Adventure Activities and Experiences in Zimbabwe
Activity Quick Finder
Adrenaline Rush
For Thrill-Seekers:
- White water rafting (Grade 5)
- Bungee jumping (111m)
- Gorge swing
- Zip-lining
- Micro-lighting
- Helicopter flights
- Bridge slides
Wildlife Encounters
For Nature Lovers:
- Walking safaris
- Game drives (day/night)
- Canoeing safaris
- Rhino tracking
- Elephant interactions
- Bird watching
- Photography safaris
Outdoor Adventure
For Explorers:
- Multi-day hiking
- Rock climbing
- Mountain biking
- Horseback safaris
- Cultural tours
- Fishing
- Camping expeditions
Complete Activity Matrix
Activities by Location
- Victoria Falls
- Hwange National Park
- Mana Pools
- Eastern Highlands
- Lake Kariba & Matusadona
- Matobo Hills
The Adventure Capital
Extreme Adrenaline:- White Water Rafting: Grade 5 rapids (world-class)
- Bungee Jumping: 111m from Victoria Falls Bridge
- Gorge Swing: 70m+ free fall then swing
- Zip Line: 425m across gorge at 106km/h
- Bridge Walk/Slide: Under bridge catwalk, bridge slides
- Abseil/Rap Jump: 53m+ descents into gorge
- Helicopter Flights: 12-15 min over Falls ($160-180)
- Microlight Flights: 15-30 min open-cockpit ($170-290)
- Scenic Flights: Fixed-wing aircraft tours
- Sunset Cruises: Zambezi River above Falls
- Canoeing: Upper Zambezi (half/full day)
- River Boarding: Riding rapids on bodyboards
- Swimming: Devil’s Pool (Livingstone Island, seasonal)
- Game Drives: Zambezi National Park
- Walking Safaris: Victoria Falls rainforest, national park
- Lion Encounters: Walk with lions (ethical concerns - research first)
- Elephant Interactions: Ethical sanctuaries only
- Village Tours: Local community experiences
- Craft Markets: Authentic Zimbabwean art
- Spa Treatments: Luxury lodges
- Sunset viewings: Multiple viewing points
Activity Difficulty & Fitness Levels
Easy - Suitable for Most People
Easy - Suitable for Most People
Fitness Required: MinimalActivities:
- Sunset river cruises
- Game drives in vehicles
- Helicopter/microlight flights
- Victoria Falls viewing
- Hide viewing at waterholes
- Cultural village tours
- Scenic flights
- Short nature walks (rainforest)
- Sitting for extended periods
- Short walks on flat terrain
- Climbing in/out of vehicles
- Families with young children
- Seniors
- First-time safari-goers
- Those preferring comfort over exertion
Moderate - Average Fitness Required
Moderate - Average Fitness Required
Fitness Required: Moderate cardio fitness, can walk 5-10kmActivities:
- Half-day canoeing trips
- Short walking safaris (2-4 hours)
- Day hikes in Eastern Highlands
- Horseback safaris
- Rhino tracking walks
- Cycling tours
- Fishing expeditions
- Walking 5-10km on uneven terrain
- Paddling for several hours
- Hiking on moderate inclines
- Standing/walking for extended periods
- Ability to move quickly if necessary (wildlife)
- Active families
- Travelers seeking moderate adventure
- Those with basic outdoor experience
- Wildlife enthusiasts wanting closer encounters
Challenging - Good Fitness Required
Challenging - Good Fitness Required
Fitness Required: Good cardio, strength, and enduranceActivities:
- Multi-day canoeing safaris (6-8 hours paddling daily)
- Full-day walking safaris
- Mt. Nyangani summit hikes
- Rock climbing (beginner-intermediate)
- White water rafting (physically demanding)
- Multi-day hiking expeditions
- Walking 10-20km daily with pack
- Paddling 6-8 hours in strong current
- Hiking with elevation gain
- Carrying own gear (20-30kg possible)
- Operating in heat (30-40°C)
- Self-sufficiency in remote areas
- Fit, adventurous travelers
- Experienced hikers/outdoors people
- Those seeking immersive experiences
- Adventure enthusiasts
Extreme - Excellent Fitness & Mental Toughness
