Imagine Africa

Part of the Imagine Travel Family

enquire now

(646) 934-8870
  • destinations
  • holiday types
  • brochures
  • offers
Imagine Africa  >  Destinations  >  Zimbabwe  >  Matobo Hills
  • MAP


    • View map
  • East Africa

    • Ethiopia
    • Kenya
    • Rwanda
    • Tanzania
    • Uganda
    • Zanzibar
  • Indian Ocean

    • Madagascar
    • Mauritius
    • Seychelles
  • Southern Africa

    • Botswana
    • Malawi
    • Mozambique
    • Namibia
    • South Africa
    • Zambia
    • Zimbabwe
  • Holiday types

    • Safari and beach
    • Honeymoons
    • Beaches
    • Families
    • First time safaris
    • Malaria free safaris

    • Off the beaten track
    • Self drive
    • Walking safaris
    • Wildlife and safari
    • Small Group Tours

  • Highlights

    • Wildebeest Migration
    • Gorilla tracking
    • Masai Mara
    • Ngorongoro Crater
    • Serengeti
    • Garden Route

    • Okavango Delta
    • South African Winelands
    • Victoria Falls
    • The Big Five
  • Brochures

    • Holiday inspiration brochure
    • Free guidebooks
  • Photos
  • Map

Matobo Hills

The Matobo Hills (formerly the Matopos Hills) are littered with red-hued kopjes which make it one of the most impressive of Zimbabwe’s national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it is also where Cecil Rhodes chose as his final resting place. Within easy reach of Zimbabwe’s second city of Bulawayo, this is an area of historical significance and considered by many as Zimbabwe's spiritual home.

When to go

J F M A M J J A S O N D

The Matobo Hills are one of the most underrated corners of Zimbabwe, despite being within a half hour drive of Bulawayo. A park of intense natural beauty, it offers a breath-taking scene dominated by huge granite boulders perched precariously on top of one another; it certainly has the appearance of being other-worldly.

The Matobo Hills were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 in recognition of their historical importance with evidence of sustained life here since the Stone Age. The caves created by the granite kopjes are home to over 3000 rock art sites with impressive San paintings. The area as a whole is considered to be the spiritual home of Zimbabwe with particular importance to the Ndebele people. This is also where Cecil Rhodes chose for his final resting place and his grave can be clearly seen on a visit to the park at the impressive spot known as World’s View, which offers breath-taking 360 degree views over the Matobo Hills.

The main attraction of a visit to the Matobo Hills is the rock formations and art on offer, but there is wildlife viewing on offer too. The park is home to an impressive density of leopards as well as plenty of plains game including sable and klipspringer. The fenced Whovi Wilderness Area in the west of the park is dedicated to the protection of both black and white rhinos, with the chance to track white rhino on foot too.

Central to Zimbabwe’s history... a fascinating place and it’s hard to imagine how it is still standing without the aid of mortar holding the perfectly balancing stones in place!


Pierre Burden
  • Holiday ideas
  • Accommodation
  • Experiences
Sort by
Filter by
    Holiday type
    When
    Property Type

Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe

Amalinda Lodge is a privately-owned safari lodge within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Matobo Hills National Park. Nestled within the iconic rock formations that the area is famed for, this lodge offers a memorable stay in a dramatic setting.

Amalinda Lodge

Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe

Big Cave Camp is set atop one of the great granite kopjes of the Matobo National Park. This is a luxurious thatched lodge in an iconic location with dramatic views over the surrounding World Heritage Site.

Big Cave Camp

  • ◂
  • 01
  • ▸
Sort by
Filter by
    Holiday type
    Where
    When

Harare, Eastern Highlands, Masvingo, Matobo Hills, Hwange, Victoria Falls

Explore Zimbabwe and get under the skin of this diverse and scenic country on this self-drive adventure which is perfect for those who are adventurous of spirit. Taking in many highlights of the country including Great Zimbabwe, Hwange and Victoria Falls!

12 nights from $4655 per person Beach, Highlights, Safari

Self-Drive Around Zimbabwe

Matobo Hills, Hwange, Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba and Mana Pools

An extensive trip around Zimbabwe taking in the impressive Matobo Hills, an exciting safari in Hwange, the magnificent Victoria Falls, a wilderness stay at Lake Kariba and an activity and wildlife-filled stay in Mana Pools.

14 nights from $9812 per person Highlights, Spectacular scenery, Off the beaten track

Ultimate Zimbabwe

  • ◂
  • 01
  • ▸
Sort by
Filter by
    When

Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe

The grave of Cecil John Rhodes sits atop a flat rocky mountain top - World's View - overlooking the Matobo Hills. An important figure in southern African history, the spectacular views from Rhodes' Grave are hard to beat too.

Visit Cecil Rhodes' Grave

Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe

Rhino tracking by foot or by vehicle is a great opportunity to get close to these special endangered creatures to observe them in their natural habitat and learn more about these remarkable animals and their desperate need for protection from extinction.

Rhino Tracking in Matobo Hills

  • ◂
  • 01
  • ▸

Inspiration

Zimbabwe Itineraries

Amalinda Lodge

Why choose us?

  • Our price promise
  • Tailor-made for you
  • Expert advice from specialists
  • 100% financial protection
  • Award-winning holidays
  • 24/7 emergency assistance
  • Exclusive deals

Our Price Promise

We want to be really clear about this. We offer amazing value. Tailor-made does not have to mean expensive, it simply means attention to every detail of your trip that will be designed by a true expert.

Here at Imagine Africa, we are so confident that we offer the best value on the market that we have a price promise. If you find the exact same holiday cheaper with another UK tour operator, then we promise to beat their price by £50.

Financial Protection

Rest assured that all our holidays are 100% financially protected. Our ATOL bond protects holidays booked in the UK with flights. Our ABTOT bond protects holidays which are booked without flights or those booked outside the UK, either with or without flights.

Protection means that in the unlikely event that we become insolvent; your holiday will be refunded or you will be repatriated if already travelling or have flights with us.

Financial Protection

Sign up for our Newsletter

Imagine Africa Imagine Asia Imagine Latin America

Site Map

  • What
  • Where
  • When
  • Offers
  • About
  • Contact

Our Destinations

  • Botswana
  • Kenya
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia

 

  • Rwanda
  • Seychelles
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

About Us

  • How we work
  • Meet the specialists
  • Guides, vehicles, transfers
  • What our clients say
  • Price promise
  • Why book with us
  • Financial Protection

Resources

  • Booking conditions
  • Travel Aware
  • Coronavirus information
  • Mobile site
  • Privacy & cookie policy

Connect with us

  • Blog
  • Work with us
  •  
  • Find us on facebookFollow us on twitterFollow us on Instagram
  •  
  • © Imagine Africa
Imagine Africa Imagine Asia Imagine Latin America Imagine Blog