot by October, at around 34°C.

November to March

The rainy season, with hot, humid days and afternoon storms. Victoria Falls averages around 30–33°C and the bush is green.

April to June

The rains end and the Zambezi is at its fullest, so the Falls are loud and the spray is heavy. Days are around 26–30°C at Victoria Falls.

Muslim-friendly travel

Muslim-friendly travel in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is not a Muslim-majority country, and halal choice is limited outside Harare, which has mosques and a small Muslim community. Many safari lodges can arrange halal meals if you ask in advance, but how far they cater varies. Tell your consultant, and we’ll check with each hotel or lodge before you book.

  • Halal in HarareSome halal restaurants and shops in the capital; ask your hotel to confirm
  • Mosques in HarareThe capital has mosques and a small Muslim community
  • Halal meals at lodgesMany can arrange them on request, but it varies by lodge
  • Vegetarian and fish choicesAvailable at most hotels and lodges if halal meat is not offered
  • Halal meals on the flightRequest them with the airline when you book
  • Confirmed before bookingHotels and lodges serve alcohol; facilities vary, and we confirm what is offered with each quote
Ask about Muslim-friendly hotels
Zimbabwe holiday FAQs

Questions about Zimbabwe holidays

Quick answers for UK travellers. For anything else, our UK team is happy to help.

020 7871 4545
How long is the flight to Zimbabwe from the UK?
There are no direct flights. You fly with one stop, usually via Johannesburg, Addis Ababa or Nairobi, to Victoria Falls (VFA) or Harare (HRE). Allow approx. 15 hours in total, depending on the connection. Zimbabwe is 2 hours ahead of the UK in winter and 1 hour ahead in summer.
Do I need a visa for Zimbabwe?
UK visitors need a visa to enter Zimbabwe, which can be an e-visa or one bought on arrival. A KAZA UniVisa covers both Zimbabwe and Zambia. Check the current rules and your passport validity before you travel. The fee is not included in the price.
When is the best time to visit Zimbabwe?
For wildlife in Hwange, June to October is the dry season, when animals gather at waterholes. For the most water at Victoria Falls, February to May. From October to December the flow is lowest, parts of the cliff face run dry, and it is hot, at around 31–34°C.
Is Zimbabwe a good destination for Muslim travellers?
Zimbabwe is not a Muslim-majority country, and halal choice is limited. Harare has mosques and some halal restaurants, and many safari lodges can arrange halal meals if you ask in advance. Hotels and lodges serve alcohol, so facilities vary and we confirm them before you book.
What currency is used in Zimbabwe?
The local currency is the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), but US dollars are widely used, especially in hotels, lodges and tourist areas. Cards are accepted in many places, but carry some small US dollar notes for tips and markets. Check the latest advice before you travel.
Are Zimbabwe holiday packages ATOL protected?
Yes. Holidays that include a flight are protected under ATOL 10416, and you’ll receive an ATOL Certificate when you pay.
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Mon–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–3pm, Sun closed ATOL 10416
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