SMALL GROUP JOURNEYOFFERS

The Granite Castles & Wild Valleys

2026▾
10
Days
9
Nights
Private
Charter / Transfer

On-foot rhino tracking among ancient granite boulders, then crowd-free Big Five viewing at Singita Pamushana

See Pricing & Inclusions ↓
10 Days
Small Group
from $10,900 pp
Home  ›  Zimbabwe  ›  The Granite Castles & Wild Valleys

OverviewDesigned for elite clients who prefer the grounded, smooth pace of road travel with a profound appreciation for dramatic geology, ancient rock art, and high-impact conservation. The package takes guests from the ancient granite kingdoms of Matobo Hills — where massive balancing boulders create natural castle-like formations — into the exclusive, game-rich lowveld of Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, with a strong focus on tracking highly endangered black and white rhinos. The highlight of Matobo is an adrenaline-pumping on-foot tracking experience with white rhinos, accompanied by expert armed rangers. At the hyper-exclusive Singita Pamushana Lodge, guests enjoy flawless luxury and crowd-free Big Five game viewing, culminating in a breathtaking hot-air balloon flight over the vast lowveld plains and an immersive walk with San descendants learning to decipher ancient rock art.

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On-foot tracking of highly protected white rhinos with expert armed rangers — metres away in absolute safety

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Breakfast inside a natural granite rock amphitheatre surrounded by ancient balancing boulders

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World's View sunset cocktails beside Cecil Rhodes' historical burial site, watching black eagles soar

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Singita Pamushana: 130,000 private acres of crowd-free Big Five viewing in the exclusive Malilangwe Reserve

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Sandstone ridge sundowner overlooking the endless lowveld plains as the sun paints the landscape gold

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Private pontoon cruise on Malilangwe Dam with champagne breakfast and a private celestial telescope tour

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Sunrise hot-air balloon over Malilangwe's lowveld — rhinos and giraffes spotted from the sky

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San rock art immersive walk: ancient hunter-gatherer paintings, medicinal botany, and traditional tracking

The Granite Castles & Wild Valleys

Why Choose the Granite Castles Road Safari

On-foot rhino tracking — one of the most exhilarating wildlife encounters available anywhere in Africa

Amalinda Lodge: suites built directly into the granite boulders of Matobo Hills, utterly unique architecture

Singita Pamushana: arguably Zimbabwe's finest luxury lodge, set within 130,000 private acres

Hot-air balloon over the Malilangwe lowveld — rhinos and giraffes seen from a completely new perspective

Ancient San rock art across both Matobo and Malilangwe — among Africa's best-preserved petroglyphs

No charter luggage restrictions — smooth chauffeur-driven travel with a private master guide throughout

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Zimbabwe

Harare · Matobo Hills · Malilangwe Reserve (Lowveld)

Day by Day

Your Itinerary

Harare → Matobo Hills

Day 1 | Arrival in Harare & Transfer to Matobo Hills

Met at arrivals by your private guide and escorted to your state-of-the-art extended luxury 4x4 Land Cruiser — plush leather seating, on-board Wi-Fi, and an artisanal minibar. A smooth drive to Matobo Hills, a landscape of ancient granite boulders and dramatic balancing rock formations. Check-in at Amalinda Lodge — suites built directly into massive granite boulders. An intimate bonfire dinner served inside an open-fronted granite cave, warmed by a central bonfire and lit by hundreds of candles.

Amalinda Lodge, Matobo Hills
Dinner
Arrival in Harare & Transfer to Matobo Hills

Day 2 | Walking with Rhinos — Matobo National Park

One of Africa's most thrilling experiences — tracking highly protected white rhinos on foot, accompanied by expert armed rangers. Standing safely just metres away from these prehistoric creatures, experiencing the adrenaline and profound connection only a walking safari can provide. A hot gourmet breakfast set up inside a natural granite rock amphitheatre, surrounded by ancient balancing boulders and sweeping valley views.

