Matapos National Park

• Spectacular scenery
• San/Bushmen cave paintings
• Cecil John Rhodes’s last resting place

The Matopos Hills are situated in Southern Zimbabwe and most of the impressive landscape is protected within the Matopos National Park. The local Matabele people called the spectacular scenery of bare granite hills and scattered boulders Malindidzimu  “the place of ancestor spirits” and it is believed that the San Bushmen also held the hills in high regard, painting remarkable scenes in various caves.

The hills got their name from the Ndebele word Amatobo, which means “bald headed men”, referring to the unusual rocks and boulders. Visitors are struck by the scenic landscape and the mysterious atmosphere, which moved famous colonialist Cecil John Rhodes to such an extent that he wanted to be buried at World’s View, his favourite place in the Matopos. His burial site can be visited in the park.

The national park is also home to wildlife such as rhino, giraffe, hippo and a large leopard population as well as birdlife such as the Black Eagle. Excellent examples of San rock paintings can be seen at the Nswatugi Cave.

Special Features Include:

• The highest concentration of Black Eagles - which are only found in this kind of mountainous country 
• Geological formations of 2000 million years old
• Great rhino viewing