Day Trips by Hub in Zimbabwe

Distances in Zimbabwe are long, so a day trip only works when it starts from the right base. The options below are grouped by the town you sleep in.

From Victoria Falls

  • Zambezi National Park: A half-day game drive close to town. Daily entry is about US$17 for international visitors.
  • Chobe National Park, Botswana: A full day with a river cruise and a game drive, crossing at Kazungula. You need a visa that allows the Botswana crossing. The KAZA UniVisa (US$50, valid 30 days, eligible nationalities only) covers a same-day trip, and an overnight stay in Botswana voids it.
  • Hwange National Park: Main Camp is about 172 to 195 km from Victoria Falls, roughly 2.5 hours each way. Operators sell it as a day trip, but an overnight stay makes better use of the park.

From Bulawayo

  • Matobo National Park: The park gate is about 30 to 35 km south of the city. World’s View, where Cecil Rhodes is buried, is about 13 km beyond the gate, followed by a walk of about 300 m uphill. Nswatugi Cave has San rock paintings of giraffe, eland and geometric patterns. A ZimParks entry fee applies.
  • Khami Ruins: About 22 km west of the city, with terraced dry-stone walls. It fits into a morning, so many visitors pair it with Matobo in one long day.

From Harare

  • Domboshava: About 27 to 32 km north of the city. The main paintings are in a cave near the top of the hill, with views over granite domes.
  • Ngomakurira: A further 8 to 9 km on. The paintings sit at the foot of a tall granite face and have faded badly, so go for the hill and the view.
  • Lake Chivero Recreational Park: About 30 to 40 km west of the city, with hippos, birdwatching, fishing, boating and picnic spots. Do not swim in the lake.
  • Chinhoyi Caves: On the A1 north-west of Harare, a long day return. You look down into the cobalt-blue Sleeping Pool from its edge. Swimming and diving are not allowed for visitors.
  • Tengenenge: A Shona stone sculpture community near Guruve, about 150 km north of Harare. It is a long day, so check opening times before you set out.

Places that need a night

Great Zimbabwe is about 27 km from Masvingo, 3 to 4 hours from Harare and 4 to 5 hours from Bulawayo. Kariba, Mana Pools and Gonarezhou are also overnight destinations.

Road tips

Watch for potholes, livestock and broken traffic lights, and avoid driving outside towns after dark. Smash-and-grab thefts from vehicles have been reported on the Harare airport route. Carry extra fuel, because shortages happen.

Read more: Multi-day trips and Sightseeing .

Road and safety advice is at UK government travel advice . Search tours on Viator .