Day 1: Arrive Hwange National Park
Into Hwange and Camp Hwange, with time for an afternoon game drive before dark. The waterhole in front of camp usually does the rest.
Private Tour 12 days New
Proper Matobos, Hwange, Falls & Kariba
The Matobos route done properly
Duration12 Days
Regions5
Max guests8
Activity levelEasy to moderate
Priced per personFrom $8,850per person
Best monthsMay to October (dry season best; tailor-made year-round)
Overview
The Matobos route done the way it should be, with the hills as a proper stay rather than a bolt-on afternoon. Three nights at Camp Hwange to open, in the elephant heartland, where the walking guiding is among the best in the country. Then the granite. Two nights at Matobo Hills Lodge, which is ours, tracking white rhino on foot and standing in front of San paintings that were painted thousands of years before the ruins at Khami. A private morning at the UNESCO-listed Khami Ruins outside Bulawayo on the way through. Three nights at the Falls next, at The Wallow, out of town and on the river, with the rainforest walk along the rim and as much or as little adventure as you want. Kariba finishes it: three nights at Musango on the water, with the drowned forest, the shoreline game and the sunsets the lake is known for. Private throughout, maximum eight guests, and every departure tailor-made. When to go: May to October, strongest from July.
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
Proper Matobos, Hwange, Falls & KaribaThe route, day by day
Itinerary
Day by day.
HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
Day 2: 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 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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.
VICTORIA FALLS
Day 6: On to Victoria Falls
Met on arrival and taken to The Wallow 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.
Day 7: 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 8: 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 9: On to Lake Kariba
Across to Lake Kariba and Musango Safari Camp. 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.
Where you will stay
Hand-picked, night by night.
Hwange · ZimbabweCamp HwangeDetails in your proposalMatobo Hills · ZimbabweMatobo Hills LodgeView the lodge →
Hwange · ZimbabweThe Wallow LodgeDetails in your proposal
Lake Kariba · ZimbabweMusango Safari CampDetails in your proposalThings to know
Cancellation policy
25% charge (deposit) — 90+ days out.
50% charge — 61–90 days.
75% charge — 31–60 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
StartsHwange
Group sizePrivate (max 8 guests)
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