Matobo Hills Lodge

Layers of history shroud the boulders at this easy-to-reach Matobo Lodge.

The UNESCO-listed Matobo Hills have been occupied since the early Stone Age, and the lodge is a stunning vantage point from which to explore them, alone or with a guide.

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Jonty

Eve

Kristin

4.9 out of 5 stars Average guest rating

About Matobo Hills Lodge

Surrounded by huge red granite domes and thick bush, Matobo Hills Lodge lies in a private reserve adjacent to Matobo Hills National Park. This 34-bed getaway overlooks the Maleme Valley, and it's well loved by Bulawayans as a convenient escape from buzzing city life – one that can be explored on foot, unaccompanied. You won't find lion or elephant here, but there are plenty of leopard and Verreaux's eagle. And, in a small, intensely protected area of the neighbouring park, white rhino can be tracked on foot with a guide.

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From $190 person/night

Lodge

18 Rooms

Matobo, Zimbabwe

Highlights

The adventure-inclined will enjoy the chance to abseil from some of the park's granite boulders, an experience that will certainly get your adrenalin pumping!

The game drives into Matobo Hills National Park. Game has been depleted here, but diligent conservation attempts are proving successful. Look out for black and (with some effort) white rhino, giraffe, zebra, sable antelope, leopard and a host of other species. The birdlife is rich, and there's a bewildering population of brightly coloured lizards.

Experienced guides double as expert storytellers. Listening to their tales about the area's sacred significance for the local people, its history and the animals is enthralling.

The property

Guests gather in the spacious main area, a lovely space with a thatched roof, wooden floors and decor that blends comfortable furniture with modern design. The dining room has one large table, so meals are convivial (the menu is limited but there's something delicious for everyone). The glass-fronted bar/sitting area overlooks the view, and what a view it is (climb the short trail to the hilltop behind the lodge for a really breathtaking panorama). Then plunge into the rock-surrounded pool.

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The rooms

Wooden walkways connect the main area to the 17 stone-walled, thatch-roofed chalets that range the property, each with its own uninterrupted vantage of the valley or the mountains. The rooms are simple and open-plan with en-suite bathrooms and either double or twin bed configurations (you can request an additional bed or two). There are few of those luxurious frills one so enjoys, and some cushioned sofas and outdoor furniture would be welcome, but the chalets are nevertheless perfectly adequate.

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One more thing...

The relaxed, warm atmosphere is a refreshing break from often-stuffy professionalism – this is Zimbabwean hospitality at its most heartfelt.

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Activities

Cultural

Game Drives

Walking safari

Bush Walks

Take in the region's rich cultural history, from excursions to the ancient cave paintings (this area has the highest concentration of prehistoric rock paintings in southern Africa) to battle sites and the grave of Cecil John Rhodes (also a great spot for sundowners). Take a game drive to see rare sable antelope, leopard (if you're lucky), Verreaux's eagle and klipspringer. Track the endangered white rhino, visit local villages, or simply wander solo through the piles of granite and intervening forests.

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About Matobo National Park

Matobo

Mix up your wildlife-watching and visit bushmen paintings or track black and white rhino on foot.

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