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Solo Travel in Zimbabwe

Solo walking safari adventure in Zimbabwe

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Your Independent Zimbabwe Adventure Awaits

Traveling solo in Zimbabwe is not only possible but incredibly rewarding. From meeting fellow travelers on safaris to experiencing genuine Zimbabwean hospitality, solo travelers discover that Zimbabwe offers both adventure and community. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to travel confidently and affordably on your own.

Safe & Welcoming

Zimbabwe is safer than many realize, with friendly locals and established tourist infrastructure

Easy to Meet People

Safaris, hostels, and tours make meeting fellow travelers natural and effortless

Flexible & Affordable

Travel at your own pace with options for every budget - join groups when it makes sense

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Is Zimbabwe Safe for Solo Travelers?

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The Reality of Safety in Zimbabwe

Overall Assessment: Zimbabwe is generally safe for solo travelers who take reasonable precautions.Positive Factors:
  • Low violent crime rate against tourists
  • Friendly, welcoming population
  • Established tourist infrastructure
  • English widely spoken
  • Strong tourism industry interest in visitor safety
Realistic Concerns:
  • Petty theft in urban areas (pickpockets, bag snatching)
  • Scams targeting tourists
  • Political demonstrations (avoid)
  • Economic challenges affecting some areas
  • Wildlife dangers in parks (follow rules)
Context:
  • Thousands of solo travelers visit annually without incident
  • Most issues are preventable with common sense
  • Tourist areas well-policed
  • Locals generally protective of tourists (tourism is vital to economy)
  • You’re more likely to be helped than harmed
Compared to Other Destinations:
  • Safer than many African countries for solo travelers
  • Comparable safety to Zambia, Botswana
  • Much safer than perception often suggests
  • Similar precautions as any developing country destination

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Solo-Friendly Accommodation

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Top Social Hostels in Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls:Shoestrings Backpackers
  • Most social hostel in Vic Falls
  • Bar, pool, regular braais (BBQs)
  • Tours desk helps connect travelers
  • Dorms: $15-25/night
  • Privates available: $35-50
  • Easy to meet safari buddies
Victoria Falls Backpackers
  • Large, social atmosphere
  • Campsite + dorms + rooms
  • Tour booking assistance
  • Dorms: $12-20/night
Harare:The Backpackers Bazaar
  • Central location
  • Social common areas
  • Travel advice from staff
  • Dorms: $15-20/night
Small World Backpackers
  • Community vibe
  • Organized activities
  • Local food nights
  • Dorms: $12-18/night
Bulawayo:Bulawayo Backpackers
  • Relaxed atmosphere
  • Connects solo travelers
  • Matobo trips arranged
  • Dorms: $10-15/night
Why Hostels are Perfect for Solo Travelers:
  • Meet other travelers instantly
  • Share safari costs (vehicles, guides)
  • Get real-time travel advice
  • Group dinners and activities
  • Tour desks coordinate group bookings
  • Built-in community and safety
  • Staff know good local spots

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Safari Lodges Welcoming Solo Travelers

Many safari lodges charge single supplements (50-100% extra), but some are solo-friendly:Budget to Mid-Range:
  • National Parks Camps: No single supplement, meet other self-drivers
  • Hwange Main Camp: Social atmosphere, shared facilities
  • Mana Pools Campsites: Solo campers common, easy to connect
Mid-Range Lodges with Reasonable Solo Rates:
  • Some smaller lodges charge minimal single supplements
  • Mobile safari companies often share tents (with permission)
  • Ask directly - many negotiate for solo travelers
Tips for Safari Lodges:
  • Book through tour operators for group safaris (avoid single supplement)
  • Join mobile camping safaris (usually no single supplement)
  • Visit during low season (better single rates)
  • Connect with other solos online, travel together
  • Some lodges waive supplement if you accept room changes
Community Camps:
  • Community-run camps often have flexible pricing
  • Welcoming atmosphere
  • Connect with other travelers and locals
  • More affordable than luxury lodges

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Where Solo Travelers Naturally Connect

