The stone city of Great Zimbabwe, then four nights beside the red cliffs of the Runde River in Gonarezhou.
This is a quiet, thoughtful Zimbabwe. You begin at Great Zimbabwe, the largest ancient stone city in sub-Saharan Africa, then drive to Gonarezhou, a wild and remote national park where the Runde River runs beneath glowing red sandstone cliffs.
Four nights at Chilo Gorge Lodge give you game drives, walks and river trips with almost no other visitors, and a return night at Great Zimbabwe before you go.
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
Balanced, fitness: moderate.
Arrive at Great Zimbabwe and settle in at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel, a short walk from the ruins. Spend the late afternoon walking in the garden and looking across Lake Mutirikwi.
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.
Drive to the Chilojo Cliffs for a long day among the red sandstone, with a picnic lunch and the cliffs turning gold in the late light.
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 boat trip on the Runde River for birds and crocodiles, and a walk with your guide along the bank in the afternoon.
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 drive back to Great Zimbabwe for a last night at the hotel.
Overnight
A hotel beside the Great Zimbabwe ruins, with a garden and a view of the hill.
A slow breakfast, then the transfer to Harare, Bulawayo or the airstrip for your onward journey.
A hotel beside the Great Zimbabwe ruins, with a garden and a view of the hill.
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
A hotel beside the Great Zimbabwe ruins, with a garden and a view of the hill.
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$4,840 | US$4,100 | US$3,854 | US$3,854 | US$3,854 | US$3,854 | Get quote |
| Low season (Nov to Apr) | US$4,250 | US$3,600 | US$3,384 | US$3,384 | US$3,384 | US$3,384 | 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. Transfers from Harare or Bulawayo can be arranged, and the road days are long.
Best time for this trip May 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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