Learn, Serve and Immerse in Zimbabwe on a family-friendly safari with Global Family Travels, and participate in conservation and educational projects with our local partners. Located in southeastern Africa, Zimbabwe is known for natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, several UNESCO World Heritage sites, and serene, crowd free, and abundant wildlife parks.
Our Painted Dog Conservation safari is rated as on one of the “8 Outstanding Conservation Safaris Around The World” by Epicure & Culture (learn more below!)
One of the questions we often get is, “why choose Zimbabwe over other safari destinations in Africa?” We answer this question with our Top 8 Reasons to Choose a Zimbabwe Safari :
1.DIVERSITY OF ACTIVITIES
On other African safaris, you may have to travel to more than one country to experience the same variety of experiences that Zimbabwe offers. There is a wide variety of unique family-friendly safari activities beyond the traditional vehicle game drives, particularly with our partners the Endangered Canid Project and Painted Dog Research Trust in Zimbabwe. On this trip, we are lucky to partake in a conservation service day with the Painted Dog Research Trust, and who wouldn’t want to work first hand with a world renowned biologist Dr. Greg Rasmussen?
Next, you’ve got the thrill of awakening all your senses during a walking safari and hiking the Batoka Gorge! Then you will hop aboard the unique Elephant Express! It is hands down the most fun way to travel between lodges in Hwange National Park and have a safari along the way!
And don’t forget the guided canoeing and kayaking along the Zambezi River!
Learn more about all of the diverse, fun, and awe-inspiring safari experiences you can have in Zimbabwe : Highlights from Global Family Travels' 2017 Zimbabwe Conservation Safari.
2. EXCLUSIVITY, CROWD-FREE
The natural beauty of Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River, the Batoka Gorge, and Hwange National Park offer opportunities to experience a host of wildlife, including an immense Elephant population, and the African Painted Dogs in serene crowd-free wilderness, making it a very exclusive experience!
Hwange National Park is one of Africa’s best kept secrets! The park receives about 43,000 visitors a year and it is almost the same size as the Serengeti in Tanzania which receives 350,000 visitors annually, and slightly smaller than Kruger National Park in South Africa that receives over 1 million visitors annually. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about crowds, or what time of day is the best time to go on safari.
3. FLEXIBILITY & SPONTANEITY
Both our Zimbabwe Family Safari and Painted Dog Conservation Safari itineraries allow for flexibility and spontaneity. Our guests meet with both lodge manager and guides to review daily schedules, discuss their interests and get updates on what has been happening recently with the wildlife in the area. They then make a plan for the following day’s activities and then each subsequent evening at dinner, the guide and guests discuss the plan for the following day. Cooks from the various lodges will serve up delicious meals, including cater to you in the bush!
Zimbabwean Professional Guides can take guests on both walking safaris and game drives. Even the game drives allow for a lot of flexibility and spontaneity. For example, if the guide or the guests spot something while on a game drive, they are able to get out of the vehicle and explore on foot (and no worries, the guides ensure your safety!)
4. VALUE - OUR SAFARI VALUE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BEAT!
Zimbabwe offers a high level of exclusivity, the best guides in Africa, a wide variety of activities, exceptional game viewing, lots of flexibility and many newly built and recently renovated safari lodges/camps. Most 4-5 star lodges/camps in Hwange National Park, and Victoria Falls are generally priced 25% - 50% below comparable, accommodations in Zambia and Botswana.
5. AUTHENTIC CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
Cultural encounters like walking to school or playing soccer with local kids are always huge hits for visitors and locals alike. In the Southern part of Hwange National park, we embark on a visit to engage with local community at Ngunyana Village, where you will meet the school kids and enjoy an early morning walk through the villages with the children to Ngamo school arriving in time to watch their assembly. The visit culminates in a tour of the school and a singing performance by some of the children followed by a class interaction where children have an opportunity to meet guests and vice versa.
6. BENEFITS TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Visiting Zimbabwe on safari provides vital jobs, economic assistance and social services for local communities. The central government in Zimbabwe provides very little in the way of economic assistance or social services to local communities, especially those rural villages bordering Hwange National Park. Responsible and sustainable tourism provides much needed jobs in a country with 90% unemployment as well as deliver much needed social services. There are opportunities to engage with the local communities and support educational and health initiatives while on one of our safari in Zimbabwe.
Our partner, the Painted Dog Research Trust, is an environmentally self-sustaining campus of education and conservation for the Szinda Community outside of Victoria Falls. Beyond employment and educational opportunities provided to the local community, they are also building a conservation community center and the first Conservation Primary School in Africa.
7. THE ELEPHANT EXPRESS IS TOPS!
The Elephant Express trolley is a fantastic safari experience for kids with plenty of space to stretch out and safe, elevated game viewing of the game-rich Ngamo plains. With food and drinks aplenty, a toilet on board, Mom, Dad and the kiddos will have a great time. Land Rovers can't offer any of this, now can they?!
8. THE PRICE IS RIGHT!
SAVE 30% on Spring Break Special for our Zimbabwe Safari & Painted Dog Conservation Adventure and enjoy special 50% off savings and Kids 16 & Under stay for free during January - February 2021 departures!
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To learn more about these trips, and to secure your spot, visit our detailed itinerary and booking page!
Or, contact us to customize your Family Adventure to Zimbabwe!
We hope you can join us on this amazing adventure!