It is usually a surprise to our guests, especially those who have travelled from beyond the continent, that spring is a time of fierce, dry heat in this part of Zimbabwe. It is not a season of gentle defrosting but rather a flat-out gallop into the hottest time of the year.
By late August, the mercury was already rising above 30ºC/86ºF in the day, scorching an already arid landscape and driving the animals into the shade. These months constitute the tail-end of the dry season so these conditions are not unusual, although the ongoing drought does make life a bit more challenging for the wildlife.
The availability of water and abundance of prey species makes this 136,000-acre wilderness a top-tier destination for animals waiting out the winter, in turn providing our guests with incredible game viewing. The recovery of this habitat in the decade following the establishment of the conservation area by the Gardiner family continues to be a source of profound satisfaction for our team; a fact that enriches the guest experience and fuels our passion for preserving Zimbabwe’s priceless natural heritage.
Wildlife Movements & Sightings
There is only one way to describe the daily sightings reports from our guides and that is: action-packed! Huge herds of elephant and buffalo, journeys of giraffe, pods of hippo and countless antelope are practically guaranteed, and the diversity of other species found in the reserve is nothing short of astonishing.
The last three months have seen multiple sightings of leopards, lions (and cubs!), wild dogs, aardwolves, honey badgers, jackals, hyenas, civets and more; many of which are specially protected species in Zimbabwe. These fascinating animals are joined by a plethora of resident and migrant bird species whose appearance ruffles the feathers of our team as much as any big predator! Spring sightings included yellow-biled kites, pink-backed and great white pelicans, and Pel’s fishing owl, along with various early migrants.
While morning and evening game drives are a wonderful way to engage with the landscape and observe these animals in their natural habitat, a walking safari offers a thrilling new dimension to the wilderness experience. Head Guide, Paul Ngorima, accompanied many of our guests over the dry season (this time of year makes it much easier to see through the bush due the the lack of foliage, and therefore much safer for walking in) as they explored the reserve and encountered its remarkable wildlife on foot.
Walking silently and in single file, with a guide at the head and tail of the line, the groups are able to traverse grasslands and mopane woodlands, across hills and through valleys, learning about the animals they see as well as the little things that often get missed on a game drive, like medicinal herbs, fascinating insects and the rich tapestry of local folklore.
Interesting sightings:
- A wild cat nursing six kittens under a log. That same evening, we saw an aardwolf with two puppies, two pair of bat-eared foxes with cubs, a leopard and 13 (!) honey badgers on the Vlei.
- A pride of two male lions in their prime, aged about five and three, and lionesses with eight cubs who suddenly appeared on the reserve. They had previously been photographed in Zambezi National Park but seem to have taken a liking to the area around Charles and Mabuza pans, where they have successfully hunted both buffalo and eland.
- The arrival of this pride has caused a resident lioness to move from the area into the Vlei and Kudu Alley, together with her sub-adult cubs. Rather unusually, she was seen mating with both males – something which didn’t seem to bother the other females – although doesn’t seem interested in joining the group.
- The young resident male hasn’t fared as well and is in the process of being chased out of his territory by the dominant interlopers.
A pack of 11 wild dogs (the same pack that has been seen intermittently over the past year) which has grown increasingly habituated to our presence, having learned that we are not a threat. They were seen a number of times over the course of a few days and with successful kills almost every time.
- A herd of more than 800 buffalo during a sunset drinks stop, affectionately known as a “buffalo bar”
- An eventful night drive where the spotlight illuminated an agitated jackal at a waterhole with a honey badger darting into the darkness behind it. Upon further inspection, the source of the jackal’s agitation (and the cause of the disappearing honey badger) was found to be a leopard who suddenly popped out of a salt lick! Known to be a den site for the jackals, it was no surprise that the leopard was then chased by the pair whose pups were hidden from sight somewhere nearby.
- An unfortunate giraffe being taken down by a lioness who, moments earlier, had been casually drinking at the same waterhole.
- A jackal hunting and killing a baby monkey – not just scavengers after all!
- A stand off between a pride of lions and a herd of elephants at Mabuza pan; the lions were trying to protect their buffalo kill while the elephants were advancing for a drink. Lots of trumpeting and growling ensued!
Victoria Falls
The current drought has had a predictable effect on the water levels of the Zambezi, which has dropped to its lowest in three years. The Great River remains a formidable body of water however and while Victoria Falls is at its seasonable low point – something which happens every year – there is still a good flow of water over the main face of the waterfall.
Low water at Victoria Falls is a great time to marvel at the geology of this wonder of the natural world and the ancient tectonic processes that shaped it. The basalt face of the falls is exposed at this time of year; part of a chunk of dark volcanic rock formed around 180 million years ago that sits like an island in the middle of the surrounding sandveld. The falls have been receding upstream through the Batoka Gorges, eroding the sandstone-filled cracks in the bedrock, over the last 100,000 years or so, putting into perspective what a tiny part we play in the history of this awe-inspiring landmark.
Springtime at Victoria Falls is ideal for white water rafting as low water season exposes the epic Grade 5 rapids below the waterfall – the biggest in the world! Adrenaline junkies will also enjoy the Devil’s Pool which is usually open at this time of year and allows visitors to perch on the very edge of the falls on the Zambian side and peer down into the gorge below.
Conservation Update
Our elephant population coped well over the spring, despite the harsh conditions and enduring several months without rain. This keystone species thrives at Matetsi Private Game Reserve although their presence in large numbers comes with its own challenges. Elephants can be extremely destructive to the landscape, especially when they uproot trees in search of water and sustenance. Their negative impact on the habitat can be considerable, which is why we have developed a reforestation project which will kick off with the arrival of the rains.
Another exciting project for our conservation team is the reintroduction of ostrich to the reserve, with the first chicks arriving here in August. They quickly outgrew their initial pen and have since been rehomed in the wildlife boma; an area repurposed following our very successful waterbuck translocation.
Guest Testimonial
“This was our second visit to Matetsi and again, our experience was superb… The team members work together as a finely tuned operation. Everyone is friendly, engaging and caring. The game and bird viewing was exceptional. The knowledge and skills of our guide and tracker (Simba and Ishe) was extraordinary. We loved every minute of our stay and can’t wait for our next visit.” – Viv, October 2024