Amalinda Lodge, Matobo Hills
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking with Rhinos — Matobo National Park

Day 3 | World's View Sunset — San Rock Art & Cecil Rhodes' Summit

Exploring the unique granite kopjes of Matobo Hills — ancient formations sculpted by millions of years of wind and water. Hidden caves and ancient San rock art. Late afternoon: hiking to the dramatic summit of "World's View" — a legendary vantage point with panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. Premium cocktails and customised snack pairings served at the summit beside Cecil Rhodes' historical burial site, watching black eagles soar as the sun sets in a blaze of orange and gold.

Amalinda Lodge, Matobo Hills
Breakfast, Dinner
World's View Sunset — San Rock Art & Cecil Rhodes' Summit
Malilangwe Reserve — Singita Pamushana

Day 4 | Journey to the Lowveld Oasis

A smooth private guided drive through changing countryside to the ultra-exclusive Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in the southeastern Lowveld. From granite hills to open plains to lush game-rich woodlands. Check-in at Singita Pamushana Lodge — a world-renowned masterpiece of luxury design perched on a hilltop overlooking a pristine dam. Afternoon at leisure: private plunge pool, spa, and panoramic wilderness views.

Breakfast, Dinner
Journey to the Lowveld Oasis

Day 5 | Unmatched Big Five Privacy — Malilangwe Sandstone Sundowner

A private safari drive across Malilangwe's exclusive 130,000 acres of pristine wilderness — completely crowd-free viewing of the Big Five alongside rare antelope species and abundant birdlife. The reserve almost entirely to yourselves, with your private guide tailoring the experience to your interests. Late afternoon: a dramatic sandstone ridge sundowner overlooking the endless lowveld plains, with premium cocktails and gourmet canapés as the sun paints the landscape gold.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Unmatched Big Five Privacy — Malilangwe Sandstone Sundowner

Day 6 | Hidden Art Caves & Wilderness Dining

Venturing into the hills of Malilangwe to discover beautifully preserved ancient San rock art sites depicting hunting, spiritual rituals, and daily life — thousands of years old. The privilege of viewing these masterpieces in absolute privacy with expert interpretation of their cultural significance. A gourmet picnic lunch in a shaded valley, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bush.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hidden Art Caves & Wilderness Dining

Day 7 | Pontoon Serenity & Constellations — Malilangwe Dam

A leisurely morning enjoying the lodge's world-class amenities. Late afternoon: a private pontoon boat cruise on the Malilangwe Dam — a luxurious champagne breakfast served on board while drifting lazily along calm waters, crocodiles gliding silently and elephants drinking along the shoreline. As the sky transforms into a canvas of stars, a high-powered telescope is set up for a private celestial tour of the unpolluted southern hemisphere night sky.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Pontoon Serenity & Constellations — Malilangwe Dam

Day 8 | Lowveld From the Clouds — Hot-Air Balloon & Conservation

Rising before dawn for a breathtaking sunrise hot-air balloon flight over Malilangwe's vast untouched woodlands — rhinos, giraffes, and elephants spotted from the sky as golden light illuminates the landscape below. After landing: a traditional champagne bush brunch. Afternoon: a behind-the-scenes conservation experience with the reserve's head ecologist on rhino anti-poaching and cheetah conservation. The day culminates in a final safari bonfire dinner on a private open-air star deck.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lowveld From the Clouds — Hot-Air Balloon & Conservation

Day 9 | Exclusive San Rock Art & Hunter-Gatherer Tour

A deeply immersive non-commercial cultural experience with San descendants and local community elders on a gentle bush walk. Learning to decipher ancient hunter-gatherer rock paintings, identify medicinal plants and desert survival botany, and witnessing traditional tracking techniques passed down through generations. A dignified, educational encounter ensuring total privacy and mutual respect. Farewell multi-course dinner paired with vintage wines.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Exclusive San Rock Art & Hunter-Gatherer Tour
Return — Harare

Day 10 | Return to Harare & Complementary Spa Day

A relaxed luxury breakfast overlooking the dam, watching wildlife come to drink. Smooth chauffeur transfer back to Harare. Complementary spa session at the Monomotapa Hotel. Private city tour of Harare if missed on Day 1. International departure the following day.

