Africa Zim Travel & Tours , Victoria Falls
Africa Zim Travel & Tours
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- Zimbabwe Tourism Authority
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $115 to $450 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Jessica Francar | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Attentive, organized, thorough well planned out tour with many highlights included
We joined the 7 day tour of Hwange National Park, Chobe National Park and Victoria falls in November 2024. We had a fantastic experience overall. We expected to be part of a larger group but the majority of the time it was just the two of us and our excellent guide, Stanford, who took very good care of us. For some of the game drives and activities we joined with others at the various lodges, but all of the experiences still felt very personalized. The lodges we stayed in were very nice, comfortable and upscale. In Hwange national park, all our game drives were only with us and the guides. In Chobe it was busier, but still very nice. The food at all of the accommodations was excellent. While lunch generally isn't included, we usually didn't feel like we needed to buy anything extra and just had a few snacks, as so many of the other meals were so big. Both river cruises were exceptional - the wildlife on the Chobe river and the sunset dinner cruise on the Zambezi river. November was a nice time of year to go - things were relatively quiet, but we could still see a lot of animals. Our guide was very organized, always gave us the information we needed, was always coordinating various logistics and plans, tried to personalize/customize things and give us options / flexibility when that was possible. He also shared a lot of nice information about the different cultures we were encountering. All of the staff from those working in the lodges, to those in the national parks, were incredibly helpful and welcoming. While the tour isn't 'cheap', it does feel like a good value for your money when you consider all of the different things you're getting to do and experience. The communication with the company was always prompt and professional.
Negatives / things which could be improved - while we knew that drinks we're not included (we expected this meant alcohol mainly) - in some cases, we also had to purchase other non-alcoholic drinks like water. Much of the time, the guides or those leading the game drivers also provided that, but there were a few instances when we were at the lodge during the day, when we had to purchase it ourselves. I would just ask the guide(s) for additional water when it's available, or probably make sure to buy some extra when you're in the town so you don't need to just buy from the lodges which are more costly. Conversely though, some of the activities themselves do include their own drinks / alcohol (like the sunset cruise or some evening game drives, which is very nice).
Visas - a bit more explanation about which visa to purchase when arriving to Victoria Falls airport in the welcoming instructions would have been helpful, especially if a person wants to take advantage of an optional activity where they'd cross over into Zambia and need to re-enter Zimbabwe an additional time (like Devil's pool). I bought the double entry visa but should have bought the "Kaza Univisa". And at the airport even when I asked for clarification, they sometimes withhold this information unless you ask directly for that visa by name, which would have saved me some money if I'd known exactly to ask for that. Some additional information about some of the optional activities in Victoria falls could be provided in the initial instructions too which could help someone plan accordingly.
We also purchased trip insurance which we were told is mandatory to have (and generally a good thing to have) - but in the end, no one verified if we did or didn't have it which it was said that they would.
Email Wei Lee | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extremely helpful & accomodating
Our tour guide, Moto, was the making of the tour. Him and the phenomenal scenery and activities. Every day was a joy, so much to see and experience. Real core memories created.
CA
Email Vedad Hasanovic | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience with amazing local guide!
Our tour through Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls and Botswana was truly unforgettable, thanks to our amazing guide, Pamela. She brought each location to life, sharing local stories at Victoria Falls and taking us to a fantastic hidden coffee spot. In Botswana, she guided us seamlessly through Chobe National Park, Elephant Sands, and the stunning Okavango Delta, where we experienced breathtaking wildlife and scenery.
Pamela's passion and knowledge made everything feel easy, and her introductions to local music and culture gave us an authentic experience. Touring with her felt like exploring with a friend—thank you, Pamela, for making this trip one for the books!
CA
Email Amela Trokic | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An experience of a lifetime, with local guides to make it authentic and seamless!
Our recent tour through Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls and Botswana’s Chobe National Park was simply spectacular, and a huge part of that was thanks to our incredible local guide, Pamela. From start to finish, Pamela went above and beyond to make the experience unforgettable. She knew every inch of Victoria Falls and shared stories and insights that only a true local could provide, which made our exploration so much richer.
Pamela’s warmth and friendliness made us feel completely at home from the moment we arrived. She handled all the logistics so seamlessly that we could relax and fully enjoy every moment. Her attention to detail was amazing—she even took us to a hidden gem of a coffee spot in Victoria Falls, where we enjoyed some of the best local brews in a cozy atmosphere.
