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Write a User ReviewBald Heads & Black Eagles
The plusses for this park are its magnificent, towering granite ‘whalebacks’ and precarious-looking rock stacks, its scenically positioned lakes and the fact that it has one of the most concentrated collections of prehistoric rock paintings in Africa. Cecil Rhodes’ grave is here in a spectacular setting and the whole park is a photographer’s paradise. The rocks are home to an astonishing variety of raptors, including the largest population of Verreaux’s eagle in the world. On the minus side, although it has the densest concentration of leopard in Africa, they are largely nocturnal and seldom seen; and the Whovi Wilderness Area, which is designated as the game-viewing area, is not very wild and not very large, though you stand a fair chance of seeing the resident rhino, both black and white. I really love this park, but more for the amazing scenery and atmosphere than the wildlife.
Land of Giant Boulders
The most popular place to visit in Matobo National Park is the aptly named ‘View of the World’. Here, the grave of Cecil John Rhodes (the British imperialist who founded Rhodesia, as Zimbabwe was known prior to independence) stands atop a vast whaleback at the centre of a ring of giant boulders where you might see colourful agama lizards, twitchy-nosed elephant shrews, and the near-endemic boulder chat. Elsewhere, there are no restrictions on walking, and hikers often encounter klipspringer, rock hyrax, impala and the magnificent
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Verreaux’s eagle.Matobo is not a conventional safari destination. On my most recent visit, I saw almost no large mammals, with one notable exception in the form of white rhino, which I tracked on foot with an armed ranger – the only national park in Zimbabwe where this unforgettable activity is currently offered. I also did a self-drive game drive in the fenced Whovi Game Area, which is home to the park’s only black rhino and giraffe, but I saw neither, and the poor condition of the roads made for a stressful outing.
Matobo National Park: A Giant’s Playground
On a drive around the park, you might come across white rhino as well. However, it is worth booking a rhino-tracking trip to increase your chances of seeing these endangered heavyweights. Furthermore, the experience of seeing them on foot is a lot more exciting than from a car.
Other highlights include a visit to Rhodes’ Grave. A little site museum gives insight into the controversial life story of Cecil John Rhodes. Even if that doesn’t excite you, his
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burial site, named World’s View, is worth a visit for the glorious vista across the park alone.Last but not least are the numerous ancient rock art paintings dotted around the park. You could spend a week here exploring all the different sites, but with limited time, a visit to the easily accessible Nswatugi Cave rock paintings is highly recommended.