- A family-owned 55,000-hectare private game reserve with 15km of exclusive Zambezi frontage.
- Eighteen luxury river-facing suites across two intimate camps, plus the exclusive-use Matetsi River House.
- Big Five wilderness with almost no other vehicles — game drives, river cruises, fishing and walking.
- Roughly 40km from Victoria Falls, part of the vast KAZA Trans-Frontier Conservation Area.
- Warm, genuine Zimbabwean hospitality on one of the finest private stretches of the river.
Why Matetsi Victoria Falls
Matetsi is the grand private-reserve counterpoint to the town lodges of Victoria Falls. Family-owned and quietly proud of it, the property spans some 55,000 hectares of wilderness with an extraordinary 15 kilometres of private Zambezi frontage. That exclusivity is the whole point: here you have a Big Five reserve, a great river and barely another vehicle in sight.
Around 40 kilometres upstream from the Falls, Matetsi forms part of the KAZA Trans-Frontier Conservation Area — the largest such reserve on Earth — linking Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Angola. It is wild, spacious and deeply personal, run by a team whose warmth is unmistakably Zimbabwean.
The Suites & Setting
Eighteen luxury suites are split across two intimate camps — twelve in the East Camp and six in the West Camp — each facing the Zambezi. Suites are generous and light-filled, with sliding glass walls onto a private deck and plunge pool, a copper-and-stone bathroom, and an interior of natural timber, stone and canvas that frames the river rather than competing with it.
For families and groups, the exclusive-use Matetsi River House offers four bedrooms with its own pool, chef, guide and vehicle. Each camp keeps numbers low, so the sense of a private wilderness — sundowners on the deck, elephants crossing the channel — is never diluted.
Wildlife & Activities
Matetsi is genuine Big Five country. Game drives cross riverine forest, mopane woodland and open grassland in search of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and a rich supporting cast of plains game, including sable and roan. The Zambezi adds a second dimension: sunset cruises among hippo and elephant, tiger-fishing outings, and guided walks that read the bush at ground level. Birdlife along the river is superb.
Because the reserve is private, sightings are unhurried and uncrowded — the antithesis of a busy national park. It is one of the few places near Victoria Falls where a proper, exclusive safari sits alongside the great waterfall.
Victoria Falls Within Reach
At about 40 kilometres from Victoria Falls, Matetsi combines a true safari with easy access to the Falls. Guided tours of the waterfall, sunset cruises, the Flight of Angels helicopter and the region's adventures are all arranged from the reserve, whether as a day excursion or a highlight en route. Many guests split their stay — the wild river reserve first, then the Falls itself — for the complete Victoria Falls experience.
Best Time to Visit
Matetsi is open year-round. The dry season, May to October, delivers the finest game viewing as wildlife concentrates on the river. February to May is peak flood for the Falls. The green season (November to March) is lush and quiet, with excellent birding, baby animals and dramatic skies.
Rates & How to Book
| Location | Private Zambezi reserve, ~40km from Victoria Falls |
|---|---|
| Rooms | 18 river suites (2 camps) + River House |
| Open | Year-round |
| Style | Family-owned luxury river reserve |
| Best for | Couples, families & safari-and-Falls combos |
Matetsi is offered fully inclusive of meals, drinks and activities — drives, cruises, fishing and walks. We tailor your stay and combine it with Hwange, Mana Pools or Chobe — contact us for live pricing.
Planning your own Victoria Falls safari? Talk to a Beyond Africa Safaris specialist, browse our tailor-made Zimbabwe packages, explore Zimbabwe's best lodges, or message us on WhatsApp for private, custom pricing.
