The call of Africa
Set along Zimbabwe’s Zambezi River, just 40km above the world’s largest waterfall, andBeyond’s Matetsi Private Game Reserve reopened August 1 after a multimillion-dollar makeover.
The exquisite enclave offers easy access to 123,500 acres of premier African wildlife viewing and 18 suites divided equally into two camps as well as a fitness centre, massage studio, conference facility, and a 20-metre outdoor pool that flanks the river. Those searching for more seclusion can reserve the River House, a private four-bedroom villa with its own kitchen, indoor and alfresco dining areas, a spacious veranda, a personal swimming pool, and a fire pit. The residence also features its own chef, butler, guide, and vehicle.
Complementing the amenities are a host of bucket-list activities such as bungee jumping, white-water rafting and, of course, a guided glimpse of wildlife, which can include elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelope, buffalo, and a bevy of big cats including lions, cheetahs, and leopards.
For guests staying at least two nights, a tour of Victoria Falls is provided at no additional charge. A UNESCO World Heritage site also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya (“the smoke that thunders” in the Lozi language), the wall of water measures 108 metres and over 1.7km wide. The awe-inspiring itinerary culminates at the Victoria Falls Hotel for high tea.
Not only a posh portal to the region’s intricate ecosystem, the Matetsi Private Game Reserve also serves as its steward, creating 14 new watering holes (sustained by solar pumps) and deploying armed anti-poaching patrols. These steps, combined with andBeyond’s hallmark hospitality, give the term “creature comforts” a more comprehensive scope.
