Things to Do in Matabeleland North

Matabeleland North is Zimbabwe’s main visitor province. Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Binga on Lake Kariba and Chizarira all sit inside it, and the provincial capital is Lupane. Tourists are usually priced in US dollars, while the domestic currency is the ZiG, so keep cash as a backup at park gates.

The rainforest at Victoria Falls

The rainforest path in Victoria Falls National Park is the first stop for most visitors. Entry is about US$58 for international visitors, US$35 for SADC residents and US$7 for Zimbabwe residents, VAT included. The ticket is single entry, so eat before or after your visit rather than leaving halfway. Children under 12 pay half and under 6s are free. On three nights around each full moon the park opens for Lunar Rainbow evenings, priced at about US$116.

River and gorge adventures

Rafting below the falls follows the water level. The full low-water run covers Rapids 1 to 19 from about August to late December. High-water runs start lower down, about Rapid 11 to 23, in roughly January to March and May to July, and trips stop at flood around March to June. The minimum age is 15 and the climb out of the gorge is steep, about 250 m. Budget about US$120 to 149 plus a US$12 levy.

Shearwater runs the bridge bungee, a 111 m drop, and sellers quote roughly US$130 to 200 for it. The 12 to 13 minute “Flight of Angels” helicopter ride costs about US$150 to 190 through resellers plus a US$18 levy, and Zambezi Helicopter Company flies it. Sunset cruises above the falls carry a US$12 river levy on top of the operator price.

Wildlife

Zambezi National Park is about 5 km from Victoria Falls town, and the international entry fee is about US$17. Park levies are extra to operator prices. Hwange National Park, around 14,651 km2, has no permanent rivers, so game viewing centres on pumped waterholes and seasonal pans. August to November is the best window, and October can pass 40 C. Hwange charges a daily conservation fee plus a vehicle fee, so confirm both with ZimParks or your operator.

Painted Dog Conservation at Dete is free and donation based, a rehabilitation and conservation centre rather than a zoo. Skip elephant rides, lion walks and cub petting; wild game drives are the wildlife activity to choose.

Culture and history

The Victoria Falls Bridge opened in 1905 and the Victoria Falls Hotel dates from 1904. Binga’s BaTonga Community Museum tells the story of the Tonga people displaced when the Kariba Dam closed in 1958.

Safety basics

  • Malaria is a risk all year in the Zambezi Valley, Victoria Falls, Hwange and Binga, so take medical advice before you travel.
  • Do not swim or wade in the Zambezi, Lake Kariba or any dam. Crocodiles and hippos live in all of them.
  • Do not walk around Victoria Falls town after dark, because elephants and buffalo move through it.
  • Check current government advice before you book, for example the UK FCDO page for Zimbabwe .

Read more: Sightseeing in Matabeleland North and Day trips from Victoria Falls .

Browse tours on GetYourGuide , and see the rafting and bungee operator Shearwater .