MATETSI WATER LODGE
VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

• An extraordinary safari lodge
• Breathtaking Zambezi River views
• Upstream from the Victoria Falls
• Diverse African wildlife
• Day and night safaris
• Thrilling adventures at nearby Victoria Falls
• Commitment to conservation
• Zimbabwe Tourism Authority award

General information

With 15 kilometres (nine miles) of exclusive Zambezi River frontage, Matetsi offers an unrivalled river experience in addition to spectacular game viewing and birdwatching. World-renowned as one of Africa's most unforgettable natural retreats, Matetsi is a conservation coup for our partner who transformed the area - previously a hunting concession - into a protected wilderness reserve. Today, the lush banks of the Zambezi River boast a remarkable array of African wildlife - including huge elephant and buffalo herds, and rare roan and sable antelope.

Accommodation

SAFARI ACCOMMODATION AT MATETSI, ZIMBABWE

Exclusive safari accommodation

Matetsi's two remarkable lodges offer world-class sophistication and style in the African bush.

MATETSI WATER LODGE, ZIMBABWE

Sumptuous riverside suites

This luxurious safari lodge is situated along Matetsi's private Zambezi River frontage, and is renowned for sophisticated accommodation and sweeping views of the river and surrounding African wilderness.

• Three separate, intimate safari camps
• Each with just six air-conditioned suites
• En suite bathrooms; indoor and outdoor showers
• Private plunge pools
• Breathtaking river views
• Elegant dining and sitting areas
• Near the magnificent Victoria Falls
• African gift shop

Matetsi Water Lodge's three romantic camps - West Water, North Water and East Water - are set on the riverbank under a canopy of lush, riverine trees. Each camp comprises six private suites with vast teak doors that swing open to plunge pools and decks with magnificent river views.

The layout of each camp ensures privacy and intimacy in an idyllic setting. Open sided, thatched guest areas consist of an elegant dining and sitting area with large fireplace. Delicious Pan-African cuisine is served on the intimate riverside dining decks or in a surprise setting in Matetsi's pristine wilderness.

Exciting safari activities: Matetsi's location next to the great Zambezi River offers exhilarating water activities such as boat cruises, canoeing and fishing, in addition to excellent game viewing and birdwatching. You may also enjoy many thrilling adventures at nearby Victoria Falls.

MATETSI SAFARI CAMP, ZIMBABWE

Luxury tented safari accommodation

Situated on the edge of an open grassland system and waterhole where wildlife gathers, this classic safari camp (temporarily closed for refurbishment) combines old-world charm with modern sophistication.

• 12 air-conditioned canvas suites
• En suite bathrooms with bath and shower
• Private decks
• Large rim-flow swimming pool
• Intimate guest areas
• Close to Victoria Falls
• African gift shop

Each sumptuous tented suite has a solid teak structure and private game viewing deck. The Camp features an intimate sitting and dining area shaded by trees, and a sparkling swimming pool with gracious decks overlooking a busy waterhole - frequented by large numbers of elephant and plains game, including rare sable and roan antelope.

Enjoy delectable Pan-African cuisine served to you on the elegant dining deck or in a surprise location in Matetsi's spectacular wilderness. Exciting bush breakfasts, picnics and romantic sundowners offer an unforgettable experience of Matetsi's pristine wilderness.

Matetsi's thrilling safaris

In addition to morning and afternoon/evening game drives and interpretive bush walks, Matetsi offers a range of exciting water activities including boat cruises, canoeing and fishing. A complimentary daily shuttle is available to Victoria Falls where you may experience exhilarating adventures from white water rafting to light aircraft flights.

Activities

SAFARI ACTIVITIES AT MATETSI, ZIMBABWE

Exciting safari adventures

Matetsi's location in a pristine wilderness area next to the great Zambezi River and its proximity to the Victoria Falls - one of the seven natural wonders of the world and a World Heritage Site - makes it the perfect gateway to a world of African adventure. Many thrilling activities are offered at no additional cost. Twice-daily game-drivesExperienced rangers and trackers will lead you on interpretive game-drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles. Matetsi is one of the very few areas in Zimbabwe where night game-drives are permitted, revealing a host of interesting nocturnal animals.Interpretive bush walksExplore Matetsi's pristine wilderness on foot led by an experienced ranger or expert tracker steeped in knowledge of the local fauna and flora. Interpretive wilderness walks bring you face-to-face with wild Africa at its best.Riverboat cruisesEnjoy leisurely morning and/or afternoon riverboat cruises on Matetsi's private stretch along the mighty Zambezi River, captained by a knowledgeable river guide. Each riverboat seats just 12 guests, and offers the perfect opportunity to spot Matetsi's incredible birdlife, hippos and elephants while watching a glorious sunrise or sunset.CanoeingGuided canoe excursions are an exciting way to experience the Zambezi River and to get up close to elephants drinking from the riverbanks. Five sturdy canoes are able to take a maximum of ten guests.Other Adventures (at an additional cost)Situated just 40 kilometres from Matetsi, the magnificent Victoria Falls offer a range of adventures for adrenalin enthusiasts - from heart-pounding white-water rafting to bungi jumping off the bridge spanning the gorge below. You may also walk in the rain forest on the lip of the Falls or enjoy breathtaking views by light aircraft, helicopter or microlight. A complimentary daily shuttle departs Matetsi at 11h00 for Victoria Falls, and returns at 14h00.

