Matobo Hills

Rhino Tracking on Foot

Walk through the Whovi Wilderness Area with an experienced ranger to track both black and white rhino on foot. Approach to within 20-30 metres of these magnificent animals in one of Africa's most intimate wildlife encounters — with a success rate above 90 percent.

San Rock Art Tours

Explore cave galleries featuring paintings up to 13,000 years old with a knowledgeable guide who brings the San Bushman heritage to life. Visit Nswatugi Cave, Pomongwe Cave, and Bambata Cave to see detailed depictions of hunting, trance dances, and spiritual ceremonies.

World's View & Cecil Rhodes Grave

Climb to the summit of Malindidzimu — "Place of Benevolent Spirits" — for breathtaking 360-degree views across the kopjes. This sacred hilltop is also the burial site of Cecil John Rhodes, who called it "World's View" and chose it as his final resting place in 1902.

Verreaux's Eagle Watching

Matobo Hills has the densest population of Verreaux's (black) eagles on the planet with over 60 breeding pairs nesting on the granite cliffs. Guided birding walks take you to known nesting sites where you can observe these powerful raptors hunting rock hyrax among the kopjes.

Granite Kopje Hiking

Walk among the extraordinary balancing rock formations sculpted by 2 billion years of erosion. The granite domes, castle-like formations, and impossibly balanced boulders create a surreal landscape unlike anywhere else in Africa — a photographer's paradise at sunrise and sunset.

Cultural Village Visits

Visit local Ndebele communities around the Matobo Hills to learn about traditional customs, cooking, crafts, and daily life. The area is culturally significant to the Ndebele people, and community-based tourism provides direct economic benefit to the families living around the park.

White Rhinoceros

Matobo's Whovi Wilderness Area is home to one of the healthiest white rhino populations in Africa. Guided tracking walks allow you to approach these 2-tonne grazers on foot — an unforgettable experience.

Black Rhinoceros

The critically endangered black rhino also inhabits the Matobo Hills, making it one of the rare places where both species can be encountered. Black rhino are more solitary and elusive than their white cousins.

Verreaux's Eagle

Over 60 breeding pairs make this the densest population of Verreaux's (black) eagles on earth. These powerful raptors specialise in hunting rock hyrax among the granite kopjes and can be seen soaring above the hills daily.

Leopard

The granite kopjes and dense vegetation provide ideal habitat for leopard, which are present throughout Matobo Hills though rarely seen due to their secretive nature. Dawn and dusk game drives offer the best chance of a sighting.

Sable Antelope

Zimbabwe's national animal, the magnificent sable antelope with its sweeping curved horns and striking black-and-white markings, is found in the grasslands around the Matobo Hills.

Rock Hyrax (Dassie)

These small, furry mammals are abundant on the granite kopjes and are the primary prey of the Verreaux's eagles. Despite their rodent-like appearance, their closest living relative is the elephant.

Best Time to Visit

The dry season from May to October is ideal for rhino tracking — shorter vegetation and cooler temperatures make walking comfortable. July and August are the coolest months at 20-25°C. The wet season from November to March brings lush greenery, dramatic thunderstorms, and migrant bird species. Verreaux's eagles breed from April to August, offering outstanding nesting observations.

Getting There

Matobo Hills is 35km south of Bulawayo — about 45 minutes on a tarred road. Bulawayo's Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport has flights from Harare (1 hour), Johannesburg (1.5 hours with Airlink), and Victoria Falls. Most lodges offer transfers from Bulawayo. Day trips are possible but overnight stays are recommended for the full experience.

Park Fees

Matobo National Park entry is approximately US$15 per person for international visitors, with separate fees for rhino tracking walks in the Whovi Wilderness Area. Vehicle fees apply if you self-drive. Guided rhino walks are typically arranged through your lodge or a registered tour operator and include the park and guiding fees in the activity price.

What to Bring

Sturdy walking shoes are essential for rhino tracking and kopje hiking — the granite can be slippery. Bring neutral-coloured clothing (greens, browns, khaki) for walking safaris. Binoculars are invaluable for eagle watching. A hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water for daytime walks. A warm layer for early morning game walks from May to August.

Combining Destinations

Matobo pairs perfectly with Hwange National Park (350km, 4-5 hours drive) for a rhino-plus-Big-Five safari combination. Add Victoria Falls for the complete Zimbabwe trinity. Charter flights are available between all three destinations. A typical itinerary is 2 nights Matobo, 3-4 nights Hwange, 2-3 nights Victoria Falls.

Cultural Significance

Matobo is sacred to the Ndebele people and has been used as a spiritual site for centuries. The shrines at Njelele and other sites within the hills are still used for rain-making ceremonies. Visitors should respect cultural sites and follow their guide's instructions. The area is also associated with the Matabele War and the Shangani Patrol of 1893.

When is the best time to visit Matobo Hills?

