10 Day Zimbabwe and Chobe NP Tour

History meets wildlife here. This 10-day journey links Zimbabwe’s major sights with a memorable safari in Botswana, from the stone walls of Great Zimbabwe to the elephants of Chobe National Park. I especially like the wide range of experiences and the small group limit of 12 people, which should make long drives and safari outings easier to manage. The main drawback is the pace: several days involve long transfers, and the price of $4,395 per person requires you to value the included transport, meals, guides, and park time.

I also like the way the trip finishes in Victoria Falls, rather than sending you back to Harare. You see ancient ruins, granite hills, rhinos, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and one of the world’s great waterfalls in one carefully connected route. Still, you should confirm the exact lodging, meal plan, and Chobe schedule before paying, since the published details are brief in places.

Key points to know before booking

• Great Zimbabwe gives the trip historical depth: The stone city covers about 722 hectares and dates from the 11th to 15th centuries.
• Matobo offers more than a game drive: Granite hills, rhinos, black eagles, and Cecil John Rhodes’s burial site give this stop a different feel.
• Hwange is the safari centerpiece: The park is especially famous for elephants, with chances to see lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, buffalo, and antelope.
• Victoria Falls includes two strong outings: A guided waterfall visit and a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River are built into the schedule.
• Chobe adds a river-based safari: The three-hour boat cruise brings you close to elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and birds.
• The trip ends in Botswana: You fly out of Victoria Falls Airport after the Chobe portion, so check your international flight connection carefully.

Why this route works for a first visit to southern Africa

This itinerary packs several very different places into 10 days. You begin in Harare, travel south to Great Zimbabwe and Matobo, head west to Hwange, continue to Victoria Falls, and then cross into Botswana for Chobe National Park.

That route is useful if you want a broad introduction rather than a single-location safari. You get culture and archaeology, national parks, river wildlife, dramatic scenery, and one of Africa’s most famous natural sights. It also avoids making you arrange separate transfers between Zimbabwe and Botswana.

The tradeoff is time on the road. The itinerary includes a three-hour transfer to Hwange, a two-hour drive to Victoria Falls, and a one-hour trip to the Botswana border before the Chobe safari begins. Those drives are part of the price, but they can make the trip feel busy.

The group maximum is 12 people. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach tour, while still making the cost of guides and transfers more manageable. Feedback about the operation has been particularly positive regarding organization, airport transfers, and the care provided by Webster, Owen, and Enock.

Day 1: Arriving in Harare and getting settled

Your arrival at Harare International Airport includes a transfer to Jacana Gardens Lodge. The first day is intentionally flexible. If your flight arrives early enough, you may add an optional city tour, visit the Harare gardens, browse art galleries, see farm produce markets, or visit townships and other local areas.

That flexibility matters after a long international flight. You can rest instead of forcing yourself into a full sightseeing program. If you do take the optional city tour, ask for a clear plan and price before setting out, since it is not part of the included package.

Harare is mainly a starting point here, not the main attraction. The practical value of this first night is that it gives you a local arrival transfer and a place to sleep before heading toward Great Zimbabwe.

Day 2: Walking among the walls of Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe is the historical heart of the tour. The ruined city was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe during the Late Iron Age, and construction continued from roughly the 11th century through the 15th century.

The site covers about 722 hectares. At its height, it may have supported as many as 18,000 people. Those numbers help you understand that this is not a small ruin visited in half an hour. The stone walls and enclosures are spread across a broad area, so comfortable shoes and protection from the sun are sensible.

This is also the place that gave modern Zimbabwe its name. The word Zimbabwe is connected with the stone houses or stone structures associated with the site. Seeing the monument early in the trip gives the wildlife portion more context: you are not simply passing through parks, but visiting a country with a long and important past.

Admission is included. The available schedule gives this stop a full day, though exact driving times and time at the monument should be confirmed before departure. The main limitation is that the description does not specify the accommodation for this night, so ask where you will sleep between Harare and Matobo.

Day 3: Granite hills, rhinos, and Rhodes’s grave in Matobo

Matobo National Park, also called the Matopos, changes the mood completely. The area is made of huge granite formations from the Matopos Batholith, creating rounded hills and unusual rock shapes rather than the open plains associated with many African safaris.

The park has a wide range of wildlife. White rhinos, sable antelope, impala, and leopards are among the animals you might find. Matobo is noted for its black eagle population, and the park also has a strong concentration of bird species, with 175 bird species recorded.

Rhino protection is a major part of the park’s importance. Both white and black rhinos have been restocked, and parts of the park are managed as an Intensive Protection Zone for these animals. Sightings are never guaranteed, but this is a particularly good stop if rhinos matter more to you than simply collecting big animal sightings.

