Zimbabwe Day Trips by Travel Time

Think of Zimbabwe day trips as a ladder of travel time. The short rungs suit a relaxed morning, and the long ones need an early start and a driver who knows the roads.

Short trips of about an hour or less

  • Khami Ruins from Bulawayo: About 22 km west, with terraced dry-stone walls, and it can fill a morning.
  • Matobo from Bulawayo: The park gate is about 30 to 35 km south. Inside, World’s View lies about 13 km beyond the gate, with a 300 m climb to Rhodes’s grave, and Nswatugi Cave has San paintings.
  • Domboshava from Harare: About 27 to 32 km north, with paintings in a cave near the top of a granite hill.
  • Ngomakurira from Harare: A further 8 to 9 km on. The paintings are faded, but the hill is a good place for views.
  • Zambezi National Park from Victoria Falls: A near-town game drive, with about US$17 daily entry for international visitors.
  • Lake Chivero from Harare: About 30 to 40 km west, for birdwatching, fishing, boating and picnics. Do not swim.

Longer trips with an early start

  • Chinhoyi Caves from Harare: On the A1 north-west of the city. The Sleeping Pool is a cobalt-blue sinkhole for viewing only, and swimming and diving are not permitted for visitors.
  • Tengenenge from Harare: About 150 km north near Guruve, a Shona stone sculpture community. Confirm opening times first.
  • Hwange from Victoria Falls: Main Camp is about 172 to 195 km away, or 2.5 hours each way. It is a very long day, so an overnight stay is wiser.
  • Chobe from Victoria Falls: A cruise and a game drive across the border in Botswana. A same-day trip works with the KAZA UniVisa at US$50, which is valid for 30 days and sold to eligible nationalities only. Staying overnight in Botswana voids it.

Not realistic as day trips

Great Zimbabwe takes 3 to 4 hours from Harare and 4 to 5 hours from Bulawayo, and Kariba is roughly 340 to 365 km from Harare. Mana Pools needs a 4x4 on unpaved roads, or a light aircraft. Gonarezhou is remote and needs high clearance. Plan overnight stays for all four.

Driving and timing tips

  • Avoid driving outside towns after dark because of potholes, livestock and unlit vehicles.
  • Carry extra fuel, because shortages happen.
  • Smash-and-grab thefts have been reported on the Harare airport route, so keep bags out of sight.
  • Roads can become impassable in heavy rain from November to April.

Read more: Multi-day trips in Zimbabwe and a 2 day itinerary .

Road safety guidance is on the UK government site . Browse day tours on Viator .