Summer is our Emerald Season in northwestern Zimbabwe; sun-baked landscapes give way to an explosion of green, as the long-awaited rains nourish the bush back to life. Natural pans that had gone temporarily dry are filled once more with water, lush grasses erupt on the vlei and the browsers are kept busy with the appearance of juicy new shoots on all the trees and bushes. The weather is hot and humid with regular afternoon thundershowers offering relief from the high temperatures and further sustaining the wilderness. Our guests will know how beautiful the light is here on a summer’s afternoon, as the clouds clear and silvery shafts of sunshine reach down to the Earth just as the evening game drive begins.
Summer is also peak season for a number of activities on the Zambezi. Fishing is excellent, as is the white-water rafting (although this does depend on seasonal rainfall), and the Devil’s Pool–which is only open in spring and early summer–lures thrill-seeking visitors to the very edge of Victoria Falls. For those interested in more mild pursuits, November through March is prime time for the summer migrants, which makes for some pretty incredible bird watching. December is also the start of calving season; a time of year where tiny impala fawns, spindly-legged baby giraffes and fuzzy zebra foals abound across the reserve, increasing the cuteness factor of game drives exponentially!
Wildlife Movements & Sightings
Early summer is considered the tail-end of the best time of year for game viewing, as the bush is only just starting to thicken, and visibility remains good. The sightings report from our team of safari guides included the numerous herds of elephant that roam Matetsi Private Game Reserve, along with large numbers of buffalo and plains game, with their predators in hot pursuit. As we waited for the rains at the end of the dry season, the wildlife sightings featured some very special species–white tailed mongoose, porcupine, bat-eared fox, honey badger, wild cat with babies, as well as lots of lion activity and continued sightings of two different wild dog packs with pups (moving in the north and south of the concession respectively). Sables and roan sightings were a real treat for those who ventured to the far South of the concession.
Photo: David Harrison
As you can tell by the stories shared below by our safari guides, recent sightings have been nothing short of spectacular! “After a lovely sundowner stop on the vast vlei to the south of the property, we had seen a lot of animal species–the gentle giants of the savanna, the elegant giraffes, impalas in their numbers and massive herds of buffalo but none of the breath-taking big cats. While driving back to the lodge with hope to see the elusive leopard, all eyes were in sync with the spotlight. As we were approaching the lodge with some of the guests having almost no hope, we will see one, instead a pride of lions with small cubs was laying right beside the signboard to East camp car park! The excitement of everyone in the vehicle was indescribable, it was indeed the best way to end a drive and one of the most memorable game drives I’ve had.”– Safari Guide Courage
“In the middle of our green season we have had a lot of special sightings. The usually shy leopards have been out in abundance. But why are they suddenly not camera shy? Showing up on the trees visible from even a sunset cruise. Maybe because of the tall wet grass due to our rainy season and high humidity, leopard shave taken to the trees for some dry refuge and great vantage point. The highlight was with a lovely couple that had chosen to do their safariat Matetsi Private Game Reserve. On their last night, after a challenging 3 nights and 2 morning drives, we hit the jackpot. Upon arriving at the vlei on our way to Westwood for another iconic sundowner stop, we came upon a young male leopard sitting in a tree. We managed to sit with him for a while before he got bored and left. We finally had our sundowners reflecting on how lucky we were. We then left for camp being fully satisfied with our ‘rare’ sighting and trying to get back in camp on time, we hit the real jackpot: a pack of wild dogs! With clearly content bellies, they played and performed for us, thenas we sat they suddenly got up and sped off. They chased off acivet and returned to their spot. We finally said goodbye, and as we left, we bumped into a very inquisitive hyena, who seemed to be after what the rare wild dog’s leftovers! Guests were thoroughly thrilled while guide and tracker were still thinking how they did it.”–Safari Guide Lloyd
“Early summer’s scorching heat and the dry savannah vibes are not too friendly to the flora and fauna. On this particular afternoon, after all gear and equipment was ready, we set offer a lovely sunset cruise along this epic Strech of the Zambezi. Just about when we had introduced the famous gin and tonic–the best in the land! – a sizeable parade of elephants came to the edge of the river, huge and majestic females and their mixed size calves. We started heading towards them to capture this experience. We were in for more, as after their initial drink and dip in the water, the matriarch decided it was time to take a refreshing swim to investigate greener pastures on the islands. A nice protective ring was formed–little family members in the middle wading and bouncing in the water and snorkelling their trunks for breath. All the way to the islands under the able guidance of the bigger, more experienced mums and aunts…It was a marvellous way to start a boat cruise, and the sundowners went down well with a lot of elephant conversations and questions… One of my most memorable river safari experience at Matetsi Private Game Reserve this season.”–Safari Guide Kelvin
Some of the other noteworthy wildlife activity included:
- Wild dogs feasting on an impala kill before leaving three black-backed jackals and a warthog to squabble over the leftovers
- A big male kudu being taken down by a lion on the vlei
- A frustrated lone lioness defending a buffalo kill from a flock of vultures and the dear departed buffalo’s herd who were (rather bravely) hanging around to glare at her in the aftermath
- Some black-backed jackals on the vlei who have developed a talent for ambushing vervet monkeys that come down the drink at the waterhole. Seeing them chasing and killing a monkey was not something our team has seen or heard of before!
