Sandwiched between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers in southern Africa, the best safari parks in Zimbabwe can certainly lay claim to being in just the right spot for any prospective safari-goer.
When picking Zimbabwe as a safari destination, visitors are spoilt for choice thanks to a collective approach to conservation between the government and private sector. Ten national parks, nine recreational parks, four safari areas, three sanctuaries, and four botanical gardens form the Wildlife Estate that encompasses around 47,000 square kilometres.
The jewel among these protected wilderness areas is unquestionably Hwange National Park, which boasts an abundance of wildlife for excellent game viewing. Best known for its large elephant herds, the rest of the Big Five can also be spotted.
An overabundance of common and unique species can be observed in the other national parks and reserves like Mana Pools, Gonarezho, Zambezi, and Matusadona. These include buffalo, southern giraffe, leopard, lion, plains zebra, African palm civet, suni, southern white rhino, yellow-backed duiker, striped polecat, yellow mongoose, and short-snouted elephant shrew.
The bateleur is the national bird of Zimbabwe and only one of over 680 species that glide across this southern African nation. Birders can also tick off various flamingos, swifts, lapwings, hawks, and eagles on their bird list.
Wild Safari Guide has narrowed the best safari parks in Zimbabwe down to these five excellent choices.