Extreme - Excellent Fitness & Mental Toughness
Fitness Required: Excellent fitness, experience, mental resilienceActivities:
- Chimanimani multi-day expeditions (5-7 days)
- Extreme rafting (full-day Grade 5 rapids)
- Independent walking safaris (Mana Pools)
- Technical rock climbing
- Expedition-style mobile safaris
- Self-sufficient wilderness camping
- Walking 15-25km daily with full pack
- Extreme heat tolerance (40°C+)
- High-altitude hiking (up to 2,600m)
- Technical skills (climbing, navigation)
- Self-rescue capability
- Operating in genuine wilderness
- Experienced adventurers
- Wilderness enthusiasts
- Those with outdoor skills
- Seeking ultimate challenge
- Previous wilderness experience
- Navigation skills
- First aid knowledge
- Self-sufficiency
- Appropriate fitness certification may be required
Seasonal Activity Guide
- Dry Season (April-October)
- Wet Season (November-March)
- Year-Round Activities
Best Overall Adventure Season
Prime Conditions For:- ✅ Game drives (animals at waterholes)
- ✅ Walking safaris (visibility, comfortable temps)
- ✅ White water rafting (April-May, Aug-Oct high water)
- ✅ Canoeing safaris
- ✅ Hiking (clear weather, rivers flowing early season)
- ✅ Photography (excellent light, concentrated wildlife)
- ✅ Aerial activities (clear skies)
- Landscape still green
- Rivers full (rafting at peak)
- Waterfalls spectacular
- Comfortable temperatures
- Fewer tourists
- Peak wildlife viewing
- Cool mornings/nights (bring layers)
- Clear skies for photography
- Victoria Falls lower flow (still impressive)
- Busy tourist season
- Extreme heat (35-45°C)
- Best wildlife viewing (animals desperate for water)
- Incredible photographic opportunities
- Victoria Falls at lowest (Devil’s Pool accessible)
- Fishing season starts (tiger fish)
- Demanding conditions (hydration critical)
- Neutral-colored clothing (khaki, green, brown)
- Layers (mornings cold June-Aug)
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
- Insect repellent (mosquitoes present)
- 4+ liters water capacity
Safety Information by Activity Type
Water Activities Safety
Water Activities Safety
White Water Rafting:
- Must be strong swimmer
- Age restrictions: typically 15+ years (full-day), 12+ (half-day)
- Weight limits may apply
- Not suitable for pregnant women, heart conditions, back/neck injuries
- Life jackets and helmets mandatory
- Professional guides and safety kayakers
- Safety briefing required
- Risk: serious injury possible in Grade 5 rapids
- Basic swimming ability required
- Age: typically 12+ years
- Guided trips safer than independent
- Hippo and croc awareness critical
- Life jackets provided
- Risk: wildlife encounters, capsizing
- Generally very safe
- Life jackets available
- Suitable for all ages
- Wildlife at distance
- Low risk
- NEVER swim in natural water bodies unless specifically designated safe areas
- Crocodiles and hippos present in all rivers and Lake Kariba
- Only swim in pools or supervised, netted areas
- Risk: drowning, crocodile attack, hippo attack, bilharzia
Aerial Activities Safety
Aerial Activities Safety
Bungee Jumping:
- Weight limits: typically 40-140kg
- Age: 14+ years (with parental consent)
- Not suitable for: pregnancy, heart conditions, high blood pressure, epilepsy, recent surgery
- Equipment inspected daily
- Professional operators with excellent safety records
- Risk: equipment failure extremely rare but possible
- Weight restrictions apply
- Age: typically 4+ years (helicopter), 12+ (microlight)
- Weather-dependent (canceled if unsafe)
- Licensed pilots
- Comprehensive safety briefings
- Risk: mechanical failure, pilot error (rare)
- Weight limits apply
- Age restrictions (typically 10+ years, varies by activity)
