Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Matetsi Victoria Falls
Luxury suites along a private stretch of the Zambezi
Set within the pristine Matetsi Private Game Reserve along an exclusive 15km (9 mile) stretch of the Zambezi River a little upstream from Mosi-oa-Tunya, Matetsi River Lodge perfectly combines fine safari with easy access to the thrills and adventure of Victoria Falls.
The River Lodge comprises of two intimate camps of just nine suites each, including two family suites. All the suites are modern with clean lines softened by local craft pieces and repurposed materials. Bathrooms boast indoor and outdoor showers as well as a deep bath which looks out over the Zambezi. A private veranda offers a refreshing plunge pool and a peaceful sitting area that overlooks the river.
At the heart of each camp is a communal area with a variety of dining spaces, an interactive kitchen, convivial bar area and an al fresco area that encircles a blazing fire bowl. All with a unifying theme of a wood and copper, the ‘red gold’ of the country’s historical mining industry. There’s also a large central pool, massage sala, fitness centre and wine cellar.
Matetsi River House is an exclusive use villa with four bedrooms, its own kitchen, dining areas, pool and a dedicated guide, private vehicle, chef and butler, ensuring a tailor-made safari unlike any other. The 50,000ha (124,000 acre) private reserve is home to large herds of elephant and buffalo as well as an assortment of plains game and predators including kudu, sable and roan antelope, hippo, lion, leopard, African wild dog, spotted hyena, and 366 bird species.
Explore the concession on expertly guided game drives, horseback safaris and bush walks, or head out onto the water on canoeing excursions, fishing trips and sunset river cruises. You can also discover Victoria Falls and the famous adventure activities that surround it such as white water rafting, bungee jumping, scenic flights and zip lining.
Highlights
Two camps of nine suites
Private plunge pools
Wine cellar
Fitness centre
The impact of your stay:
- Matetsi is the sole lodge on a 55,000-hectare private concession. Before Matetsi, the area suffered from poaching and illegal hunting. With the introduction of an anti-poaching team, a systematic ecological restoration approach, and 16 solar-powered boreholes, wildlife has made a comeback.
- The lodge’s revenue empowers Matetsi for vital wildlife conservation projects. They’ve partnered with national parks to monitor biodiversity, facilitating the return of wildlife to the area. In 2022, 14 waterbuck were relocated from Hwange National Park to Matetsi Private Game Reserve, with daily sightings shared with national parks to monitor wildlife movements and behaviour.
- Matetsi collaborates with Greenline Africa Trust, supporting projects like the ‘Gogo Project,’ which aids grandmothers, known as “gogos,” caring for orphaned and vulnerable children in the villages.
Trip inspiration
Plan your trip to Zimbabwe
Whatever you want from your adventure in Zimbabwe, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Places to combine Matetsi Victoria Falls with
Mana Pools National Game Park
Set in Zimbabwe by the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park, Wilderness Ruckomechi Camp is located by the elephants’ much-loved albida trees, favoured for their pods. This makes the camp ideal for viewing these massive mammals without even having to leave the lodge.
From the camp’s position on the banks of the river, you can see the Great Rift Valley on the opposite side of the Zambezi, a view which you can take in from the comfortable star-gazing deck. Each of the ten tented rooms have indoor and outdoor showers. And there’s a dining and lounge area, plus an infinity pool for cooling off after a safari.
When it comes to exploring the land, there are a variety of options. You can discover the area on foot on a walking safari, or take to the water for a cruise in a nine-seat pontoon, six-seat speed boat or even a canoe. Naturally, game drives leave every morning and afternoon, too.
Birds are prevalent, with species including the western banded snake-eagle, three-banded courser, Arnot’s chat, African golden oriole, and Meve’s starling. Other types of wildlife you can see on safari from Wilderness Ruckomechi Camp (aside from the resident elephants) include leopard, hippopotamuses, Burchell’s zebra, lion and buffalo.