Breakfast
Return to Harare & Complementary Spa Day

Want to adjust the pace, swap a lodge, or extend this journey?

We are here for that. Every Finders & Keepers Safaris itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed departure — the pace, the lodges, the length, the dates and the party travelling can all be reshaped around you. Tell us what you would change and a specialist will rebuild the journey and price it honestly, before you commit to anything.

Tailor This Journey →
Safari experience
Your Accommodation

Two Exceptional Properties on the Southern Road Circuit

Amalinda Lodge
NIGHTS 1–3
Matobo Hills

Amalinda Lodge

★★★★★ — Ultra-luxury suites built directly into massive granite boulders amidst ancient balancing rock formations
View Details
Singita Pamushana Lodge
NIGHTS 4–9
Malilangwe Reserve

Singita Pamushana Lodge

★★★★★ — World-renowned masterpiece of luxury design in a 130,000-acre exclusive reserve, focused on rhino conservation
View Details
Why This Journey

What sets this journey apart

Matobo’s balancing granite boulders and rhino on foot, then Singita Pamushana’s private 130,000-acre reserve.

01

On foot with white rhino

Tracking highly protected white rhinos on foot with expert armed rangers, metres away and in safety.

02

Granite and big views

Breakfast inside a natural granite rock amphitheatre ringed by balancing boulders, and sunset cocktails at World’s View as black eagles soar.

03

Malilangwe, privately

Singita Pamushana’s 130,000 private acres offer crowd-free Big Five viewing, a pontoon cruise with champagne breakfast and a telescope tour of the night sky.

Best ValueJan – MayGreen season — dramatic skies, fewer visitors
Peak SeasonMay – SepPeak dry winter & Victoria Falls' full flow
Shoulder SeasonSep – DecFalls' mist settles, excellent game viewing
Best forWalkersRhino enthusiastsSeclusion seekers
Plan this journey with us →

Inclusions & Pricing

Deposit Offer

Hold 2027 for half the usual deposit

Confirm any 2027 departure with a 15% deposit instead of the usual 30%, booked before 31 December 2026.

  • Your balance is not due until 60 days before departure.
  • The reduced deposit holds your camps, permits and internal flights at today’s rates, so a mid-year price movement does not reach you.
  • Applies to new 2027 bookings only and cannot be combined with a group discount on the same booking.
Solo Travellers

30% off the single supplement

Travelling on your own? We cut the single traveller supplement by 30% across selected 2027 departures.

  • The supplement covers the sole-occupancy cost a camp charges when a room sleeps one rather than two.
  • Available on selected camps and dates — your specialist will tell you which of your nights qualify before you commit.
  • Nothing changes about the journey itself: same guide, same vehicle, same rooms.
Group Offer

Bring three, the fourth travels free

Book four guests on a 2027 group departure and the fourth guest’s safari cost is on us.

