About Matetsi Water Lodge
This magnificent lodge is a fusion of teak, slate and thatch reflecting the spirit of ancient
Zimbabwe and the legendary
Zambezi River itself. Three individual and intimate camps each comprise six bold, spacious suites with sweeping views of the mighty
Zambezi. Private plunge pools offer a cool perspective on an afternoon’s game viewing, and the open-sided guest area beckons with its comfortable sofas and large fireplace. Leafy boughs provide shelter for leisurely Pan African meals served on the river banks.
Room Features
- Air conditioning
- Overhead fans
- Mosquito nets
- Private Plunge pools
- Baths
- Indoor / Outdoor showers
- In room safe
- Personal Bars
- Hairdryers
Lodge Features
- Laundry
- Telephone
- Sided thatched sitting area with fireplace
- Safari shop
- Dining & Guest area
- Suitable for disabled guest with assistance
- In Room Massage
Activities
- Guided safaris
- Game drives
- Bush walks
- River canoe safari
- Riverboat cruises
- Fishing
- Helicopter flights
- Bungee jumping over Vic Falls
- Whitewater rafting
- Scenic tours of Victoria Falls and surrounding areas
- Click here for more information on Victoria Falls Activities
About Matetsi Private Game Reserve
Located a mere 45 minutes from the spectacular Victoria Falls, Matetsi Private Game Reserve forms part of a huge conservation area that extends throughout northwestern Zimbabwe and into Chobe National Park in neighbouring Botswana, with no fences to restrict the natural movement of species.
Renowned for its rich game viewing and particularly high concentration of elephant, this 50 000 hectare (123 600 acre) private game reserve offers a superb variety of wildlife. Massive herds of elephant and buffalo can be encountered along the picturesque banks of the Zambezi River, while rare sable and roan antelope roam the woodlands. The reserve is one of the few in the country to offer night game drives, giving guests an exciting opportunity to view the nocturnal hunting habits of lion, leopard and spotted hyena. Matetsi is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with more than 366 bird species recorded at the reserve.
With 15 km (nine miles) of exclusive Zambezi River frontage, Matetsi offers an unrivalled river experience in addition to spectacular game viewing and bird watching. Guests delight in afternoon riverboat cruises and guided canoe excursions along the Zambezi River.
In 1855, the great missionary-explorer Dr David Livingstone was taken on an adventure down the Zambezi River in a dugout canoe to see the “smoke that thunders.” Nothing could have prepared him for the sight he was about to see – one of the world’s greatest natural wonders – the broad, smoothly flowing Zambezi hurtling abruptly over a precipice 1 370 metres (4 500 feet) wide into a roaring, mist-filled chasm 108 metres (350 feet) deep. Today, in tribute to this phenomenon, visitors from around the world come to stand in awe as the swirling mists filter through the rainforest fringing the magnificent Victoria Falls.
Hot, wet summers (November – March) and cool dry winters (April – October). Rainfall November to March, late afternoon & evening thunderstorms. The temperature in summer daytime 30°C, winter 20°C. Best time to travel is April to October.
Recommended route to Matetsi Private Game Reserve
Matetsi Private Game Reserve is situated along Kazungula Road between Victoria Falls and Botswana’s Kazungula border post. Please note that Matetsi Water Lodge is only accessible via sand and gravel roads, and at certain times of the year these roads can become impassable for two-wheel drive vehicles. We highly recommend that our self-drive guests leave their vehicles at the Matetsi Hub — a convenient pick-up point situated on Kazungula Road. The hub is manned 24 hours by a security guard equipped with a radio to communicate with the Lodge.
Directions to the hub when travelling from Botswana
- From the border post, follow Kazungula Road for 33 km.
- Approximately 30 km from the border, the road will lead through a short but pronounced valley.
- Immediately after crossing the valley, as the road levels out, there is a turn-off to the right onto a sand track.
- Follow the track for 300 meters until you reach the Hub (a thatched building).
- Please park your vehicle and ask the guard on duty to radio the lodge for a transfer.
- Please provide the guard with your name and the number of people in your party.
Directions to Matetsi Water Lodge when travelling from Botswana
- Follow Kazungula Road for 40 km.
- Look out for a signboard on your right for Matetsi Game Lodges. Turn left at the signboard onto a sand/gravel road.
- Follow that road for 11.2 km until you reach a signboard on your right for Matetsi Reception. Turn right, and after 600 meters you will reach a T-junction.
- Turn right, and the road will lead over a small bridge.
- Take the second turn to the left and you will reach Matetsi Reception after 150 meters.
Directions to the hub when travelling from Victoria Falls
- Follow Kazungula (Botswana) Road for 37 km.
- You will pass a Matetsi sign on your left side after 30.2 km, please IGNORE that sign. You will reach a second sign on your left after 6.8 km that says Matetsi Game Lodges.
- Immediately after that sign turn left, follow the road for 300 meters and you will reach the Hub building.
- Please park your vehicle and ask the guard on duty to radio the lodge for a transfer. Please provide the guard with your name and the number of people in your party.
Directions to Matetsi Water Lodge when travelling from Victoria Falls
- Follow Kazungula Road for 30.2 km, and at the Matetsi sign turn right.
- Follow the sand and gravel road for 11.2 km.
- You will see a signboard on your right for Matetsi Reception. Turn right, and after 600 meters you will reach a T-junction.
- Turn left (a little uphill) and then turn into the next dust/gravel road on your right.
- This will lead you to the meeting point.
GPS COORDINATES
Matetsi Hub
17 Degrees 55 Minutes 57 Seconds SOUTH
25 Degrees 29 Minutes 23 Seconds EAST
Matetsi Water Lodge
17 Degrees 51 Minutes 49 Seconds SOUTH
25 Degrees 30 Minutes 06 Seconds EAST
Coordinates are on Cape Map Datum GPS setting.
Zimbabwe
