Everything you need to know before you arrive. Visas, health, payments, packing, children, connectivity — answered by the team who lives in the hills.
The Matobo Hills sits at approximately 1,400 metres elevation and is classified as a low malaria risk zone. Risk is minimal during the dry season (May–October) and low-to-moderate during the rains (November–April). Many visitors to the Matopos choose not to take prophylaxis, but this remains a personal medical decision. Consult your travel doctor before departure. For comparison: the Matopos is significantly lower risk than lowland parks like Hwange, the Zambezi Valley, or Victoria Falls.
No specific vaccinations are legally required to enter Zimbabwe unless you are arriving from a yellow fever endemic country, in which case a Yellow Fever Certificate is mandatory. Recommended (not required) vaccinations include Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, and Tetanus. A routine check with your travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure is good practice for any African safari.
The nearest medical facilities are in Bulawayo, approximately 50 km from the lodge. Mater Dei Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals provide 24-hour emergency care. We carry a comprehensive first-aid kit on all game drives and activities. For serious medical emergencies, we have an evacuation protocol with Medical Air Rescue Service (MARS). We recommend travel insurance with medical evacuation cover for all guests.
The Matobo Hills is home to white rhino, leopard, hyena, and various antelope — but it is not a Big Five area (no elephant, lion, or buffalo). The lodge itself is unfenced but wildlife encounters in camp are rare and generally limited to smaller animals. Our guides are armed and trained for all walking activities. Rhino tracking is conducted on foot with experienced rangers who prioritise safety at all times.
Yes. The lodge grounds are well-lit on pathways, and staff are available to escort you to your chalet after dinner if you prefer. The risk of dangerous wildlife in camp is very low compared to Big Five reserves. That said, always carry a torch (we provide one in each room) and stay on designated paths.
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at any port of entry, or pre-apply online through the Zimbabwe e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.zw. Pre-applying saves time at the border or airport.
Single entry: $30 USD (most nationalities) or $55 USD (British, Irish, and Canadian passport holders). Double entry: $45 USD. KAZA UniVisa: $50 USD — covers both Zimbabwe and Zambia, valid for 30 days. Ideal if you are combining the Matopos with Victoria Falls. Pay in US Dollars cash at the border, or by card if applying online.
A valid passport with at least 6 blank pages and at least 6 months validity beyond your travel dates. If self-driving from South Africa: vehicle registration papers, driver's licence, and temporary import permit (TIP). If travelling with children: see the family section below for additional document requirements.
Yes. Visa on arrival is available at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ). The process is straightforward — fill in the arrival card on the plane, present your passport and visa fee at the immigration counter. Typical processing time: 5–15 minutes. Have USD cash ready.
Yes — US Dollars are the preferred currency at the lodge and throughout Zimbabwe's tourism sector. Our rates are quoted in USD, and all payments at the lodge can be made in US Dollars. We also accept Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG) at the prevailing exchange rate. Bring clean, undamaged US bills — notes printed before 2006 are sometimes refused in Zimbabwe.
Yes. We accept Visa and Mastercard at the lodge. However, card machines rely on connectivity which can be intermittent in the hills. We recommend carrying USD cash as a backup, particularly for tips, curio purchases, and national park fees.
No. The nearest ATMs are in Bulawayo (50 km). Most Bulawayo ATMs dispense both USD and ZWG. We recommend withdrawing cash in Bulawayo before heading to the lodge, or bringing sufficient USD from your home country.
If your accommodation is pre-paid (as most bookings are), you will need cash mainly for tips, drinks beyond the inclusive package, curio shop purchases, and national park entry fees if not pre-arranged. A rough guide: $20–$30 USD per day in small denominations ($1, $5, $10) covers most extras comfortably. Our suggested tipping guide is provided at check-in.
Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory. A general guideline: $5–$10 USD per person per day for your safari guide, $5 USD per person per day for general lodge staff (placed in the communal tip box), and $2–$3 USD for specific services like room attendants or porters. Tips in USD are always welcome.
Yes — children of all ages are welcome at Matobo Hills Lodge. We are a family-friendly property with space to explore, a swimming pool, and activities tailored for younger guests. The Matobo Hills is one of the safest safari destinations in southern Africa for families because there are no elephant, lion, or buffalo in the immediate area.
Children aged 4–11 stay at 50% of the adult rate (maximum 2 children per chalet, sharing with adults). Children under 4 stay free of charge. Children 12 and over are charged the full adult rate. National park entry fees: free for children under 6, reduced for ages 6–12, full rate for 12+.
Children aged 12 and over who can walk quietly for 1–2 hours over uneven terrain can join the on-foot rhino tracking experience. Children under 12 can join vehicle-based game drives instead, where rhino sightings are still possible. We can also arrange a private family game drive with a focus on wildlife, rock art, and the landscape — tailored to keep younger children engaged.
Children travelling with both parents: valid passport only (plus visa). Children travelling with one parent: valid passport, an unabridged birth certificate showing both parents' names, and a consent letter from the absent parent (notarised or apostilled). Children travelling with neither parent (e.g., grandparents): valid passport, unabridged birth certificate, consent letters from both parents, and a copy of the accompanying adult's ID. Zimbabwe enforces these requirements strictly — missing documents can result in denied entry.
Yes, though we recommend the Matopos for families with children aged 4 and above for the fullest safari experience. For infants and toddlers, we can arrange babysitting, early dinners, and flexible activity scheduling. Cots are available on request. The pool is unfenced, so parental supervision is essential at all times.
Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, beige) for game drives and walks. Long sleeves and trousers for evening mosquito protection. A warm fleece or down jacket for early morning drives (May–August temperatures drop to 5°C). A sunhat, sunglasses, and comfortable closed-toe walking shoes for rhino tracking over rocky terrain. Smart casual for dinner — no formal dress code.