Cecil John Rhodes is buried in the Matobo Hills, at a site connected with his admiration for the area. That visit adds a layer of colonial history and prompts questions about how Zimbabwe’s past is remembered. You should expect a mix of scenery, wildlife, and history rather than a full day focused only on game viewing.

Admission is listed as included at no extra cost. As with Great Zimbabwe, the day is described broadly, so confirm the exact sequence of walks, drives, and visits.

Day 4: Entering Hwange for the main safari section

After breakfast, the drive to Hwange takes about three hours. You are expected to arrive in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive in the Hwange Safari Lodge estate, which borders the national park and has no fences between the estate and the park.

That unfenced setting is worth noting. Wildlife can move through the area, and the lodge estate is not simply an urban base far from the park. The afternoon is also a sensible time for a game drive because predators may be active and hunting as the heat begins to ease.

Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest national park and the country’s principal big-game safari area. Its elephants are the headline attraction. The park is described as having more than 65,000 elephants, and in the dry season they often gather at water points during the afternoon.

You might also see lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, buffalo, impala, kudu, and sable antelope. As always with wildlife, the wording should be read as possibility, not promise. The value lies in having two substantial days in the area instead of rushing through a single drive.

Day 5: A full day among Hwange’s elephants

The second Hwange day gives you more time for the slow rhythm of safari. You may spend much of the day looking for a favorite animal or bird, while common species become familiar enough to pass without stopping for every sighting.

That may sound odd on a first safari, but it is part of the pleasure. Early in a trip, every impala seems important. By the second full day, you can focus on behavior, tracks, birdlife, and the possibility of finding predators.

Hwange is often compared with major East African parks because of its range of wildlife, but the appeal here is the chance to see animals without the same level of crowding associated with some famous safari areas. The information provided says you may return to the lodge earlier if you have seen what you hoped to see. That flexibility is welcome, though you should ask whether the full day is a private outing or a shared drive.

If elephant viewing is your main goal, dry-season timing and water sources will matter. The schedule does not give a travel month, so ask the operator what wildlife conditions are normally like when you plan to go.

Day 6: Victoria Falls and a sunset on the Zambezi

The transfer from Hwange to Victoria Falls takes about two hours on paved roads. After checking in, you receive a guided waterfall visit lasting about three hours.

The route includes the Victoria Falls rainforest, large baobab trees in the Zambezi National Park, and an artifacts market. The falls themselves are the main event, but the rainforest matters because spray from the river supports plant life close to the viewpoints. Depending on water levels, you may get wet, so a light waterproof layer can be useful.

Later, you are picked up at 4 p.m. for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Drinks and snacks are included, and the cruise returns around 7 p.m. This is a good pairing: the waterfall walk gives you close views and spray, while the river outing offers a quieter evening with the chance to see wildlife along the banks.

The schedule calls the waterfall visit a guided tour, but it does not name the guide or specify how much walking is involved. If mobility or footwear is a concern, ask for those details before arrival.

Day 7: Use your free day carefully in Victoria Falls

A free day in Victoria Falls gives you room to recover from the road miles or add an activity. You can relax at the hotel swimming pool, shop, or pay for optional outings.

Listed options include:

• A helicopter flight over Victoria Falls
• Canoeing on the upper Zambezi
• Bungee jumping
• A visit to the falls from the Zambia side
• Walking with lions

These extras can change the trip’s cost quickly. I would choose one major paid activity rather than trying to cram several into a single day. The Zambia-side visit may require extra border arrangements, so ask whether transport and entry formalities are included in the optional price.

Dinner at the Boma Restaurant is scheduled for this evening. The description does not say whether the meal is included in the package, so confirm that point. The free day is also your best chance to recover if the long transfers and early safari starts have caught up with you.

Day 8: Crossing into Botswana for Chobe’s river safari

The Chobe excursion begins with pickup at your Victoria Falls hotel. The drive to the Botswana border takes about one hour, with arrival planned for around 8:30 a.m. You then handle border formalities and receive a safety and regional briefing before continuing to the Chobe River jetty.

The three-hour boat cruise begins at 9 a.m. This is one of the most appealing parts of the whole route because it changes your viewing angle. Instead of riding through bush, you watch animals approach the water from the river.

Elephants and buffalo may come down to drink, while hippos and crocodiles remain near the river. Birdlife is another major reason to value the cruise. The boat should give you a stable platform for viewing and photography, though glare and distance can still affect pictures.

