Travelling with Children in Matabeleland North

Matabeleland North can work well for families, as long as you choose activities by age and keep a close eye on water, edges and wildlife. This page is organised by what each age group can do.

Toddlers and young children

Painted Dog Conservation at Dete is the easiest outing. Entry is free with donations welcome, it lies outside Hwange National Park so no park fee applies, and you should allow up to about 2 hours. The Victoria Falls rainforest is also possible, with under-6s admitted free and under-12s at half price. The adult fee is about US$58 for international visitors, paid per entry.

Edges at some viewpoints, including Danger Point, are unfenced. Supervise very closely and do not let children climb onto rocks. Spray leaves paths slippery, so shoes with grip matter.

Primary-school age

The Victoria Falls Crocodile Farm is about 5 km from town beside Zambezi National Park. It has feeding times, a curio shop and a snake park. One 2025 listing quotes about US$20 for adults and US$10 for children. It is a commercial farm and not a sanctuary. Keep to barriers and say no to any offer involving lions.

Zambezi National Park game drives show elephants and other wildlife without a long road trip. The entry fee is about US$17 for international visitors, and levies are extra.

Teenagers

  • Rafting has a minimum age of 15 and needs a strong climb out of the gorge, about 250 m by one report.
  • Devil’s Pool, on the Zambian side, takes children aged 10 and over on the trip, but under-12s cannot swim.
  • Other activities such as bungee, gorge swing and helicopter flights have their own age rules, so ask the operator.

Health and hazards

Malaria is a risk year-round in the Zambezi Valley, Victoria Falls, Hwange and Binga, and families should get medical advice early. The Zambezi, Lake Kariba and dams contain crocodiles and hippos, and bilharzia is a danger in still fresh water. Children should paddle only in treated lodge pools. From September to November the heat often exceeds 35 C, so pack hats, water and sun cream.

After dark

Elephants and buffalo come into Victoria Falls town at night, so do not walk with children after dark.

Animal welfare

Choose wild game drives over any attraction offering elephant rides, lion walks or cub petting.

Read more: Animal activities and Attraction tours .

Find child-friendly outings on GetYourGuide . Official advice: UK FCDO guidance on Zimbabwe .