Getting to Matobo Hills Lodge
55 minutes south of Bulawayo, through some of the most ancient landscape on Earth.
Distances at a Glance
Whether you are flying into Bulawayo, self-driving from South Africa, or adding Matobo to a wider Zimbabwe itinerary, the lodge is remarkably accessible. Already know your route? Skip ahead and book direct for the best rates.
| Starting Point | Distance | Drive Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulawayo City Centre | 55 km | ~55 minutes | Tarmac throughout; final 8 km graded gravel |
| Bulawayo Airport (BUQ) | 70 km | ~90 minutes | Lodge transfers available — book 48 hrs ahead |
| Harare (via A5) | 490 km | ~5.5 hours | Fly to BUQ (1 hr) or drive via Gweru |
| Johannesburg (via Beitbridge) | ~780 km | ~9 hours | Allow 1–3 hrs for the border crossing |
| Beitbridge Border Post | ~320 km | ~4 hours | Well-maintained A6 highway to Bulawayo |
| Victoria Falls | ~440 km | ~5.5 hours | Drive via Hwange; or fly BUQ direct |
| Masvingo / Great Zimbabwe | ~290 km | ~3.5 hours | Via Mbalabala junction |
Self-Drive from Bulawayo
The 50-kilometre drive from Bulawayo to Matobo Hills Lodge is straightforward, scenic, and suitable for a standard sedan in the dry season. You will know you are close when the granite balancing rocks begin to tower above the road.
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Start at Bulawayo City CentreHead south on Robert Mugabe Way, which becomes the Matopos Road — signposted "Matopos National Park." This is the only road you will follow for most of the journey.
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Continue South for 32 kmGood tarmac through increasingly dramatic granite scenery. Watch for speed humps through settlements. The speed limit is 80 km/h on this stretch — police checkpoints are common.
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Pass the National Park GateYou do not need a park entry ticket to reach the lodge — we are located on a private concession bordering the park. Continue straight past the gate.
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Follow Signs to Maleme ValleyAfter approximately 10 km, turn right onto the signposted gravel road. The landscape here is extraordinary — towering kopjes, balancing rocks, and open grasslands.
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Final 8 km Gravel RoadWell-graded gravel. A standard sedan is fine May–October. During the rains (November–April), higher clearance is recommended. Reduce speed and watch for wildlife — zebra, wildebeest, and warthogs cross freely.
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Arrive at Matobo Hills LodgeGPS: −20.4925, 28.4902. Total drive from Bulawayo city centre: approximately 55 minutes. A cold drink on the veranda is waiting.
Save the GPS coordinates −20.4925, 28.4902 to your phone before departing. Mobile signal grows patchy in the hills. We will also send you a WhatsApp location pin after your booking is confirmed.
Fuel & Supplies
Fill up in Bulawayo before departing — there are no fuel stations between the city and the lodge. The last reliable pumps are on Robert Mugabe Way near the Ascot suburb, roughly 5 km from the city centre. If you need snacks or supplies for the road, TM Pick n Pay at Ascot Shopping Centre is your last supermarket stop.
Road Conditions
The tarmac section (Bulawayo to the park boundary) is well-maintained year-round. The gravel section (final 8 km to the lodge) is regularly graded but can develop corrugations and puddles during the rains. Reduce speed on the gravel and keep headlights on — dust can be thick behind other vehicles. Our team will advise on current conditions via WhatsApp at +263 77 587 6661.
Once inside the park boundary, drive slowly and stay alert. Zebra, wildebeest, baboons, warthogs, klipspringer, and banded mongoose regularly cross the road. Keep to 60 km/h and enjoy — this is where the safari begins. See our complete wildlife guide for what to look out for.
Flying into Bulawayo
Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (IATA: BUQ) is the nearest commercial airport and your fastest route into the Matobo Hills. The airport is named after Zimbabwe's founding vice-president, whose statue stands proudly in the city centre. From the arrivals hall to a cold drink on our veranda: roughly 90 minutes. See our lodge and chalets to picture where you will be unwinding.
Flight time: ~1 hr 45 min
Frequency: Daily (multiple departures 06:50–16:15)
The busiest route into Bulawayo. Book early — JNB–BUQ fills fast around school holidays and long weekends.
Book Airlink → Book Fastjet →
Flight time: ~4 hr 35 min
Frequency: Weekly (Saturday) nonstop
Ethiopian's global hub connects Bulawayo to over 130 destinations worldwide. Fly direct on Saturdays or connect via Harare on other days.
Book Ethiopian →
Flight time: ~55 min
Frequency: Daily (up to 9 flights/week)
If connecting from international flights, overnight in Harare and catch the morning BUQ service. Earliest departure 06:00, latest 17:00.
Book Fastjet → Book Air Zimbabwe →
Flight time: ~1 hr 15 min
Frequency: 4 × weekly (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun)
Perfect for combining Victoria Falls with a Matobo Hills safari. Charter flights also available for groups — ask us for a quote.
Book Fastjet → Book Air Zimbabwe →
Distance: 70 km from BUQ | Drive time: ~90 minutes | Cost: $110 private / $85 sharing
Book your transfer here →
Driving from South Africa
Many of our guests make the drive from Johannesburg, Pretoria, or Limpopo. It is a long day on the road — but the moment you enter the Matobo Hills, every kilometre feels worthwhile.
Johannesburg → Beitbridge → Bulawayo → Matobo Hills Lodge
Total distance: ~780 km | Total drive time: 9–11 hours (including border)
Recommended: Break the journey overnight in Bulawayo or Louis Trichardt.
