Matobo National Park occupies 44,000-hectare space making it one of the nation’s small reserves. The park is internationally famous and situated near Bulawayo at mesmerizing Matobo Hills. It is popularly renowned for its richness in ancient rock painting and amazeballs of granite rocks left by the Bushmen 2000 years ago. Moreover, this is another UNESCO World Heritage site. The flora here include; aloes, mountain acacia, paperbark acacia, wild pear, wild herbs, and 100 plus grass species. It is a hiker’s paradise, thanks to the rugged and sublime landscape. Furthermore, the NP is a meticulous protection zone for the large concentration of white and black rhinoceros. It has become a famous destination for tourists visiting for adventurous rhino tracking. Unfortunately, you won’t see elephants or lions at Matobo National Park. There are over 39 snakes, 175 birds, 16 fishes, and 88 mammals’ species. The popular animals to spot at the park include; sable antelopes, hyenas, monkey, duiker, waterbuck, leopards, zebra, buffalo, giraffe, and impala. It also hosts a large number of Verreaux’s (Black) Eagles on the globe. There are multiple camps and lodges at Matobo National Park. You will also find the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, a colonist who is buried at the ‘hill of benevolent spirits. Learn about the history of this place by taking a tour-guided safari.
The best time to visit Matobo National Park
The ideal time to tour Matobo National Park is in May-October during the long dry season. Several water sources in the park have dried up, and the grass thinned out. Hence, it provides perfect sighting for the animals. From November to April, the periodic rain comes bearing many mosquitoes.
