Great Zimbabwe Overland Private Tour

Day 1

Harare

Staying at Amanzi Lodge

Arrive at Harare airport, where you are met by our driver and transfer to the lodge.

Your stay is included on B&B basis, depending on your arrival time, we can add optional guided day tours and meals.

Includes & Excludes

Day 2

Honde Valley

Staying at Aberfoyle Lodge

Breakfast and meet with our driver guide who will accompany you up to Amalinda.

Today will take about 6 hours drive, with a scenic drive and comfort stops along the way. The route offers a mix of history, culture, and natural beauty, making the drive an enjoyable part of the journey.

Rolling granite hills and rock formations, home to ancient San rock art. As you approach the Eastern Highlands, the landscape becomes more mountainous, with stunning views of pine forests, rivers, and waterfalls. Descending into this lush valley, you’ll pass tea and coffee plantations, banana farms, and small villages before reaching Aberfoyle Lodge, nestled in the heart of the tea estates.

Includes & Excludes

Day 3

Honde Valley

Staying at Aberfoyle Lodge

Today you will have the opportunity to visit a tea plantation, and a guided bird tour on the property.

Aberfoyle Lodge, nestled in the lush Honde Valley, is a paradise for bird enthusiasts. The area is part of the Eastern Highlands, a biodiversity hotspot home to a rich variety of species, including many endemics. On a guided birding tour, you’ll explore misty forests, riverbanks, and open tea estates, spotting sought-after species such as:

Eastern Saw-wing - Silvery-cheeked Hornbill - Blue-spotted Wood Dove - Chirinda Apalis - Pallid Honeyguide. The diversity of habitats—from miombo woodlands to montane forests—ensures an exciting and rewarding experience for bird lovers of all levels.

A visit to the Aberfoyle Tea Estate offers a fascinating look into the process of tea cultivation in Zimbabwe. The tour takes you through the vast green plantations, where you'll learn about tea growing and harvesting, and sample different tea varieties and appreciate the subtle differences in flavor and aroma.

The tour is both educational and scenic, with rolling hills of neatly trimmed tea bushes providing a stunning backdrop.

Includes & Excludes

Day 4

Lake Mutirikwi

Staying at Romelda Lakeside Retreat

After breakfast, you depart for another scenic route (approx. 7 hours with rest stops along the way) to reach your next destination, through some of Zimbabwe’s most diverse landscapes, from tea plantations and rolling hills to wide savannahs and historic towns.

Climbing out of the valley, enjoy breathtaking views of tea estates, misty forests, and the meandering Pungwe River. Stop in Nyanga for a quick break, where you can admire views of Zimbabwe’s highest mountains. The landscape transitions into vast grasslands and granite outcrops.

Arrival at Romelda Retreat – Nestled in a peaceful setting near the historic Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Romelda Retreat offers a relaxing atmosphere after a day of travel, with stunning sunset views over the surrounding hills.

This route is a journey through Zimbabwe’s natural beauty and history, making the drive as rewarding as the destinations themselves.

Includes & Excludes

Day 5

Lake Mutirikwi

Staying at Romelda Lakeside Retreat

Step back in time with a guided tour of Great Zimbabwe, the largest ancient stone city in Southern Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 11th–15th centuries, these ruins were once the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe, showcasing incredible architectural skill and historical significance.

The highlight being the Great Enclosure – The most famous and best-preserved structure, featuring massive stone walls (up to 11m high) built without mortar, and home to the iconic Conical Tower, whose purpose remains a mystery.

Just outside Masvingo, hidden within a serene landscape, lies the Italian Chapel, a little-known historical gem. Built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II, this small but beautifully crafted church is a testament to resilience, faith, and artistry. This guided experience provides a unique blend of ancient African history and European wartime heritage, offering a deeper understanding of Zimbabwe’s rich and layered past.

Includes & Excludes

Day 6

Matobo National Park

Staying at Amalinda Lodge

This morning you will drive through to the Matopos region. Your guide will say his goodbyes as you arrive at the beautiful Amalinda Lodge.

The activities will be conducted by the guides at the lodge, the manager will chat with you on arrival to confirm your agenda, based on your preferences and the wildlife movement and weather.

Nestled among the ancient granite formations of the Matobo Hills, Amalinda Lodge offers a unique blend of luxury, history, and adventure. Amalinda’s suites are built into the massive boulders, seamlessly blending with the natural surroundings. The lodge’s infinity pool, library, and fire-lit bar provide perfect spaces to unwind between activities.

Enjoy a scenic drive to a panoramic viewpoint, where you'll sip on sundowner cocktails while watching the sun set over the rugged landscape. After dinner, gather around the fire for storytelling or gaze at the unpolluted night sky, where the Milky Way shines brightly.

Includes & Excludes

Day 7

Matobo National Park

Staying at Amalinda Lodge

Set out with an expert guide for an exhilarating white rhino tracking experience in Matobo National Park. Walk quietly through the bush, following fresh tracks, while learning about the conservation efforts that protect these endangered giants. The thrill of encountering rhinos up close is unmatched.

You can also visit the breathtaking hilltop where Cecil Rhodes is buried. Your guide will share insights into Rhodes’ controversial legacy and the spiritual significance of the site to local communities. From there, explore San rock art sites, dating back thousands of years. These fascinating paintings depict wildlife and traditional ceremonies, offering a glimpse into the spiritual world of Zimbabwe’s early inhabitants.

Includes & Excludes

Day 8

End of Itinerary

Last morning at the lodge and you will be transferred to Bulawayo airport on time for your flight.

If you have time, we can extend the tour with a visit to Hwange National Park and ending at the famous Victoria Falls.