Experiences

Safari

A truly exclusive wilderness experience

What to expect

Set on the vast 136,000-acre Matetsi Private Game Reserve, Matetsi Victoria Falls offers a truly exclusive safari experience. At the heart of the KAZA transfrontier, the world largest transfrontier conservation area, this expansive wilderness has no fences and so wildlife roam freely, as they would have hundreds of years ago. Here you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy morning and evening game drives as well as night drives and optional walking safaris. For longer stays, we offer full day game drives with lunch served out in the pristine wilderness.

The area is well known for breeding herds of elephant and buffalo, with particularly impressive numbers in the dry season. The latter provide prey for the large prides of lion that call this area home, whereas the elusive leopard and active wild dog prefer impala and baboon, which thrive in this protected area. Giraffes enjoy the albida trees, while zebra and kudu move beneath them. Wildebeast, Sable, Roan and Eland can be found in the South of the property. Night drives give the opportunity to see a wide array of nocturnal species including hyena, civet, serval and genets. From four of the Big 5 found across a variety of different ecosystems, which also provide habitats for a wide variety of birdlife, to some more rare and often overlooked species, the area is home to an extensive number of flora and fauna species. As our guides like to say, “This true wilderness area is home to all the wildlife that occur here naturally, except for rhino” (which we plan to reintroduce in the future) and we can’t wait to show you all the wonders that Matetsi Private Game Reserve has to offer.

Best time to go

Matetsi Private Game Reserve offers a year-round safari experience. The dry season, from July to November offers the best opportunity to see large herds of elephant and buffalo. When the first rains arrive in November, the calving season begins, and you’ll have the opportunity to see “tiny babies”. The green season is also an excellent time for birdwatching as our inter-Africa migrants return.

What to pack

We do recommend bringing a good pair of binoculars and camera with a zoom lense so that you can see the details and capture the moment while out on safari.

Activities

Morning, evening & full day game drives. Night drives. Optional walking safaris.

Your Stay

Suites to Complement Your Experience

Online Reservations

For direct online bookings and live availability.

Traveller Enquiry

Your stay tailor-made by our reservations team.
Camp Manager

Caroline Yotamu

Zimbabwean born, Caroline joined the Matetsi Victoria Falls family as Camp Manager in mid-2022, and she thrives on going the extra mile for our guest experience. Caroline brings with her a breadth of experience from 5* luxury properties across South Africa, including, Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa, Karkloof Safari Villas, Thanda Private Game Reserve and the Oyster Box, as well as from managing Asilia Africa’s flagship Naboisho Camp in Kenya.

Caroline holds a Diploma in Hospitality Management from the International Hotel School, and is studying for a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Hospitality Operations Management through the same institution. After many years of working abroad, Caroline and her husband Eric (who manages a property in the neighbouring Zambezi National Park) are delighted to be back in Zimbabwe, and in their free time they love bird watching. 

Quality Assurance Manager

Sara Ellis

Sara Ellis is an incredibly dedicated and hard working member of our Matetsi family. Having been our Head Pastry Chef for over four years, Sara transitioned to her role of Quality Assurance Manager in early 2022, bringing with her a wealth of experience and an unparalleled attention to detail. Sara works primarily behind the scenes, supporting all departments to ensure that the Matetsi Magic shines through brightly in every one of our guest’s stays with us.

Sara holds a Cordons Bleus Grande Diploma from Silwood School of Cookery, Cape Town, and has worked at some exceptional Southern African establishments, including Ellerman House and Singita Pamushana, as well as on private yachts.

Sara is mother to two wonderful boys, wife of our Executive Chef, Shane Ellis, and an individual who shows great commitment not just to Matetsi Victoria Falls, but also to our local community in many ways, including standing on the Parents’ Association and driving fundraising initiatives for a local primary school.

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