MATOPOS
Matopos, also known as Matobo National Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest National Park in Zimbabwean, located just south of Zimbabwe's second biggest city, Bulawayo. Matopos is famous for several reasons, the first of which is the landscape. The landscape is made up of large granite domed rocky outcrops, known as inselbergs or koppies. Climbing to the top of one of this koppies offers fabulous views across this other-wordly landscape. The area is rich in history, being the sight of many battles between indigenous Zimbabweans and white settlers looking to expand northwards from South Africa. On top of one of these granite koppies, called World's View, you will find the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, a highly controversial man who played a large role in the founding of Zimbabwe. Hidden elsewhere in caves formed by the koppies, you will find cave paintings thousands of years old, painted by the first inhabitants of this area.
Wildlife
Today, Matopos National Park is known as the best place in Zimbabwe to find white & black rhinos. There is also the chance to see leopards who love to hang out on top of the warm granite koppies. On top of that you can find zebras; eland, impala and sable antelope; giraffes, hyena, ostriches and hippopotamus on a rare occasion; and lots of the cute little rock hyrax, which are the leopards favourite pray here. Matopos is also home to about 170 different bird species and a fantastic place to see black eagles.
Activities
Many of the activities from here include rather unusual and very exciting things like tracking white and black rhino by vehicle and on foot, sunset hikes on top of the granite koppies, walks to caves and to see bushman paintings, bycicle rides through the park and into villages, historic track to Rhodes' grave and 'View of the World' but of course, also your usual game drives.
Accommodation
There is only one lodge located within Matopos National Park, which is the very special Amalinda Lodge, built into and around the huge granite boulders. Each of the 9 rooms comprising of 3 suites, 3 family rooms, 2 double rooms and 1 twin room, is unique and has an en-suite bathroom, build into the granite rock face. There is huge rock pool at the bottom of the lodge, overlooking the park, where lunch is often served.
Wildlife
Today, Matopos National Park is known as the best place in Zimbabwe to find white & black rhinos. There is also the chance to see leopards who love to hang out on top of the warm granite koppies. On top of that you can find zebras; eland, impala and sable antelope; giraffes, hyena, ostriches and hippopotamus on a rare occasion; and lots of the cute little rock hyrax, which are the leopards favourite pray here. Matopos is also home to about 170 different bird species and a fantastic place to see black eagles.
Activities
Many of the activities from here include rather unusual and very exciting things like tracking white and black rhino by vehicle and on foot, sunset hikes on top of the granite koppies, walks to caves and to see bushman paintings, bycicle rides through the park and into villages, historic track to Rhodes' grave and 'View of the World' but of course, also your usual game drives.
Accommodation
There is only one lodge located within Matopos National Park, which is the very special Amalinda Lodge, built into and around the huge granite boulders. Each of the 9 rooms comprising of 3 suites, 3 family rooms, 2 double rooms and 1 twin room, is unique and has an en-suite bathroom, build into the granite rock face. There is huge rock pool at the bottom of the lodge, overlooking the park, where lunch is often served.