Guaranteed Social Situations:Group Safari Tours:
  • Most safaris have 4-8 people
  • Instant travel community
  • Share vehicle and costs
  • Often continue traveling together
  • Book through operators offering group safaris
Hostel Common Areas:
  • Communal kitchens
  • Bar/lounge areas
  • Pool areas
  • Game nights
  • Organized dinners
Tours & Activities:
  • White water rafting groups
  • Walking safaris
  • Victoria Falls tours
  • Canoeing expeditions
  • Any group activity
Online Communities:
  • Zimbabwe Travel Community
  • Facebook: Zimbabwe Travel Information group
  • Discord: Real-time traveler connections
  • Find travel buddies before you go
Tips for Connecting:
  • Be open and friendly
  • Initiate conversations (“Where are you headed next?”)
  • Suggest sharing costs (safaris, transport)
  • Exchange contact info
  • Be flexible with plans
  • Respect others’ solo time too

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Cost Optimization for Solo Travelers

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Smart Strategies to Save Money

Join Group Tours:
  • Safari tours: Same cost whether solo or couple
  • Day trips: Split equally among participants
  • Victoria Falls activities: No solo penalty
  • Organized overland trips: Fixed per-person rates
Share Accommodations:
  • Hostels: Dorms same price for everyone
  • National Parks: Camping no single supplement
  • Ask hostels to match you with roommate
  • Connect online to share rooms
Team Up for Private Costs:
  • Safari vehicles: Share with other solos (find at hostels)
  • Private guides: Split 4-6 ways drastically reduces cost
  • Transfers: Share taxi costs
  • Self-drive: Most economical with 2-3 people - find partners
Negotiate:
  • Off-season: Lodges more willing to discount single rates
  • Direct booking: Ask about solo traveler rates
  • Multi-night stays: Better rates
  • Group activities: Sometimes negotiate group rate even for 2-3 people
Where Solo Costs Same as Groups:
  • All activities: Rafting, bungee, helicopter, etc.
  • Park entrance fees
  • Restaurant meals
  • Public transport
  • Guided tours (per person pricing)

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Solo Travel Itineraries

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Backpacker-Style Circuit

Day 1-3: Victoria Falls
  • Stay: Shoestrings Backpackers ($15/night dorm)
  • Day 1: Arrive, Falls visit ($30), meet travelers
  • Day 2: White water rafting ($150) - team up with hostel group
  • Day 3: Free morning, depart for Hwange
Day 4-6: Hwange National Park
  • Join budget group safari from Victoria Falls ($250-350 for 3 days)
  • Includes transport, park fees, camping, meals, game drives
  • Meet other travelers, share experiences
Day 7: Bulawayo
  • Bus from Hwange ($10)
  • Stay: Bulawayo Backpackers ($12/night)
  • City exploration
Day 8: Matobo Hills
  • Day trip from Bulawayo (40transport+40 transport + 20 entry)
  • Rhino tracking ($25)
  • Return to Bulawayo
Day 9-10: Return & Buffer
  • Bus to Victoria Falls ($15)
  • Flight out or continue
Total Estimate: $850-1,200 (excluding flights)

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Comfortable Solo Adventure

Days 1-3: Victoria Falls
  • Private room in hostel ($40/night)
  • Falls tour, helicopter flight, sunset cruise
  • Rafting or bungee
  • Social evenings at hostel
Days 4-7: Hwange Safari
  • Mid-range lodge ($200-300/night, often solo supplement)
  • Or join group mobile safari ($400-600 total for 4 days)
  • All game drives included
Days 8-9: Bulawayo & Matobo
  • Hotel in Bulawayo ($60/night)
  • Matobo full day tour
  • City cultural experiences
Days 10-12: Eastern Highlands
  • Self-drive or hire driver
  • Mountain lodge ($80-120/night)
  • Mt. Nyangani hike
  • Tea estates visit
  • Peaceful solo retreat
Days 13-14: Harare & Departure
  • Mid-range hotel ($70/night)
  • National Gallery, markets
  • Shopping, departure
Total Estimate: $2,500-4,000 including some single supplements

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Meeting Travelers While Staying Flexible

Start: Victoria Falls (3-4 days)
  • Book hostel for first nights only
  • Join activities through hostel (easy to meet people)
  • Connect with others heading same direction
  • Decide next move based on who you meet
Option A: Team Up for Safari
  • If you meet 2-3 others, split self-drive safari (cheapest)
  • Or join them on booked group tour
  • Flexibility to extend if group is great
Option B: Continue Solo
  • Bus to Bulawayo (cheap, safe)
  • Matobo day trip
  • Meet new people at next hostel
Option C: Follow New Friends
  • Many solo travelers end up traveling together
  • Flexible plan allows you to join others
  • Share costs while maintaining independence
Philosophy:
  • Book only first few nights anywhere
  • Let connections guide your path
  • Some of best experiences come from spontaneous decisions
  • Can always break off and go solo again

