Interaction between people and the landscape began at least 500 000 years ago. Within the last 10 000 years, rock paintings of outstanding beauty and intricate detail recorded how people obtained spiritual power from the landscape, trees and from animais such as the kudu, giraffe, elephant and termites.
Strong religious beliefs fostered by the landscape continue to play an important rôle in contemporary communities. Some date to at least 2000 years ago and are based on rock formations, pools, trees and certain animais in rain-making, fertility, cleansing, burial, shielding and healing ceremonies. The Matobo Hills are regarded as the seat of ancestral spirits and God. The intangible heritage associated with the shrines is one of the most powerful living cultural traditions in Southern Africa and attracts pilgrims from ail over the region.
The combination of unique values of the Matobo Hills contributes to the economie empowerment of local communities.
The Park is home to a wide variety of animal species. Animais found at Matobo include black and white rhinocerous, zebras, wildebeests, giraffe, kudu, eland, sable, klingspringer, leopard, hyena, cheetah, hippo, warthogs, dassies, waterbuck, wild cat, springhare, common duiker, crocodiles, baboons and monkeys.
The richness of the Park can also be seen from the diverse bird life. The park is famous for its large concentration of Black Eagles, which can be seen perched atop the rock formations or soaring along the cliffs in search of prey.
Bird species that can be found include, fish eagle, martial eagle, francolin, secretary birds, weavers, pied crows and Egyptiangeese.
Fish species readily found in this Park include, bass, bottle fish, bream, cat fish and robustas, Matobo National Park has a mixed type of vegetation that ranges from Mopane, Acacia species, Brachystegia in other areas, Figtrees, Azanza species, Zizphus species, Strychnos species and Terminalia species.
FACILITIES
Accommodation facilities are located at White waters, Tshabalala Sanctuary, Toghwana, Hazelside and Mtsheleli. Maleme Rest Camp provides accommodation in the form of chalets and lodges and it is by far the largest place of rest in the Park.
LODGES
Electrified accommodation is found at Maleme Rest Camp where the main offices are located. There are 7 types of lodges at Maleme. There are 12 lodges with 2 bed rooms, a kitchen with fridge, stove, cutlery and crockery, Some of the lodges have 4 single beds and others have 1 double bed and 2 singles. Ail lodges are equipped either with dressing tables or wardrobes, dinning rooms with tables, chairs, heaters, flush toilet and bathrooms with cold and hot water. There are 3 single bedroom lodges with similar facilities as the 2 bed roomed lodges
Exclusive Lodges Fish Eagle
This is a 2 bed roomed lodge with 5 beds i.e. one double and one single bed, one bedroom with 2 single beds ail with linen, 2 dressing tables. The kitchen has a fridge, 4 plate stove, electric kettle, crockery and cutlery. The lodge has a flush toilet, bathroom with tub and hot shower, veranda, garden table and chairs.
Black Eagle
This is a 2 bed roomed lodge with 5 beds i.e. one double and one single bed, one bedroom with 2 single beds ail with linen, 2 dressing tables. The kitchen has a fridge, 4 plate stove, electric kettle, crockery and cutlery. The lodge has a flush toilet, bathroom with tub and hot shower, veranda, garden table and chairs.
imbila
Top of the range accommodation with 2 bedrooms containing 2 double teak beds. Each bedroom has 4-seater teak easy chairs. There are 2 ensuite bathrooms and flush toilets. The dinning room has a teak table. The veranda overlooking the river has a garden table and chairs. The kitchen has a fridge, 4 plate stove, crockery and cutlery supplied.
CHALETS
• 5 single bedroom chalets have 2 single beds, dressing tables, wall wardrobes, dinning tables with chairs for 2.
The kitchen is communal and is equipped with 2 plate stoves. Ablution facilities are communal. Heaters are also supplied in the chalets.
• 1 two-bedroomed chalet with one double bed and 2 single beds, dressing tables, wall wardrobes. The chalet has a dinning room with dinning table and chairs for 2. The kitchen is communal and is equipped with 2 plate stoves. Ablution facilities are also communal. Heaters are also supplied in the chalet.
CAMPSITES
Cooking facilities are available on wood or charcoal braais. Ablution and toilet facilities are provided in a communal block.
Communal Campsite
Camping sites are available at Maleme Dam, Mthselele Dam, Toghwana Dam, Mesilume Dam and Arboretum.
CONFERENCE FACILITIES
The Rhodes Hall is a conference facility that can host up to 30 delegates depending on the required sitting arrangement. There is a black board, projector, 60 inch colour television monitor, VCR and decoder. Toilet facilities are adjoined to the hall. The kitchen facilities and equipment include an urn for boiling water, pots, cups, glasses, crockery and cutlery. Movable braai stands are also available forguests' use.
ACTIVITIES
Tourists are encouraged to Hase with the tourist office on availability of particular activities as well as get details on the rules and regulations.
Escorted walks for up to 6 people - an armed scout can be availed on booking at Maleme or White waters office Pony trails conducted around the Maleme Dam area and into the Whovi Wild Area Fishing allowed in most dams to those issued with licences at the tourist office Boating privately owned boats are permitted on certain dams. Game viewing can be done in the Whovi Wild Area, a protected game park which is Jiome to more than 60 animal species and hundreds of birds.
Bird watching offers great opportunity to see the several eagle species. Hiking there is abundant excitement of climbing the Pomongwe Hill which gives one a good view of the central part of the Park.
33 Miler Road Race a unique marathon that is conducted within the Park at particular times of the year.
WHY VISIT MATOBO?
The Park has one of the largest concentrations of leopard in Africa. Black and white rhinoceros are in large numbers as well making it easy to sight one or more of the large population of this endangered specie. Klipspringer is one of Zimbabwe's rare antelopes and is also found here at the Matobo National Park.
Fine rock paintings within the park are numerous sites which were once occupied by the San hunter-gatherers. The paintings at Nswatugi Cave are perhaps some of the finest in the country and contain beautiful renditions of giraffe, eland and kudu,
There are other areas to note such as Bambata Cave, Inanke Cave and Silozwane Cave just outside the park that display fine animal paintings. The feint but distinct outline of a rhinoceros at the White Rhino Shelter was the impetus for the reintroduction of the species to the park in the 1960's.
The park provides numerous cultural and historical sites, the unique balancing rock features, the curio souvenir sales crafted by the local communities around the park, the quiet and unpolluted environment and excellent stopover for tourists in transit to Hwange and Victoria Falls. |
