Matetsi Safari Area

The Matetsi Safari Area lies in northwestern Zimbabwe, adjacent to Hwange National Park and within an hour's drive of Victoria Falls. This premier hunting concession has earned a legendary reputation among trophy hunters worldwide for one species above all: the sable antelope. Matetsi sable are renowned for their exceptional horn length and genetic quality, with bulls regularly carrying horns measuring 42 to 46 inches and occasional specimens exceeding 48 inches, placing them among the finest sable trophies taken anywhere in Africa.

Beyond sable, Matetsi offers excellent Cape Buffalo hunting, with herds that benefit from the unfenced connection to the massive Hwange National Park ecosystem. Leopard baiting along the Matetsi River drainage and its tributary systems is highly productive, and a full complement of plains game including greater kudu, eland, and zebra provides outstanding combination safari opportunities.

The Matetsi landscape is distinctive and beautiful. Deep Kalahari sand underlies the entire area, supporting magnificent stands of Zambezi teak and Rhodesian teak woodland. Open dambos (grassland clearings) break up the woodland, creating natural feeding areas where game concentrates during the dry season. Seasonal pans scattered throughout the concession fill during the rains and become important drinking points as the dry season progresses.

One of Matetsi's greatest advantages is its proximity to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Most outfitters arrange a day trip to the Falls either before or after the hunt, allowing clients to experience the thundering curtain of water on the Zambezi. This combination of world-class hunting and one of Africa's most spectacular natural landmarks makes Matetsi a uniquely attractive destination for international hunters, particularly those bringing non-hunting companions who can enjoy the Victoria Falls tourism infrastructure while the hunter is in the field.