A Working Ranch in Zimbabwe
Safari Park in Zimbabwe
Welcome to Cawston Encounters
Welcome to Cawston Encounters, a family-run safari park in Zimbabwe, where adventure meets conservation. Nestled in the heart of Matabeleland, Zimbabwe, our ranch invites you to experience the magic of Africa through horseback safaris, game drives, and family-friendly wildlife adventures.
We welcome travelers from around the world — especially families and small groups — who are looking for a more personal safari experience. Here, you can ride alongside wildlife, explore our beautiful savannah, and discover the beauty of Zimbabwe’s safari landscapes at your own pace.
Our mission is to reveal the true value of this extraordinary environment while offering amazing experiences such as exclusive camp bookings, horse riding safaris, wildlife photography, and eco-friendly tourism activities.
At Cawston, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. By supporting local communities and following responsible tourism practices, we ensure that your journey not only brings you closer to nature but also helps protect it for generations to come.
Come as visitors, leave as family — and discover why Cawston is one of the most unique eco-safari destinations in Zimbabwe.
Cawston Camp
Nestled in 32,000 acres of breathtaking wilderness, built on a rocky hillside and surrounded by an oasis of shaded green lawns, the Camp blends adventure with effortless luxury. With just five stylish tented suites, enjoy exclusive comfort and wild charm. Wake up in plush, extra-long beds, step onto your private veranda, and watch the wildlife go by.
Horse Safaris
A horseback safari offers an intimate, eco-friendly way to explore Africa’s stunning landscapes and wildlife.
Unlike vehicles, horses blend seamlessly into the environment, allowing you to approach giraffes, zebras, and antelope without disturbing them.
Experience magical moments trotting alongside warthogs or grazing near zebra herds, free from noisy engines or crowded tracks.
Non Riding Safaris
You don’t have to ride to love Cawston and to experience all it has to offer.
Think game drives or guided walks at dawn and late afternoons. Time at waterholes in ground-level or tree blinds, watching the animals and birds coming into drink within meters of you.
Evening visits with our three elephants and learning about their lives: birding, vulture viewing, photography, sunset drinks, dinner under the stars, and sleep-outs.
And through it all, our working ranch has been shaped by our family’s stewardship.
Volunteer
For those who want more than a guest experience, Cawston’s volunteer working holiday programme offers a rare opportunity: to live and work on a functioning African wildlife ranch, contributing to horse care, conservation operations, anti-poaching support, and community outreach.
Volunteers become part of the family for the duration of their stay. The work is real, the days are full, and the reward is a connection to this land that a standard safari visit cannot replicate.
Spaces are limited, and applications are reviewed individually.
Plan Your Stay With Us
Cawston is a living ranch, a conservation story, and a family’s home.
35 years of stewardship have shaped every trail, waterhole, and dinner table on this property. When you ride out at dawn, the dust that kicks up is real. When you sit down to eat, the food comes from this soil. When you leave, something of this land stays with you.
This is Zimbabwe, unfiltered.
And there is nowhere else quite like it.
What Our Guests Say
Dear All, Wow! We have spent two wonderful days here in the sun. Thank you so much for your kindness and hospitality. The children have loved every minute and learnt so much. We have enjoyed the delicious food, been on game drives and taken many dips in the pool. We’d love to come back one day – a lovely change from the U.K. Thanks for the “chicken” you cooked for us. Many thanks.
What Our Guests Say
Dearest Peter and Juliet – the warmth of your hospitality exceeds that of the Zimbabwean summer sun. We are ever so grateful to have been able to share in your slice of paradise with you. We also enjoyed observing the sable antelope, our first sighting of these beautiful beasts ever. In appreciation and friendship.
What Our Guests Say
Dear Juliet and Sean, these have been three very memorable days. The wildlife, captive landscape, hospitality, accommodation and food have kept us smiling from morning to dusk. But above all, for me, it has been the conversations and stories that we have shared in the jeep and around the dinner table that I will miss and take with me. Wishing you both all the very best with your many plans and projects! Best wishes.
About Us
Cawston is our home – and the way we live here is what we share with you.
Over time, this place has evolved with us: from a restored cattle farm into a working landscape where wildlife, horses, and livestock are managed together, and where much of what ends up on your plate is grown right here.
When you stay, you’re not stepping into a polished version of safari life.
You’re stepping into something real – a family way of living on the land, shaped by experience, responsibility, and a genuine enjoyment of sharing it and seeing our guests leave refreshed and reconnected with nature.
