Zimbabwe as a Family: Nature, Safaris and Cultural Discoveries
Between the granite formations of Matopos and the torrents of Victoria, a family exploration of wild Zimbabwe.
Duration
10 days
From
€4,290/pers.
Ideal seasons
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
Charm & Character
Travelers
Family, Couple, senior
The spirit of travel
This 10-day trip to Zimbabwe invites you to discover the country's essentials as a family, between preserved nature, cultural encounters and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, passing through the Matopos Mountains and Hwange National Park, you explore contrasting regions, accompanied by attentive and experienced local teams.
The itinerary alternates between safaris, cultural discoveries and relaxation moments in lodges located in the heart of nature. A progressive immersion, well-paced and adapted to family travel.
If you wish to experience a balance between exploration and family time, this Zimbabwe circuit opens the doors to an engaging and authentic country.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Welcome to Johannesburg!
Upon your arrival at OR Tambo international airport in Johannesburg, your driver-guide welcomes you and takes you to Melville, where the Lucky Bean Guesthouse 4* is located. You settle into a double or twin room. Dinner is at your own expense.
Included: airport transfer to Melville and accommodation in a double or twin room at the Lucky Bean Guesthouse 4*.
Not included: meals, drinks, excursions, activities and international flights.
From Bulawayo to the Matopos Mountains
Upon arrival at Bulawayo airport, you are welcomed and then driven to Matobo Hills Lodge, in the Matopos park. You settle in for four nights in a double or twin cottage, with a view of the Matopos mountains.
The afternoon is free for you to relax, particularly by the pool built on the rock. The surroundings also lend themselves to walks; you may perhaps spot rock paintings along the way.
In the evening, enjoy a sunset aperitif. Dinner is served under the stars, then the evening continues around the fire, with Matopos stories and legends.
Included: transfer from Bulawayo to Matopos, dinner and four nights in a double or twin cottage at Matobo Hills Lodge.
Not included: beverages, guide gratuity, activities not mentioned, international flights and Zimbabwe entry visa (30 USD).
Matopos National Park
After breakfast, you'll set out with your ranger to the heart of the Matobo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Two park rangers will accompany you for white rhino tracking on foot, respecting their natural habitat.
Depending on the day's schedule, you'll have lunch at the lodge or enjoy a picnic in the park. In the afternoon, you'll discover the granite landscapes of Matopos and visit caves adorned with San rock paintings, depicting hunting scenes and traditional rituals.
Return to the lodge at the end of the day, followed by dinner under the stars.
Included: all meals, accommodation in a cottage at Matobo Hills Lodge, white rhino tracking and visits to caves with rock paintings.
Not included: drinks, guide gratuity, park fees (15 USD per day per person) and rhino tracking tax (20 USD per person, to be paid on site).
Ndebele Culture and Discovery of the Matopos Surroundings
After breakfast, you set off with your guide to the edges of the Matopos National Park for a day dedicated to Ndebele culture. You visit a village and cultural center to discover the customs and traditions of this community, whose history is linked to that of the Zulus who came from South Africa in the late 19th century.
A picnic is planned during the day or at the lodge, depending on how the day is organized. In the afternoon, you can rest, visit the Silozwane Cave to enjoy its panorama or take the marked trails around the lodge. Dinner is served at the lodge.
Included: all meals, cultural visit to the Ndebele village, hiking in the Matopos and accommodation in a cottage at Matobo Hills Lodge.
Not included: beverages and tip for the guide.
Route to Hwange National Park
Matopos → Parc National de Hwange
After an early breakfast, you head towards the Hwange National Park, passing through several Ndebele villages. Upon arrival, you have lunch at Camp Silwane, then settle in for three nights in a double tent or twin beds.
Located between the park and the Mopane forest, the camp allows you to observe animals that sometimes come to graze nearby. Your full-board stay includes two safaris per day in an open 4x4 in the concession.
Included: all meals and beverages, vehicle transfer, two daily safaris in open 4x4, accommodation in a tent at Camp Silwane, park fees and conservation taxes.
Not included: tips for the guide and staff.
Safaris in Hwange National Park
These two days are dedicated to safaris in the Hwange National Park. After an early breakfast, you set off in open 4x4 or on foot, with a picnic lunch planned in the heart of nature.
The park is home to more than 450 bird species and 120 mammal species. You travel notably along its sandy tracks, including those in the northwest, near the Kalahari.
At Camp Silwane, a chef and server accompany you during your stay in a tent.
Included: all meals and beverages, vehicle and 4x4 transfers in the park, safaris in open 4x4 or on foot, tent accommodation at Camp Silwane, park fees and conservation taxes.
Not included: tips for the guide and staff.
From Hwange Plains to Victoria Falls
Parc National de Hwange → Chutes Victoria
After breakfast, you head towards Victoria Falls, through landscapes dotted with Ndebele villages and baobabs. A picnic lunch is planned en route.
Upon arrival, you settle in for two nights at Lokuthula Lodge, in a two-bedroom family cottage located on the same property as Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.
