Planning a Longer Trip Around Zimbabwe
A longer trip in Zimbabwe is easiest to plan by how many days you have. The distances below come from road and park sources, and flights or lodge transfers can shorten several legs.
About 5 days: Victoria Falls plus Hwange
Spend 2 nights at Victoria Falls for the rainforest, a Zambezi cruise and one adrenaline activity, then 2 or 3 nights in Hwange. Main Camp is about 172 to 195 km from Victoria Falls, roughly 2.5 hours. A ZimParks daily fee and a vehicle fee apply, and the best viewing is from August to November. Hwange has no boat cruises, because its water comes from pumped waterholes and seasonal pans.
About 7 days: the south-west heritage loop
Fly or drive to Bulawayo, which is about 440 km from Victoria Falls, and allow 5.5 to 6.5 hours by road. Give Matobo National Park a full day for rock paintings, World’s View and optional rhino tracking on foot, and give the Khami Ruins a morning. Great Zimbabwe is a further 4 to 5 hours from Bulawayo and about 27 km from Masvingo, so stay near Masvingo for a night. The Hill Complex is steep, and mornings are cooler for climbing.
10 days or more: add the Zambezi Valley
From Harare, Kariba town is roughly 340 to 365 km away, a drive of 4.5 to 6 hours. A crewed houseboat charter is the classic way to see the lake, and the boat’s crew handle cooking and navigation. Prices vary widely, so ask for written quotes. Matusadona National Park is on the southern shore and needs a boat from Kariba town.
Mana Pools is the wilder choice. It needs a 4x4 on unpaved roads or a light aircraft, and floods can close access from about mid-December to the end of March. A ZimParks permit covers walking, and a licensed guide is advised.
For off-road travellers: Gonarezhou
Gonarezhou lies in the south-east lowveld. Dry-season trips run from about April to November, and the top of the Chilojo Cliffs is usually open from June or July. Vehicles need good ground clearance, and a 4x4 is the safer choice. Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge is just outside the park, and Mahenye airstrip serves fly-in guests.
Eastern Highlands
Nyanga, Bvumba and Chimanimani are cooler and greener. Nyanga is reported to have Mutarazi Falls, Zimbabwe’s tallest waterfall, and Chimanimani offers hiking from April to October. Check access and fees locally.
Booking and road advice
- Travel between towns with a lodge transfer, a licensed driver or a scheduled flight.
- Avoid long-distance minibuses and night buses.
- Do not drive outside towns after dark, and carry extra fuel.
- Carry small US dollar notes, because change is hard to find.
Read more: Romantic getaways and 5 day itinerary .
Check UK government advice before booking. Compare stays on Booking.com .