Walking Routes and Guided Walks in Zimbabwe

November 5, 2026

Organised city walking tours are limited in Zimbabwe, and the best walking happens in wild places, on footpaths in national parks and on granite hills. That makes this a country for guided bush walks and short hikes rather than urban strolls. In Harare and Bulawayo, most visitors walk to a museum, gallery or sculpture park on their own, and a licensed local guide or a hotel can suggest safe routes. Keep valuables out of sight in city centres, because bag-snatching is common, especially after dark.

Walking in Mana Pools

Mana Pools lets visitors walk on foot among the animals along the Zambezi floodplain. Walking needs a ZimParks permit, and a licensed professional guide or ranger is strongly recommended unless you have considerable bush experience. Elephants, buffalo, hippos and lions share the floodplain, so follow your guide’s signals and never run. The UK government warns that walking and canoe safaris carry extra risk, so confirm your travel insurance covers them. The park is reached by 4x4 on unpaved roads or by light aircraft, and flooding limits access from about mid-December to the end of March.

Guided walks in other parks

Operators in Hwange and Matobo include walks with a licensed guide as part of a stay. Matobo rhino tracking on foot is the best known, and it starts early and crosses uneven granite. A walking permit, park entry and the guide are all charged, and the total varies between operators.

Victoria Falls rainforest

The footpaths in Victoria Falls National Park are the easiest walk in the country. Entry is about US$58 per entry for international visitors, and the ticket is single entry. Expect to get wet, and keep clear of viewpoints with low or no barriers.

Domboshava and Ngomakurira

North of Harare, Domboshava is a granite hill about 27 to 32 km from the city with San paintings in a cave near the top. Ngomakurira lies a further 8 to 9 km on, with faded paintings at the foot of a tall granite face. Go in the morning, take water and wear shoes with grip. Entry fees vary, so ask at the car park.

Where not to walk

Do not walk around Victoria Falls town after dark, because elephants, buffalo and hippos graze in the streets and hotel grounds. Do not walk along rivers or lake shores, because crocodiles and hippos live there.