Matopo Hills
Matopo Hills are a range of granite hills and kopjes with heights that range from 1200 to 1500 meters.
The hills are located in Matopo National Park 30 kilometers south of Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe.
They cover an area of about 3100 km², of which 424 km² is National Park, the remainder being largely communal land and a small proportion of commercial farmland. The park extends along the Thuli, Mtshelele, Maleme and Mpopoma river valleys. Part of the national park is set aside as a 100 km² game park, which has been stocked with game including the white rhinoceros. The highest point in the hills is the promontory named Gulati (1549 m) just outside the north-eastern corner of the park
Matobo Hills are a range of domes, spires and balancing rock formations which have been hewn out of the solid granite plateau through millions of years of erosion and weathering. The majestic and rugged terrain of the park is a hiker’s paradise and the diversity of the vegetation supports a wide range of wildlife.
Matobo meaning ‘bald heads’ was the name chosen for the area by the great Ndebele King, Mzilikazi. He is buried in the Matobo Hills just a short distance from the park.
Popular Features:
- Cecil J.. Rhodes grave
- Allan Wilson memorial
- King Mzilkazi grave
- Rock paintings abound in the caves
Accomodation:
- Matopo Hills Lodge
- Maleme Camp
- Mtsheleli Camp
- Mwesilume Camp
- Toghwana Camp
- Arboretum Camp
- Sandy Spruit Camp
- Lake Matopos Camp
