Massive herds of elephant and buffalo can be encountered along the Zambezi River banks, while rare sable and roan antelope roam the woodlands. Matetsi is also a birdwatchers paradise, with more than 366 bird species. Large numbers of hippo, crocodile and Cape clawless otter can be encountered along the river banks. Set in an area famous for its concentration of elephant, Matetsi boasts large herds of these African giants. A herd of elephant coming down to the river’s edge to drink, bathe and wallow in mud is a quintessential African sight that no guest can ever forget. 

While lion are often spotted at Matetsi during the day, our night drives provide a unique opportunity to view them on the hunt. Matetsi is also home to what is often regarded as the most handsome of antelope - the sable. Sable males, with their jet black coat, ebony facial marking and swept-back horns, are a striking sight in the marshes and woodlands of Matetsi. Females are dramatically different to their male counterparts, with rusty brown coats and shorter horns. During the dry season, sable often remain in the same area, making them easier to find.

Family groups of hippo can be spotted wallowing lazily in the Zambezi River throughout the day and may even be encountered grazing on the floodplains after dark. Crocodile are also a common sight in the river, with females burying large clutches of eggs in the soft river banks during breeding season. The riverine habitat is also home to the African fish eagle, with its call one of the most haunting and evocative sounds of the African bush. Distinguished by its white head and breast, the fish eagle can often be spotted in the tops of tall trees along the river bank.

Recent Sightings from Wildwatch.com

Flying Squirrel - 22 June 2010
We found a Tree Squirrel making a nest at the main guest area at West water, Matetsi. The Squirrel was busy lining the nest with leaves and she was going backwards and forwards between a small group of bushes and the nest , stripping leaves off the...
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Drinking Elephants - 22 June 2010
On the afternoon boat cruise along the Zambezi river at Matetsi we came across 5 herds of Elephants drinking along the river shore, there must have been at least 100 Elephants drinking along a 200 meter stretch of water, it had been a warm day and the...
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Wild dogs ! - 22 June 2010
On our morning game drive our ranger Calvet saw tracks of Wild dogs in the sand on the main road, he immediately saw they were fresh and we decided to try and find the dogs by tracking them, we followed the tracks for about 3km before finally we saw a...
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