Matetsi Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
Matetsi Victoria Falls
Matetsi Private Game Reserve, Kazangula Road,
Victoria Falls,
Zimbabwe
www.matetsivictoriafalls.com
HOTEL INFORMATION
Shareholders
Privately owned
Date of Creation
2016
Hotel General Manager
N/A
Hotel Positioning
5 Star Luxury
Development Strategy
N/A
Matetsi Victoria Falls
History & Story
Just over a decade ago, the Gardiner family first stepped on to the land that is now called Matetsi Private Game Reserve. After years of misuse, illegal hunting and poaching, the land was aching for a tender touch. With passion, and love and a long-term vision – to be examples of regenerative conservation while curating one of the top lodges in Africa – the Gardiner family, supported and surrounded by talented, hardworking locals, set about the task of creating a safe, unbounded space for wild animals. It was a space into which interested visitors from near and far were invited so that they too could share in all that is exceptional about Zimbabwe – from the magnificent landscapes to the heartfelt hospitality.
Date Renewal
N/A
Main Strengths, Special Touch
Matetsi Victoria Falls is an idyllic award-winning five-star retreat that provides the ideal base from which to visit the world’s largest waterfall. Situated on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, Matetsi Victoria Falls offers an unparalleled blend of exclusive safari and tranquil river experiences. This family-owned haven transcends the typical lodge, providing a curated escape into 136,000 acres of private, pristine wilderness, with immersive game drives, captivating walking safaris and serene river cruises, which showcase the region’s abundant wildlife and awe-inspiring beauty.
While the superb location, beautifully designed lodge and understated luxury are generally the initial drawcards, it’s the feel of Matetsi, its indelible magic, that our guests love most. Our extraordinary team, including talented chefs, warm hosts, attentive waiters, and charismatic guides, truly elevate the experience here.
Location
Matetsi Victoria Falls is situated on a private 136,000-acre concession, with a 9 mile stretch of exclusive river frontage along the mighty Zambezi River. It is just 40km upstream from the UNESCO World Heritage site of the famous Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
This pristine wilderness consists of a variety of different ecosystems and 9 miles of Zambezi River frontage, provides habitats for a huge variety of flora and fauna.
The property lies in the North-West corner of our home country, which is renowned for having the second largest elephant population in the world and still holds significant tracts of African teak, both of which are evident here.
Perhaps most significantly, Matetsi Private Game Reserve lies at the heart of the enormous Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (TFCA) – the largest TFCA in the world, which incorporates five cooperating countries: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, and Angola.
Key sites/activities in the area
Matetsi Victoria Falls offers the ideal combination of safari, river, the Victoria Falls and relaxation all wrapped up in warm genuine Zimbabwean hospitality. Experience Matetsi Magic from sunrise safaris to sunset boat cruises. There is a wide range of activities available within Matetsi Private Game Reserve and Victoria Falls town offers additional activities catering for authentic culture seekers through to avid adventure enthusiasts.
• Victoria Falls – The guided walking tour of the falls, provides guests with the opportunity to discover the many facets of the magnificent Victoria Falls. During this exceptional excursion, you can explore the surrounding rainforest in the company of your personal guide who is intimately acquainted with the history of the Falls, as well as its geological significance, and its flora and fauna. You’ll have the opportunity to soak up the beautiful vistas, lush surroundings, magical waterfalls and the spray of the Falls.
• Safari – Set on the vast 136,000-acre Matetsi Private Game Reserve, Matetsi Victoria Falls offers a truly exclusive safari experience. At the heart of the KAZA Transfrontier, the world largest Transfrontier conservation area, this expansive wilderness has no fences and so wildlife roam freely, as they would have hundreds of years ago. Here you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy morning and evening game drives as well as night drives and walking safaris.
• Boat Cruises – Matetsi Private Game Reserve lies along 9 miles of private Zambezi River frontage, offering exclusive river cruises, including the stunning sunrise cruise and the renowned Zambezi River sunset cruise.
• Victoria Falls Town Activities: Through our sister company, Signature Africa, we can arrange various exciting activities in Victoria Falls town: helicopter flights over Victoria Falls, white-water rafting, gorge swings, and bungee jumping to name a few. We also have a deep passion for local culture and offer Village Tours and Homestead Visits, where you can learn about the rich traditions, history, and daily life of the local communities.
Children’s Corner
At Matetsi Victoria Falls, we welcome children of all ages. We believe that family travel is about creating lasting memories, nurturing a love for nature, and sharing unforgettable experiences with the ones that you love. We offer a range of activities for our young guests, known as our « Matetsi Cubs, » allowing them to connect with nature, engage with our team, and discover the wonders of this remarkable part of the world. Although we welcome children of all ages, we do limit participation on certain game and river activities due to safety reasons.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
Number of Suites:
• 16 x River Lodge Suites
• 2 x two-bedroom River Lodge Family Suites
• 1 x exclusive-use four-bedroomed River House.
