7 Days Victoria Falls, Hwange and Matobo Rhinos

  • 7 days
  • Zimbabwe
  • Luxury
  • Private

Victoria Falls, the elephants of Hwange and rhinos on foot in the Matobo Hills.

From US$4,888 per person

Request a free quote See the itinerary
Duration
7 days · 6 nights
Route
Victoria Falls to Matobo Hills
Comfort
Luxury lodges
Group
Private, 1 to 6 travellers
Best time
Apr to Oct

Overview

This is the full classic route through western Zimbabwe. You begin at Victoria Falls, drive to Hwange for the elephants, and cross to the Matobo Hills, where granite kopjes, ancient rock paintings and rhinos that you can track on foot make a completely different kind of safari.

It is a trip of contrasts, by road, with two nights in each place and no flight between them.

Highlights

  • Victoria Falls and the Zambezi sunset cruise
  • Elephants and lions at Hwange
  • Rhino tracking on foot in the Matobo Hills
  • San rock paintings and World’s View
  • Amalinda Lodge, built into the granite

Route

ZAMBIAZIMBABWEBOTSWANASOUTH AFRICALake Kariba 1 Victoria Falls 3 Hwange National Park 5 Matobo Hills

Zimbabwe

  1. StartVictoria Falls (Day 1)
  2. Day 3Hwange National Park
  3. Day 5Matobo Hills
  4. EndMatobo Hills (Day 7)

What to expect

  • Luxury safari

    Handpicked luxury lodges and camps, chosen for their setting, service and guiding.

  • Private safari

    Your own vehicle and guide for the whole journey, never shared with other travellers.

  • Made to measure

    Change the pace, a lodge or an activity and we rebuild the itinerary around you.

  • Start any day

    Travel on the dates that suit you, subject to lodge and permit availability.

  • Solo travellers welcome

    Priced for one on request, with the single supplement shown under Rates.

  • Pace and fitness

    Balanced, fitness: moderate.

Activities
Birding, Boat Safaris, Cultural & Community Visits, Game Drives, Hiking & Walking, Relaxation, Rhino Tracking
Getting around
Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide

Day by day

Day 1 Arrive at Victoria Falls Victoria Falls

Meet your driver at Victoria Falls airport and transfer to the Victoria Falls Hotel, the colonial hotel with a view of the bridge. Take afternoon tea on the Stanley Terrace.

  • Travel Airport transfer, 20 min
  • Meals Lunch & dinner
  • Relaxation

Overnight

The Victoria Falls Hotel (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

The grand Edwardian hotel within walking distance of the Falls.

The Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls townThe Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls townThe Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls town
Day 2 The Falls and the Zambezi Victoria Falls

Walk the rainforest trail with your guide, facing the full length of the Falls, then take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi.

  • Travel Rainforest walk and a cruise
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Boat Safaris
  • Cultural & Community Visits

Overnight

The Victoria Falls Hotel (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

The grand Edwardian hotel within walking distance of the Falls.

The Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls townThe Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls townThe Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls town
Day 3 To Hwange Hwange National Park

Drive south to Hwange National Park and Somalisa Camp, arriving in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive.

  • Travel About 3 hr drive
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Game Drives

Overnight

Somalisa Camp (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

A small camp in Hwange with an elephant-proof pool the herds drink from.

Day 4 A full day in Hwange Hwange National Park

Spend the day on game drives and a guided walk, with long hours at a waterhole watching the elephant herds come and go.

  • Travel Game drives and a walk
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Game Drives
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Birding

Overnight

Somalisa Camp (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

A small camp in Hwange with an elephant-proof pool the herds drink from.

Day 5 To the Matobo Hills Matobo Hills

Drive east to the Matobo Hills and Amalinda Lodge, built into the granite boulders, arriving in the late afternoon.

  • Travel About 5 hr drive
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Relaxation

Overnight

Amalinda Lodge

A lodge built into the granite boulders of the Matobo Hills, with views over the valley.

Day 6 Rhinos and rock art Matobo Hills

Track white rhinos on foot with a ranger in the morning, then visit a cave of San rock paintings, and watch the sunset from the boulders.

  • Travel Rhino walk and a rock art visit
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Rhino Tracking
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Cultural & Community Visits

Overnight

Amalinda Lodge

A lodge built into the granite boulders of the Matobo Hills, with views over the valley.

Day 7 World’s View and departure Matobo Hills

Walk to World’s View at sunrise for the panorama over the hills, then breakfast and the transfer to Bulawayo for your onward flight.

  • Travel Sunrise walk, then a transfer
  • Meals Breakfast & lunch
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Cultural & Community Visits

Where you stay

DaysAccommodation & meals
Days 1 to 2

The Victoria Falls Hotel (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

The grand Edwardian hotel within walking distance of the Falls.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls townThe Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls townThe Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls town
Days 3 to 4

Somalisa Camp (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

A small camp in Hwange with an elephant-proof pool the herds drink from.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Days 5 to 6

Amalinda Lodge

A lodge built into the granite boulders of the Matobo Hills, with views over the valley.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Rates

Important to know

  • Rates are per person, shown in USD, and do not include international flights to and from your home country.
  • The price per person depends on how many travellers share the vehicle and guide.

Rates per person

Price per person by number of travellers
SeasonSolo2 people3 people4 people5 people6 people7+ people
High season (Apr to Oct)US$7,000US$5,930US$5,574US$5,574US$5,574US$5,574Get quote
Low season (Nov to Mar)US$6,140US$5,200US$4,888US$4,888US$4,888US$4,888Get quote
Deposit to confirm
30%

Prices are per person, in US dollars, and depend on the number of travellers sharing the vehicle and guide. They are sample rates for planning and will be confirmed when you enquire, as lodge and permit prices change each year. Rhino tracking is led by a ranger and depends on the conditions, and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

  • Rates can change when lodge, permit and park fees are updated, and are confirmed when you enquire.
  • The order and content of the safari can be adjusted to suit you, and a change may affect the price.
  • If a lodge is fully booked, we will offer a comparable one.
  • This safari is subject to our terms and conditions.

Best time to go

Best time for this trip Apr to Oct

  1. January: possible
  2. February: possible
  3. March: possible
  4. April: best
  5. May: best
  6. June: best
  7. July: best
  8. August: best
  9. September: best
  10. October: best
  11. November: possible
  12. December: possible

What is included

Included

  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide
  • Accommodation as listed, on the meal plan shown for each lodge
  • Park fees
  • Park entry fees and all activities in the itinerary
  • Bottled water, binoculars and a Zimbabwe field guide in the vehicle
  • Airport meet and greet

Not included

  • International flights and visas
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Tips for guides, trackers and lodge staff
  • Premium drinks and personal spending
  • Optional activities not listed in the itinerary

Good to know

Pack light, neutral colours for game drives, a warm fleece for early mornings, a sun hat, good sunscreen and insect repellent. Binoculars are provided in the vehicle, but bring your own if you are a keen birder or photographer.

Made to measure

Make this safari your own

Every Uwera safari is private. Slow the pace, add a night by a lake, swap a lodge or bring the children: tell us in your request and we will rebuild the itinerary around you.

Request a free quote

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