Matobo is famous not so much for its wildlife as its stunning geology and landscapes. The park incorporates the remnants of a granite batholith – a vast intrusion from the earth’s molten core which heated, cooled and cracked into the massive balancing boulders which we see today. The boulders appear brooding and, when photographed in the right light, almost alien. Yet they are also fascinating sites of human history, housing well-preserved cave paintings produced by our distant ancestors.
Matobo’s boulders, or ‘kopjes’, are its main attraction, though there is also excellent wildlife viewing to be had within the park, including black and white rhino, a healthy population of leopard that thrives in Matobo’s hilly landscape, and plentiful plains game. The wildlife is concentrated within the Whovi game portion of the park, though birding is good throughout, with African hawk eagle, Cape eagle and black eagle often seen around the kopjes.
In and around Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe
Matobo is a small and often-overlooked national park. This is a shame, for the scenery is stunning and the park is very easy to include in most itineraries of Zimbabwe, being within easy driving distance of south-eastern Hwange.
Matobo is best explored on foot. Thanks to its cool climate and gently undulating terrain, the park lends itself perfectly to walking. There are no lion, buffalo or elephant in the park, and it can be safely explored without an armed ranger.
Among Matobo’s standout wildlife attractions are its black and white rhino populations, which can be tracked on foot. The park also boasts a substantial population of leopard. Despite this, sightings are far from guaranteed; notoriously shy creatures, Matobo's leopards' make great use of the boulders and high hills to hide from spying eyes!
Though often overlooked in favour of Zimbabwe’s bigger game parks, Matobo offers a highly unique experience, with stunning scenery and rare game attractions.
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