Is Zimbabwe Safe for a Safari?

Is Zimbabwe safe to visit? For a well-planned safari, the answer for most travelers is yes. Victoria Falls is a long-established tourism town, and the camps in Hwange, Mana Pools and the other parks are remote, well run and used to international guests. Most visitors move between the falls, their camps and the airstrips without incident, and the everyday frustrations tend to be about cash and change rather than security.

It helps to separate two kinds of risk. Country risk, meaning crime in the cities, demonstrations and dealings with officials, is what government advisories describe. Safari risk, meaning wildlife, heat, remoteness and road travel, is what actually shapes your days in the bush, and it is managed mainly by good guiding and planning.

At the time of writing (September 2026), the US State Department’s advisory for Zimbabwe is Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution”, citing crime and official harassment of US citizens and warning that demonstrations can turn violent. Published trackers date that level to October 2023. Check the current advisory on travel.state.gov before you book and again shortly before you fly.

Zimbabwe’s strongest safety feature is its guiding standard. Anyone leading you on foot or in a canoe holds a licence that takes years to earn: written exams, an apprenticeship of at least two years under a licensed professional, a firearms proficiency test, an interview and a seven-day practical exam held once a year. Walking guides carry a rifle, canoe guides add a canoeing qualification, and the best of them rarely need either skill in earnest because they read animals early and keep a respectful distance. The walking safaris guide explains the licence path in full.

The rules that keep you safe are simple. Most camps are unfenced, so after dark you are escorted between your tent and the main area. On a walk you stay in single file behind the guide, keep quiet and never run. On the water, hippos and crocodiles are the real hazards, which is why nobody swims in the Zambezi or Lake Kariba, and why canoe guides plan every stretch of river around where the pods are resting.

Age limits exist for good reasons. The Mana Pools canoe trail takes travelers from 14, and walking minimums vary from camp to camp, so tell us the ages in your party early and we will match camps and activities to them.

Your flight routing can matter for the yellow fever rule. Most US travelers connect through Johannesburg, Addis Ababa or Nairobi, and Ethiopia and Kenya are both countries with yellow fever risk. A short same-day connection is generally fine, but an overnight stopover, a transit longer than 12 hours or a safari in Kenya first can bring the certificate requirement into play, so tell your clinic your full route.

October heat in the Zambezi Valley and at Lake Kariba is a health issue as much as a comfort one. Drink more than you think you need, keep midday for shade, wear a wide-brimmed hat and tell your guide early if you feel unwell. Camps supply safe drinking water, and it is worth using it for brushing your teeth too.

• Enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so the US Embassy in Harare can reach you.
• Keep your passport in the room safe, carry a copy and save a photo of it on your phone.
• Carry small US dollar notes in two places, and only what you need for the day.
• Use arranged transfers, especially from airports and after dark.
• Stay well away from demonstrations and political gatherings.
• Listen to every briefing, at camp, before a walk and before you step into a canoe, and ask questions.
• Leave drones at home unless you hold approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe.