Day 1: Arrive Victoria Falls
Met on arrival and taken to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. The afternoon stays loose: settle in, then a sunset cruise on the Zambezi above the lip of the Falls if the light is worth it.
Private Tour 12 days
Family Zimbabwe Safari: Victoria Falls, Hwange, Matobo & Kariba
A family safari with history between the game drives
Hwange National Park, Khami Ruins, Lake Kariba, Matobo Hills, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe · 12 days · From $9,900 per person · Booked direct with Josh Elliott, owner-operator
Duration12 Days
Regions5
Max guests8
Activity levelEasy
Priced per personFrom $9,900
Best monthsApril to October (school-holiday friendly)
Overview
A family safari built around variety, because children lose interest in the fourth game drive in a row.
Three nights at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge to open, with the waterhole in front of the deck and more than enough at the Falls to fill three days at any age.
Three nights at Somalisa Acacia in Hwange next, a camp that takes families properly, with elephant coming into camp and drives short enough to hold attention.
Then two nights in the granite at Matobo Hills Lodge, ours, which is where the trip stops being only about animals: rhino tracked on foot, San paintings in a cave, and the Khami Ruins outside Bulawayo. This is usually the part children talk about afterwards.
Kariba closes it on the water. Three nights between Bumi Hills and the Lady Jacqueline, with fishing, boating and the sunsets, which is the right way to end a long trip with a family.
Private throughout, maximum eight guests. Family rooming is confirmed at the time of quoting.
When to go: May to October.
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
Family Zimbabwe Safari: Victoria Falls, Hwange, Matobo & KaribaThe route, day by day
Itinerary
Day by day.
Travel from Victoria Falls through Hwange and Matobo to Lake Kariba, then finish with a scheduled seat-rate flight or private charter from Kariba to Harare Airport. The exact final flight is confirmed in the proposal.
VICTORIA FALLS
Day 2: Victoria Falls
The rainforest walk along the rim, timed for the light and the spray, with a guide who can read the geology as well as the view. The afternoon is yours.
Day 3: Victoria Falls
A second day at the Falls, which is what turns a stop into a stay. The gorge below the bridge is where the adrenaline lives, and the quieter options on the upper river are just as good.
HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
Day 4: On to Hwange National Park
Into Hwange and Somalisa Acacia, with time for an afternoon game drive before dark. The waterhole in front of camp usually does the rest.
Day 5: Hwange National Park
A full day in the park. Out early while it is cool, back through the heat of the middle of the day, out again into the evening.
Day 6: Hwange National Park
A second full day, which is where the difference shows. Hwange holds one of the largest elephant populations in Africa and in the dry months they come to the pans in numbers that are hard to describe.
MATOBO HILLS
Day 7: On to Matobo Hills
South into the Matobo Hills and Matobo Hills Lodge. Settle in, then sundowners from the granite with the whole valley below you.
Day 8: Matobo Hills
On foot at first light, tracking white rhino with a ranger. Later, San paintings read off a cave wall by a guide who grew up in these hills.
LAKE KARIBA
Day 9: On to Lake Kariba
Across to Lake Kariba and Bumi Hills + Lady Jacqueline. Out on the water for the first of the lake sunsets, which are not exaggerated.
Day 10: Lake Kariba
Shoreline game viewing by boat and by vehicle. Elephant come down to drink against the drowned trees, and the tiger fishing is serious if you want it.
Day 11: Lake Kariba
A slower day on Matusadona. Walking with a guide, more time on the water, or the deck and a long view over the inland sea.
Day 12: Depart Lake Kariba
A last morning on the lake, then fly from Kariba to Harare Airport by scheduled seat-rate service or private charter. The exact flight is confirmed in the proposal.
Where you will stay
Hand-picked, night by night.
Victoria Falls · ZimbabweVictoria Falls Safari LodgeDetails in your proposal
Hwange · ZimbabweSomalisa AcaciaDetails in your proposal
Matobo Hills · ZimbabweMatobo Hills LodgeView the lodge →Lake Kariba · ZimbabweBumi Hills Safari LodgeView the lodge →Lake Kariba · ZimbabweLady JacquelineDetails in your proposalThings 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.
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 timeApril to October (school-holiday friendly)
PaceEasy
StartsVictoria Falls
EndsHarare Airport
Group sizePrivate (max 8 guests)
