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

Painted Hunting Dogs!! - 26 February 2010
We were just 3min into our morning safari after a heavy down pour, expecting a quite morning. Wild Dogs! as Casper(Ranger) shouted, pointing at them, right in the middle of Katombola East road. It is the pack of eleven dogs the same pack sighted three...
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A Crocodile Takes-over 5 Lions' Kill - 11 February 2010
About 2km from the Mighty Zambezi, 'A Crocodile' was here on the lion kill. The Crocodile had waged war against these cats and lions couldn't let it their rare prey(Giraffe), there was a lot growling and grunting as lions tried to defend their prey,...
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What A Rare Prey For Matetsi Lions!!! - 09 February 2010
For years, a lot of try and error for Matetsi lions to get it right on Girraffes, but this time they made it-got it right. From a distance it looked as if they were in a morning play, flicking their tails now and then. With the aid of our binoculars we...
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