SMALL GROUP JOURNEYOFFERS

The Secret Wilderness & Ancient Empires

2026▾
10
Days
9
Nights
Private
Charter / Transfer

Medieval stone ruins at sunset, elephant bulls reaching for albida pods, and Mbira music under the stars at Lake Kariba

See Pricing & Inclusions ↓
10 Days
Small Group
from $12,050 pp
Home  ›  Zimbabwe  ›  The Secret Wilderness & Ancient Empires

OverviewCrafted for sophisticated safari connoisseurs who crave deep historical privilege, raw wilderness isolation, and elite walking safaris. The package takes guests from the majestic medieval ruins of Great Zimbabwe — the stone capital of a lost empire — to the pristine UNESCO-protected floodplains of Mana Pools, and finally to the hauntingly beautiful drowned forests of Lake Kariba at Matusadona National Park. Guests experience walking alongside legendary elephant bulls that stand on their hind legs to reach albida tree pods — one of Africa's most iconic wildlife spectacles. A doors-off helicopter flight over the wild Zambezi channels. And a spellbinding private Mbira music performance at Lake Kariba — the thumb piano historically used to communicate with Shona ancestors.

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Private guided tour of Great Zimbabwe UNESCO ruins — medieval stone walls turning gold at sunset with vintage wines

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Singita Pamushana: crowd-free Big Five game viewing and rhino tracking in a 130,000-acre exclusive reserve

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Walking alongside Mana Pools' famous elephant bulls as they stand on hind legs for albida pods — unique to this region

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Full English breakfast cooked over open coals under wild albida trees with sweeping Zambezi floodplain views

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Doors-off helicopter flight over Mana Pools' intricate water channels, floodplains, and hippo pools from the sky

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Lake Kariba drowned forests pontoon cruise: petrified trees rising from the water at sunset with champagne and canapés

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Tracking Matusadona's shoreline lions along the beaches of Lake Kariba

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Private Mbira thumb piano performance — an art form used to communicate with Shona ancestors, performed exclusively for you

The Secret Wilderness & Ancient Empires

Why Choose Finders & Keepers Safaris for Zimbabwe Heritage

Great Zimbabwe private sunset tour: one of Africa's most dramatic archaeological experiences

Singita Pamushana: 130,000 private acres with black and white rhino, leopard, wild dog, and lion

Mana Pools walking safaris: the only place in Africa where elephants routinely stand on hind legs

Doors-off helicopter over Mana Pools — a UNESCO World Heritage site seen from the sky

Mbira music private performance: the spiritual thumb piano of the Shona — hauntingly beautiful

Lake Kariba drowned forests: one of Africa's most surreal and haunting landscapes

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Zimbabwe

Harare · Masvingo · Mana Pools UNESCO · Matusadona · Lake Kariba

Day by Day

Your Itinerary

Harare, Zimbabwe

Day 1 | Arrival in Harare & Capital Art Tour

Met at arrivals for a private transfer to the Monomotapa Hotel. Early arrivals enjoy a tour of Harare's tree-lined avenues and the Shona Sculpture Gallery. An elegant dinner and briefing with your private pilot close the evening.

Dinner
Arrival in Harare & Capital Art Tour
Masvingo — Singita Pamushana Lodge

Day 2 | The Cradle of the Empire — Great Zimbabwe Ruins at Sunset

Private charter south to Masvingo. Check-in at Singita Pamushana Lodge within the exclusive Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve. Late afternoon: a private crowd-free guided tour of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins — a UNESCO World Heritage site and spectacular medieval stone capital of a forgotten kingdom. Premium vintage wines and single malts served at the summit of the Great Zimbabwe hill complex as the medieval walls turn golden in the setting sun.

Breakfast, Dinner
The Cradle of the Empire — Great Zimbabwe Ruins at Sunset

Day 3 | The Sanctuary of Pamushana — Rhino & Big Five Tracking

Full day exploring the exclusive Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve: 130,000 acres of pristine sanctuary with high concentrations of black and white rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards, and wild dogs — all in complete privacy. A private boat cruise on the Malilangwe Dam, drifting past crocodiles and waterbirds. Absolute crowd-free game viewing at one of Zimbabwe's most exclusive reserves.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Sanctuary of Pamushana — Rhino & Big Five Tracking
Mana Pools — Nyamatusi Camp

Day 4 | Flight to the Untamed North — Mana Pools UNESCO Heritage

Final morning game drive at Pamushana, then a private charter north to Mana Pools National Park — a pristine UNESCO World Heritage site on the banks of the Zambezi River. Check-in at Nyamatusi Camp. Sunset game drive along the river floodplains. Fine-dining bonfire dinner served on the sandy shoreline of the Zambezi, with lanterns suspended from mahogany trees and the sounds of the wild surrounding you.

Nyamatusi Camp, Mana Pools
Breakfast, Dinner
Flight to the Untamed North — Mana Pools UNESCO Heritage

Day 5 | Shaded Forests & Standing Giants — Walking with Elephants

On foot with an elite specialist guide for one of Africa's most iconic wildlife experiences — walking alongside the massive elephant bulls of Mana Pools, watching them stand gracefully on hind legs to reach the high pods of the albida trees. A behaviour unique to this region. Full English breakfast cooked over open coals under a massive canopy of wild albida trees with sweeping floodplain views. Optional canoe safari in the afternoon.

