Matobo (Matopos) National Park

Matobo (Matopos) National Park

Hundreds of kopjes supporting thousands of precariously balanced rocks give the 164-square-mile (424 km2) Matobo National Park one of the most unusual landscapes in Africa. This highly underrated park is divided into two sections — a general recreational area, where pony trails are very popular, and a game reserve.

Matobo National Park has the highest concentration of black eagles in the world. The reserve also contains the one of the highest concentrations of leopard in Africa; however, they are seldom seen. Other wildlife includes giraffe, zebra, civet, genet, black-backed and side-striped jackal, caracal and porcu¬pine. Birdlife includes purple-crested louries, crowned eagles, Peregrine Falcons and Lannar falcons.

Accompanied by a national park ranger in the game reserve, we walked near two white rhino and a baby which were eventually scared off when a herd of wildebeest stampeded nearby.

Cecil Rhodes was buried on a huge rock kopje called “View of the World” from which one has sensational panoramas of tne rocky, barren countryside.

The region has over 3000 rock paintings - more than any other place in Africa. Nswatugi Cave rock paintings include The spectacular granite, balancing rocks and kopjes are found all over Matobo hills. images of giraffe and antelope. For Bambata Cave rock paint¬ings, allow one and one-half hours for the hike. White Rhino Shelter rock paintings are also worth a visit.

Accommodation - class a/b:

Amalinda Camp, attrac¬tively built into enormous kopjes, has six chalets with ensuite facilities. Activities include day and night game drives, walks, horseback riding in the park and on the game ranch and visits to nearby villages and Bushmen paintings. The camp is located about a 10 minute drive from the park.

Matobo Hills Lodge, located in a beautiful “amphitheater” of rock kopjies about a 10 minute drive from the park, has 17 thatched chalets (doubles) and swimming pool creatively built into the rocks. Game drives, walks, horseback riding and visits to Bushmen paintings and local villages are offered.

Accommodation Near The Park - Class A

Malalangwe Lodge has six luxury chalets (14 beds) with ensuite facilities, and is located on a 6300 acre (2500 hectare) ranch about an hour’s drive from the park. Game drives, walks and hikes to bushman paintings on their private game farm as well as day trips to Matobo National Park are offered.

Classes D & F:

National Park bungalows with and without ensuite facilities are available.

Camping:

Camping and caravan sites with ablution blocks are available at Maleme Dam and Toghwana Dam