Fly-in
Victoria Falls, Hwange & Mana Pools
8 days · 7 nights. The same length, flown instead of driven, with Mana Pools in place of the Matobo.
From US$4,557View
Overview
Zimbabwe’s three great set pieces in one guided drive: the granite hills of the Matobo, the elephant country of Hwange, and the falls at the end.
This is the classic Zimbabwe overland route, and it works because the three places are completely unlike each other. The Matobo Hills are balancing boulders and whaleback domes, with the highest concentration of leopard and black eagle anywhere in the world, a healthy black rhino population you track on foot, and San rock art in the caves. Hwange is the opposite: 14,650 square kilometres of Kalahari sand and teak woodland with the second highest mammal count of any national park on earth. Then Victoria Falls, reached in the most enjoyable way possible — by rail car along the Dete Vlei.
The whole trip is guided by one driver-guide from Bulawayo through to the falls, so nothing is handed off between operators. It runs all year, and it is offered on three accommodation grades at the same pace and the same inclusions — the route never changes, only where you sleep.
At a glance
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Three regionsMatobo, Hwange and Victoria Falls, one guide throughout.
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Rhino on footBlack rhino tracking with an armed guide in the Matobo.
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Elephant ExpressThe rail car from Hwange to Dete, instead of a road transfer.
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Park fees includedAll park entry, conservation fees and government levies.
Day by day
Accommodation shown is the luxury grade. The mid-range and budget equivalents for each stop are listed under choosing a grade.
Days 1 & 2
Matobo National Park
Met by your safari guide at Joshua Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo and driven 30 minutes south into the Matobo Hills, an area of granite domes and balancing boulders that holds some of the most extraordinary rock scenery in the world.
Two full days of activities here, two a day: tracking black rhino on foot, morning and night game drives, San rock art in the caves, Cecil John Rhodes’ grave at the viewpoint known as World’s View, and Matabele cultural visits.
Camp Amalinda · all inclusive with local drinks and laundry
Days 3, 4 & 5
Hwange National Park
A guided transfer north-west to a private concession on the south-eastern corner of Hwange National Park, on the edge of the Ngamo Plains.
Three nights, two activities a day: day and night game drives on the private concession — night drives are not permitted inside the park itself — game walks, village and school visits, birding, and full-day drives into Hwange proper. There is an underground hide at a waterhole less than a kilometre from camp where elephants can be photographed at eye level.
Camelthorn Lodge · all inclusive with local drinks and laundry
Days 6 & 7
Victoria Falls
Leave Hwange aboard the Elephant Express rail car to Dete station, where your safari guide meets you for the drive to Victoria Falls.
Two nights with a full programme included: a Zambezi sunset and dinner cruise, a guided tour of the falls, lunch at The Lookout Café over the gorge, a 15 minute helicopter flight over the falls, and dinner with entertainment at the Jungle Junction restaurant.
The Victoria Falls Hotel · breakfast and dinners
Day 8
Departure
Farewell to your guide and a transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your departure flight. The whole itinerary can also be run in reverse, starting at the falls and finishing in Bulawayo.
Breakfast included
What’s included
Included
- All guided transfers, including the Elephant Express rail car
- 7 nights’ accommodation in your chosen grade
- All meals as stated, except lunch on arrival in Victoria Falls
- Local drinks at Matobo and Hwange
- All listed activities, two a day at Matobo and Hwange
- All park entry fees, conservation fees and laundry
- All taxes and government levies
Not included
- International flights
- Visas and any visa costs
- Premium and imported drinks
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Items of a personal nature
- Gratuities
- Travel and medical insurance
Rates
2026 rates per person in US dollars, for the full 7 night package.
Luxury grade
Camp Amalinda · Camelthorn Safari Camp · The Victoria Falls Hotel
| Occupancy | Low season · Jan–Jun & Dec | High season · Jul–Nov |
|---|---|---|
| Per person sharing | US$4,505 | US$4,725 |
| Per person single, travelling with others | US$5,710 | US$6,270 |
| Per person single, travelling alone | US$6,440 | US$6,990 |
Mid-range grade
Big Cave Camp · Ivory Lodge · Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
| Occupancy | Low season | High season |
|---|---|---|
| Per person sharing | US$3,570 | US$3,770 |
| Per person single, travelling with others | US$3,710 | US$4,140 |
| Per person single, travelling alone | US$4,305 | US$4,725 |
The operator’s mid-range season bands overlap in April. We will confirm which rate applies to your dates before you commit to anything.
Budget grade
Matobo Hills Lodge · Hwange Safari Lodge · A’Zambezi River Lodge
| Occupancy | All year |
|---|---|
| Per person sharing | US$3,331 |
| Per person single | US$4,279 |
The budget grade is the only one without a seasonal uplift — the same rate applies in July as in February. All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice. Terms and conditions apply.
See What Our Travellers Have To Say
Choosing a grade
Same route, same guide, same activities, same park fees. Only the beds change.
| Stop | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matobo · 2 nights | Matobo Hills Lodge | Big Cave Camp | Camp Amalinda |
| Hwange · 3 nights | Hwange Safari Lodge | Ivory Lodge | Camelthorn Safari Camp |
| Victoria Falls · 2 nights | A’Zambezi River Lodge | Victoria Falls Safari Lodge | The Victoria Falls Hotel |
| From, per person sharing | US$3,331 | US$3,570 | US$4,505 |
Other Zimbabwe safaris
Longer circuits and fly-in alternatives on the same ground.
Eastern circuit
Zimbabwe Eastern Circuit
12 days · 11 nights. Adds Harare, the Eastern Highlands and Great Zimbabwe before the Matobo.
From US$4,851View
Camping
Zimbabwe Northern Circuit
12 days · 11 nights. Mana Pools under canvas, a Kariba houseboat, then Hwange and the falls.
From US$5,868View