Nyamatusi Camp, Mana Pools
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Shaded Forests & Standing Giants — Walking with Elephants

Day 6 | Aerial Pools Exploration — Doors-Off Helicopter & Wilderness Feast

Rising early for a private doors-off helicopter flight over the intricate web of Mana Pools' water channels, floodplains, and forests. Tracking hundreds of hippos, vast buffalo herds, and elephants from the sky over this UNESCO heritage site. After the flight, a dramatic wilderness bonfire dinner on an open plain under the stars while listening to the nocturnal sounds of the African bush.

Nyamatusi Camp, Mana Pools
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Aerial Pools Exploration — Doors-Off Helicopter & Wilderness Feast
Lake Kariba — Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

Day 7 | The Drowned Forests of Kariba — Matusadona

Charter to Matusadona National Park on the shores of Lake Kariba. Check-in at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge — perched high on a hilltop with panoramic lake views. Late afternoon private pontoon boat cruise: chilled champagne and canapés while navigating the surreal petrified drowned forests rising dramatically out of the water — a hauntingly beautiful sundowner experience in one of Africa's most unusual landscapes.

Breakfast, Dinner
The Drowned Forests of Kariba — Matusadona

Day 8 | Tracking Shoreline Predators & Lake Kariba Breakfast

Open 4x4 vehicles to track Matusadona's famous shoreline lions — patrolling the beaches of Lake Kariba in search of prey. The thrill of finding these elusive predators against the stunning lake backdrop. A luxury continental breakfast set up directly on a pristine beach at the edge of Lake Kariba, water lapping at the shore, the sun warming the landscape.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tracking Shoreline Predators & Lake Kariba Breakfast

Day 9 | Private Shona & Ndebele Heritage — Mbira Music Performance

A deeply respectful cultural experience with the Shona and Ndebele people — two of Zimbabwe's most culturally rich ethnic groups. Traditional Shona spiritual customs, oral history, and the historical resilience of the Ndebele kingdom. The highlight: a private, spellbinding performance of Mbira (thumb piano) music — a mesmerising art form historically used to communicate with ancestors. Farewell multi-course dinner paired with vintage wines.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Private Shona & Ndebele Heritage — Mbira Music Performance
Return — Harare

Day 10 | Return to Harare & Complementary Spa Day

Relaxed luxury breakfast overlooking Lake Kariba. Charter back to Harare. Complementary spa session at the Monomotapa Hotel. Private Harare city tour if missed on Day 1. International departure the following day.

Monomotapa Hotel, Harare (day use)
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

Four Exceptional Properties Across Zimbabwe

Monomotapa Hotel
NIGHTS 1 & 10
Harare

Monomotapa Hotel

★★★★★ — Capital gateway hotel with Shona Sculpture Gallery access and complementary spa on departure
View Details
Singita Pamushana Lodge
NIGHTS 2–3
Malilangwe Reserve

Singita Pamushana Lodge

★★★★★ — World-renowned luxury lodge in a 130,000-acre exclusive reserve near Great Zimbabwe
View Details
Nyamatusi Camp
NIGHTS 4–6
Mana Pools UNESCO

Nyamatusi Camp

★★★★★ — Ultra-luxury tented camp on the Zambezi banks in Zimbabwe's finest walking safari destination
View Details
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge
NIGHTS 7–9
Lake Kariba

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

★★★★★ — Hilltop lodge with panoramic Lake Kariba views and access to the haunting drowned forests
View Details
Why This Journey

What sets this journey apart

Great Zimbabwe’s medieval ruins, elephants on their hind legs at Mana Pools and a pontoon through Kariba’s drowned forests.

01

An empire in stone

A private guided tour of the Great Zimbabwe UNESCO ruins, with the medieval walls turning gold at sunset over vintage wines.

02

Elephants on two legs

Walking alongside Mana Pools’ elephant bulls as they stand on their hind legs for albida pods, a behaviour unique to the area, with a breakfast cooked over open coals.

03

Water, from the air and the lake

A doors-off helicopter flight over Mana Pools’ channels, and a sunset pontoon cruise among Lake Kariba’s drowned forests with champagne and canapés.

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 forWalkersHistory loversPhotographers
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
  • 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
  • Private Great Zimbabwe UNESCO ruins sunset tour
  • Singita Pamushana Big Five and rhino private game drives
  • Mana Pools walking safaris with specialist guide
  • Doors-off helicopter flight over Mana Pools
  • Lake Kariba drowned forests pontoon cruise
  • Shoreline lion tracking at Matusadona
  • Private Mbira music performance
  • ✓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$14,200
Single Traveller SupplementOn Request
ⓘ Price is per person based on two guests sharing. All charter flights, lodge accommodation, meals, park fees, activities, helicopter flight, 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
$12,050
May – Sep Peak SeasonPeak dry winter & Victoria Falls' full flow
$16,750
Sep – Dec Shoulder SeasonFalls' mist settles, excellent game viewing
$14,650

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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