My Zimbabwe Solo Safari Experience, Review & Recommendations

My Zimbabwe Solo Safari Experience

Flying solo? For those seeking a more daring solo adventure, Zimbabwe is an ideal choice! Our three best solo properties are located in Victoria Falls, Mana Pools, and Hwange National Park.

You can find what you’re searching for, whether it’s a traditional safari vacation or a hybrid of the two. Victoria Falls offers a plethora of exciting activities and animal encounters, while Hwange and Mana Pools have an abundance of wildlife that will thrill even the most seasoned safari enthusiast.

A visit to Hwange is highly recommended if you value a traditional safari experience. With about 15,000 square kilometres of woods, marshes, and desert sands, this national park is Zimbabwe’s largest! After the park gained game reserve status in 1928, wildlife populations started to rise again after a precipitous decline caused by poaching. This pattern persisted until Hwange was designated as a national park in 1961; now, the area is home to more than 400 bird species and 108 mammal species!

We recommend three houses in particular to lone travellers because of our love of Hwange. On the park’s southeast boundary, in a private concession, lies The Hide, the first of these. No bonus is applied during the green season or mid-season, however there is a 25% surcharge on the per person sharing cost during the high season. Ten traditional safari tents, including both regular and deluxe options, are available at this camp. A wheelchair-accessible unit is available, and every option comes with a private veranda that overlooks a beautiful waterhole! Game drives and walking safaris allow guests to see all the wildlife in the concession up close. The property is appropriately titled The Hide, so naturally there are plenty of hiding places to observe wildlife, the most notable of which is Dove’s Nest, a tree home!

Bomani Tented Lodge, located in a private concession in Hwange’s eastern section, is another great spot for single travellers. Being part of the Imvelo Safari Lodges collection means that ecotourism and five-star accommodations are par for the course. The nine tents and one family cottage are all made of canvas and aluminium. Each one has its own balcony where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the plains. Similar to The Hide, the main focus here is seeing the local wildlife, whether that’s through walking safaris during the day or nighttime game drives. The ‘Pump Runs’ offered by Imvelo are another option; they involve going on a guided excursion to eight waterholes and returning with gasoline and supplies. Day trips to the nearby hamlet are also on the table. If you’re interested in seeing animals and learning about the area, Bomani is a great choice!

Lastly, we are really impressed with another Imvelo house in Hwange. Located in the park’s northern section is Nehimba Lodge. Nehimba, set on a private concession, provides first-rate guided walks in the morning and wildlife drives during the day and night. There is a hide not far from camp where you may get very close to passing wildlife! Mandavu Dam and the Mtoa Ruins are two more places to see, and elephants love the Nehimba Seep. Each of the seven chalets at the opulent Nehimba Lodge is furnished with teak and stitch, making it a cosy spot to sleep in between safari adventures. A private balcony overlooks a bustling waterhole, and the accommodations include with a fan, coffee/tea maker, outdoor shower, and more. The fact that Nehimba Lodge was voted best safari lodge in Zim by the Safari Operators Association is hardly surprising.

We have Mana Pools in the north of Zimbabwe in mind as our second solo travel location in Zimbabwe. The Shona word for “four” is “mana,” hence the name alludes to the abundance of big pools in the region. Stunning trees, banks, and islets complement the abundance of smaller pools in this African region. Both the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 1984 and the designation as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2013 were bestowed upon Mana Pools. Even if mining and poaching are still problems, the animals are doing well now. During the dry season, there are enormous herds of buffalo and elephants, and there are also the highest populations of hippos and crocodiles in Zimbabwe. Also worth noting is the avian life, with over 350 species identified thus far!

Located in the western part of the Pools, Kanga Camp is our favourite place for lone travellers. African Bush Camps, owned by the legendary safari guide Beks Ndlovu and his wife Sophia, owns this property. During the high season, which begins on July 1st and ends on October 31st, solo travellers can enjoy a discounted cost. The six tents at Kanga are all built in the traditional safari style. Each one is tastefully decorated and has a private bathroom and a king-sized bed. As you relax on your private balcony, take in the breathtaking scenery and keep an eye out for animals. Day and night game drives, as well as morning game walks, are the main attractions, and the guiding is second to none. The Zambezi River floodplains, where you can go canoeing or fishing, are about an hour distant by car! Also, there are four sleeping platforms about a km away from camp, so you may enjoy a starry night while listening to nature’s noises. We really enjoy Mana Pools’ Kanga camp!

Last but not least, Victoria Falls. An audience from every corner of the globe has been captivated by this gigantic waterfall—the largest in the world! Livingstone fell in love at first sight in 1855, and today, visitors come from far and wide to experience the Falls for themselves and to marvel at this magnificent phenomenon. The Falls provide a wide variety of water activities, from thrilling rapids to relaxing river excursions, or even a combination of the two. It is also ideal for safari enthusiasts, as there are two national parks nearby.

Our top pick for lone travellers is the Ilala Lodge Hotel, which is conveniently located near Zimbabwe’s Vic Falls! The Falls are a short 10-minute walk away. The spray is visible from the majority of rooms! In all, there are 34 rooms, and each one has air conditioning and a plethora of amenities. Guests can unwind in the hotel’s beautiful grounds in between activities. So many exciting things to do! Guests can arrange white water rafting, bungee jumping, gorge swings, tours of the Falls, river cruises, game drives, elephant rides, helicopter flights, and so much more at Ilala’s Activities Desk. Vic Falls is truly the greatest option for sports and safari.

Just give us a call and we can begin making arrangements for your vacation if you are considering travelling alone to any of these fascinating locations!