Zimbabwe safari costs span a wider range than almost any other destination in Southern Africa - from USD 15 per night at a national parks campsite to over USD 1,200 per person per night at a fly-in luxury camp. Both ends of that range are legitimate; the difference lies in what you get, not whether you see wildlife. This guide breaks down the real costs at each tier with specific examples.
For context on total daily travel costs beyond the safari itself, see our Zimbabwe budget guide.
National Park Entry Fees (2026)
All international visitors pay entry fees directly to Zimbabwe National Parks (Zimparks) at the gate or online. Fees are in USD and subject to annual review.
| Park | Person/day | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Hwange National Park | USD 20 | USD 5 |
| Mana Pools National Park | USD 25 | USD 5 |
| Matobo Hills National Park | USD 15 | USD 5 |
| Victoria Falls Rainforest | USD 30 | n/a |
| Gonarezhou National Park | USD 20 | USD 5 |
| Chizarira National Park | USD 15 | USD 5 |
A three-night self-drive stay in Hwange for two people in one vehicle therefore costs USD 90 in park fees alone (3 nights × USD 20 × 2 people + USD 5 × 3 days vehicle). Budget this separately from accommodation.
Booking: Zimparks campsites and chalets are bookable online at the Zimbabwe National Parks reservations portal. Payment is in USD. Capacity at bush camps is small - book Main Camp and Sinamatella months ahead for peak season (July–October).
Budget Safari: USD 50–100 Per Person Per Day
The budget tier uses Zimparks-operated facilities inside national parks, self-catering, and a personal or hired vehicle.
Accommodation Costs
- Hwange Main Camp: Camping pitches USD 15/person/night; pre-erected tents USD 20–25/person; self-catering chalets USD 35–50/unit (sleeping 2–4)
- Hwange Sinamatella Camp: Self-catering chalets USD 40–55/unit; camping USD 15/person
- Mana Pools (Nyamepi Camp): Camping USD 20–30/person/night; basic chalets USD 40–50/unit
- Matobo Hills (Maleme Dam Camp): Camping from USD 12/person; self-catering chalets USD 35/unit
What Budget Gets You
Self-drive game viewing in Hwange is genuinely excellent. The park’s network of gravel roads connects the main waterholes - Dom Pan, Ngweshla, Linkwasha Vlei approach, and the painted dogs den area - and traffic volumes are a fraction of Kruger or the Masai Mara. A waterhole vigil from a parked vehicle at Dom Pan in September requires no guide and costs nothing beyond park entry fees.
Typical day cost (two people, self-drive Hwange):
- Camping: USD 30 (2 × USD 15)
- Park fees: USD 45 (2 × USD 20 + USD 5 vehicle)
- Food (self-catering): USD 15–20
- Fuel (estimate): USD 10
- Total: approximately USD 100–105 for two, or USD 50–53 per person
Mid-Range Safari: USD 200–400 Per Person Per Night
Mid-range covers private lodges and tented camps outside national park boundaries (or inside smaller concessions), with daily game drives included and meals on-site.
Hwange Mid-Range Lodges
- Ivory Lodge: Approximately USD 120–180 per person sharing per night, including game drives and breakfast. Positioned adjacent to Hwange’s boundaries with excellent access to the park
- Miombo Safari Camp: From USD 100–150 per person per night, self-catering or half-board options. Smaller and more flexible than the large lodges
- Sikumi Tree Lodge: From USD 150–220 per person per night, all-inclusive game drives and meals
Victoria Falls Mid-Range (With Park Access)
Victoria Falls is a useful staging point for Hwange safaris. Many visitors overnight in the town, join a guided day safari into Hwange, and combine it with Falls activities.
- Ilala Lodge: From USD 150–200 per person sharing, B&B. The only hotel in Victoria Falls with direct Falls views
- Batonka Guest Lodge: From USD 90–130 per room, B&B
Guided Day Safaris from Victoria Falls
If you’re basing in Victoria Falls and want guided game drives in Hwange without a dedicated lodge stay, guided packages are the most practical option. All three tours below depart from Victoria Falls:
- Hwange Full-Day Safari: Full day with expert guide, game drive, lunch, and transfers - from approximately USD 150–200 per person
- 2-Day Hwange National Park Safari: Overnight in Hwange with two game drives and all meals - a genuine taste of the park without committing to a full lodge stay, from approximately USD 350–450 per person
- Hwange Private Wildlife Safari: Private vehicle and guide, flexible timing, fully customisable - from approximately USD 250–400 per person depending on group size
Total mid-range day cost estimate: USD 200–350 per person per day when factoring in accommodation, activities, and meals.