- The size of the wildebeest herd continues to increase, with some remaining to calve on the vlei this season
- Following the reintroduction of waterbuck in late 2021, our team are always excited to see this species thriving in their natural environment–often seen south of Namaqua pan
- In the Zambezi River, guests aren’t surprised to see see hippo sand crocodiles, but otters are a real surprise and delight
- As the rains arrived, the tiny baby warthogs were frequently seen zooming around the lodge and the young impala on shaky legs looked curiously at safari vehicles
- At this time of the year, the migratory birds return, and Matetsi Private Game Reserve is a birder’s paradise–possibly the most remarkable bird sighting was of 150 (?) marabou storks on the vlei!
Photo: David HarrisonVictoria Falls
Although it varies according to the volume and timing of the rains, the months of November, December and January are usually associated with low water at Victoria Falls. But this isn’t just any old waterfall–at its driest point (which is around this time every year), tens of millions of litres of water are still plummeting into the gorge every minute! The magic of the low water season is that visitors get to see the astonishingly impressive waterfall in action while also getting a peek at the astonishing geology that lies beneath the river and the ancient tectonic processes that shaped it.
In summer, the craggy basalt face of the falls is exposed; part of a chunk of dark volcanic rock formed around 180 million years ago and sits like an island in the middle of the surrounding sand veld. The falls have been receding upstream through the Batoka Gorges, eroding the sandstone-filled cracks in the bedrock, over the last100,000 years or so, putting into perspective what a tiny part we play in the history of this awe-inspiring landmark.
Conservation Update
The lush summer landscape is beautiful to look at, but it is also extremely beneficial for our wildlife. The new growth provides sustenance to grazers which in turn positively impacts breeding for the year; an essential biological relationship upon which species rely for their survival. And, for the first time in two years, we have seen huge swathes of Guinea grass (panicum maximum) thriving in the teak forests. This hardy tufted grass is particularly palatable to wildlife and seed-eating birds, delivering a high leaf production and offering herbivores a good source of protein.
Healthy grazing and the increasing availability of water has made for very happy wildlife; a thriving population which is capably protected by our in-house anti-poaching unit. The scouts and canines of Amaganyane remain our best defence against poaching of fish and bush meat, undertaking round-the-clock patrol store move snares and nets from the reserve. Snares in particular are a cruel and indiscriminate form of hunting, trapping the limbs or body of any passing animal and often causing a prolonged and painful death in the process. Regular sweeps of the area have been successful in deterring poachers however, and we are pleased that the number of snares found in these patrols continues to diminish.
Wildlife rescues during this period included pulling a buffalo out of the mud and working with the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust to remove snares from two injured elephants. One of the elephants was tracked with a vehicle by Amaganyane Scout Professor, while Amaganyane Scouts Prince and Rose tracked the other on foot forever five hours, eventually leading to a successful darting and removal of the wire snares. Meanwhile, boat patrols work on eradicating illegal fishing by recovering unlawful fishing nets giving aquatic life another chance of survival.
Our conservation team is also responsible for the care of our new cohort of ostriches, which were reintroduced to Matetsi Private Game Reserve in August last year. Arriving as chicks six months ago, the flock is flourishing, as these prehistoric-looking birds get to know the landscape. They are currently taken on daily walks outside the boma (an experience in which our guests can share!), taking dips in the river on hot days and learning to forage in the undergrowth.
Guest Testimonial
“T+L didn’t lie with their rating–this lodge is spectacular. From them stocking the goods to make a Negroni on a river cruise after they realized it was my favourite drink, to the personalized turn down services to the care that Yvonne gave us to Maybe being so thoughtful and caring during every service, Johnson who made sure we were well taken care of, Yitai who always greeted us with a smile. One of my most amazing trips, the bedding, the shower, the plunge pool, the facilities. Phenomenal.”–Shane B, November 2024
