Top Attraction Tours Across Zimbabwe

An attraction tour in Zimbabwe usually means a guide, a driver and a ticket to one landmark. Because the sights are far apart, most tours are sold from the city or lodge nearest each one, and they rarely combine two regions.

Before you book

  • Fees for national parks and monuments differ by visitor residency and are often charged separately from the tour price, so ask what is included.
  • Prices are set in US dollars. Carry small, undamaged notes.
  • Ask any operator about its licence, guide qualifications and group size.

Stone cities near Bulawayo and Masvingo

Great Zimbabwe was inscribed by UNESCO in 1986 and lies about 27 km south-east of Masvingo. Guides explain the Great Enclosure, whose outer wall is about 250 m long and up to about 10 m high, and the steep Hill Complex above it. Tours from Harare take 3 to 4 hours each way, so many visitors sleep nearby.

Khami Ruins is a quieter 1986 inscription about 22 km west of Bulawayo, with terraced dry-stone walls.

Rock paintings and rhinos at Matobo

Matobo National Park, about 30 to 35 km south of Bulawayo, combines San paintings at Nswatugi Cave, World’s View and rhino tracking on foot. Trackers and guides lead small groups at a respectful distance from wild rhinos, and the walks start early across uneven granite. Walking permit, park entry and guide fees are all charged, and the total changes between operators.

Wildlife visits near Hwange and Victoria Falls

  • Painted Dog Conservation: The visitor centre at Dete is outside Hwange National Park, opposite the park’s airport. It is free, depends on donations and takes up to about 2 hours.
  • Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust: Organised visits cover wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, human-wildlife conflict and anti-poaching work.
  • Hwange game drives: Lodges and licensed operators run open-vehicle drives. A park daily fee and a vehicle fee apply.

The falls and the gorge

The Zimbabwe-side rainforest costs about US$58 per entry for international visitors, with a single-entry ticket. Children under 12 pay half and under 6s pay nothing. For a view from above, the Zambezi Helicopter Company (part of Shearwater) flies a 12 to 13 minute route, and resellers charge about US$150 to 190 plus an US$18 park levy. Batoka Sky also operates helicopter and microlight flights, but from the Zambian side.

Safety on tours

  • Stay behind barriers at the falls, where some viewpoints have low or no railings.
  • Heat above 35 C is common in September to November, so bring water and a hat.
  • Use only licensed guides in parks with dangerous animals.

Read more: Activities in Zimbabwe and a 3 day itinerary .

Park and heritage information is at NMMZ and ZimParks . Compare tours on GetYourGuide .