Day 1: Arrive Victoria Falls
Met on arrival and taken to Matetsi Victoria Falls. 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.
Fly-In Safari 12 days
Luxury Zimbabwe Safari: Matetsi, Kariba, Matobo & Singita Pamushana
Matetsi to Singita: Zimbabwe without compromise
Gonarezhou, Lake Kariba, Matobo Hills, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe · 12 days · From $24,050 per person · Booked direct with Josh Elliott, owner-operator
Duration12 Days
Regions4
Max guests8
Activity levelEasy
Priced per personFrom $24,050
Best monthsYear-round
Overview
Four of the best addresses in Zimbabwe, and no compromise at any of them.
Three nights at Matetsi to open, on fifteen kilometres of private Zambezi frontage upstream of the Falls. River suites, game drives on the reserve, and the Falls close enough to visit without living in the town.
Three nights at Bumi Hills next, on a ridge above Lake Kariba on the edge of Matusadona, where the shoreline game viewing runs by boat and the sunsets over the inland sea are the reason the lake has a reputation.
Then the granite. Two nights at Matobo Hills Lodge, ours, tracking white rhino on foot and reading San rock art with a guide who grew up here, with a private morning at the UNESCO-listed Khami Ruins outside Bulawayo.
Singita Pamushana finishes it. Three nights on the private Malilangwe Reserve: baobab country, big game, and guiding at the level the name implies.
Private throughout, maximum eight guests, flown between the legs.
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
Luxury Zimbabwe Safari: Matetsi, Kariba, Matobo & Singita PamushanaThe route, day by day
Itinerary
Day by day.
Finish at Singita Pamushana on Malilangwe. For the outbound connection, use the scheduled Federal Air Buffalo Range to Johannesburg OR Tambo service on operating Mondays and Thursdays when your dates align, or a private charter to Harare. The exact connection 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.
LAKE KARIBA
Day 4: On to Lake Kariba
Across to Lake Kariba and Bumi Hills. Out on the water for the first of the lake sunsets, which are not exaggerated.
Day 5: 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 6: 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.
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.
GONAREZHOU
Day 9: On to Gonarezhou
Fly into the private Malilangwe Reserve and Singita Pamushana: baobab country, big game, and guiding at the top of the range.
Day 10: Gonarezhou
A full day on Malilangwe. Big game, rock art in the sandstone, and very few other vehicles.
Day 11: Gonarezhou
A second day on the reserve, which is private, so a sighting stays yours.
Day 12: Depart Malilangwe
A final morning on the reserve, then connect through Buffalo Range. Use the scheduled Federal Air service to Johannesburg OR Tambo on operating Mondays and Thursdays when dates align, or a private charter to Harare. The exact connection is confirmed in the proposal.
Where you will stay
Hand-picked, night by night.
Victoria Falls · ZimbabweMatetsi Victoria FallsView the lodge →
Lake Kariba · ZimbabweBumi HillsView the lodge →
Matobo Hills · ZimbabweMatobo Hills LodgeView the lodge →Malilangwe Reserve · ZimbabweSingita PamushanaDetails 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 timeYear-round
PaceEasy
StartsVictoria Falls
EndsJohannesburg OR Tambo or Harare Airport
Group sizePrivate (max 8 guests)
