Nestled along the serene banks of the Zambezi River, Matetsi offers luxurious suites and unforgettable wildlife adventures in a lush, exclusive reserve.
Matetsi Private Game Reserve, Zimbabwe Get directions
"This lodge, set along a nine-mile stretch of the Zambezi and staffed almost entirely by Zimbabweans, is one of the best in southern Africa. All of the 18 suites and four-bedroomed villas face “the Great River,” in which hippo snort and crocodiles float. Within walls the hue and texture of elephant skin, graphic local art hangs amid midcentury-style nature-inspired furnishings, and you’ll find tubs as well as indoor and outdoor showers. Fridges have fabulous South African wines and edible treats to nibble while lounging beside the plunge pool. In the elegant open-sided main living space, delicious meals are served in the shade of giant trees or on shaded candlelit terraces. Alternatively, picnics can be packed for day trips—to go on game walks, kayaking excursions, visits to crocodile farms, bungee jumps, gorge swings, guided tours of Victoria Falls—or just enjoyed out in the wild, in the company of healthy herds of buffalo and elephant, big prides of lions, and varied bird life. Not many lodges offer such a diversity of activities, in such style and in such a wild, UNESCO-protected destination. Which makes this place pure gold. From $1,095. —Lisa Grainger" - CNT Editors
"Set along a nine-mile stretch of the Zambezi and staffed almost entirely by Zimbabweans, Matetsi Victoria Falls is one of the best in southern Africa. All of the 18 suites and four-bedroomed villas face 'the Great River,' in which hippo snort and crocodiles float."
"Located on the banks of the Zambezi River, this lodge offers an immersive nature experience with wildlife like elephants, bushbuck, and warthogs frequently seen." - Deborah Calmeyer Deborah Calmeyer New York City and Cape Town-based Deborah Calmeyer is the founder and CEO of the ultra-luxe experiential travel company Roar Africa. A respected specialist in the industry, she consta
"Offering privacy and exclusivity on the banks of the tranquil Zambezi River, Matetsi Victoria Falls features spacious contemporary river-facing suites. With its own 136,000-acre private wildlife conservation area, just 25 miles up-river from the spectacular Victoria Falls, expect extraordinary wildlife encounters, unique river experiences, world class cuisine and warm Zimbabwean hospitality."
"The family-owned Matetsi Victoria Falls took its neutral palette of browns, blues, and beiges from the Great Zimbabwe Ruins and its Zambezi River setting, 25 miles upstream from the World Heritage Site–famous falls." - Jane Broughton
