The 8 best hotels in Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe

Welcome to Matobo Hills Lodge!The Matobo Hills are renowned not only for their beauty and abundant flora and fauna but also for their unique historical, cultural and spiritual significance. The granites of Matobo were formed over three thousand million years ago and have been carved by the erosive forces of nature into a remarkable gallery of sculptured rock covering several thousand square kilometres. In general terms two types of granite hills occur in Matobo. The chaotic jumbles of rocks and balancing boulders or ' castle kopjies' have been created by erosion working along the horizontal and vertical lines of weakness that formed as the ancient granites cooled. The massive ' whale backed' domes or ' dwalas' are the result of spheroidal weathering or 'onion skin peeling' that occurs during sudden changes in temperature. All of these forces of erosion act at an excruciatingly slow pace and it has taken nature hundreds of millions of years to create the incredible landscape we see today. Unfortunately she is not yet content with her efforts and her erosive power continues to act upon the surfaces of the rock. Nature will only rest when all the granites are gone and the Matobo becomes a flat, featureless sandy plain. Luckily for us this is going to take several more hundred million years so for now at least, we can continue to enjoy this amazing wilderness in all it's complexity. The northern section of the hills is a national park and it's wooded gorges and open valleys are home to a wide range of wildlife species including black and white rhinoceros, giraffe, sable antelope, kudu, impala, zebra, wildebeest and tsessebe.

Big Cave Camp reposes atop an enormous granite whaleback commanding inspirational views across the famous Matobo National Park. Big Cave Camp has a four star lodge with restaurant, as well as a well equipped camp site with adjacent Ndebele village. Sophisticated African architecture incorporates colossal boulders into a luxuriously appointed thatched lodge positioned amidst ancient Khoisan rock art.Retire at a day's end to the natural rock-pool and sundeck, the Leopard`s Lair lounge and bar, a cave-style boma for pre-dinner drinks or the popular lodge library. The seven thatched A-frame lodges, each with en-suite bathroom and private balcony, resonate African creative flair.Find solitude within an intimate retreat as secluded as the original Kalanga grain bins that nestle amongst the rocks.

Driving over the magnificent granite whale-back dwalas famous to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Matobo Hills brings you to the stunning Amalinda Lodge. An award winning property and rated top 3 Best Safari Camp in Zimbabwe in 2010, this lodge is ideal for the true safari connoisseur who is also looking for much more out of their experience. Guides here are Professional Archeologists whose knowledge of both the natural and historical splendor of the Matobo Hills completes the whole spiritual ambiance. Children of all ages welcome, malaria free area.

Welcome to Matobo Hills Lodge!The Matobo Hills are renowned not only for their beauty and abundant flora and fauna but also for their unique historical, cultural and spiritual significance. The granites of Matobo were formed over three thousand million years ago and have been carved by the erosive forces of nature into a remarkable gallery of sculptured rock covering several thousand square kilometres. In general terms two types of granite hills occur in Matobo. The chaotic jumbles of rocks and balancing boulders or ' castle kopjies' have been created by erosion working along the horizontal and vertical lines of weakness that formed as the ancient granites cooled. The massive ' whale backed' domes or ' dwalas' are the result of spheroidal weathering or 'onion skin peeling' that occurs during sudden changes in temperature. All of these forces of erosion act at an excruciatingly slow pace and it has taken nature hundreds of millions of years to create the incredible landscape we see today. Unfortunately she is not yet content with her efforts and her erosive power continues to act upon the surfaces of the rock. Nature will only rest when all the granites are gone and the Matobo becomes a flat, featureless sandy plain. Luckily for us this is going to take several more hundred million years so for now at least, we can continue to enjoy this amazing wilderness in all it's complexity. The northern section of the hills is a national park and it's wooded gorges and open valleys are home to a wide range of wildlife species including black and white rhinoceros, giraffe, sable antelope, kudu, impala, zebra, wildebeest and tsessebe.

The Farmhouse Lodge is situated on the boundary of the Matopos National Park. The original property farmhouse has been converted into Restaurant, Bar and reception, which overlooks the pool garden. Visitors are accommodated in individual cottages which have bedroom with en suite toilet and shower, open plan lounge and kitchenette area which includes a fridge and coffee/tea making facilities. The Lodge has mains 220v electricity and pay as you go internet access. The is the ideal location from which to explore the Matopos. The Lodge offers several activities, including visits to the Bushman cave painting on the property, beautiful hikes in the rocks or games drives on the property. The popular walking with rhino in the National Park can be organized with one of the local tour companies who will collect you from the lodge.

As a self-catering venue with fully equipped kitchens, Phomolo Safari Lodge offers guests two lovely thatched suites with en suite bathrooms. Guests can choose between the honeymoon suite (Thakgalo) which sleeps two and the family suite (Moloko) which sleeps four. Phomolo offers accommodation, game drives, bird watching, fishing, rock paintings, walking trails, camping and an event Venue.

The lodge has 19 chalets, 10 of which are undergoing renovation currently, 8 are ready to receive guests. We offer self-catering, bed and breakfast as well as camping accommodation facilities for our guests. The campsite has two safari tents of our own able to offer our guests, able to sleep two people each, as well a large area for people to setup their own tents, it also has ablutions available.