Day 1: Arrive Bulawayo, on to Matobo Hills
Met at Bulawayo Airport and transferred into the Matobo Hills. Settle in, then sundowners from the granite.
Private Tour 12 days
Zimbabwe Grand Safari: Matobo, Hwange, Victoria Falls & Mana Pools
Zimbabwe's greatest hits, at the top end
Hwange National Park, Mana Pools, Matobo Hills, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe · 12 days · From $12,850 per person · Booked direct with Josh Elliott, owner-operator
Duration12 Days
Regions4
Max guests8
Activity levelEasy to moderate
Priced per personFrom $12,850
Best monthsMay to October (dry season best; tailor-made year-round)
Overview
The top-end Zimbabwe circuit in a logical south-to-north sequence: Matobo, Hwange and Victoria Falls first, then four nights in Mana Pools, reached directly by light aircraft from Victoria Falls.
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 Grand Safari: Matobo, Hwange, Victoria Falls & Mana PoolsThe route, day by day
Itinerary
Day by day.
Bulawayo → Matobo Hills → Hwange → Victoria Falls → Mana Pools → Harare.
BULAWAYO → MATOBO HILLS
MANA POOLS
Day 2: Mana Pools
A full day on the floodplain. Game drives at either end, and the middle of the day spent watching the river do very little.
HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
Day 3: Matobo to Hwange National Park
Into Hwange and Little Makalolo, with time for an afternoon game drive before dark. The waterhole in front of camp usually does the rest.
Day 4: 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 5: 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.
HWANGE NATIONAL PARK → VICTORIA FALLS
Day 6: Hwange to Victoria Falls
Travel north from Hwange to Victoria Falls and settle into Old Drift Lodge on the Zambezi.
MATOBO HILLS
Day 7: 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 → MANA POOLS
Day 8: Fly Victoria Falls to Mana Pools
Fly directly from Victoria Falls into Mana Pools and transfer to Ruckomechi. This is the start of four nights on the floodplain.
VICTORIA FALLS
Day 9: 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.
VICTORIA FALLS → MANA POOLS
Day 10: Fly Victoria Falls to Mana Pools
Fly directly from Victoria Falls into Mana Pools and transfer to Ruckomechi. This is the start of four nights on the floodplain.
MANA POOLS
Day 11: Mana Pools
A walking morning, which is when Mana is at its best. Few African parks put you on foot among elephant the way this one does.
MANA POOLS → HARARE
Day 12: Mana Pools, fly to Harare
A final morning in Mana Pools, then fly to Harare for your onward connection.
Where you will stay
Hand-picked, night by night.
Mana Pools · ZimbabweRuckomechiView the lodge →
Hwange · ZimbabweLittle MakaloloDetails in your proposal
Matobo Hills · ZimbabweMatobo Hills LodgeView the lodge →
Victoria Falls · ZimbabweOld Drift 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)
