Matetsi Victoria Falls

A stay at Matetsi Victoria Falls should come with a warning. Because yes – you are here for the wildlife, and to walk in the spray of the largest waterfall system in the world – but this family-owned lodge is so beautiful, so carefully considered, that you may never leave.

Set deep in the heart of a concession with 19km of swirling Zambezi river frontage, Matetsi’s location is about as good as it gets. It’s a short drive to the Unesco-listed Falls, and further afield excursions to try rafting, canyon swings, or exhilarating Devil’s Pool plunges are possible. But everything else you may need or want? It’s right here. Think, sitting alongside prides of lions, spying on herds of buffalo, and tracking packs of wild dogs by day, or spotting hungry hyena and slender genets on night drives. In between all those drives there’ll be muscle-melting massages, boma barbecues, large glasses of the very best South African wines, and three-course suppers beneath the stars. Leave time to simply sit on your terrace, wide-eyed at the wilderness that surrounds you.

LOCATION

Just a 45-minute drive upriver from the thundering Victoria Falls is the pristine 136,000-acre Matetsi Private Reserve – one of the most private and exclusive reserves in the region. Deep within it, on the edge of the mighty Zambezi – meaning “The Great River” in the local Tonga language – is this incredibly special multi-award-winning safari of Matetsi. That’s the lodge’s location, as for your room? Somehow even more spectacular: each of the lodge’s suites and villas have a front-row view of the river, where hippos snort and crocodiles slip by

YOUR ROOM

The suites are so sublime that they could be plucked straight out of a shoot in a glossy magazine. The style is African contemporary, with a theme of ‘Life on the River’ conceptualised by the lodge’s Zimbabwean architectural designer. You’ll see that theme everywhere you look – with polished earth surfaces, hand-beaten local copper detailing, clay-pot downlighters that cast a romantic glow in the evening, and custom art work by local artisans. Cow hide rugs provide cosiness underfoot, gnarled tree trunks double as side tables and a soft floating off-white voile draws around your bed come night fall. The space flows beautifully from inside to outside – with an outdoor tub and shower to the rear – while at the front, a plunge pool and seated area shaded by bleached wood and made comfy with cream bolster cushions is the perfect spot for bird watching, or if you’re lucky, a thirsty elephant may swing by. There are 18 suites like this – nine on each side of a sprawling four-bedroom private villa which occupies a central waterside position.

WHO IT SUITS

Couples, families, solo travelers, and larger groups will feel warmly welcomed and happy here, and the room configuration of the family suites makes traveling with kids particularly easy. Instead of them sharing your room, awakened by inevitably deep-sleep snores, they can sleep in an interconnecting room that’s reached from the master suite by an enclosed passageway. For more privacy, the four-bedroom villa has its own dedicated team, including a private chef and butler, plus a private safari vehicle and guide at your disposal. And, for even more privacy than that, exclusive buy outs of the entire camp are possible too.

WHY WE LIKE IT

How could we not? This isn’t just about location and incredible game viewing, with a team of Zimbabwean wildlife guides (often considered the best in Africa), who are brilliant at making things entertaining and engaging for kids. It’s also about the feeling you have when you’re here. Relaxed. At home. Happy. It’s in part down to the endearing service and smiling team, but also the other elements that make this stay supremely comfortable: your fabulous suite, your delicious food, all prepped according to your whims and wishes, the location, right on the water’s edge – it’s impossible to not adore every minute of staying here. Trust us when we say, it’s a sad goodbye when it’s time to move on.

SUSTAINABILITY

Conservation is a huge part of this camp. From the wood, stone and thatched used to build it (all sourced locally) to the natural products used in the spa. Impressive initiatives are in place: wildlife such as waterbuck are being reintroduced to the reserve, and the lodge has its own in-house anti-poaching unit to protect an area previously devastated by poaching and illegal hunting. There are also certain basics in place that you’d expect – like reducing the use of plastic and ensuring waste is recycled.