Farmhouse Lodge

Farmhouse Lodge, Matopos

Enjoy a cosy, family-friendly lodge that offers breathtaking views of the Matobo Hills. Experience rustic charm and relax in comfortable rooms designed to feel like home.

Introduction

Farmhouse Lodge warmly welcomes you to a charming and cosy retreat nestled on the edge of Matobo Hills National Park in Zimbabwe. It’s a wonderful spot for visitors eager to discover the park's amazing natural wonders, from its breathtaking granite formations and ancient rock art to its rich and diverse wildlife.

This charming owner-run lodge is situated just 48 km from Bulawayo along the scenic Matopos Road, right in the heart of the stunning Matopos World Heritage Site. It's a perfect starting point for your adventures exploring this UNESCO-listed wonder. Plus, it's only about an hour's drive from Bulawayo Airport, making it easy to reach if you're arriving by air from Victoria Falls.

The Farmhouse Lodge warmly welcomes you with 12 charming Cape Dutch-style cottages, beautifully positioned along the edge of a stunning granite outcrop. Each cosy cottage features a comfortable twin or double bed, a private en-suite with a shower, toilet, and washbasin, and a relaxing open-plan lounge with tea and coffee facilities and a fridge—perfect for a comfortable stay.

The lodge offers a range of cosy accommodation choices to suit every budget and preference. Whether you're looking for just a place to stay or including dinner, bed, and breakfast, you'll find an option that suits you perfectly. There's also a lovely campsite with essential facilities like showers, toilets, and a shared kitchen. One of the campsite's highlights is the lapa—climb to the top of the tower for stunning views of the Matopos, making it an ideal spot for relaxing sundowners.

This lovely property started as a simple farm homestead and was thoughtfully transformed into a cosy lodge in 1996, creating a warm and welcoming space. The original farmhouse now serves as the restaurant, bar, and reception area, while new cottages were carefully built from scratch. Today, it proudly carries the name Farmhouse Lodge, celebrating its rich history.

Guests can unwind and enjoy beautiful garden views and the cosy rock swimming pool from the restaurant's warm, inviting veranda. In the garden, there's also a cosy open campfire within the traditional boma, perfect for relaxing evenings. Meals are usually served in the restaurant and can be tailored to your dietary preferences. On certain lovely days, and weather permitting, you might even experience a delightful braai dinner under the stunning African night sky.

The Farmhouse Lodge is beautifully located on Granite Ridge Wildlife Reserve, a private haven next to the stunning Matobo Hills National Park. An experienced, fully licensed professional guide is always available on-site, ready to take you on exciting walking safaris and game drives. You can even have the special chance to track and see rhinos on foot! Plus, a lovely viewing platform overlooks a waterhole where many wild animals gather to quench their thirst, making it a perfect spot for memorable wildlife sightings.

Here's what the Travel Agency considers.

Farmhouse Lodge sits in a stunning location, offering a charming selection of rooms to fit every budget and need. Guests can enjoy a range of fun, affordable activities, paying separately for each. The farmhouse is perfect for families and offers great value for your stay.

Summary

• Nestled right on the edge of the beautiful Matobo Hills National Park.
• A charming owner-run lodge located just 48 km from Bulawayo, and only an hour's drive from Bulawayo Airport.
• Charming Cape Dutch-style cottages
• There are plenty of accommodation options to choose from, giving you lots of flexibility to find the perfect place that feels just right for you.
• It all started as a simple farm homestead.
• A variety of facilities and optional activities are available for everyone to enjoy.
• Campsite
• Nestled on the beautiful private Granite Ridge Wildlife Reserve, this location offers a unique and peaceful experience for everyone to enjoy.

Accommodation at Farmhouse Lodge

• There are 12 cosy cottages available that can comfortably accommodate up to 24 adult guests, featuring both twin and double bedrooms to suit everyone's needs.
• Campsite

All cottages include:

• Enjoy your privacy in a cosy en-suite bathroom with a refreshing shower, a toilet, and a convenient wash-hand basin.
• Kitchenette
• Lounge
• Patio
• Mosquito nets
• Fridge
• Private braai area
• Tea and coffee preparation area
• You can find hairdryers at the reception.

Dining

• Restaurant and bar located within the communal area
• Occasional braai dinners
• Guests can choose from bed & breakfast, half board, or self-catering arrangements.

