Zimbabwe Safari Holiday from the UK — Everything You Need to Know
Zimbabwe is one of Africa’s finest safari destinations — and one of the most overlooked by British travellers who default to Kenya or Tanzania. The wildlife is exceptional, the parks are uncrowded, and a Zimbabwe safari holiday offers extraordinary value compared to the mainstream East African circuit.
At the heart of Zimbabwe’s most extraordinary landscape sits Matobo Hills Lodge — the only lodge located inside Matobo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This guide covers everything a UK traveller needs to plan a Zimbabwe safari, from flights and visas to what to expect on the ground.
Why Zimbabwe Over Kenya or Tanzania?
The honest answer: Zimbabwe offers a more personal, less commercial safari experience. Hwange National Park has elephants to rival anything in East Africa. Mana Pools is one of the continent’s last truly wild walking safari destinations. And the Matobo Hills offer something Kenya and Tanzania simply cannot — a UNESCO-listed wilderness where San rock art, white rhino tracking on foot, and billion-year-old granite landscapes combine in a single destination.
Zimbabwe also receives far fewer international visitors than its neighbours, which means the parks are quieter, the wildlife encounters are more intimate, and the overall experience feels less like a production and more like the real thing.
Matobo Hills Lodge — Zimbabwe’s UNESCO Safari Lodge
Matobo Hills Lodge sits inside Matobo National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for both its extraordinary landscape and its concentration of San rock art, the largest in the world. The lodge is the only accommodation actually within the park boundaries, which means guests wake up inside the wilderness rather than adjacent to it.
Planning a Zimbabwe safari from the UK?
Contact us directly for 2026 rates, availability and advice on combining Matobo with other Zimbabwe destinations.
What’s Included in Your Stay
Fully inclusive — no hidden extras
- All meals — breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
- Matobo National Park entry fees
- Guided game drives inside the park
- White rhino tracking on foot (with armed ranger escort)
- Guided San rock art cave painting walks
- World’s View and Rhodes Grave visit
- Sundowner drinks on the kopjes
- Ndebele cultural village visit (on request)
Getting to Matobo Hills Lodge from the UK
Flights from London
The most straightforward routing from London is via Johannesburg. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and South African Airways all fly London Heathrow to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (approximately 11 hours). From Johannesburg, Airlink operates direct flights to Bulawayo — Zimbabwe’s second city — in under two hours. Total journey time from London to Bulawayo is typically 14–16 hours including the connection.
Bulawayo Airport is 55 minutes from Matobo Hills Lodge. Transfers can be arranged directly with the lodge.
Visas for British Passport Holders
British citizens require a visa to enter Zimbabwe. Single-entry visas are available on arrival at Bulawayo Airport for $50 USD cash. No advance application is required. A double-entry KAZA UniVisa ($50 USD) is also available and covers both Zimbabwe and Zambia — useful if you’re combining a Zimbabwe safari with Victoria Falls or Zambia.
Recommended Itineraries from the UK
Sample UK Zimbabwe safari itineraries
- 7 nights — Matobo focus: Fly London → Johannesburg → Bulawayo. 6 nights Matobo Hills Lodge. Fly home via Johannesburg. The definitive Matobo experience.
- 10 nights — Matobo + Victoria Falls: 5 nights Matobo Hills Lodge + 4 nights Victoria Falls. Two of Zimbabwe’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites in a single holiday.
- 12 nights — Classic Zimbabwe circuit: 4 nights Matobo Hills Lodge + 4 nights Hwange National Park + 3 nights Victoria Falls. The complete Zimbabwe safari experience.
When to Visit Zimbabwe from the UK
The dry season — April through October — is generally regarded as the best time for a Zimbabwe safari holiday. Vegetation is thinner, wildlife concentrates around water sources, and temperatures are cooler and more comfortable. July and August are peak months, with clear skies and excellent game viewing. April, May, September and October offer the best combination of good conditions and value.
November through March is the wet season, when the landscape turns lush and green. Birding is exceptional during this period, and the dramatic skies make for extraordinary photography. Rates are lower and the parks are quieter — a good option for experienced safari travellers who don’t mind the occasional afternoon shower.
Why British Travellers Choose Matobo
The connection between Britain and Zimbabwe runs deep — the history is complicated, but the cultural familiarity makes Zimbabwe an unusually easy destination for British travellers. English is widely spoken. The infrastructure is reliable. And the warmth of the welcome from Zimbabweans is, consistently, one of the things guests mention most in their reviews.
Matobo in particular has always drawn British visitors, partly because of its history — Cecil Rhodes is buried at World’s View — and partly because the landscape has a dramatic, ancient quality that feels unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Plan Your Zimbabwe Safari from the UK
Matobo Hills Lodge — the only lodge inside Matobo National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Packages from B&B to All-Inclusive from 2 nights. Direct bookings for best rates.