Matobo National Park
Two billion years of erosion sculpted the granite south of Bulawayo into domes, castle-like kopjes and boulders balanced impossibly on top of one another. Matobo National Park protects the heart of the Matobo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rock art and living spiritual traditions – the most spiritual of Zimbabwe tourist attractions.
The name is thought to come from the Ndebele word for "bald heads", a reference to the smooth granite domes. Mzilikazi, founder of the Ndebele kingdom, was buried in these hills, and they remain home to shrines of the Mwari (Mwali) rain cult, where people still come to pray for rain. Zimbabwe's oldest national park, created in 1926, Matobo combines wildlife, archaeology and living culture in a way few other parks can match.
Why visit Matobo?
It is one of Africa's best places to track rhinos on foot, with one of the highest densities of leopards and black eagles anywhere. Caves hold thousands of San paintings, some 13,000 years old, and shrines in the hills are still in use.
The game park section, a fenced area within the national park, protects both black and white rhinos along with giraffes, zebras, sable and other antelope. The cliffs and boulders provide ideal nesting sites for Verreaux's (black) eagles, which hunt the abundant rock hyraxes. Archaeological finds in caves such as Pomongwe show human occupation here going back tens of thousands of years.
Getting there and around
The park is 35 kilometres south of Bulawayo, whose airport has flights from Johannesburg and Harare. A tarred road crosses the park, with gravel tracks to dams and viewpoints; rhino walks are led by licensed guides.
The park is divided into a recreational area, open to all vehicles, and the game park, where some tracks require a high-clearance vehicle. Bulawayo itself is worth a stop for its wide colonial streets, the Natural History Museum and the UNESCO-listed Khami Ruins nearby.
Highlights not to miss
- World's View (Malindidzimu): A granite summit with Cecil Rhodes's grave and the Shangani Patrol memorial, and sunset views across the hills.
- Rhino tracking: White and black rhinos on foot, following tracks with an experienced guide.
- Nswatugi and Pomongwe Caves: Outstanding rock art, including finely painted giraffes and human figures.
- Maleme Dam: Picnics, birding and rock climbing in a peaceful setting.
Practical tips
Smooth granite is slippery, so wear grippy shoes; respect sacred sites and their photography rules.
Park fees are payable at the gate, with separate charges for the game park. Some caves involve short, steep walks, and a local guide greatly enriches visits to the rock art and spiritual sites.
Best time to visit
April to October suits walking; summer storms over the hills are spectacular.
Winter mornings from June to August can be cold, but the days are clear and ideal for climbing the granite domes. The rains from November to March turn the valleys green and bring migrant birds.
Accommodation and food
Lodges built among the boulders offer fine food and guided activities, while park cottages at Maleme Dam are an affordable alternative.
Several lodges are set on private land bordering the park, with rooms built into the rock and outdoor dining under granite overhangs, and they run rhino tracking, cave visits and cultural trips into nearby villages.
How does it compare to other Zimbabwe tourist attractions?
Where Hwange is about elephant herds, Matobo blends rhinos, scenery and culture – ideal with Great Zimbabwe on a heritage route such as the 10-day Zimbabwe heritage and wildlife tour, which visits both along with Hwange and the Falls.
Its blend of landscapes, history and walking safaris makes it one of the most rewarding and least crowded parks in southern Africa.
In summary
Track a rhino in the morning and watch the sun set from World's View in the evening. For the fullest picture of the south-west, the 14-day expedition tour also passes through the Matopos.
