Matobo Rhino Encounter: White Rhino Tracking Tour Zimbabwe

Get close to white rhinos on foot in their natural habitat

The Matobo Rhino Encounter is a guided tour in Zimbabwe where you track white rhinos on foot, walk the bush identifying trees, animals and bird calls, meet the park rangers protecting them, visit San Bushmen cave paintings in a rock cave, and end with sunset drinks and snacks. The tour runs five hours and includes pickup and drop-off from your accommodation, a live English-speaking guide, bottled water, and digital photos of the day.

The experience

White rhino tracking forms the heart of this tour. You walk through the bush with a park ranger who reads the wind direction and animal behavior to bring you close to the rhinos in their natural habitat. Along the way, the guide teaches you to spot spoor in the dust, identify trees by their bark, and listen for bird calls that signal what moves nearby. This is how the ancient hunting techniques worked: reading the land itself to find what you're after.

The tour moves through several stops across the five hours. After tracking, you visit one of the largest rock caves in the park to see the San Bushmen paintings that cover its walls. You'll meet the park rangers who work to protect the rhinos and the reserve itself. The day ends as the sun drops, with sundowner drinks and snacks served while you take in the view. Pickup and drop-off from your accommodation are included, along with bottled water and complimentary digital photos of what you've seen.

Wear closed-toe shoes, khakis, a sun hat, and bring sunscreen and bug spray. Children from age 6 are welcome. The guide speaks English and moves at a pace suited to all fitness levels, though the walk itself is on natural terrain and involves periods of standing still while tracking.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from your accommodation.
• English-speaking park ranger guide.
• white rhino tracking on foot.
• bush walk with tree, animal and bird identification.
• visit to the San Bushmen cave paintings.
• time with the park rangers.
• bottled water.
• sundowner drinks and snacks.
• complimentary digital photos.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 90 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 14 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bushmen Travel Company

Is this one for you?The five-hour commitment leaves room for other activities in your day, but plan the tour for morning or early afternoon so the sunset drinks fall at day's end. If you want to combine Matobo with other Zimbabwe sites, this tour's timing fits a single-day visit to the reserve.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What does white rhino tracking actually involve on this tour?

You walk on foot through the bush with a park ranger who uses wind direction and knowledge of rhino behavior to locate them in their natural habitat. The ranger teaches you to read spoor and animal signs along the way, bringing you close enough to observe the rhinos without disturbing them.

Are there other stops besides the rhino tracking?

Yes. The tour includes a visit to one of the largest rock caves in the park to see ancient San Bushmen paintings, time with the park rangers who protect the reserve, and ends with sunset drinks and snacks. The full day is five hours from pickup to drop-off.

What's included in the price?

Pickup and drop-off from your accommodation, the English-speaking guide, bottled water, sundowner drinks and snacks, complimentary digital photos, and all fees and taxes are included.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear closed-toe shoes, khakis, and a sun hat. Bring sunscreen and bug spray. The terrain is natural bush, and you'll spend periods standing still while tracking, so comfortable walking shoes are essential.