The cruise ends at 12:30 p.m., followed by a buffet lunch. The schedule then moves into a land safari and camp arrangement, but the exact accommodation details are not fully spelled out. Ask whether you will sleep in a tented camp or lodge, what bedding is supplied, and how bags are handled during the border crossing.

This day involves border formalities, a boat trip, lunch, and a land safari. It is rewarding, but not leisurely.

Day 9: An early Chobe drive and a slower afternoon

The final Chobe morning starts early with tea or coffee and a quick continental breakfast. The camp is packed up before the last game drive toward the exit gate.

An early drive is well chosen. Big cats and other nocturnal animals may still be active, and there is a chance of finding predators near a recent kill. Nothing is guaranteed, but the timing gives you a better chance than a late-morning outing.

You are scheduled to reach Chobe Safari Lodge around 10 a.m. The rest of the day is for relaxing or shopping, with an optional afternoon boat cruise available. If you already completed the morning river cruise on Day 8, I would use this time to rest unless seeing Chobe from the water again is a top priority.

The schedule for this final section deserves clarification. It mentions an overnight camp, a drop-off at Chobe Safari Lodge, and an optional afternoon cruise. Confirm exactly where you sleep on Day 8 and Day 9, and whether the lodge is included or simply the location for the final transfer.

Day 10: Flying out of Victoria Falls

The trip ends with a transfer to Victoria Falls Airport. Departure time depends on your flight schedule, so you should avoid booking a tight connection unless the operator confirms the transfer timing.

This ending is convenient because you do not have to return to Harare. The route works best if you arrange an open-jaw or multi-city international ticket, arriving in Harare and departing from Victoria Falls. Your flight plan should allow enough time for the final road transfer from Botswana.

What the $4,395 price really covers

At $4,395 per person, this is not a budget safari. The value comes from having one company arrange a complicated route across Zimbabwe and Botswana, including airport pickup, intercity transfers, park visits, safari drives, the Victoria Falls tour, and the Zambezi sunset cruise.

Meals listed as included are nine breakfasts, lunch, and three dinners, although the meal wording is not perfectly clear. Optional tours, personal purchases, and tips are excluded. The helicopter flight, bungee jump, Zambia-side visit, canoeing, lion walk, and similar activities will cost extra.

The price is easier to justify if you want a guided trip with a maximum of 12 people and do not want to arrange separate park permits, border transport, river cruises, and lodging. It is less attractive if you prefer to choose your own hotels, spend longer in one park, or travel independently.

The strongest practical praise for DK Tours & Safaris concerns organization. Webster and the team are credited with handling transfers, activities, meals, accommodation, and safari arrangements well. That matters on a route where missed connections or unclear border plans could spoil an otherwise excellent trip.

Who should book this 10-day route?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a broad taste of Zimbabwe and Botswana in one booking. It suits people who care about both ancient sites and wildlife, and who are happy to trade a relaxed pace for variety.

You should also be comfortable with early starts, several road transfers, changing hotels, and moderate physical activity. The tour requires a moderate fitness level, and Great Zimbabwe, Matobo, and Victoria Falls may involve walking over uneven ground.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone seeking a slow, luxury-focused safari. Two days in Hwange is a useful minimum, but serious wildlife enthusiasts may prefer to spend more time there and less time moving between destinations.

Cancellation is flexible only up to a point: a full refund requires cancellation at least six full days before the start time, while later cancellations receive less or no refund. Poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins with arrival at Harare International Airport in Zimbabwe. A transfer to Jacana Gardens Lodge is provided.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends with a transfer to Victoria Falls Airport. The departure time depends on your flight schedule.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 10 days.

What is the maximum group size?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Are meals included?

Nine breakfasts, lunch, and three dinners are listed as included. Optional tours, personal expenses, tips, and gratuities are not included.

Is the Victoria Falls sunset cruise included?

Yes. The sunset cruise on the Zambezi River is scheduled for Day 6 and includes drinks and snacks.

Is the Chobe River boat cruise included?

The three-hour Chobe River cruise is part of the scheduled Chobe safari. An additional afternoon boat cruise on Day 9 is listed as optional.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the big southern Africa sampler: Great Zimbabwe, Matobo, Hwange, Victoria Falls, and Chobe in one organized journey. The combination is unusually strong, and the operational support from Webster, Owen, Enock, and the wider DK Tours & Safaris team adds real value.

Before booking, ask for a written day-by-day schedule with every hotel, camp, included meal, border transfer, and Chobe activity clearly marked. If those details suit you, this is a convenient and wildlife-focused way to see a remarkable slice of the region without arranging each moving part yourself.