Facilities and Services

• Restaurant and bar located in the communal area.
• Campfire
• Enclosed Boma
• Rock swimming pool
• Game viewing platform
• Flexible rates include Bed & Breakfast and Half Board options.
• Limited Wifi
• Parking
• Enjoy a charming campsite featuring convenient ablutions, a cosy cooking area, and a lovely lapa with a lookout tower, perfect for relaxing and taking in the scenery.
• Activities include a thrilling game drive on the concession, bike hire for a fun ride, scenic hiking adventures, exploring the fascinating cave paintings, visiting Rhodes' grave and World's View for breathtaking sights, exciting rhino tracking in the national park, and joining the animal feeding truck for an up-close experience.

Children

Children are warmly welcomed at Farmhouse Lodge! Feel free to request extra beds in the cosy cottage lounge area. We also have cots available for little infants. Plus, fun activities like scavenger hunts and platform viewing are perfect for entertaining children during your stay.

How to Reach Farmhouse Lodge

• Enjoy a self-drive adventure to Farmhouse Lodge, travelling through Bulawayo and into the beautiful Granite Ridge Wildlife Reserve.
• Arrive at Bulawayo Airport and enjoy a smooth road transfer to the cosy Farmhouse Lodge.

We will forward all the information you provide to the Travel Agency to confirm availability for your selected dates and verify pricing. The Travel Agency will contact you directly with updates. Please note that children are considered to be between the ages of 1 and 17. Sharing your children’s ages allows us to recommend the most suitable accommodations and rates for your group.

As you organise your trip, remember to consider both your accommodation and activity options. If you need more details or have special requests, you can contact us or send a message at any time—this is a great opportunity to share important information or ask questions, such as transfer costs when booking your stay.

We are here to support you throughout the process. Planning helps you enjoy all the amazing experiences waiting for you!

ON-SITE FACILITIES

Facilities and Services

• Restaurant and bar located in the communal area.
• Campfire
• Enclosed Boma
• Rock swimming pool
• Game viewing platform
• Flexible rates include Bed & Breakfast and Half Board options.
• Limited Wifi
• Parking
• Enjoy a charming campsite featuring convenient ablutions, a cosy cooking area, and a lovely lapa with a lookout tower, perfect for relaxing and taking in the scenery.
• Activities include a thrilling game drive on the concession, bike hire for a fun ride, scenic hiking adventures, exploring the fascinating cave paintings, visiting Rhodes' grave and World's View for breathtaking sights, exciting rhino tracking in the national park, and joining the animal feeding truck for an up-close experience

ROOM FEATURES

All cottages include:

• Enjoy your privacy in a cosy en-suite bathroom with a refreshing shower, a toilet, and a convenient wash-hand basin.
• Kitchenette
• Lounge
• Patio
• Mosquito nets
• Fridge
• Private braai area
• Tea and coffee preparation area
• You can find hairdryers at the reception.

The travel agency does not charge a booking fee.

There’s no booking fee.

Their prices match those of hotels and operators, and can sometimes be cheaper.

The more you book, the bigger the discount.

It's best to organise all bookings together rather than separately.

How to Make a Payment

They offer several payment options, including electronic bank transfers and credit cards.

They'll review these with you so you can choose what works best. Payments are simple from almost anywhere in the world.

Let them know your country and currency, and if you prefer a credit card or a bank transfer. They’ll help you choose the easiest method.

The price for your trip is listed in US dollars. If you're paying with a different currency, no worries—they'll convert it for you at the current exchange rate on that day.

A 2.5% fee applies for credit card payments.

Thank you for understanding!

All bank charges are your responsibility.

If unpaid, they will appear as an outstanding balance.

They can help with any questions.

Accommodation

Some places require a 20% non-refundable deposit upon booking. Please check for details.

If you cancel 30–60 days before arrival, a 50% cancellation fee may apply, set by the property.

Cancelling 15–29 days before arrival incurs a 75–100% room charge.*

If you cancel 0–14 days before arrival, you lose 100% of the room’s value.*

Cancelling more than 60 days in advance incurs a 10% handling fee. This covers their time and refund processing.

Policies may vary by hotel, season, or room demand.

They have strong relationships with hotels due to their many clients.

While official policies apply, they try to get refunds for clients, but cannot guarantee it.