Matetsi Victoria Falls

Matetsi Victoria Falls has a prime location on a private 15km stretch along the banks of the Zambezi River (the river’s name means ‘The Great River’ in the local Tonga language). It is set within the 55,000 hectares of pristine and unspoiled wilderness of Matetsi Private Game Reserve.

Matetsi River Lodge is at the heart of Matetsi and has a prime waterfront location, in the shade of the giant riverside trees. There are two ‘camps’, each with nine river-facing suites, including one family suite at each camp. The spacious, air-conditioned suites have plush king-sized beds, circular limestone bathtubs, indoor and outdoor rainshowers. Sliding glass doors lead to private verandas with plunge pools beside the Zambezi. The interiors feature polished wood and hand-beaten local copper details, with splashes of blue, and utilise repurposed materials, in a nod to the country's historic mining industry. The family suites have a double bedroom adjoined to a twin-bedded children’s room, each with private bathrooms.

Matetsi’s private exclusive-use villa, the River House, is the perfect option for larger groups of family and friends, and for those looking for a little more privacy and seclusion. It has four bedrooms with private bathrooms, a kitchen and beautiful open-plan indoor and outdoor living and dining areas, with large verandas and a private pool overlooking the river. Guests at the villa can also enjoy the services of a chef and butler, as well as the use of a private safari vehicle and a personal guide and tracker, offering the ultimate safari experience.

Indulge in gourmet private dining courtesy of your chef, including fresh fish such as Zambezi bream and local peanut butter rice, alongside fine South African wines from the most impressive wine cellar in the region. There are also two guest areas on the eastern and western sides of the lodge, each with a kitchen, a bar and an al fresco boma where guests can gather around the fire bowl under the starry skies in the evening.

After a day visiting the falls or going on safari, cool off in the inviting 20m lap pool, which flanks the river, or treat yourself to a relaxing massage in the sala, with a traditional treatment using African aromatherapy oils and soothing botanical body balms.

Around Victoria Falls, go white water rafting or bungee jumping, see it from the air in a helicopter for a panoramic bird's eye view, or indulge in high tea overlooking the falls.

Matetsi is also an ideal base for wildlife spotting in the Matetsi Private Game Reserve, where you can see herds of elephants, buffaloes and plains game. Join expert local guides on morning and afternoon game drives and bush walks, and go on sunrise and sunset cruises and canoeing adventures on Matetsi's private section of river.