Enjoy memorable holidays in Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe
Posted under Travel Articles on February 22, 2010 by webmaster | 341 views
The Matobo National Park forms the core of the Matobo or Matopos Hills, an area of granite kopjes and wooded valleys commencing some 35 kilometres south of Bulawayo, southern Zimbabwe. The Hills were formed over 2000 million years ago with granite being forced to the surface, this has eroded to produce smooth "whaleback dwalas" and broken kopjes, strewn with boulders and interspersed with thickets of vegetation. Mzilikazi, founder of the Ndebele nation, gave the area its name, meaning ‘Bald Heads’.
The Hills cover an area of about 3100 km², of which 424 km² is National Park, the remainder being largely communal land and a small proportion of commercial farmland. The park covers some beautiful scenery including some spectacular balancing rocks and impressive views along the Thuli, Mtshelele, Maleme and Mpopoma river valleys. Part of the national park is set aside as a 100 km² game park, which has been stocked with game including black and white rhinoceros. The highest point in the hills is the promontory named Gulati (1549 m) just outside the north-eastern corner of the park.
Administratively, Matobo National Park incorporates the Lake Matopos Recreational Park, being the area around Hazelside, Sandy Spruit and Lake Matopos.
A UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site located 35km south of Bulawayo. The Matobo Hills covers more than 3000sq km of which 400 sq km is the national park. The Matobo Hills are home to the famous balancing rocks and one of the few parks in Zimbabwe where both types of rhinos are found in great numbers.
A magnificent area of granite kopjes, wooded valleys and rugged terrain. The hills were formed hundreds of millions of years ago when the granite rocks were forced out to surface. The rocks have over the years eroded to form smooth domes and broken kopjes. Established as a national park in 1953 it has attracted a countless number of visitors who are intrigued by this spectacular park unique with its famous balancing rocks.
Matobo National Park offers tourists a wide variety of attractions and activities. It is home to a wide variety of animal species including zebra, sable, eland, leopard, hippo ,kudu, cheetah, black and white rhinos, warthog, crocodiles, hyena etc. The ubandance of birdlife in the park emphasises the richness of wildlife in the park. The hills have one of the largest concentrations of black eagles in the world. The cliffs and rocks offer perching spots for these predators to build their nest and also to stalk their prey. Species of birds that can be found include, various types of eagle, falcons, weavers, owls, crows, etc. Varieties of fish and waterfowl can be found in the lakes and rivers in the park.
Matobo comes with lots of history and culture as well being a national park. It was named Matobo in the 19th century by the Ndebele king, Mzilikazi who is also buried in the hills. Cecil John Rhodes is also buried on the summit of the Malindizimu hill in the park of which he referred to as the "View of the World". During the 2nd Matebele War, Matobo became a stronghold for the Ndebele after being forced to flee their empire in nearby Bulawayo. Over the years it has remained of great signifcance to the locals spiritual beliefs,culture and heritage.
A true unique park in its own right, with spectacular views,great wildlife and a mixture of long standing culture and history, Matobo is one of Zimbabwe’s best national parks an a must see.
What to do
- Exploration of all the historical and cultural sites across the park
- Wildlife viewing, with a wide variety of both animal and bird species in the park
- Water based recreational activities on one of the several small lakes and rivers found in the park
- Hiking-the hills and kopjes in the park offer hiking enthusiasts a great challenge
- Horse riding and escorted walks
Where to Stay
Accomodation facilities available across the park, lodges and chalets at Malene, Big Cave camp and Camp Amalinda with camping and caravan sites in and around the park.
At the Maleme Rest Camp, where the main park office is located there are several top of the range electrified lodges. There are 15, 2 bedroomed and 3, one bedroomed lodges with a kitchen fitted with basic appliances, furnished dining rooms with heaters, bathrooms with a flush toilet and running cold and hot water. Three of the lodges, Black Eagle, Fish Eagle and Imbila are exclusive and offer higher standards.
Big Cave Camp has 6 thatched ensuite lodges and 1 family suite with private balconies with beautifull views enough to house 28 guests at any one time. Camp Amalinda has 9 individually thatched lodges and 2 honeymoon suites and can house 36 guests at any one time.
There are 5 single and 1 double chalets all furnished with a communal kitchen with appliances on the Maleme Camp.
How to get to Matobo
Situated about 35km south of Bulawayo on the A7 main road or down the Kezi road. There are several camping and caravan sites located around the park, one at Mtsheleli in the south, Mwesilume on Circular Drive, Hazelside, Sandy Spruit, Tshabalala Sanctuary and Toghwana. As it’s a famous holiday destination, there are many flights direct, indirect and with almost all big airlines like British Airways, Air Zimbabwe, Etihad, Kenya Airways or Ethiopian Airlines starting from as low as 299 GBP to 1200 GBP for Business Class. For more details on cheap flights visit: Cheap tickets to Zimbabwe
