• Zimbabwe’s oldest and least visited national park
• Unesco world heritage site
• A black and White Rhino sanctuary at its core
• Great traditional game viewing
• Hikers paradise with breath-taking scenery
• Balancing rock formations litter the park with their beauty
• Resting place of Cecil Rhodes and the Matabele King, Mzilikazi
• Extensive network of Bushman rock paintings, 3000 known sites
• Only 2 private camps, Camp Amalinda and Big Cave Camp
• Large array of activities
Until you see huge Granite rocks balancing on top of one another in impossible ways it is quite hard to imagine why they would capture the imagination….. But they do and Matobo Hills National Park has a ridiculous number of them all over the park that give it such unique characteristics. It is beautiful here and whilst not on everyone’s radar as a safari destination, we would argue that it makes for a perfect start and introduction to safari and culture of Zimbabwe and should be included in all itineraries. There are two main accommodation choices here. Camp Amalinda and Big Cave Camp. The park is a world heritage site with huge historical and archaeological importance, to say nothing of the role it plays in Black and White Rhinoceros protection and conservation.
The traditional game viewing here is very good, surprisingly and has most animal species with the exception of Elephant and Lion. Given how many you will see in Hwange, Vic Falls, Mana Pools and Matusadona, this should not be a perceived negative and actually a bonus to be able to walk freely alone around this wonderful park. The cultural activities here are very good and the historical walks to the caves and rock art sites of the San Bushmen who lived here as far back as 2000 years ago is a real treat, though you won’t get round all 3000 of them!
The resting sites of Cecil John Rhodes and King Mzilikazi are to be found within the Granite rock balancing act and are steeped in history that the guides are very knowledgeable on.
All in all Matobo Hills National Park is wonderful and should have more visitors to it. For now however it remains a little secret and one worth getting to know!