Game viewing

WILDLIFE SAFARIS AT MATETSI, ZIMBABWE

Diverse African wildlife

Matetsi's 45,000 hectare (111,200 acre) private wildlife concession abutting the mighty Zambezi River, contains five distinct habitats home to an incredible array of Africa's big game.

• Superlative African wildlife
• Excellent elephant viewing
• Huge buffalo herds
• Lion, leopard, spotted hyena and African wild dog
• Rare sable and roan antelope
• Excellent birdwatching including several miombo species

Matetsi Game Lodges' Habitats

The broad Zambezi River is home to a variety of aquatic plants and wildlife. The river is flanked by riverine woodland with impressive sausage, leadwood and waterberry trees. Seasonal floodplains and marshes attract abundant waterfowl. Acacia trees and productive grasses dominate nutrient-rich drainage lines which are the most productive habitats for many large herbivores. Tall woodland grows on deep Kalahari sands, with Zambezi teak, msasa and manketti trees prominent. A number of small forested islands exist in the broad river.

Mammals at Matetsi Game Lodges

Great herds of elephant and buffalo quench their thirst in the Zambezi River during the dry season (May to October). Stately sable and rare roan antelope favour the fringes of woodlands. Lion, leopard and spotted hyena are most often encountered on night drives. Matetsi is one of very few areas in Zimbabwe where night game drives are permitted. Endangered African wild dog occasionally set up dens during the winter months. Large rafts of hippo and Cape clawless otter are at home in the Zambezi River. Fruit bats and lesser bushbabies are active after dark.

Birds at Matetsi Game Lodges

There are 366 species recorded at Matetsi. African fish eagle patrol the Zambezi River, where African finfoot and rock pratincole also breed. Large numbers of ducks, geese, storks and herons visit seasonal marshes. Secretive Pel's fishing owl and flamboyant Schalow's turaco inhabit riparian forest and wooded islands. The Kori bustard (the world's heaviest flying bird) is commonly seen in open woodland. White-breasted cuckooshrike, racket-tailed roller, Bradfield's hornbill and Arnot's chat are typical of tall woodland.

Other African Wildlife

Impressive Nile crocodile can be seen basking along the Zambezi River. Tigerfish, red-breasted tilapia and nembwe are abundant. African rock python, flap-necked chameleon and tropical house gecko are other interesting reptiles. Seasonal wetlands echo with the sound of breeding frogs after the first summer rains. Dung beetles are among the most abundant and interesting insects, while a huge variety of butterflies, dragonflies and moths are also conspicuous.

Conservation

ECOTOURISM AT MATETSI, ZIMBABWE

Matetsi Game Lodges are committed to the core principles

Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, Care of the people.

Focus

Community equity, income generation, education and health care are a primary concern. In consultation with community organisations such as the Africa Foundation - originally founded by our partner, CC Africa, now a not-for-profit rural development organisation - Matetsi has contributed significantly towards improving the prosperity and living conditions of rural communities surrounding the concession.

Matetsi was a conservation coup - 45,000 hectares (111,200 acres) of former hunting land was consolidated and transformed into pristine wilderness conditions. Matetsi has since demonstrated the economic value of sustainable ecotourism and photographic safaris in an area traditionally dominated by safari hunting.

Ecotourism in Africa

Guests play a critical role in helping realise the dream and vision: to create a model in wise land management, integrating international travellers and rural people to their mutual benefit and demonstrating that wildlife can be preserved on a sustainable basis by all.

Positive Health Programme

Our partner CC Africa strongly believes in its people and was recently listed as one of three finalists in the Investor in People category of the 2005 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The October 2005 edition of Africa Geographic featured an article on AIDS and conversation, and highlighted the activities and programmes that various African companies are implementing in order to increase AIDS awareness and, in doing so, empower the communities taking care of some of the world's richest wilderness regions.

"Probably the most attractive program ... is that of CC Africa... CC Africa launched a Positive Health program in 2003 and in April and May last year ran two seven-day courses.... Their approach focuses on home-based care, gardens, counseling techniques and gender issues.... The health of the habitat is critical to the health of the individuals in it.... The conservation industry is uniquely positioned to take the treatment of HIV/AIDS in radically new directions.... Benefits [of the program] include acquiring 'hard skills' such as maintaining clean water, producing food, and home-based methods of dealing with illnesses that are not life threatening.... It takes only the will of ecologically minded people to make sure that the wild places are not lost."
Africa Geographic, October 2005

Getting there

Matetsi is easily accessible by air and road transfer - we can pre-book and package all of your regional/internal flights and transfers, and provide a meet and greet service at all airports.

• Scheduled flights to Victoria Falls Airport, followed by a 45-minute road transfer
• Scheduled flights into Kasane, Botswana, followed by a 40-minute road transfer to Matetsi
• Numerous daily flights from Johannesburg in South Africa to Victoria Falls Airport
  Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you

What is included

• Accommodation
• Three meals daily
• Teas and coffees
• Refreshments on game drives
• Scheduled safari activities
• Complimentary daily transfers to the Victoria Falls (scheduled times only)
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance
• VAT

What is not included

• Telephone calls
• Safari Shop purchases
• Bar account
• Transfers to and from the lodge
• Gratuities
• Conservancy or park entrance fees (where applicable)
• Government levy / bed levy
• Laundry

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