Matobo Hills Lodge

Matobo Hills Lodge sits on a granite outcrop inside Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe's oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The eighteen chalets — five double, eleven twin, and three family rooms — are built from natural stone under thatch roofs, each positioned to look out over the surrounding granite hills. Rooms have en-suite bathrooms, and a number have been upgraded with modern fittings.

The park's main draws are all reachable from the lodge. Rangers take guests out on foot to track both black and white rhino — a rare combination in southern Africa. Guided walks visit San rock art sites painted on the walls of cave shelters across the hills. Game drives run through the park at dusk. The area carries a strong bird list, with black eagles and Cape eagle owls recorded regularly, and the lodge offers dedicated birding as a structured activity.

Cultural tours reach nearby villages, and a full-day excursion covers the rock formations, rock art, and — on request — the grave of Cecil Rhodes on the hill called Malindidzimu. Note that a separate museum charge applies for that site.

Dining is under an open thatch structure, with meals served hot over a wood fire. The lodge also has a pool, a bar, a restaurant, a conference room, and complimentary internet access. It is malaria-free. An airport shuttle from Bulawayo is available on request.