Solo Travel in Zimbabwe
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
Is Zimbabwe Safe for Solo Travelers?
- General Safety
- Solo Female Travel
- Smart Precautions
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
- 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)
- 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
- 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
Solo-Friendly Accommodation
Cost Optimization for Solo Travelers
- Reducing Single Costs
- Budget Breakdown
- Where to Splurge & Save
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
- Hostels: Dorms same price for everyone
- National Parks: Camping no single supplement
- Ask hostels to match you with roommate
- Connect online to share rooms
- 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
- 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
- All activities: Rafting, bungee, helicopter, etc.
- Park entrance fees
- Restaurant meals
- Public transport
- Guided tours (per person pricing)
Solo Travel Itineraries
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
- Mana Pools: Remote, expensive solo, better with group
- Gonarezhou: Very remote, self-drive challenging solo
- Rural areas: Language barriers, less infrastructure
- Start Victoria Falls (easiest, most social)
- Join group safari (built-in community)
- Bulawayo/Matobo (manageable city, easy day trips)
- 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
- 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)
- 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
- Regular check-ins give peace of mind
- Share live location with trusted person
- Video calls when WiFi available
- Travel blog or photos for family
- Zimbabwe Travel Facebook group
- Discord community for real-time connections
- Hostel Facebook groups
- Travel forums to find buddies
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Confidence and independence
- Meet people you wouldn’t otherwise
- Go at your own pace
- Surprising kindness from strangers
- Stories and memories uniquely yours
Solo Travel FAQs
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.”
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
During Your Trip
Stay Connected:
- Zimbabwe Travel Discord (real-time help)
- WhatsApp travel groups
- Hostel Facebook pages
- Local SIM for constant communication
- Hostel staff (wealth of knowledge)
- Fellow travelers (ask anything)
- Tour operators (professional advice)
- Contact us if stuck
- Post photos to inspire others
- Share tips in community
- Help next generation of solo travelers
- Write trip report after
Ready to Go Solo?
Start Planning:- Book Your Trip - We can help arrange solo-friendly options
- Contact Us - Questions about solo travel
- Join Community - Meet other solo travelers
- Budget Travel - Money-saving strategies
- Sample Itineraries - Trip ideas
- Safari Planning - Joining safaris solo
Thousands of solo travelers explore Zimbabwe every year. Your adventure awaits - and you won’t be alone for long! Last updated: January 2025