Sunscreen (SPF 50+), insect repellent (DEET-based), personal medications, a reusable water bottle, binoculars, a camera with a telephoto lens (200–400 mm ideal for rhino and bird photography), and a headlamp or torch. We provide bath towels, pool towels, toiletries, and laundry service.
Pack layers. Mornings and evenings are cold (5–10°C in June/July). A beanie, gloves, and thermal underlayer are not overkill. By midday it warms to 20–25°C. Dust is minimal on the gravel roads but a buff or bandana is useful on windy days.
A quality rain jacket — afternoon storms are sudden and intense but short. Waterproof bag or dry sack for electronics. Light, breathable fabrics. Stronger insect repellent. The bush is thick and green — long trousers protect legs on walking trails.
Yes. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the main lodge areas (lounge, bar, dining area). Signal strength is sufficient for email, messaging, and light browsing. Video calls and large downloads are possible but may be slow during peak hours. There is no Wi-Fi in the individual chalets — by design, to encourage you to disconnect.
Intermittent. Econet has the best coverage in the Matobo Hills, but signal drops in and out depending on terrain. NetOne coverage is weaker. Do not rely on mobile data for navigation or communication once you leave Bulawayo. Download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) before your journey.
Yes. Econet SIM cards are available at Bulawayo Airport and in town. Bring your passport for registration. A data bundle of 1–2 GB costs approximately $3–$5 USD. Useful as a backup for WhatsApp messages when you have intermittent signal. Most international phones work on Zimbabwe's networks — check that your phone is unlocked before travel.
Yes. Each chalet has South African-style 3-pin plug sockets (Type M / BS 546). A universal travel adapter is recommended. We also have multi-plug charging stations in the main lodge. Power supply is reliable — the lodge has a backup generator for outages.
Our fully inclusive rate covers accommodation, all meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner), house wines and selected beverages, two scheduled safari activities per day (game drives, rhino tracking, cave painting visits, cultural tours), and complimentary Wi-Fi. Not included: national park entry fees, premium drinks, spa treatments, laundry, gratuities, and airport transfers (bookable separately).
Book direct through our website for the best available rate: matobohillslodge.co.zw/book. You can also WhatsApp us at +263 77 587 6661 or email bookings@matoposhillslodge.com. We respond within 24 hours. A 50% deposit secures your booking, with the balance due on arrival.
Cancellations more than 30 days before arrival: full refund minus a $50 admin fee. 14–30 days: 50% of the total stay charged. Less than 14 days or no-show: full stay charged. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation — the Matopos weather is reliable, but life is not.
Peak season (July–October): 3–6 months ahead. Festive period (20 Dec – 5 Jan): 6+ months. Green season (November–April): 1–2 months is usually sufficient, though early booking ensures the best room allocation.
We offer reduced rates during the green season (November–April) and occasional shoulder-season specials in May, June, and early November. Honeymoon packages, extended-stay discounts, and group rates are available on request. Contact us for a tailored quote.
On-foot white rhino tracking (our signature experience), morning and evening game drives, guided walks to Nswatugi and Silozwane rock art caves (UNESCO World Heritage Site), visits to Cecil Rhodes' Grave at World's View, cultural village tours, birding walks (500+ species recorded), stargazing sessions, and sundowner stops on the granite kopjes. Two scheduled activities per day are included in your rate.
Tracking is conducted on foot with experienced, armed rangers. Depending on wind, terrain, and the rhinos' mood, approach distances of 20–30 metres are common. Our guides read the animals' behaviour and position the group for safe, respectful viewing. This is a walking experience over rocky, uneven ground — moderate fitness is recommended. Sighting success rate exceeds 90% in dry season.
Morning activities typically depart at 06:00–06:30 (summer) or 06:30–07:00 (winter). Afternoon activities depart at 15:30–16:00. Between activities: relax at the pool, enjoy lunch, read in the lounge, or explore the lodge grounds at your own pace.
Yes. The Matobo Hills is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a gazetted national park. Matobo Hills Lodge is situated on a private concession bordering the park, giving you exclusive access to prime wildlife and rock art areas without the crowds of the public park sections. National park entry fees apply for activities within the park boundaries.
The Matobo Hills is not a Big Five destination. There are no elephant, lion, or buffalo in the park. The Matopos is renowned for white rhino (one of the densest populations in the world), leopard, Black Eagle (highest concentration on Earth), and extraordinary rock art. If you want Big Five, combine the Matopos with Hwange National Park — we can help you plan a multi-destination itinerary.
Matobo Hills Lodge offers spacious, individually designed stone-and-thatch chalets set among the granite boulders. Each chalet has an en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower, a private veranda with bush views, and quality linen. This is a boutique lodge — small, personal, and intimate — not a large hotel. Maximum capacity is approximately 20 guests.
Yes. The lodge has a rock pool set among the granite boulders with views across the valley. Open to all guests during daylight hours. The pool is unfenced — children must be supervised at all times.
Yes. Same-day laundry is available (items returned by evening if submitted before 09:00). Charged per item. Useful for multi-day stays — pack light and use the service.
Yes. Our kitchen caters to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, and most allergy requirements. Please notify us at the time of booking so our chef can prepare accordingly. Meals are prepared fresh daily using local produce where possible.
Our team knows these hills inside out. Ask us anything — we reply within 24 hours.
Step-by-step driving directions from Bulawayo, airport transfer details, Beitbridge border crossing guide, and GPS coordinates. Read the full guide →
Month-by-month weather, wildlife viewing, photography conditions, and pricing seasons for the Matobo Hills. See the seasonal guide →
Explore our stone-and-thatch chalets set among 3-billion-year-old granite boulders. Each room is individually designed. View rooms and rates →