Matobo Hills can be visited year-round, but the ideal time depends on what you want to experience. The dry season from May to October is generally the best period for rhino tracking on foot because the shorter vegetation makes it easier to spot wildlife and the cooler temperatures make walking more comfortable. July and August are the coolest months with daytime temperatures around 20-25 degrees Celsius, which is ideal for hiking among the kopjes. The wet season from November to March transforms the landscape into a lush green paradise with dramatic thunderstorms and spectacular light for photography, though some trails can become slippery on the granite surfaces. Birdwatching is excellent from October to April when migratory species arrive. The Verreaux's eagles are resident year-round, and their breeding season from April to August offers outstanding opportunities to observe nesting behaviour among the granite cliffs.

What is the rhino tracking experience like at Matobo Hills?

Rhino tracking at Matobo Hills is widely considered the best on-foot rhino experience in Africa. Guided walks take place in the Whovi Wilderness Area within Matobo National Park, where both black and white rhino roam freely among the granite kopjes. An experienced National Parks ranger and tracker lead small groups on foot through the bush, reading spoor and dung to locate the rhino. The walks typically last 2 to 3 hours covering several kilometres of terrain. When the rhino are located, you approach on foot to within 20 to 30 metres — an extraordinarily intimate encounter with these endangered animals. White rhino are generally more docile and allow closer approaches, while black rhino are more temperamental and require careful positioning. The success rate for finding rhino is very high — over 90 percent on most days — because Matobo has one of the healthiest and most closely monitored rhino populations in southern Africa. Walks depart in the early morning for the best conditions.

What San Bushman rock art can you see at Matobo Hills?

Matobo Hills contains over 3,000 registered San Bushman rock art sites, making it one of the densest concentrations of rock art anywhere in the world. The paintings span an extraordinary period from approximately 13,000 years ago to the 19th century, providing a continuous visual record of San life, spirituality, and the environment across millennia. Key sites open to visitors include Nswatugi Cave, which features beautifully preserved paintings of giraffe, kudu, and human figures beneath an enormous granite overhang, and Pomongwe Cave, where paintings depict elaborate hunting scenes and spiritual ceremonies. Bambata Cave is another important site with deep archaeological significance. The paintings use natural pigments — iron oxide for reds, manganese dioxide for blacks, and white clay — that have survived thousands of years thanks to the protective granite overhangs. Guided tours are essential to fully appreciate the art, as an experienced guide can explain the symbolism, trance-dance imagery, and spiritual significance that is not immediately obvious to untrained eyes.

How do you get to Matobo Hills from Bulawayo?

Matobo Hills is located just 35 kilometres south of Bulawayo, making it one of the most accessible wilderness areas in Zimbabwe. The drive from central Bulawayo to the main park gate takes approximately 45 minutes on a tarred road. Most visitors either hire a car in Bulawayo or arrange a transfer through their lodge or a local tour operator. Several lodges within and around the park offer pickup services from Bulawayo hotels and from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport. Day trips from Bulawayo are popular and can include a morning rhino walk, rock art tour, and visit to World's View in a single day. However, staying overnight at one of the lodges inside the park is highly recommended to experience the sunset over the kopjes and the early morning game walks when the light is magical. Bulawayo itself is accessible by air from Harare (1 hour flight with Fastjet or Air Zimbabwe) and Johannesburg (1.5 hours with Airlink), or by road from Harare (approximately 5 to 6 hours on the A6 highway).

What accommodation is available at Matobo Hills?

Accommodation at Matobo Hills ranges from luxury safari lodges to rustic camping, with options both inside and outside the national park. The most acclaimed lodge is Amalinda Lodge, built into a natural cave formation among the granite kopjes — one of the most architecturally unique safari lodges in all of Africa. Big Cave Camp offers luxury tented accommodation with panoramic views from a hilltop setting among the balancing rocks. Matobo Hills Lodge provides comfortable mid-range accommodation on the edge of the park with guided activities included. Inside the national park itself, National Parks accommodation is available at several locations including basic chalets and camping sites. Camp Amalinda and Hermits Peak are other options offering different levels of comfort and immersion. Prices typically range from US$50 per night for National Parks camping to US$400 or more per person per night at luxury lodges on a fully inclusive basis covering meals, guided rhino walks, rock art tours, and game drives. Booking in advance is recommended for the peak dry season from June to October.

Can you combine Matobo Hills with Hwange National Park?

Combining Matobo Hills with Hwange National Park is one of the best safari itineraries in Zimbabwe, giving you dramatically different landscapes and wildlife experiences within a single trip. Hwange is approximately 350 kilometres northwest of Matobo, and the drive takes around 4 to 5 hours via Bulawayo on good tarred roads. Many travellers spend 2 nights at Matobo Hills for the rhino tracking and rock art, then drive or transfer to Hwange for 3 to 4 nights of classic Big Five safari. Charter flights between the two destinations are available and take approximately 45 minutes, though they are more expensive than road transfers. This combination works brilliantly because Matobo offers intimate on-foot wildlife encounters and deep cultural history, while Hwange delivers vast herds of elephant, lion prides, wild dog packs, and the classic open-savannah safari experience. Adding Victoria Falls as a final stop creates a comprehensive 8 to 10 day Zimbabwe itinerary covering the country's three most iconic destinations. Africa Now Now can help you plan the entire route with seamless transfers between each location.