Diverse African wildlife: Matetsi’s 45 000-hectare (111 200-acre) private wildlife concession abutting the mighty Zambezi River, contains five distinct habitats home to an incredible array of Africa’s big game.
- Superlative African wildlife
- Excellent elephant viewing
- Huge buffalo herds
- Lion, leopard, spotted hyena and African wild dog
- Rare sable and roan antelope
- Excellent birdwatching including several miombo species
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Matetsi Game Lodges' Habitats:
The broad Zambezi River is home to a variety of aquatic plants and wildlife. The river is flanked by riverine woodland with impressive sausage, leadwood and waterberry trees. Seasonal floodplains and marshes attract abundant waterfowl. Acacia trees and productive grasses dominate nutrient-rich drainage lines which are the most productive habitats for many large herbivores. Tall woodland grows on deep Kalahari sands, with Zambezi teak, msasa and manketti trees prominent. A number of small forested islands exist in the broad river. |
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Mammals at Matetsi Game Lodges:
Great herds of elephant and buffalo quench their thirst in the Zambezi River during the dry season (May to October). Stately sable and rare roan antelope favour the fringes of woodlands. Lion, leopard and spotted hyena are most often encountered on night drives. Matetsi is one of very few areas in Zimbabwe where night game drives are permitted. Endangered African wild dog occasionally set up dens during the winter months. Large rafts of hippo and Cape clawless otter are at home in the Zambezi River. Fruit bats and lesser bushbabies are active after dark. |
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Birds at Matetsi Game Lodges:
There are 366 species recorded at Matetsi. African fish eagle patrol the Zambezi River, where African finfoot and rock pratincole also breed. Large numbers of ducks, geese, storks and herons visit seasonal marshes. Secretive Pel’s fishing owl and flamboyant Schalow’s turaco inhabit riparian forest and wooded islands. The Kori bustard (the world’s heaviest flying bird) is commonly seen in open woodland. White-breasted cuckooshrike, racket-tailed roller, Bradfield’s hornbill and Arnot’s chat are typical of tall woodland. |
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Other African Wildlife:
Impressive Nile crocodile can be seen basking along the Zambezi River. Tigerfish, red-breasted tilapia and nembwe are abundant. African rock python, flap-necked chameleon and tropical house gecko are other interesting reptiles. Seasonal wetlands echo with the sound of breeding frogs after the first summer rains. Dung beetles are among the most abundant and interesting insects, while a huge variety of butterflies, dragonflies and moths are also conspicuous. |
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| For exciting wildlife sightings, visit CC Africa's entertaining
and informative wildlife website www.wildwatch.com. |
