The Matobo Hwange safari combination

Here’s the smart way to combine Matobo Hills and Hwange from Bulawayo in Zimbabwe. The easy way to see wild rhino and complete a big five safari in Hwange National Park over 6 nights. An extra smart way to then combine a safari deeper into Hwange or further into Botswana from Victoria Falls.

There’s lots more to this wildlife experience as legends of old kings and deadly wars merge in this ancient historical background of Matabeleland. Now with easy access from Bulawayo this Matobo Hwange combination safari is available 12 months of the year.

• Matobo Hills National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Hwange National Park
• 7 days / 6 nights

In a nutshell…this week long safari is like a secret back door into Zimbabwe. Traditionally recommended July to October, especially good for those in the know from January to March.

Highlights of the Matobo Hwange Safari

We start in Bulawayo then combine Matobo Hills with Hwange National Park (on a seasonal special deal) and open floodgates with extra access into Hwange or further afield from the Victoria Falls hub.

From Bulawayo it’s just a 45km drive to Amalinda Lodge in Matobo National Park. The granite boulders loom large over the vast plains below. The area is excellent for wildlife and is recognised for having the greatest concentration of leopard in Zimbabwe. It’s also home to the endangered black and white rhinos, giraffe, cheetah, hippo, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra crocodile and warthog.

Then it’s on to Khulu Bush Camp in Zimbabwe’s iconic Hwange National Park.  

• Rhino tracking; spotting black eagles in Matopos
• discover hidden treasures in an unspoiled wilderness, a landscape of granite boulders, towering rocks and wooded valleys
• explore some of the approximately 3000 rock art sites (320-500AD) for which Matobo Hills was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• trek to visit Cecil Rhodes Grave and “View of the World”
• game drives in both the Matopos and Hwange National Parks
• walking and cycling
• Painted Dog Conservation centre
• accompanied by top professional guides

Best time to visit both Matobo Hills and Hwange

• November to March – this is the green season when many animals have their young so it’s the best time to see the newborn. Birding is excellent, the birds are also breeding and show off their breeding plumage. It’s also a good time to see migratory birds. Although there may be rains they tend to be short bursts, mostly in the afternoons.
• July to October – the traditional high season as we move from the cool dry winter into the hot and dry early summer before the rains start (usually November)