Victoria Falls, Hwange, the Matobo Hills, Great Zimbabwe and Gonarezhou: the best of Zimbabwe by road.
This route links the best of Zimbabwe in a single, unhurried loop. You begin at Victoria Falls, drive to Hwange for the elephants, go east to the Matobo Hills for rhinos and rock paintings, stop at Great Zimbabwe for the stone city, and finish in Gonarezhou, a wild park beneath red cliffs.
It is a road trip, with some long days, but every stop is different and each lodge is among the best in its area.
Zimbabwe
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
Active, fitness: moderate.
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, and walk the rainforest trail to the Falls.
Overnight
The Victoria Falls Hotel (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
The grand Edwardian hotel within walking distance of the Falls.
Walk the rainforest trail with your guide, facing the full length of the Falls, then take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi.
Overnight
The Victoria Falls Hotel (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
The grand Edwardian hotel within walking distance of the Falls.
Drive south to Hwange National Park and Somalisa Camp, arriving in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive.
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.
Spend the day on game drives and a guided walk, with long hours at a waterhole watching the elephant herds come and go.
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.
Drive east to the Matobo Hills and Amalinda Lodge, built into the granite boulders, arriving in the late afternoon.
Overnight
A lodge built into the granite boulders of the Matobo Hills, with views over the valley.
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.
Overnight
A lodge built into the granite boulders of the Matobo Hills, with views over the valley.
Walk to World’s View at sunrise, then drive east to Great Zimbabwe, arriving in the afternoon for a first walk among the ruins.
Overnight
A hotel beside the Great Zimbabwe ruins, with a garden and a view of the hill.
Walk through the Great Enclosure, the Hill Complex and the valley ruins with a local guide, who explains how the stone city was built and who lived there. After lunch, drive to Gonarezhou and Chilo Gorge Lodge, on the cliff above the Runde River, arriving in the afternoon for a first look at the river from the deck.
Overnight
Chilo Gorge Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Thatched chalets on the cliffs above the Runde River, on the edge of Gonarezhou.
Spend the day on game drives and a walk along the river, looking for elephants and lions, with a sunset at the Chilojo Cliffs.
Overnight
Chilo Gorge Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Thatched chalets on the cliffs above the Runde River, on the edge of Gonarezhou.
Take a last early game drive, then breakfast and the transfer to the airstrip or the road to Masvingo for your onward journey.
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
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
A lodge built into the granite boulders of the Matobo Hills, with views over the valley.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
A hotel beside the Great Zimbabwe ruins, with a garden and a view of the hill.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Chilo Gorge Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Thatched chalets on the cliffs above the Runde River, on the edge of Gonarezhou.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Important to know
Rates per person
| Season | Solo | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High season (May to Oct) | US$8,340 | US$7,070 | US$6,646 | US$6,646 | US$6,646 | US$6,646 | Get quote |
| Low season (Nov to Apr) | US$7,320 | US$6,200 | US$5,828 | US$5,828 | US$5,828 | US$5,828 | Get quote |
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. The road days between the Matobo Hills, Great Zimbabwe and Gonarezhou are long.
Best time for this trip Apr to Oct
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
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.
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