  • The waiver covers the land portion — camps, meals, guiding and game drives.
  • International flights, visas, gorilla and chimpanzee permits and personal spending are excluded, as those are paid to third parties per head.
  • All four guests must travel on the same departure date and book together.
What's Included
  • private guide-driven extended luxury 4x4 Land Cruiser with Wi-Fi and minibar
  • VIP meet and greet at Harare International Airport
  • All private charter flights within Zimbabwe
  • Luxury accommodation at all properties
  • All meals as specified — breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • All private guided game drives and walking safaris
  • All activities listed in the itinerary
  • All park and concession fees
  • Complementary spa session at Monomotapa Hotel on final day
  • Private guide and expert tracker throughout
  • All transfers between airports and lodges
  • On-foot white rhino tracking with armed rangers
  • Granite amphitheatre breakfast
  • World's View summit sundowner experience
  • Malilangwe Dam private pontoon cruise with telescope stargazing
  • Hot-air balloon sunrise flight over Malilangwe
  • San rock art immersive cultural walk
  • ✓Travel insurance facilitated on your behalf (adjusted in your quote if you are already covered)
What's Not Included
  • International flights to and from Zimbabwe
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Personal shopping and souvenirs
  • Premium imported alcohol beyond what is provided
  • Optional activities not listed
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Visa fees (USD 50 on arrival for most nationalities)

Package Pricing

Per Person Sharing$12,800
Single Traveller SupplementOn Request
ⓘ Price is per person based on two guests sharing. All accommodation, meals, park fees, activities, hot-air balloon, and complementary spa session are included. International flights to Harare are not included.

2027 Season Pricing

The same unforgettable journey, priced by season.

Jan – May Best ValueGreen season — dramatic skies, fewer visitors
$10,900
May – Sep Peak SeasonPeak dry winter & Victoria Falls' full flow
$15,100
Sep – Dec Shoulder SeasonFalls' mist settles, excellent game viewing
$13,200

Flexible Payment Plan

1

Reserve today with a low early deposit to lock in your 2027 dates and pricing.

2

Spread the rest across convenient instalments, at a pace that suits you.

3

Final balance due one month before departure — nothing more to pay once you fly.

Speak To Us

Journey Details

Minimum Age

Varies by camp, activity and national park

  • Camps and lodges — Most safari camps accept children from six years, with shared game-drive vehicles usually from eight to twelve. Many properties will take younger children on a privately booked vehicle.
  • Walking safaris — Guided walking safaris carry a firm minimum of fifteen or sixteen years across most reserves. This is set by the licensing authority, not the camp, and is never waived.
  • Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking — Uganda and Rwanda both enforce a strict minimum of fifteen years. It is a national park regulation and there are no exceptions.
  • Hot-air balloon safaris — Operators generally require children to be at least seven, and tall enough to brace unaided in the basket on landing.
  • Family and exclusive-use camps — A number of our camps run dedicated family units, child-minding and tailored activity programmes, and will relax their usual age limit for a sole-use booking.
  • Talk to us first — Age limits vary from property to property and from activity to activity. Speak to our experts before you book, and we will pre-arrange the details with each lodge around the ages of the children travelling with you.

Safari Duffel

Duffel, safari hat, vest and hooded jumper

  • Your duffel — A soft-sided Finders & Keepers Safaris duffel, sized for the 15 kg limit on the light aircraft that move you between camps. Rigid suitcases cannot be carried on those flights at all.
  • What is inside it — A branded Finders & Keepers Safaris safari hat, a safari vest, and a hooded jumper for cold dawn starts and balloon mornings.
  • Yours to keep — The bag and everything in it is a gift, not a loan. Nothing is returned at the end of your journey.
  • Packing around it — Soft luggage, neutral colours, and layers. Laundry is included at nearly every camp, which is why 15 kg goes further than it sounds.

Note

Victoria Falls water volume is highly seasonal

The Falls are at their most dramatic (and most obscured by spray) from March to May, and at their most photogenic with clear views from September to December. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for lowveld areas.

  • Early starts — Safaris begin very early in the morning. Your guide will confirm what time you will be collected from your camp or lodge.
  • Tailoring this journey — If you would like this package with more or fewer days, arranged for a group, a family or a solo traveller, or with add-ons, reach out and we will tailor it for you.
  • Route changes — Your guide or driver may alter the route in certain circumstances, but every destination set out in the itinerary will be covered.