At 4 pm, you are transferred for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi, followed by a dinner cruise.
Included: transfers by 4x4 then by air-conditioned vehicle, accommodation in a two-bedroom cottage at Lokuthula Lodge, breakfasts, picnic lunches and dinners.
Not included: lunches outside of picnics, beverages and activities not mentioned.
Guided tour of Victoria Falls
After breakfast, you are transferred to Victoria Falls Park for a guided tour. Your guide accompanies you through the site and its various viewpoints.
You then have lunch at the LookOut Café, then return to Lokuthula Lodge for an afternoon of rest. In the evening, you share a family dinner at The Boma restaurant.
Included: visit to Victoria Falls, dinner at the Boma, all meals excluding beverages at LookOut Café and accommodation in a two-bedroom cottage at Lokuthula Lodge.
Not included: activities not mentioned and tips for guides.
See you soon in Zimbabwe!
After breakfast, you are transferred from Lokuthula Lodge to Victoria Falls airport. If you wish, a helicopter flight over the falls is possible before your departure.
You then take your return flight to France. Your family trip to Zimbabwe ends here.
Included: breakfast and transfer from Lokuthula Lodge to Victoria Falls airport.
Not included: lunch, dinner, beverages, excursions, activities and international flights.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Museum and monument entries not mentioned
- Travel Insurance
- International flights
- Zimbabwe visa fees 30 USD
Included
- Meals throughout the stay from Day 1 to Day 10, with drinks included in Hwange, in accordance with the meals described in the day-by-day itinerary.
- All airport transfers – accommodations / activities mentioned in the programme.
- The transfer by vehicle on the Bulawayo – Matopos – Hwange – Victoria Falls airport – city route.
- Accommodation in 3 and 4-star lodges throughout the trip.
- The activities mentioned in this quote, at a rate of 2 to 3 activities per day depending on the proposed accommodations.
- National park fees, except at Matopos (to be paid on site for your 3 nights at Matobo Hills Lodge).
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Canada traveling to Zimbabwe for a tourist stay. As entry rules may change, we recommend that you verify this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Zimbabwe, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after the date of entry into the country and must contain at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Canada must in principle be in possession of a visa to enter Zimbabwe. This can be obtained in several ways:
on arrival at the main entry points (Harare International Airport, Victoria Falls and Beit Bridge border posts, in particular),
online, via the official Univisa Zimbabwe portal before departure.
The tourist visa is generally issued for a stay of up to 30 days, renewable once on site for an equivalent period with the Zimbabwean immigration services, up to a maximum of 90 days in total.
The visa fee is set in US dollars (USD). The authorities may request:
a departure ticket from the territory (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay,
a confirmation of accommodation reservation.
UNIVISA (Kaza UniVisa)
Zimbabwe participates in the KAZA UniVisa programme, a joint scheme with Zambia allowing travelers to move freely between these two countries for the same visa fee. This visa is particularly suited to travelers wishing to visit Victoria Falls from both banks.
It is available on arrival at Harare Airport, Victoria Falls Airport and the Kazungula border post.
Health
No vaccination is compulsory to enter Zimbabwe, except in the event of arrival from a country at risk of yellow fever, in which case presentation of a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required on entry.
The following vaccinations are however strongly recommended:
hepatitis A and hepatitis B,
typhoid,
tetanus-diphtheria-poliomyelitis (up to date),
rabies (depending on planned activities).
Zimbabwe is a country with a high risk of malaria in the majority of regions, particularly in rural areas, national parks and lowlands. Antimalarial prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Consult a doctor or an international vaccination center before departure.
Traveling with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
Zimbabwe applies strict rules concerning travel by minors. When a child travels without one or both parents, it is strongly recommended to have a parental authorization letter, ideally accompanied by a copy of the child's birth certificate(s) and the parents' identity documents. These documents may be requested by the authorities on entry and exit from the territory.
In certain European countries, an authorization to leave the territory may also be required in accordance with the regulations of the country of residence.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire with the embassy or consulate of Zimbabwe in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to have evacuation assistance and foreign medical expense coverage.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To purchase insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The comprehensive insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy document detailing all coverage and claim filing procedures is available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claim reporting procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy document with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
A tourist visa is required, obtainable on arrival (in cash) or online (e-visa). A regional pass (USD 50) also allows you to travel across bordering countries to visit certain cross-border sites. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Before booking, consult the embassy or consulate of your country of residence in the destination to learn the exact visa fees and conditions applicable to your nationality.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality custom trip, budget between €230 and €400 per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers, safaris and activities. International flights (€900-1,300 return) are additional. Zimbabwe offers exceptional parks (Hwange, Mana Pools) and Victoria Falls.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST guarantee (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Victoria Falls
Bespoke Southern Adventures Creator, based in Harare
A successful safari begins with genuine listening. The more we understand how you travel, the more we can create an experience that's just right, seamless, and deeply memorable.
— Aurélia
