Day 1: Bulawayo to the Matobo Hills
Meet your guide at Bulawayo Airport and travel to Matobo Hills Lodge. Settle in, then enjoy the granite landscape and sundowners.
Private Tour 14 days New
Epic Zimbabwe
Two weeks, every landscape that matters
Hwange National Park, Lake Kariba, Mana Pools, Matobo Hills, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe · 14 days · From $12,150 per person · Booked direct with Josh Elliott, owner-operator
Duration14 Days
Regions5
Max guests8
Activity levelEasy to moderate
Priced per personFrom $12,150
Best monthsMay to October (dry season best; tailor-made year-round)
Overview
A fourteen-day journey from Bulawayo through Matobo and Hwange to Victoria Falls, followed by flights to Mana Pools, Lake Kariba and Harare. Stay two nights at Matobo Hills Lodge, three at Somalisa, two at Thorntree River Lodge on the Zambian side of the Falls, three at Nyamatusi and three at Bumi Hills. Border transfers return you to Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe for the Mana Pools flight. All flight sectors, border requirements and lodge inclusions are confirmed in your individual proposal.
Why book direct with ZimTravellers?
Owner-plannedYou deal with Josh, directly
Generations deepFive generations in Zimbabwe
Private by defaultYour guide, your vehicle
A direct lineMessages answered by Josh himself
Epic ZimbabweThe route, day by day
Itinerary
Day by day.
Bulawayo → Matobo Hills → Hwange → Victoria Falls / Livingstone → Mana Pools → Lake Kariba → Harare. Fourteen days and thirteen nights.
MATOBO HILLS
Day 2: Rhino tracking and rock art
Track white rhino on foot with your guide and ranger, then visit a San rock-art cave. Return to Matobo Hills Lodge for the night.
HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
Day 3: North to Hwange
Travel north to Hwange National Park and Somalisa Camp. An afternoon game drive depends on arrival time.
Day 4: Hwange wildlife
Morning and afternoon game drives explore Hwange, with time at camp during the heat of the day.
Day 5: A full day in Hwange
Spend another day exploring Hwange with the camp guides. Walking activities depend on guiding availability and conditions.
LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA
Day 6: Hwange to Victoria Falls and Livingstone
Travel north to Victoria Falls and cross into Zambia for Thorntree River Lodge near Livingstone. Border formalities and transfers are arranged in your confirmed itinerary.
VICTORIA FALLS / LIVINGSTONE
Day 7: Victoria Falls and the Zambezi
Visit Victoria Falls with a guide and spend time beside the Zambezi. Your confirmed programme specifies which side of the Falls you visit and the activities included at Thorntree River Lodge.
MANA POOLS
Day 8: Fly from Victoria Falls to Mana Pools
Transfer across the border to Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe for the arranged light-aircraft flight to Mana Pools. Continue to Nyamatusi Camp for three nights.
Day 9: Mana Pools on foot
Explore the floodplain on a guided walking safari, with wildlife viewing shaped around conditions and the movement of animals.
Day 10: The Zambezi at Mana Pools
A further day of camp activities, with canoeing when river conditions and the camp programme allow, and time watching wildlife on the floodplain.
LAKE KARIBA
Day 11: Fly to Lake Kariba
Take the arranged light-aircraft transfer from Mana Pools to Bumi Hills on Lake Kariba. Settle in above the lake.
Day 12: Lake and shoreline wildlife
Explore the lake and surrounding wildlife area through the lodge activities included in your confirmed programme.
Day 13: A final day on Kariba
Another day at Bumi Hills, with time for wildlife, the lake and the lodge. Fishing or other optional activities are confirmed separately.
HARARE
Day 14: Fly to Harare
Transfer for the arranged flight to Harare and your onward connection. Flight timings and connection requirements are confirmed before booking.
Where you will stay
Hand-picked, night by night.
Matobo Hills · ZimbabweMatobo Hills LodgeView the lodge →Hwange · ZimbabweSomalisa CampDetails in your proposalLivingstone · ZambiaThorntree River Lodge, ZambiaDetails in your proposalMana Pools · ZimbabweNyamatusi CampDetails in your proposalLake Kariba · ZimbabweBumi Hills Safari LodgeView the lodge →Things to know
Cancellation policy
25% charge (deposit): 90+ days out.
50% charge: 61 to 90 days.
75% charge: 31 to 60 days.
A 25% deposit confirms your itinerary.
Booking basics
Requested and confirmed within one working day.
Prices per person, based on two travelling together.
Private (max 8 guests).
Operated by ZimTravellers (own itinerary; partner lodges as listed).
Participation & safety
Physical level: Easy to moderate.
Private and tailor-made journey cancellation
- A 25% deposit is required to confirm your itinerary and is non-refundable.
- If we receive your written cancellation more than 90 days before departure, the cancellation charge is 25% of the total booking price.
- For cancellations received 61-90 days before departure, the charge is 50%.
- For cancellations received 31-60 days before departure, the charge is 75%.
- For cancellations received 30 days or fewer before departure, or in the event of a no-show, the charge is 100%.
- Certain camps, lodges, private vehicles, permits and special arrangements may impose earlier or higher non-refundable charges. Any such condition will be itemised and disclosed before you pay your deposit and will apply only to the affected component.
- Changes requested after services have been confirmed are subject to availability, supplier charges and repricing. A reduction in the number of travellers may increase the per-person price for those who continue to travel.
How booking works
- Send your dates and party size. We confirm availability within one working day, usually sooner.
- Nothing is charged until your booking is confirmed.
What’s included
Included
- Accommodation as listed or similar
- Meals and activities as per lodge package
- Private/arranged transfers where specified
- ZimTravellers itinerary support
- Matobo/Khami guided component where included.
- Direct WhatsApp line to Josh before, during and after the tour
Not included
- International flights unless stated
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Premium drinks unless included by lodge
- Optional activities
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature.
Practical
Best timeMay to October (dry season best; tailor-made year-round)
PaceEasy to moderate
StartsBulawayo
EndsHarare
Group sizePrivate (max 8 guests)