- Health restrictions similar to bungee
- Safety harnesses and equipment checked
- Professional operators
- Risk: equipment failure, harness malfunction (rare)
Wildlife Activity Safety
Wildlife Activity Safety
Walking Safaris:
- Professional guide required (except specific areas of Mana Pools)
- Follow guide instructions immediately and without question
- No sudden movements or loud noises
- Stay together as group
- Appropriate footwear essential (snakes, thorns)
- Risk: animal charge, snake bite, heat exhaustion
- Elephants, buffalo, hippo, lion, leopard all potentially lethal
- Guide carries rifle (last resort only)
- Maintain safe distances always
- Never run unless instructed
- Respect animal warnings (ear flapping, mock charges)
- Stay in vehicle unless at designated stops
- No standing up (roof hatches yes, but sitting)
- No reaching outside vehicle
- No loud noises
- Risk: relatively low if rules followed
- Never feed animals
- Respect territory (especially mothers with young)
- Be especially cautious at dawn/dusk
- Know location of nearest help
- Carry communication device
Hiking & Climbing Safety
Hiking & Climbing Safety
Multi-Day Hikes:
- Inform park officials of plans
- Carry sufficient water (5+ liters per person per day in hot months)
- Navigation tools (map, compass, GPS)
- First aid kit
- Emergency shelter
- Communication device (satellite phone/PLB in remote areas)
- Risk: getting lost, dehydration, injury, wildlife
- Weather changes rapidly at altitude
- Start early (afternoon thunderstorms common in wet season)
- Cold at altitude (Mt. Nyangani)
- Be prepared to turn back
- Risk: hypothermia, lightning, falls
- Only with experienced guides or proper equipment
- Check rock quality (granite excellent, other areas questionable)
- Permits required in national parks
- Risk: falls, rockfall, equipment failure
- Tell someone your plans
- Carry water, sun protection, first aid
- Snakes present - watch where you step/grab
- Ticks - check yourself daily
- Avoid hiking alone in remote areas
Pricing Guide (Approximate - 2025)
- Victoria Falls Adventures
- Safari Activities
- Eastern Highlands
- Lake Kariba
Extreme Activities:
- Bungee Jump: $160-180
- Gorge Swing: $125-150
- Zip Line: $50-70
- Bridge Slide: $50-70
- Combo packages: $180-250 (multiple activities)
- White Water Rafting (full day): $150-180
- White Water Rafting (half day): $120-150
- Canoeing (full day): $120-150
- Canoeing (half day): $80-100
- Sunset Cruise: $50-75
- River Boarding: $120-150
- Helicopter (12-13 min): $160-180
- Helicopter (25 min): $310-350
- Microlight (15 min): $170-190
- Microlight (30 min): $280-310
- Victoria Falls entry: $30-50
- Game drives (Zambezi NP): $40-60
- Village tour: $25-40
- Lion encounter: $130-160 (check ethics before booking)
Booking & Operators
How to Book:Direct Booking:
- Lodge/operator websites (often best rates)
- Email confirmed bookings
- Credit card deposits typically required
- Complete packages
- Often better group rates
- Coordination of multiple activities
- Local expertise
- Many activities can be booked same-day
- Shop around for deals
- Peak season (July-Sept) book ahead
- Wet season often has discounts
- Victoria Falls activities: 1-7 days advance (peak season)
- Lodge safaris: 6-12 months advance (peak season)
- Mobile safaris: 3-6 months advance
- Multi-day hikes: 1-4 weeks advance (guide availability)
- Most accept USD (cash or card)
- Some accept major credit cards (often with surcharge)
- VISA more widely accepted than MasterCard
- Cash often gets better rates
- Weather cancellations usually full refund or reschedule
- Customer cancellations: varies (often lose deposit)
- Travel insurance recommended
What to Pack for Adventures