Our time in Chobe National Park was equally amazing, with wildlife encounters we’ll remember forever. We also visited Elephant Sands and the Okavango Delta. You would think traveling around the country in a van would be tough, as the distance is great, but Pamela was amazing. She handled the roads like a pro, made stops for us to rest, and shared stories to make the time go by. She even introduced us to local music which we blasted throughout our road trip. The trip in itself is an experience like no other, but it truly was made better with Pamela. So if you are going to Zimbabwe and/or Botswana, make sure to choose Africa Zim Travel & Tours and ask for Pamela. I can't recommend her highly enough! This was more than just a tour—it felt like exploring with a friend. Thank you, Pamela, for an experience of a lifetime!
Email Julian Douglas | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
This tour was so great.
They were very communicative from the get-go, telling us way in advance and then reminding us the night before of the pick up time the following morning.
The boat trip was very informative and we saw lots of animals.
Then when we actually got to the park, our guide, Leo, was very knowledgeable and passionate, and showed us so many cool things!
I am vegan and there was always food for me. This made me feel really welcome.
Email Mary Lewis | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Willing to go above and beyond for you
Africa Zim Travel & Tours were incredible throughout the entire process of the holiday. From booking, to the lead up with our many questions, when we arrived and throughout our trip. They were willing to help and provide as much info as possible and were always very quick with their responses. We were lucky to be paired with our wonderful guide Stanford who was waiting for us at Victoria Falls Airport. Stanford is made for this job he is so knowledgeable and welcoming. He became part of the family by day 2 of the trip. We were a family of 6 and this will be a trip we never forget and that’s thanks to Africa Zim Travel & Tours! We would and already have been recommending them to everyone!
US
Email Emily | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Safari Experience with Africa Zim
I rarely write reviews, but my recent safari with Africa Zim was so extraordinary that I felt compelled to share my experience. Planning a safari can be overwhelming—tedious, nerve-wracking, and expensive—but Africa Zim made it seamless. I highly recommend them for your next adventure.
Booking Process
After extensive research via Reddit and Lonely Planet's Southern Africa guidebooks, I decided on a safari itinerary that included Moremi GR, Chobe NP, a night in the Delta, a Mokoro excursion, and a full day at Victoria Falls to visit Devil’s Pool and enjoy an additional excursion. With a budget of around $2200 USD per person for a 9-day safari, I initially planned for three people, eventually expanding to five (all mid-20s females).
I contacted over 10 safari companies through Safaribookings.com with my dream itinerary. Africa Zim stood out for their pricing, itinerary customization, and ease of communication. They perfectly tailored our itinerary and efficiently accommodated additional travelers. While there were minor issues with the itinerary PDFs (such as incorrect day counts), Africa Zim assured me of accuracy and handled updates promptly. Their guidance on what to do, when, and how many nights to spend in each location was invaluable.
Itinerary
Our safari included: Fly into Maun, Moremi (2 nights camping), Okavango Delta (1 night camping), Elephant Sands Lodge (1 night), Chobe NP Lodge (2 nights), and Victoria Falls Lodge (2 nights), departing from Victoria Falls airport.
The Trip
We were warmly greeted by Julius (from Go Bold) and Muto (from Africa Zim) at Maun airport in an open-air safari vehicle. Go Bold was subcontracted by Africa Zim for the Botswana portion of our trip. Julius, our fantastic guide for the first three nights, drove us to our Moremi campsite, where Chef G and Trey welcomed us. Chef G prepared incredible meals, and Trey’s presence added great fun to our experience.
The two days in Moremi were filled with exciting game drives and wildlife sightings. On the third day, we transferred to the Delta, where we camped on an island, enjoyed Chef G's meals, and participated in bush walks with our knowledgeable guides, Double K and Bathusi. Their expertise and enthusiasm greatly enhanced our Delta experience.
After our Delta adventure, we said heartfelt goodbyes to Julius, Trey, and Chef G, who had made our time unforgettable. Muto took over, driving us to Elephant Sands, a pleasant halfway point with elephants visiting the watering hole near our lodgings.
In Chobe, we stayed at Kwalape Lodge, where we enjoyed game drives and a river cruise. Special thanks to our guide Lops for his outstanding guiding skills and positive energy.
Crossing into Zimbabwe, we added a thrilling Zambezi white-water rafting adventure to our itinerary (Shoutout Martin “Sugar” Impala for being an awesome raft guide), visited a local market, and enjoyed lunch at one of Muto’s favorite spots. At Nguni Lodge, we took a sunset booze cruise on the Zambezi and experienced the Livingstone Island/Devil’s Pool tour—an absolute highlight! Muto’s local knowledge and warmth made our time in Victoria Falls even more special. We treated Muto and his family to a traditional dinner at The Boma, where we celebrated birthdays and enjoyed a drumming session with the entire restaurant.