Beitbridge Border Crossing
- Operating hours: 24 hours, but cross during daylight (06:00–18:00) for safety and faster processing
- Best crossing times: Before 07:00 or mid-afternoon. Avoid Fridays, Sundays, and month-end — queues can exceed 3 hours
- Documents required: Valid passport, vehicle registration papers, driver's licence, temporary import permit (TIP) for your vehicle
- Vehicle insurance: Third-party cover is compulsory in Zimbabwe. Purchase at the ZINARA counter at the border. Have USD cash ready — approximately $30–$50 depending on vehicle size
- Carbon tax / road access fee: ~$10 USD, payable at the border
- Fuel: Fill up in Musina (SA side) before crossing. First reliable fuel in Zimbabwe is Beitbridge town, then Gwanda, then Bulawayo
- Currency at the border: US Dollars. Keep small denominations ($1, $5, $10) for tolls and fees. Bring crisp, undamaged notes printed after 2006
Beitbridge → Bulawayo (A6 Highway)
320 km of well-maintained tarmac. Single carriageway with regular overtaking lanes. Watch for slow-moving trucks, livestock, and police checkpoints — carry your papers and keep within speed limits (120 km/h highway, 60 km/h towns).
Fuel stops on the A6: Beitbridge town → West Nicholson (small pump, not always reliable) → Gwanda → Esigodini → Bulawayo. Fill in Beitbridge and again in Bulawayo before heading to the lodge.
Most South African rental companies do not allow their vehicles to cross into Zimbabwe. If you plan to hire a car, book with a company that explicitly permits cross-border travel, or hire a vehicle in Bulawayo. We can recommend local partners — just ask.
From Harare
Harare to Matobo Hills Lodge is approximately 490 km. Two good options:
From Victoria Falls
Many guests combine Victoria Falls with Matobo Hills — and the drive between them is one of Zimbabwe's great road trips. You will pass through Hwange National Park country, with a chance to spot elephants from the road.
Victoria Falls → Hwange → Halfway House → Bulawayo → Matobo. Well-maintained tarmac throughout. Fuel in Victoria Falls, Hwange town, and Bulawayo. Watch for elephants on the A8 between Vic Falls and Hwange.
Fastjet operates a scheduled Victoria Falls–Bulawayo service four times per week (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun). Air Zimbabwe also flies this route. From BUQ, we handle the transfer to the lodge. Book flights →
The classic three-stop Zimbabwe itinerary: Victoria Falls → Hwange → Matobo Hills. Each destination offers something completely different — the falls, big-five wildlife, and ancient landscape with rhino tracking and rock art. Ask us about combined packages.
Lodge Transfer Rates
We arrange comfortable, private transfers so you can arrive relaxed and ready for the hills.
| Route | Private Vehicle | Shared Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Bulawayo City → Lodge | $75 | $55 per person |
| BUQ Airport → Lodge | $110 | $85 per person |
All transfer rates in USD. Book at least 48 hours before arrival. Include your flight details when enquiring.
Request your transfer here →
Plan Your Route
Every road leads through extraordinary landscape. Toggle routes below to see driving distances, or zoom in to explore the final stretch through the Matobo Hills to the lodge.
Essential Travel Information
Everything you need to know before you set off — visas, health, currency, packing, and connectivity.
Your Journey Starts Here
Our team arranges airport transfers, shuttle services, and will guide you every step of the way.
+263 77 587 6661Frequently Asked Questions
No. A standard sedan is suitable May–October. During the rains (November–April), higher clearance is recommended for the last 8 km of gravel. WhatsApp us for current road conditions.
Yes. Airlink and Fastjet operate daily direct flights from OR Tambo (JNB) to Bulawayo (BUQ). Flight time: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
On a quiet day: 30–60 minutes. At peak times (Fridays, month-end, holidays): 1–4 hours. Cross early morning for the shortest wait. The border operates 24 hours but travellers should cross during daylight for safety.
No. The last reliable fuel stations are on Robert Mugabe Way near the Ascot suburb, roughly 5 km from Bulawayo city centre. Fill up before you leave.
Yes. Private transfer from BUQ Airport: $110. Shared: $85 per person. Book at least 48 hours ahead via our Plan Your Stay page or WhatsApp +263 77 587 6661.
Fly Johannesburg to Bulawayo (1 hr 45 min, daily via Airlink or Fastjet) or drive via the N1 to Beitbridge border and then the A6 to Bulawayo — approximately 780 km, 9–11 hours including the border crossing. We recommend breaking the journey overnight.
Low risk, not zero. The 1,400 m altitude means malaria transmission is minimal, especially in dry season. Many visitors skip prophylaxis — consult your travel doctor for personal advice. Read more in our Plan Your Stay health and safety section.
Yes. Several local operators offer vehicle hire from approximately $40–$60 USD per day. Most South African rental companies do not allow cross-border travel to Zimbabwe — hire locally instead. We can recommend trusted partners.
Drive the A8 via Hwange to Bulawayo, then south to the lodge — approximately 440 km, 5.5 hours. Alternatively, fly from Victoria Falls to Bulawayo (scheduled Fastjet service 4× weekly, approximately 1 hr 15 min). See our things to do page to start planning your activities.
Every season has its character. Dry season (May–October): cooler weather, clearer skies, easier game viewing. Green season (November–April): lush landscapes, migratory birds, dramatic thunderstorm skies, and lower rates. Read our seasonal guide.
