Balancing Rocks in Matopos National Park.jpg

Susan Adams CC BY-SA 2.0 Wikimedia Commons

Matobo Hills

Mountain

Granite kopjes and balancing rocks define Matobo Hills, a landscape of San rock art panels and wildlife near Bulawayo; tourists hike, view paintings, and visit memorial sites such as World's View and Rhodes' grave.

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In this guide

Matobo Hills essentials

Address: Matobo Hills (Matobo National Park), Bulawayo Province, Zimbabwe
Website: zimparks.org
Hours: Park open daily (visitor center hours vary)
Admission: Park fees vary by operator; day fees from Zimbabwe Parks may apply (entry often packaged with safari costs)
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About Matobo Hills

The Matobo Hills are a distinctive granite landscape of rounded kopjes and balancing rocks in southwestern Zimbabwe, known for dense concentrations of prehistoric rock paintings and significant cultural associations. The area contains both cultural sites and protected wildlife habitats.

Visitors go to see extensive San rock art panels in sheltered overhangs, panoramic viewpoints such as Malindidzimu (World’s View), and wildlife in Matobo National Park, including populations of rhino. The landscape features dramatic granite tors and wooded valleys that concentrate archaeological and natural values.

The hills have been used and revered by human communities for thousands of years and later became part of formal conservation and national park systems. The area combines cultural heritage protections with wildlife management and tourism infrastructure.

Matobo lies near the city of Bulawayo in southwestern Zimbabwe and is accessible by road from the city.

  • Granite kopjes and rock art: The hills are a granite landscape of balancing rocks, kopjes and ridges with extensive prehistoric rock art panels made by San hunter-gatherer communities.
  • Rhodes’ grave: Malindidzimu (World’s View) is a well-known viewpoint and contains the grave of colonial figure Cecil Rhodes.

What to See#

  • World’s View (Malindidzimu): A panoramic granite ridge known as Malindidzimu or World’s View that offers wide vistas and is the burial place of Cecil Rhodes.
  • Rock art sites: Multiple rock-shelters and cave sites preserving San (Bushman) rock paintings that date to prehistoric periods.
  • National park reserves: Protected areas within Matobo National Park that contain populations of black and white rhino and other savannah wildlife.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Matobo Hills

Dry months (May-October) are best for walking, rock art visits and clearer skies; wet season offers greener scenery but trickier footing.

Dry season
May-October · 10-25°C
Cool nights and clear days ideal for walking and rock art viewing.
Wet season
November-March · 18-30°C
Lush landscapes and active wildlife, but trails can be slippery.

Weather & Climate near Matobo Hills

Climate

Matobo Hills's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in October) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 6°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (601 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 42 Good
Best Time to Visit
SeptemberMayOctober
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
40°
Warmest Month
1°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 17° - 27° 22° 135 mm partly cloudy 63% 2.5 m/s 2.9 extreme 13.1h
February Very Good 16° - 27° 21° 111 mm partly cloudy 65% 2.4 m/s 2.8 extreme 12.7h
March Excellent 15° - 27° 21° 60 mm partly cloudy 66% 2.4 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.1h
April Excellent 13° - 25° 19° 32 mm some cloud 62% 2.5 m/s 1.9 very high 11.5h
May Ideal 9° - 23° 16° 6 mm clear 53% 2.2 m/s 1.5 very high 11.0h
June Excellent 7° - 21° 14° 3 mm mostly sunny 54% 2.3 m/s 1.2 high 10.8h
July Excellent 7° - 21° 14° 1 mm mostly sunny 51% 2.3 m/s 1.2 high 10.9h
August Excellent 9° - 24° 16° 1 mm clear 41% 2.7 m/s 1.5 very high 11.3h
September Ideal 13° - 27° 20° 6 mm clear 37% 3.2 m/s 1.9 very high 11.9h
October Ideal 16° - 29° 22° 30 mm mostly sunny 42% 3.2 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.4h
November Excellent 16° - 28° 22° 90 mm partly cloudy 51% 3.2 m/s 2.5 extreme 13.0h
December Very Good 17° - 27° 22° 126 mm partly cloudy 62% 2.7 m/s 2.7 extreme 13.2h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Matobo Hills

Matobo Hills are about 35 km south of Bulawayo; regular tourist transfers and taxis operate from Bulawayo. There are entrances near Maleme and the Main Camp; many visitors arrange guided transfers or stay at lodges in the park.

Tips for Visiting Matobo Hills

  • Hire an accredited guide or stay at a park camp to access the best viewpoints and to understand rock art sites' cultural context.
  • Visit the World's View viewpoint at sunrise or sunset for long vistas and excellent light.
  • Bring strong walking boots for boulder-scramble sections; routes can be steep and exposed.
  • Carry water and a basic first-aid kit; cellphone coverage is sporadic.