General Adventure Packing
General Adventure Packing
Clothing:
- Neutral colors for wildlife (khaki, green, brown, beige)
- Long sleeves/pants (sun and insect protection)
- Layers (mornings cold, afternoons hot)
- Hat with brim (sun protection)
- Comfortable walking shoes/boots
- Sandals for lodge/camp
- Rain jacket (Nov-Mar especially)
- Fleece/warm layer (Jun-Aug mornings, high altitude)
- Swimwear
- Quick-dry fabrics
- Binoculars (8x42 or 10x42)
- Camera with telephoto lens
- Spare batteries and memory cards
- Headlamp/flashlight
- Sunglasses (good quality)
- Reusable water bottle (3L+ capacity)
- Daypack (20-30L)
- Dry bag for electronics
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Insect repellent (DEET or natural)
- First aid kit (personal medications)
- Anti-malarial medication
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper/tissues
- Blister treatment
- Passport (6+ months validity)
- Visa (if required)
- Booking confirmations
- Travel insurance details
- Emergency contact information
- Vaccination certificates
Activity-Specific Packing
Activity-Specific Packing
White Water Rafting:
- Swimwear (worn under clothing)
- Secure footwear (sneakers, water shoes - NO flip-flops)
- Towel
- Change of clothes
- Waterproof bag for valuables
- Sunscreen (waterproof)
- Backpack (60-70L for multi-day)
- Tent and sleeping bag (if not provided)
- Sleeping mat
- Cooking equipment (if self-catering)
- Water purification (tablets or filter)
- Navigation (map, compass, GPS)
- Emergency shelter
- Satellite communication device
- Trekking poles
- Dry bags for all equipment
- Sun protection (hat, long sleeves)
- Sunglasses with strap
- Waterproof camera case
- Change of clothes
- Sandals that can get wet
- Towel
- DSLR/mirrorless with telephoto (300-600mm ideal)
- Wide angle lens for landscapes
- Multiple batteries (no charging in bush)
- Large memory cards (multiple)
- Lens cleaning kit
- Bean bag for vehicle window stabilization
- Tripod (if walking safari permits)
- Protective camera bag
Planning Your Adventure
1
Define Your Priorities
- Adrenaline level desired
- Wildlife vs. adventure activities
- Fitness level and experience
- Budget constraints
- Time available
- Season/timing preferences
2
Choose Your Destinations
- Victoria Falls for extreme sports + wildlife
- Hwange/Mana Pools for pure wildlife
- Eastern Highlands for hiking + cool climate
- Lake Kariba for water-based + wildlife
- Combinations for comprehensive experience
3
Book Key Activities
- Reserve lodge accommodation first (especially peak season)
- Book multi-day activities (canoe safaris, mobile safaris)
- Pre-book popular Victoria Falls activities
- Confirm guide availability for specialized activities
4
Prepare Physically
- Train for challenging activities (hiking, rafting)
- Build endurance (walking safaris, canoeing)
- Acclimatize to heat if visiting hot season
- Consult doctor if health concerns
5
Pack Appropriately
- Activity-specific gear
- Climate-appropriate clothing
- Safety and first aid
- Photography equipment
6
Stay Safe & Enjoy
- Follow guide instructions
- Know your limits
- Stay hydrated
- Respect wildlife and environment
- Be flexible (weather, wildlife are unpredictable)
Related Guides
Water Activities: See our detailed Water Sports guide Hiking & Trekking: See our Hiking and Trekking guide Wildlife Safaris: See our Safari Planning guide Destination Guides:- Victoria Falls - Adventure capital
- Hwange National Park - Wildlife safaris
- Mana Pools - Walking & canoeing
- Eastern Highlands - Hiking & mountains
Ready for adventure? Zimbabwe offers experiences for every thrill level, from serene wildlife encounters to adrenaline-pumping extreme sports! Last updated: January 2025