All suites and the River House are air-conditioned, featuring private plunge pools, and are positioned along the Zambezi River frontage, offering unmatched privacy, peace, and tranquillity. Each river lodge and family suite also include a butler’s hatch for early morning tea or coffee deliveries.
Our 19 suites are divided into two camps—East and West. Each camp includes eight suites and one family suite, ensuring a perfect balance of seclusion, comfort, and serenity.
• River Lodge Family Suites:
Our Family Suites have been specifically designed with families in mind. Each suite consists of a master suite (as per our River Lodge suites) and a children’s room, which is connected via an enclosed passageway. Guests staying in our Family Suites will have a private safari vehicle, guide and tracker throughout their stay.
• River House:
Our exclusive-use four-bedroomed River House offers the ideal home-away-from-home for families or friends travelling together. Here you’ll be looked after by a dedicated team, including a private chef and hospitable host. A private safari vehicle is at your disposal, with your personal guide and tracker ensuring a tailor-made safari experience.
Restaurants & Bars
Alongside private dining experiences, guests can enjoy meals in the main dining areas at both East and West Camps, with camp bars and a boma (BBQ) area.
We love to surprise and delight our guests with special touches like bush dinners and breakfasts after a morning or evening safari, or private lunches in our beautiful wine cellar.
Wellness
At our massage sala, guests can relax and unwind on the banks of the Zambezi River, while skilled Spa Therapists treat them to their treatment of choice, whether that be a massage, body-wrap, facial, manicure or pedicure.
Our selected luxury products and treatments are inspired by the wisdom of Africa’s traditional healers and celebrate our vibrant heritage, communities and plant life. All treatments begin with a traditional African foot cleansing ritual, which clears the mind and brings a sense of calm, and end with the soothing sounds of traditional Rain Stick Therapy.
We also have a 20m lap pool in the guest recreational area, a gym room with Technogym equipment and an area to practice yoga.
Corporate & Celebration Events
Intimate and bespoke celebrations are available on request
Extra Notable Features
The concept of Matetsi Victoria Falls is to showcase exceptional Zimbabwean talent, from the architectural design, through to each aspect of the guest experience, from food to service and activities on property. In line with this, every small detail of our guest stay has been considered from a warm welcome with cool towels and homemade beverages, to universal plugs and Bluetooth speakers in the rooms, as well as top-of-the range safari vehicles and boats. This attention to detail coupled with authentic Zimbabwean hospitality make for a truly excellent guest experience.
Hotel and restaurant Awards
2025
• Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2025
2024:
• Travel + Leisure No. 1 Resort Hotel in Africa 2024
• Condé Nast Traveler Top 15 Resorts in Southern Africa – Readers’ Choice Awards 2024
2023:
• Condé Nast Traveller Top 15 Resorts in Southern Africa – Readers’ Choice Awards 2023
• Tatler Travel Awards 2023 Winner Off Grid Glamour
• Tatler Travel 101 Best Hotels in the World – Tatler Travel Guide 2023
• Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2023
2022:
• Condé Nast Traveller Top 20 Resorts in Africa – Readers’ Choice Awards 2022
• Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2022
2021
• Travel + Leisure No. 1 Resort Hotel in Africa 2021
• Travel + Lesure Top 3 Resort Hotels in Africa in 2021 – Readers’ Choice Awards 2021
• Travel + Lesure Top 100 Hotels in the World in 2021 – Readers’ Choice Awards 2021
2020:
• Condé Nast Traveller Top 25 Resorts in Africa – Readers’ Choice Awards 2020
2019
• Condé Nast Traveller Top 30 Resorts in Africa – Readers’ Choice Awards 2019
• Travel + Lesure Top 10 Safari Lodges in Africa 2019
• Travel + Lesure Top 100 Hotels in the World 2019
2018
• Condé Nast Traveller Top 30 Resorts in Africa – Readers’ Choice Awards 2018
2017
• Condé Nast Traveller Top 30 Resorts in Africa – Readers’ Choice Awards 2017
• Condé Nast Traveller Hot List – Readers’ Choice Awards
• House and Leisure 6 top safari destinations in Africa
• About Time Magazine – Worlds most Instragrammable hotels
• Tatler Travel Awards – Winner Wild and Wonderful
• Travel & Leisure – Best New Hotels in the World
Number of employees
Approx 200