Day 1: Bulawayo to Matobo Hills
Meet at Bulawayo Airport and drive into the Matobo Hills. Settle in at Matobo Hills Lodge, then take the first walk on the granite before sundown.
Fly-In Safari 12 days
Zimbabwe Walking Safari: Matobo, Hwange, Mana Pools & Kariba
Matobo, Hwange, Mana and Kariba, built around walking
Hwange National Park, Lake Kariba, Mana Pools, Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe · 12 days · Price on request · Booked direct with Josh Elliott, owner-operator
Duration12 Days
Regions4
Activity levelModerate
Priced per personPrice on request
Best monthsJune to October
Overview
A Zimbabwe walking safari that starts in the granite and ends on the water.
Begin in the Matobo Hills with white rhino on foot and a guided San rock-art site. Continue by road to Hwange for a full walking day, then carry on to Victoria Falls before the fly-in section begins.
From Victoria Falls, fly by scheduled seat-rate service or private charter into Mana Pools. Spend three days on foot around the floodplain and the river, with canoeing where water levels allow.
Then fly to Lake Kariba for two nights of shoreline game viewing by boat, optional fishing and a slower finish after the walking days. The final leg is by scheduled seat-rate service or private charter from Kariba to Harare Airport.
Private throughout, maximum eight guests. Exact flight schedules are confirmed when the proposal is built.
When to go: June to October, once the grass is down and walking conditions are strongest.
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
Zimbabwe Walking Safari: Matobo, Hwange, Mana Pools & KaribaThe route, day by day
Itinerary
Day by day.
Begin in Bulawayo and the Matobo Hills, continue by road through Hwange to Victoria Falls, then use scheduled seat-rate light aircraft or private charter for the remote northern sectors: Mana Pools, Lake Kariba and finally Harare Airport. Exact flight schedules are confirmed at proposal stage.
MATOBO HILLS
Day 2: Rhino and rock art on foot
Track white rhino on foot with a ranger in the morning. Later, walk to a San rock-art site with a guide who knows the hills, the paintings and the history around them.
HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
Day 3: Matobo to Hwange
Drive north through Bulawayo and Lupane to Hwange. Arrive with time for an afternoon walk or game drive before dark.
Day 4: Walking in Hwange
A full walking day in Hwange with a licensed Zimbabwe professional guide, using the cooler morning and late afternoon for time on foot around the pans and woodland.
VICTORIA FALLS
Day 5: Hwange to Victoria Falls
A final Hwange morning, then continue by road to Victoria Falls. The afternoon stays open for the Falls, the upper river or an early night before the fly-in section begins.
Day 6: Victoria Falls
Walk the rainforest path along the Zimbabwean side of the Falls, then keep the rest of the day flexible. This is also the buffer day before the light-aircraft sector north-east.
MANA POOLS
Day 7: Fly to Mana Pools
Fly from Victoria Falls to Mana Pools by scheduled seat-rate service or private charter, subject to the operating schedule for your dates. Transfer into camp and walk the floodplain in the afternoon.
Day 8: Mana Pools on foot
A long walking morning in Mana Pools, with the option to return to the river in the afternoon for canoeing where water levels allow.
Day 9: Zambezi floodplain
Move down towards the river for another day on foot among winterthorn forest and the Zambezi floodplain. Canoeing can be added when conditions suit.
LAKE KARIBA
Day 10: Fly to Lake Kariba
Fly from Mana Pools to Lake Kariba by scheduled seat-rate service or private charter. Transfer to the lakeshore and spend the afternoon by boat or on the water.
Day 11: Lake Kariba
A slower day after the walking section, with shoreline game viewing by boat, optional fishing and time around the Matusadona side of the lake.
Day 12: Lake Kariba to Harare
Fly from Kariba to Harare Airport by scheduled seat-rate service or private charter. The exact flight and connection are confirmed when the final proposal is built.
Where you will stay
Hand-picked, night by night.
Matobo Hills · ZimbabweMatobo Hills LodgeView the lodge →Hwange · ZimbabweSomalisa CampDetails in your proposalVictoria Falls · ZimbabweVictoria FallsDetails in your proposal
Mana Pools · ZimbabweKanga CampDetails in your proposalMana Pools · ZimbabweZambezi ExpeditionsDetails in your proposalLake Kariba · ZimbabweBumi HillsView 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.
Per person sharing, excluding international flights.
Operated by ZimTravellers (own itinerary; partner lodges as listed).
Participation & safety
Physical level: 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
- All meals, house drinks and activities as per each camp
- Guided walking safaris led by licensed Zimbabwe professional guides
- Private road transfers from Bulawayo through Matobo, Hwange and Victoria Falls
- Scheduled seat-rate light aircraft or private charter for the northern remote sectors as specified
- Canoeing on the Zambezi where water levels allow
- Boat safaris and shoreline game viewing on Lake Kariba
- Matobo rhino tracking on foot and a guided rock-art cave
- All national park and conservancy fees
- Direct WhatsApp line to Josh before, during and after the tour
Not included
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel and medical insurance
- Premium wines and spirits
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
Practical
Best timeJune to October
PaceModerate
StartsBulawayo Airport
EndsHarare Airport
