10 Days Zimbabwe Safari | Victoria Falls, Hwange & Matobo
This 10-day Classic Zimbabwe Safari combines Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and Matobo National Park, bringing together major landscapes, wildlife and cultural experiences.
It is particularly well suited to first-time visitors who want to see several of Zimbabwe’s defining destinations in one journey.
Trip Highlights
- Guided tour of Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side
- Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River
- Wildlife viewing in Hwange National Park
- Guided walking safari in Hwange
- Visit to a conservation centre focused on African wild dogs
- Night drive and nocturnal wildlife viewing
- Community and cultural experiences around Hwange
- Ancient San rock art and granite formations in Matobo
- Guided rhino tracking on foot
- Ndebele cultural experience
- Visit to World’s View and the historic grave of Cecil John Rhodes
- Natural History Museum and Railway Museum in Bulawayo
Overview
The safari begins at Victoria Falls, where time around the Zambezi River combines with a guided visit to the falls themselves.
A sunset cruise provides an easy introduction to the area, while the following days leave room for optional activities or simply enjoying the town and surrounding landscape.
From Victoria Falls, the journey continues south to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest national park.
Here the focus shifts firmly towards safari, with game drives, walking experiences and opportunities to learn about wildlife conservation and local communities.
The final stage takes you to the granite landscapes of Matobo National Park.
Wildlife viewing here is complemented by ancient rock art, rhino tracking, Ndebele cultural experiences and a closer look at the area’s complex history.
The safari ends in Bulawayo, giving you a final opportunity to experience one of Zimbabwe’s major cities before departure.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Victoria Falls
Arrive at Victoria Falls International Airport, where a Petnah Africa Tours representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
After some time to settle in, head out in the afternoon for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
The cruise offers opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles and other wildlife around the river as the day cools, while the changing light provides an excellent setting for photography.
Return to your hotel after the cruise for dinner and an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel
Meals: Full board
Day 2: Guided Tour of Victoria Falls
After breakfast, take a guided walking tour of Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side.
The trail follows a series of viewpoints across the falls, passing through the rainforest created by the spray from the Zambezi.
Depending on water levels and conditions, the experience can vary considerably throughout the year, making the viewpoints themselves part of the experience.
The afternoon is available for optional activities. These may include a helicopter flight over the falls or other experiences available locally.
Return to your hotel for the evening.
Overnight: Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel
Meals: Full board
Day 3: Victoria Falls at Leisure
Today is deliberately flexible. You can use the time to rest at the hotel, visit local markets or add another activity around Victoria Falls.
For travellers looking for more wildlife, the source itinerary suggests a visit to a rhino sanctuary or a game drive in nearby Zambezi National Park.
A helicopter flight over Victoria Falls is another option for seeing the falls from above.
The remainder of the day is at leisure, with time for a spa treatment, poolside relaxation or further sightseeing before dinner.
Overnight: Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel
Meals: Full board
Day 4: Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park
After an early breakfast, leave Victoria Falls by road for Hwange National Park. The journey takes approximately four hours according to the supplied itinerary.
On arrival, check in at Bomani Tented Lodge and have time for lunch and some rest before heading out for an afternoon game drive.
As the afternoon cools, continue through the park in search of wildlife before returning to the lodge around sunset.
Overnight: Bomani Tented Lodge
Meals: Full board
Day 5-6: Hwange National Park
Spend two full days exploring Hwange National Park by vehicle and on foot.
An early morning walking experience provides a different perspective on the bush, with your guide interpreting tracks, vegetation and smaller details that can easily be missed from a vehicle.
Alternatively, you can spend more time on game drives searching for predators and herbivores.
Hwange is particularly associated with elephants, while other possible sightings include buffalo, zebra, giraffe, wild dog, leopard, lion, hyena and a variety of antelope.
Wildlife sightings remain dependent on season, water availability and animal movements.
The itinerary also includes a visit to the Painted Dog Conservation Center, offering an opportunity to understand the pressures facing African wild dogs and the work being undertaken to conserve the species.
You will also have opportunities to learn about the area’s San heritage and participate in a local school visit supported through tourism.
An evening night drive provides a different view of Hwange, with attention shifting towards nocturnal wildlife.
Overnight: Bomani Tented Lodge
Meals: Full board
Day 7-8: Hwange to Matobo National Park
Continue south towards Matobo National Park, with the journey taking approximately five hours according to the supplied itinerary.
Matobo is markedly different from Hwange.
Granite domes, balancing rocks and wooded valleys create a landscape where wildlife experiences sit alongside archaeology, history and living cultural traditions.
During your stay, visit ancient San rock art sites and explore the area’s distinctive granite formations.
The itinerary also includes a guided walk to track black and white rhinos on foot, subject to park conditions and the requirements of the relevant conservation programme.
A visit to World’s View at Malindidzimu introduces another part of Matobo’s history, including the grave of Cecil John Rhodes.
You will also have the opportunity to learn about the cultural and spiritual significance of Matobo to local Ndebele communities.
The Amagugu International Heritage Centre provides further insight into Ndebele culture through traditional music, dance, crafts and heritage interpretation.
Overnight: Amalinda Lodge
Meals: Full board
Day 9: Matobo Game Drive and Bulawayo
After breakfast, head out for a morning game drive in Matobo National Park.
The park supports a different wildlife experience from Hwange, with opportunities to see rhino and a range of antelope and other species.
The rocky terrain also makes the landscape itself an important part of the morning.
After the game drive, drive for approximately one hour to Bulawayo.
Spend time visiting the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe and the Bulawayo Railway Museum before taking a walking tour through the city centre.
Bulawayo is known for its broad streets and historic architecture, offering a useful urban contrast to the national parks visited earlier in the safari.
Overnight: The Tribe Lodge
Meals: Full board
Day 10: Departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport for your departure flight.
Your 10 Days Classic Zimbabwe Safari ends in Bulawayo.
What’s Included
- All accommodation throughout the safari
- Activities listed in the itinerary
- Full board meals
- Bottled drinking water
- Experienced driver-guide and rangers
- All transfers
What’s Not Included
- International flights
- Gratuities
- Travel and medical insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is this Zimbabwe safari suitable for first-time visitors?
Yes. The route combines three very different parts of Zimbabwe, making it a useful introduction for travellers visiting the country for the first time.
2. How is wildlife viewing different between Hwange and Matobo?
Hwange offers a more traditional safari experience across broad wildlife habitats, with game drives and walking activities.
Matobo combines wildlife viewing with its distinctive granite terrain, rhino tracking, rock art, and cultural experiences.
3. Can I add activities at Victoria Falls?
Yes. Day 3 is deliberately flexible, and the itinerary includes optional activities such as a helicopter flight over Victoria Falls and additional wildlife experiences. Availability and operating conditions should be confirmed when booking.
4. Is the rhino tracking guaranteed?
No. The itinerary includes a guided rhino-tracking experience, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. The activity is also subject to conservation and park protocols.
5. How much driving is involved?
The itinerary includes road transfers from Victoria Falls to Hwange and from Hwange to Matobo.
The supplied itinerary estimates approximately four hours for Victoria Falls to Hwange and approximately five hours for Hwange to Matobo, although actual journey times can vary.
Tell us what you want to see and experience, and we can help tailor the route, activities, and accommodation around your travel plans.
Plan My Zimbabwe Safari.
You can also WhatsApp Petnah Africa Tours on +256 705 161344.
