John Gardiner and his daughter Sara own and privately run a stretch of the Zambezi that had spent decades as a hunting concession, worn down by poaching. From 2016 they set about rebuilding it. Rather than simply fence the land off, they rewilded a whole reserve, then strung suites along the riverbank some 45 minutes upstream from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Elephants come down the banks within sight of the suites
The reserve now runs to 50,000 hectares, with 15 kilometres of private river frontage all its own. Game viewing happens on the lodge’s own ground rather than the shared roads of a park, and the difference shows in the closeness of it all. Elephants come down the banks within sight of the suites, hippos work the channels through the night, and from the decks you hear kingfishers and osprey calling across the water.
The Falls sit close, but the crowds do not. Guests staying two nights or more are taken on a guided tour with high tea laid on. A private helipad waits just two minutes from the lodge, and from it the Flight of the Angels route lifts you out over the waterfall, all thundering spray and rainbow, and back again in time for lunch on the river.
A 25-metre rim-flow pool runs the length of the bank
Eighteen suites are split between two camps, East and West, each with its own dining room, bar and river-facing terrace. Wood and copper run through the interiors, a nod to Zimbabwe’s mining history, set against woven cladding and the work of local artists. A 25-metre rim-flow pool runs the length of the bank, and the wine cellar sits at eye level with the river itself.
The days here turn on the game. Twice-daily drives run in custom vehicles fitted with camera mounts and charging points, while night drives follow the reserve’s own tracks rather than a park’s fixed hours, and those sixteen and over can head out on foot with a guide. Across the 50,000 hectares roam breeding herds of elephant and buffalo, sable and roan antelope, lion, leopard, wild dog and spotted hyena. More than 360 bird species have been recorded here, the birding as rich along the water as it is in the bush.
The Zambezi carries the rest of it. Sunrise and sunset cruises drift past hippos and crocodiles, canoes work the quieter channels, and catch-and-release fishing draws anglers to the deeper pools. Even the massage sala, fitness studio, boutique and library cluster near the riverfront, so the water stays in view whether guests are on it or beside it. It is a place built around the river, and the river is never far from the eye.
Sunrise and sunset cruises drift past hippos and crocodiles, canoes work the quieter channels
The kitchen builds its menus around fresh, seasonal produce, some of it grown in the lodge’s own vegetable garden. Meals move between the two camp dining rooms, boma dinners under the stars, and bush breakfasts set up on the riverbank. There are private tastings too, in a wine cellar that holds an extensive South African and international collection. The team running all of this is entirely Zimbabwean, and it shows in the ease with which the place turns.
Families are genuinely accommodated here. Two family suites with interconnecting rooms suit those travelling with children, while the four-bedroom Matetsi River House comes with its own chef, butler, guide and tracker for multi-generational groups. There is no minimum age to stay, with the Matetsi Cubs programme to keep younger guests occupied and childminding on hand. Under-fives join game activities on a private vehicle only, six to twelve at the guide’s discretion, and walking safaris keep to a minimum age of sixteen.
accommodation
Eighteen suites split between two camps, East and West, plus the four-bedroom Matetsi River House. Each suite runs to roughly 100 square metres, with a king bed, lounge, circular bathtub, indoor and outdoor rain showers, and a private veranda with plunge pool over the Zambezi. Family suites offer interconnecting rooms.
activities
Twice-daily and night game drives run within the private Matetsi reserve, along with guided walking safaris for guests 16 and over. On the Zambezi: sunrise and sunset boat cruises, canoeing, birdwatching and catch-and-release fishing. Guided visits to Victoria Falls, plus helicopter flights over the waterfall, are arranged from the lodge.
conservation
The Gardiner family rewilded a former hunting concession, restoring roads for anti-poaching patrols and installing 16 solar-powered boreholes. Their Amaganyane Anti-Poaching Unit trains its own scouts. Work with the GRACE Foundation supports the Kituso Primary School construction and water projects, and the lodge employs more than 130 Zimbabweans.
Get in touch and let’s start the conversation. An initial consultation helps us understand what you’re looking for, whether that’s specific experiences, luxury touches, or marking a special occasion, and from there we’ll guide you through what’s possible so you can decide if we’re the right fit.
You fly into Victoria Falls International Airport, which takes direct scheduled flights from Johannesburg and other regional hubs, so there is no light aircraft leg to reach the lodge. From the airport it is around a 45 minute drive upstream along the Zambezi, through the private reserve, and we arrange the transfer so you are met at arrivals and driven straight in.
If you are combining the lodge with the bush camps at Hwange or Mana Pools, those legs are flown on small charter aircraft, where luggage is soft bags of around 20kg per person including hand luggage. We build those flights into your itinerary and confirm the limit with you before you pack. If you would rather not share, we can arrange those legs as a private charter, typically a Cessna Caravan or Pilatus PC-12, timed to your schedule.
Victoria Falls sits in the Zambezi valley, which carries a malaria risk, so it is not a malaria-free destination. The risk is seasonal and at its lowest in the dry winter months from about June to September, the busiest time to visit, and higher through the warm, wet green season from November to April.
Guidance changes from year to year, so we always suggest confirming the current advice with a travel clinic or your doctor before you travel, taking antimalarials if they recommend them, and covering up against bites after dark.
Days are warm to hot for most of the year, but the dry-season mornings from June to August start cold, so early game drives and boat cruises call for a fleece or jacket and a hat you can peel off as the sun climbs. From September the heat builds quickly, and October in the valley can push towards 40 degrees.
Bring light, breathable clothes in neutral colours, good sun protection, and a light waterproof if you are travelling in the green season from November to March, when afternoon storms are common. A swimming costume is worth having for the plunge pool at any time of year.
Yes. The falls are close by and we build a guided visit into your stay, with high tea laid on for guests staying two nights or more. What you see depends on the river: from around February to July the Zambezi is in full flood and the falls are at their most powerful, though the spray can be heavy enough to hide the view in places.
As the river drops from about August to December, more of the sheer rock face is exposed and the low-water experiences open up, among them Devil's Pool and rafting. Scenic helicopter flights over the waterfall can also be arranged, lifting off from a helipad a couple of minutes from the lodge.
Yes, it welcomes children of all ages. The family suites take two adults and up to two children, with cots and extra beds available and young children able to share with parents, and the four-bedroom River House works well for a family travelling together.
Guided walking safaris are for ages 16 and over for safety, but children of any age can join the game drives and river activities. Tell us their ages when you enquire and we will shape the days to suit.
Yes, there is wifi in the suites and in the main areas of both camps, and because the lodge is close to Victoria Falls the mobile signal is more reliable here than at the remote bush camps deeper in the country. You can keep in touch or deal with anything urgent without difficulty.
That said, most guests find the river pulls them off their phones faster than they expected. If you do need to stay reachable for work or family, tell us and we will make sure your suite has the steadiest connection.
rated five stars by our clients
our approach
Every journey starts with a conversation. We take the time to understand your vision before we start planning.
Whether by phone or in person, we work with you directly to shape something that is considered, personal, and expertly delivered.
