Amalinda Lodge
Nine granite-built rooms hidden in ancient rock shelters in Zimbabwe's Matobo Hills
Built into two-million-year-old granite boulders, Amalinda Lodge occupies an ancient rock shelter in the Matobo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Zimbabwe. Nine rooms are carved into the kopjes, each designed around the natural rock formations. Three honeymoon suites include outside baths and viewing decks. Three family rooms hold two double beds and open-plan bathrooms with sunken baths. The San Suite contains an original San rock painting on the wall. The Lobengula Suite sits 90 steps up through the rocks. The Rhodes Suite connects to a private viewing platform via a swing bridge.
An infinity pool is set into a natural depression in the granite; the base is bare rock reflecting the sky. The main dining area serves three-course meals around a teak table made from railway ties from Cecil Rhodes's Cape-to-Cairo line. A spa is built into the boulders of the sunset lounge. The library, wine cellar, and open kitchen occupy communal areas beneath the rock face.
Guided drives track white and black rhino across the park; walkers are accompanied by armed National Parks scouts. Over 2,000 San rock-art sites lie within the hills, reached on foot along trails of varying difficulty. Bicycle rides cover 11 or 24 kilometres through Ndebele villages. You can hear baboons echo through the kopjes at dusk. Cultural tours visit local homesteads, a clinic, and a primary school supported by the Mother Africa Trust.
An infinity pool is set into a natural depression in the granite; the base is bare rock reflecting the sky. The main dining area serves three-course meals around a teak table made from railway ties from Cecil Rhodes's Cape-to-Cairo line. A spa is built into the boulders of the sunset lounge. The library, wine cellar, and open kitchen occupy communal areas beneath the rock face.
Guided drives track white and black rhino across the park; walkers are accompanied by armed National Parks scouts. Over 2,000 San rock-art sites lie within the hills, reached on foot along trails of varying difficulty. Bicycle rides cover 11 or 24 kilometres through Ndebele villages. You can hear baboons echo through the kopjes at dusk. Cultural tours visit local homesteads, a clinic, and a primary school supported by the Mother Africa Trust.