Final Thoughts
Muto drove us to the airport the next morning, and we bade farewell. The hospitality and joy of every guide, chef, and helper were remarkable. Africa Zim's motto to “Pack a sense of humor… It’s Africa!” truly resonated with us. Every person we met was eager to share jokes and ensure we had a memorable time.
Takeaways:
* Moremi GR: Camping in the reserve was extraordinary, surrounded by constant wildlife. Facilities were well-maintained with dedicated bathrooms and delicious meals.
* Chobe NP: Staying outside the park required a short drive to the entrance but offered fantastic wildlife viewing.
* Guided vs. Self-Drive: I highly recommend guided tours. Guides communicate via radio to update each other on sightings, enhancing the experience significantly.
* Tipping: While Africa Zim recommended $10/person per guide per day, it’s challenging to predict the exact amount needed due to varying numbers of guides. Ensure you have access to ATMs.
* Food: Delicious and accommodating to dietary needs with many Western options available.
I cannot recommend Africa Zim, Julius, Chef G, Trey, Double K, Bathusi, Lops, Muto, and his family enough. Thank you for making our safari the trip of a lifetime.
US
Email Ronald | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well informed, very personable, easy to get along with
Stanford was my guide and I was very happy with him, and spending time with him.
Bayete Lodge was nice for the first night, as was the river cruise, but the Boma dinner was not a highlight for me. Very touristy, food was poor. I had upset stomach for next 3 days. It would have been enough to just do the cruise and eat dinner back at Bayete.
Hwange.
I have some questions/issues with how this was planned.
1. Why did we drive a sedan from Vic Falls to the hotel for 2 1/2 hours over some atrocious roads? Why not a 4x4? Safety was definitely a concern.
2. Why did Stanford drive me to Hwange lodge but then not be my driver/guide? He basically stayed there for 5 nights while I went on game drives and relaxed by the hotel. We saw each other sporadically but only because I think he felt like he needed to check in on me.
3. Why did you not put me on a transport bus instead? Did I pay for Stanford's food and lodging for those 5 days?
4. I very much liked the Hwange Lodge hotel but it's 30 minutes outside the main gate of Hwange, gates only open at 6am and close by pm.
5. Bheki - the guide/driver working for Hwange Lodge was amazing and incredibly knowledgeable and funny.
US
Email Ann Jost | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent
From booking the tour and coordinating with office staff with Africa Zim Travel everything went smoothly. They answered all our questions when we had them. Always a very timely response. Our driver Pamela met us at the airport when we arrived in Victoria Falls. We were taken to Bayette Lodge which was excellent and the food was great while we stayed there. Everyone at the lodge was polite, friendly and the service was great. Our first activity was the sunset cruise on the Zambezi River and it was wonderful, all the drinks you could have and yummy snacks! We saw lots of elephants, hippos, crocodiles and other wildlife. The next day we went to Victoria Falls where Mackson was our guide there. Very informative. The next day we went to Chobe National Park and stayed at the Chobe Safari Bush Lodge. The rooms were excellent, food was fantastic and we went on two game drives, saw lots of animals. Also went on a sunset Cruise which was my favorite of the whole trip. Saw so many Buffalo, hippos, elephants, Impala, water monitor, snakes, many birds and too many other animals to mention. After 2 days we went to Elephant Sands Reserve. I had read other reviews on TripAdvisor and had some concerns about the place being run down. But to my surprise it was very clean, the tents were roomy and the beds were comfortable. We saw lots of elephants up close. The next day we went to Maun and stayed at the Maun Lodge. Again, the accommodations were wonderful, clean and comfortable beds and excellent food and entertainment in the evenings. While there we did the Okavango Delta morocco tour. OT was our driver for the day. He did a great job driving us down some very wild roads, and waited for us while we did our boat tour. OT also packed a nice lunch for us to have while we were out for the day. He waited for us so when we were ready to go back we could do so. This was a nice paced trip and I would not change any of the places where we stayed. We did go to a Boma dinner one night in Victoria Falls. Our table was in a great location for the viewing of the show, but the food was mediocre and there was too much noise. But it did celebrate the African culture.
Email Shereen Moodley | 35-50 years of age
professional and friendly
we went to vic falls during the womens day weekend - we were very nervous but when we met our guide he was very professional , friendly and made us feel very comfortable, we thoroughly enjoyed our holiday, thank you