Documents

Visa on arrival, from $30 (KAZA available)

  • Passport — Valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, with at least two blank pages for stamps.
  • Visa — Visa on arrival or eVisa for most nationalities. UK, EU, US, Canadian and Australian travellers pay on arrival — US$30 single entry, US$45 double. Category A passport holders enter free.
  • KAZA UniVisa — If your itinerary crosses to Zambia, the US$50 KAZA UniVisa covers both countries for 30 days and permits day trips into Botswana. It is issued on arrival and subject to availability, so we always plan a fallback.
  • Yellow fever — A vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from, or have transited, a country with yellow fever risk.
  • We file it for you — Whether you are flying in from overseas or travelling from elsewhere on the continent, we complete and submit your visa application on your behalf. You hand us your documents once. We do the filing, chase the approval, and carry the confirmations in your travel pack so nothing rests on you remembering a reference number at a counter.
  • Most of Africa is open to you — The great majority of our African destinations are now either visa-free or issue a visa on arrival, so an embassy queue is rarely in your future at all. Where a visa on arrival does apply, we prepare and lodge the paperwork ahead of you — you reach the desk with a finished file rather than a blank form and a biro.
  • Before you travel — Entry rules change frequently and without much notice. Your specialist confirms the current requirements for every passport in your party at the time of booking, and checks them again before you fly.

Guaranteed Departures

Private, tailor-made departures on your dates, or join a small group

  • Once confirmed, you travel — When your departure date is confirmed, it is guaranteed. We do not cancel, merge or reschedule a confirmed departure for commercial reasons, however the final numbers fall.
  • What confirms a departure — A departure becomes confirmed once the agreed number of travellers has been reached and paid for in line with the agreed payment schedule. Places held without payment do not count towards it.
  • If the minimum is not reached — Where a group departure has not reached its agreed numbers, we tell you early rather than late, and you choose: move to the next available date, continue at a revised small-group rate, or take a full refund of everything you have paid.
  • Solo journeys — Solo and tailor-made itineraries carry no group minimum at all. Your dates are confirmed the moment your deposit is received.
  • Visas — We prepare and submit your visa application on your behalf. Please note that the granting of a visa rests solely with the immigration authority of the country concerned, and is never guaranteed by us.
  • Medication — We arrange malaria prophylaxis, together with anti-nausea and anti-anxiety tablets, for your journey. Any prescription medicine should be confirmed with your own doctor before you travel — they remain the final authority on what is suitable for you.
  • Africa is not always hot — Despite the stereotype, Africa moves through distinct seasons and mornings at altitude can be genuinely cold. A hooded jumper is provided for cold conditions, and for every guest joining a hot-air balloon safari.
  • Dietary requirements — If you have strict dietary needs, please tell us at the time of booking. This includes vegans, guests in recovery, non-drinkers, and anyone following a prescription from their doctor.
  • Travel insurance — We facilitate travel insurance for our clients. If you are already covered, please say so during booking so we can take it into account in your final quote.
  • Tailoring your quote — Some of our inclusions — hot-air balloon safaris, for example — may not be what you want. Point these out and we will adjust your final offer accordingly.
  • The Maasai massage & spa recovery — Guests travelling the safari circuit by road rather than by air should expect long and tiring days. The rough terrain of the jungle gives the vehicle a constant jolting ride, known affectionately as the Maasai massage. A spa session is provided at the end of your safari to recover.
  • What to pack — Neutral colours are the rule on safari: khaki, olive, stone and brown. Avoid black and dark blue, which draw tsetse flies, and leave camouflage at home entirely — it is reserved for the military and illegal for civilians in several African countries. Bring layers for cold dawn game drives, long sleeves and trousers for dusk when the mosquitoes are out, closed walking shoes, a sun hat and sunglasses. Lodge dinners are smart-casual; nothing formal is needed.
  • Your safari duffel & kit — The duffel bag is used when flying into the parks, where luggage is limited to 15 kg per person. A branded Finders & Keepers Safaris safari hat and safari vest are also provided.

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