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Practical Solo Travel Tips

Best Places to Start

Easiest for First-Time Solos:
  • Victoria Falls: Tourist infrastructure, lots of travelers, hostel scene
  • Matobo Hills: Easy day trip from Bulawayo, not overwhelming
  • National Parks: Easy to join group safaris from VF or Harare
More Challenging (but doable):
  • Mana Pools: Remote, expensive solo, better with group
  • Gonarezhou: Very remote, self-drive challenging solo
  • Rural areas: Language barriers, less infrastructure
Progression for Nervous Solos:
  1. Start Victoria Falls (easiest, most social)
  2. Join group safari (built-in community)
  3. Bulawayo/Matobo (manageable city, easy day trips)
  4. If confident, extend to Harare or highlands

Solo Dining

Eating Alone Confidently:
  • Many restaurants used to solo diners
  • Bring book, journal, or phone (no judgment)
  • Bar seating great for meeting people
  • Hostels often have communal dinners
  • Street food perfect for solos
Budget-Friendly Solo Eating:
  • Self-cater in hostel kitchens (meet other solos cooking)
  • Local takeaways (affordable portions)
  • Markets for fresh, cheap food
  • Eat main meal at lunch (cheaper than dinner)
Social Dining:
  • Join hostel braais/BBQs
  • Ask staff for local spots (often go with you)
  • Tourist restaurants: Easy to chat with neighbors
  • Food tours: Built-in social eating

Staying Connected

Communication:
  • Local SIM card essential ($5-10, widely available)
  • Data bundles cheap (1GB = $3-5)
  • Most accommodations have WiFi
  • WhatsApp widely used
  • Download offline maps before remote areas
Staying in Touch Home:
  • Regular check-ins give peace of mind
  • Share live location with trusted person
  • Video calls when WiFi available
  • Travel blog or photos for family
Meeting People Online:
  • Zimbabwe Travel Facebook group
  • Discord community for real-time connections
  • Hostel Facebook groups
  • Travel forums to find buddies
Solo but Not Alone:
  • Balance alone time with social time
  • Don’t feel obligated to be social every moment
  • It’s okay to have quiet solo days
  • Recharge however you need

Dealing with Loneliness

When Solo Gets Tough:
  • Normal to feel lonely sometimes
  • Usually passes once you meet people
  • Hostels cure loneliness fast
  • Join group activity
  • Video call home
  • Write in journal
  • Remember why you chose solo travel
Homesickness:
  • More common than people admit
  • Usually hits around day 4-7
  • Often passes after first week
  • Keep busy
  • Connect with other travelers
  • Allow yourself to miss home
When to Reach Out:
  • If feeling unsafe, trust instinct
  • If sick, ask accommodation for help
  • If overwhelmed, take a day off touring
  • If truly struggling, it’s okay to cut trip short
The Rewards:
  • Confidence and independence
  • Meet people you wouldn’t otherwise
  • Go at your own pace
  • Surprising kindness from strangers
  • Stories and memories uniquely yours

