When Matetsi Victoria Falls was invited to be a guest on the Luxury Travel Insider podcast, the conversation quickly became less about a single destination and more about a place that has shaped stories, landscapes, and lives for generations. Just minutes from Victoria Fall, known locally as “Mosi oa Tunya”, “The Smoke That Thunders”, Matetsi sits at the meeting point of raw natural power and profound stillness, where mist drifts through the trees and the distant roar of water is part of everyday life.
In the episode, our owner Sara Gardiner shares what it truly feels like to live and work in the shadow of one of the world’s great natural wonders. She reflects on the legends and spiritual beliefs that have long surrounded the Falls, and how these stories influenced early understandings of the land long before explorers arrived. Imagining that first encounter with the immense curtain of water, Sara speaks to the sense of awe that still stops visitors in their tracks today.
The discussion also dives into Matetsi’s own journey, particularly the ambitious decision to re-wild the private reserve. What was once overused land has been carefully restored into a thriving ecosystem, now home to relaxed buffalo, diverse wildlife, and some of Sara’s most unforgettable encounters in nature. Rebuilding Matetsi was never just about creating a luxury lodge, it was about honoring the land, protecting its future, and offering guests an experience that feels deeply connected to place.
Listeners are given a behind-the-scenes look at what guests can expect when staying at Matetsi Victoria Falls, from thoughtfully designed safari experiences to quiet, magical moments that happen when you least expect them. Sara also shares why Victoria Falls holds UNESCO World Heritage status, how its location shapes the experience of traveling through Zimbabwe, and why people across cultures are instinctively drawn to waterfalls.
Above all, the episode captures why this region feels different from anywhere else in Africa. There is a calm here, a rhythm that slows you down and invites reflection, whether you’re watching wildlife from the lodge or standing at the edge of the Falls as the earth trembles beneath your feet. Being part of this conversation was an opportunity for Matetsi Victoria Falls to share not just where we are, but what we believe in, and why a visit here often changes the way guests see the world and humanity long after they’ve returned home.
