7 Day Hwange and Matopos Walking Safari

Embark on a 7-day adventure through the rugged wilderness of Hwange National Park and the timeless beauty of the Matopos Hills in Matopo National Park. Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest National Park, while the Matopo National Park is the country’s oldest park steeped in the area’s history. Whilst on safari you will have unique opportunities to get involved with anti-poaching units, and rhino tracking, and immerse yourself in the Zimbabwean culture.

This journey begins and ends in Johannesburg, with the option to extend your trip to include iconic destinations like Victoria Falls, the Kruger National Park, or other thrilling safari experiences.

Itinerary at a Glance:
Day 1 – Arrival in Victoria Falls, transfer to Sable Valley, Hwange National Park
Day 2 & 3 – On safari in the Hwange National Park
Day 4 – Transfer to the Matobo National Park
Day 5 & 6 – On safari in the Matobo National Park
Day 7 – Transfer to Bulawayo, departure

 

Day 1 – Arrival in Victoria Falls, transfer to Sable Valley, Hwange National Park

This morning you will board your flight from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, upon arrival at Victoria Falls your adventure will begin.  You will be transferred by road to the famous Hwange National Park, home to Zimbabwe’s largest elephant herds.  Once you arrive in Sable Valley you will have time to settle in before setting out on foot for your first walking safari of the trip, deep within the wilderness of the Hwange National Park.

You will return to camp for dinner under the stars before retreating to your luxury safari chalet.  Each chalet is tastefully decorated to mirror the surrounding bush and is equipped with everything you could need to make your 3-night stay unforgettable.

Day 2 & 3 – On safari in the Hwange National Park

Over the next two days, you will fully immerse yourself in the beauty and raw wilderness of the Hwange National Park.  On day 2 your morning will start with an early morning coffee before heading out on foot again into the Hwange National Park, a walking safari provides a unique approach to game viewing as you are on ground level with the animals, experiencing what they do, you will be able to get up close (at a safe distance of course) to animals such as buffalo, elephants, big cats such as lion and cheetah, various antelope and much more.  You will return to camp for lunch and this afternoon hop in the safari vehicle for a game drive within the park.

On day 3 you will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience to join the Anti-Poaching unit for the day.  Spend the day with this incredible team, learning about their anti-poaching efforts, the wildlife and areas that they protect, and the challenges that anti-poaching units around the country are facing.  In the afternoon you can either opt to go on another game drive or spend some time relaxing in camp. 

Day 4 – Transfer to the Matobo National Park

This morning after a leisurely breakfast, you will hit the road to your next destination - Amalinda Lodge, set amongst the granite rocky outcrops that make up the Matopos Hills.  Once you arrive in camp you will be treated to a delicious lunch, after which you can settle into your room and explore the camp.  Each room has been carved out of the ancient rockface, that being said each room provides something slightly different from the next, with bathrooms carved into the rock and four poster beds overlooking the hills, each room and the lodge provides a feel of luxury of a bygone era transporting you back in time.

This evening just before sunset, you will set out on a small hike to one of the nearby hilltops for some sundowners overlooking the park.  We will spend some time up there taking in the sheer beauty, the orange sunset reflecting off the rocks is a sight that is like no other.  Before the darkness sets in we will head back down to the lodge for dinner.

Day 5 & 6 – On safari in the Matobo National Park

The following 2 days are spent exploring the wilderness, history, and culture of the Matopos Hills and the communities that call this area home.  On day 5 after a delicious breakfast, you will head out on foot to track both black and white rhinos.  Your guide will show you how tracking works, and what to look for in their tracks and within the shrubbery and trees.  There is no guarantee that you will find the rhino, but you will likely stumble across them during your morning of tracking.  In the afternoon you will visit the bushman rock paintings, your guide will explain the paintings to you as well as the history of the San people who called these caves home many years ago.

Day 5 will be a bit of a different experience as you take a bicycle tour of the nearby Ndebele villages, meet the locals, and take a tour of some of their incredible traditional homesteads, all of which have been painted with natural paints made from the different clay types found in the area.  This afternoon will be yours to relax in camp, enjoy the stunning rock swimming pool, and take in all the beauty of the past few days.

Day 7 – Transfer to Bulawayo, departure

As all good things do, your time in Zimbabwe comes to an end.  After your last breakfast overlooking these ancient rocks, you will be transferred to Bulawayo Airport in time for your departure flight back to Johannesburg. You will then depart on your onward journey with memories to last a lifetime.

Tour Costs:

2025:
Jan – April, Nov – Dec
$3,035 per person sharing

May – Oct
$3,610 per person sharing

Costs Include:
Accommodation
All meals
Local beverages
Two activities per day
Park fees
Monument fees when applicable
Shared airport transfers
WiFi
Flights:
Johannesburg to Victoria Falls (economy class)
Bulawayo to Johannesburg (economy class)

Costs Exclude:
Visas if required
Airport taxes
Personal items and gratuities
Bar accounts not specified
Painted Dog Conservancy entry fees
Meals not specified
Flights not specified
Travel Insurance