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Solo Travel FAQs

Definitely not! Solo travelers are common in Zimbabwe, especially:
  • Backpackers in their 20s-30s
  • Career-break travelers (30s-40s)
  • Retired adventurers (50s-70s)
  • Gap year students
  • People between life chapters
You’ll meet other solos constantly at hostels, on safaris, and during activities. Many people start solo and end up traveling with new friends.
Group Safari Tours:
  • Book through safari operators offering “join-in” safaris
  • Hostels can connect you with others (same dates, split private tour)
  • Tour operators pair solos regularly
  • Mobile safari companies have set departures you join
Finding Safari Buddies:
  • Post in Zimbabwe travel groups online before departure
  • Ask hostel to connect you with others
  • Many solo travelers team up at Victoria Falls
  • Safari operators can match you with small groups
Solo Safari Options:
  • Join overland truck tours (20-40 people, always solos)
  • Mobile camping safaris (4-8 people usually)
  • Self-drive if confident (though better with partner)
  • Day safaris from lodges (no solo penalty)
Preparation:
  • Travel insurance essential (medical evacuation coverage)
  • Basic first aid kit
  • Know your accommodation’s location
  • Save emergency contacts in phone
If It Happens:
  • Tell accommodation staff immediately - they help
  • Travel insurance 24/7 hotlines
  • Expat clinics in Harare, Victoria Falls (good care)
  • Other travelers often help
  • Embassies can assist nationals
Common Issues:
  • Traveler’s diarrhea: Very common, usually passes
  • Sunburn: Serious in Africa, use SPF50+
  • Dehydration: Drink constantly, especially on safari
  • Minor injuries: First aid at most lodges/hostels
  • Malaria: Prevention essential, symptoms need immediate care
Reality:
  • Most solos travel entire trip without issues
  • Accommodations experienced helping solo travelers
  • Medical care adequate in cities
  • Fellow travelers remarkably helpful
Absolutely! Solo travel is flexible:If You Want More Company:
  • Join group tours partway through
  • Team up with people you meet
  • Extend time at social hostels
  • Book multi-day group activities
If You Want More Alone Time:
  • Skip hostel common areas
  • Book private rooms
  • Take solo hikes
  • Self-catering instead of restaurants
  • Choose quieter destinations
The Beauty of Solo:
  • You control social dial
  • Social when you want, alone when you want
  • No compromises on itinerary
  • Can change plans instantly
  • Meet people organically
Common Pattern:
  • Start nervous → quickly make friends → happily toggle between social/solo → leave more confident
All ages travel solo successfully:20s:
  • Most common in hostels
  • Often gap year or post-university
  • Budget-focused
  • Very social
30s-40s:
  • Career breaks, sabbaticals
  • Mix budget and comfort
  • Often join mid-range tours
  • Balance social and quiet time
50s+:
  • More common than you’d think
  • Often post-divorce or newly retired
  • Tend toward mid-range to luxury
  • Join small group tours or private guides
  • Warmly welcomed everywhere
Solo Travel Doesn’t Mean Young:
  • Zimbabwe attracts all ages
  • Respect for elders means older solos often receive extra kindness
  • Safari lodges have all ages
  • Many activities suit any age
Age-Specific Tips:
  • Younger: Hostels perfect for meeting same age
  • Older: Small group tours great for solo 40+
  • Any age: Professional guides make safari accessible to all

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Real Solo Traveler Stories

Sarah, 28, UK - 3 Weeks Solo: “I was terrified before arriving in Victoria Falls, but within 2 hours at the hostel I’d joined 4 others for a sunset cruise and we ended up traveling together for a week. When I wanted solo time, I’d just say so and everyone respected that. Zimbabwe solo was easier than Europe honestly.”Michael, 35, USA - 2 Weeks Career Break: “Traveling solo let me go at my own pace. Some days I’d join group activities, other days I’d hire a private guide just for myself. The flexibility was incredible. Cost wasn’t much more than my usual vacations once I shared safari costs with others I met.”Jennifer, 52, Australia - 10 Days Post-Divorce: “Best decision I ever made. I’d never traveled alone before and was nervous, but Zimbabwe was the perfect place to start. People were so warm and welcoming. I felt safe the entire time and came home with new friends from three continents.”James, 24, South Africa - Budget Backpacker: “Did 2 weeks on $600 excluding activities. Camped, hitched some rides, cooked at hostels, made amazing friends. Solo travel in Zimbabwe is totally doable on a tiny budget if you’re flexible and social.”

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Resources for Solo Travelers

Before You Go

Pre-Trip Planning:
  • Join Zimbabwe Travel Community
  • Find travel buddies in Facebook group
  • Ask questions in Discord
  • Read recent solo trip reports
  • Connect with others going same time
Essential Reading:

During Your Trip

Stay Connected:
  • Zimbabwe Travel Discord (real-time help)
  • WhatsApp travel groups
  • Hostel Facebook pages
  • Local SIM for constant communication
Get Help:
  • Hostel staff (wealth of knowledge)
  • Fellow travelers (ask anything)
  • Tour operators (professional advice)
  • Contact us if stuck
Share Your Journey:
  • Post photos to inspire others
  • Share tips in community
  • Help next generation of solo travelers
  • Write trip report after

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Ready to Go Solo?

Start Planning: More Planning Guides:
Thousands of solo travelers explore Zimbabwe every year. Your adventure awaits - and you won’t be alone for long! Last updated: January 2025