Luxury Safari: USD 500–1,200+ Per Person Per Night
The luxury tier in Zimbabwe is overwhelmingly fly-in, all-inclusive camps on private concessions inside national parks. The defining operators are Wilderness Safaris, &Beyond, and a handful of independent properties.
What Luxury All-Inclusive Includes
At this level, the rate covers:
- Accommodation in en-suite tented suite or chalet
- All meals (three courses at dinner)
- All drinks including spirits, wine, and cocktails
- Twice-daily game drives with professional guide and tracker
- Guided bush walks
- Park fees
- Internal light aircraft transfers (from Victoria Falls or Harare, at most camps)
- Laundry
The two main costs not covered are tourism levy (approximately 2%) and international flights.
Luxury Camp Prices (Hwange)
- Linkwasha Camp (Wilderness Safaris): USD 750–1,100 per person per night fully inclusive. Eight tents overlooking the Linkwasha Vlei. Arguably the best dry-season waterhole position in the park. Fly-in from Victoria Falls (25 minutes)
- Little Makalolo Camp (Wilderness Safaris): USD 600–950 per person per night. Six tents, maximum 12 guests. Exceptional private feel; the waterhole is visible directly from the lounge
- Davison’s Camp (Wilderness Safaris): USD 500–800 per person per night. Nine tents, slightly more accessible rates while maintaining the same guiding standard. Fly-in from Victoria Falls or Hwange Town airstrip
- Somalisa Camp (&Beyond): USD 700–1,000 per person per night. Private concession in the eastern sector of the park, near the Somalisa floodplain
Luxury Camps Elsewhere in Zimbabwe
- Ruckomechi Camp (Wilderness Safaris, Mana Pools): USD 900–1,300 per person per night. Considered among the top three camps in all of Africa for walking safaris. Limited capacity; books out 12+ months ahead for July–October
- &Beyond Matetsi River Lodge (near Victoria Falls): USD 600–900 per person per night on the Zambezi River. Excellent game viewing right along the waterfront, and proximity to the Falls
- The Victoria Falls Hotel: For the Falls itself, USD 300–600 per room per night. Colonial-era landmark, not a bush camp but the premium town base
For a full roundup of Zimbabwe’s best luxury lodges with per-property pricing and location detail, see our luxury safari lodges Zimbabwe guide.
Sample Safari Packages and Real-World Totals
5-Night Self-Drive Hwange (Budget)
Two people, one rented 4WD (from Bulawayo or Victoria Falls):
- Car hire: USD 60–80/day × 5 = USD 300–400
- Fuel: USD 60 estimated
- Camping (Main Camp): USD 15 × 2 × 5 = USD 150
- Park fees: USD 20 × 2 × 5 = USD 200 + USD 25 vehicle
- Food (self-catering): USD 15 × 5 = USD 75
- Total for two: approximately USD 810–910, or USD 405–455 per person
4-Night Mid-Range Package (Victoria Falls + Hwange Guided)
- Victoria Falls (2 nights, Ilala Lodge B&B): USD 300–400 per person
- 2-Day Hwange Guided Safari (from Victoria Falls): USD 350–450 per person
- Falls activities (helicopter, rafting): USD 300–400 per person
- Total per person: approximately USD 950–1,250
7-Night Fly-In Luxury (Hwange + Victoria Falls)
- 4 nights Linkwasha or Little Makalolo: USD 2,800–4,400 per person
- 3 nights Victoria Falls Hotel or Matetsi: USD 900–2,700 per person
- Internal flights (Victoria Falls ↔ Hwange airstrip): approximately USD 250 per person return
- Total per person: approximately USD 3,950–7,350
Booking Strategy
Book luxury camps 6–12 months ahead for July–October. Wilderness Safaris and &Beyond properties in this window routinely sell out by January for the following dry season. If you leave it to four months, you’re likely looking at shoulder-season availability (May, November) or smaller independent camps.
Mid-range can be booked 2–4 months out for most of the year. The exceptions are peak school holiday weeks (UK/SA summer holidays align with Zimbabwe dry season).
Budget/self-drive is more flexible - Zimparks camp availability is the main constraint. Book Sinamatella and the remote bush camps as soon as you have dates.
See our range of Hwange tours on GetYourGuide for guided options that avoid the logistics of self-drive planning.
Plan Your Trip
✈️ Book your flights to Zimbabwe 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car