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The Travel Lounge
Where you'll stay | Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe
Amalinda Lodge
A lodge built into the granite boulders of the Matobo Hills.
Amalinda Lodge is hidden within the granite rocks of the Matobo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was built in an ancient Bushman's shelter. Matopos National Park is Zimbabwe's oldest national park, a landscape of granite kopjes dating back over 2 million years, and the lodge is about 45 km by road from Bulawayo.
Why we love it
What makes Amalinda Lodge special
- Built into the granite boulders of the Matobo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Just 9 individually designed rooms, each shaped around the rock
- A natural granite infinity pool, one of the first in Zimbabwe
- Track rhino on foot with expert guides and armed National Parks scouts
- Ancient San Bushman rock paintings and hikes to breathtaking viewpoints
- A spa tucked among the boulders of the sunset lounge
Your room on this trip
Individually designed room
Each of the lodge's 9 unique rooms is inspired by the surrounding landscape of Matopos and built within the granite boulders and rock formations, beneath a thatched roof. As the lodge was built in an ancient Bushman's shelter, every room has its own design, shaped around the rocks.
Around the hotel
Eating, relaxing and exploring at Amalinda Lodge
Facilities and experiences
- Granite infinity pool, one of the first in the country, set into a depression in the rock with a base of natural granite
- Safari Spa, hidden within the boulders of the sunset lounge, offering full body massages, manicures and pedicures
- Full bar
- Main outdoor dining area
- Library
- Sunset lounge
- Natural cave wine cellar
- Boma with a log fire for after-dinner drinks and stargazing
Dining
Meals are served in the main outdoor dining area, with dinner around a long table made from old railway sleepers and drinks afterwards by the fire in the boma. Special dietary needs can be catered for.
Location
- About 45 km by road from Bulawayo
- Joshua Nkomo Airport in Bulawayo is the nearest airport
- About 305 km by road from Hwange
Good to know
- Children of all ages are welcome and family rooms are available, though the lodge is spread across several rock levels and may not suit very young children
- Children are assessed individually for rhino tracking on foot
- Rhino tracking on foot is accompanied by armed National Parks scouts
- Mobile phone reception can be limited and patchy
Your questions answered
Amalinda Lodge FAQs
Where is Amalinda Lodge?
Amalinda Lodge is in the Matobo Hills of southwestern Zimbabwe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, about 45 km by road from Bulawayo. The nearest airport is Joshua Nkomo Airport in Bulawayo.
Can you see rhino at Amalinda Lodge?
Yes. Matopos National Park is known for its white rhino, with black rhino seen on occasion, and the lodge offers rhino tracking on foot or by vehicle with experienced guides. When tracking on foot, guests are accompanied by armed National Parks scouts for safety.
What is the pool like at Amalinda Lodge?
The lodge's infinity pool was one of the first in Zimbabwe. It was designed to fit into a natural depression in the rock, so its whole base is natural granite, and there is a full bar alongside.
What is there to do in the Matobo Hills?
Beyond rhino tracking, guests can visit some of the more than 2,000 San Bushman rock art sites, hike lichen-covered boulders to sweeping views and see Cecil John Rhodes' tomb at 'View of the World'. There are also bicycle rides of 11 km or 24 km past local homesteads and cultural village tours.
Is Amalinda Lodge suitable for children?
Children of all ages are welcome and family rooms are available. The lodge is built across several levels of rock, so it may not suit very young children, and children are assessed individually before rhino tracking on foot.
Want to stay here? Amalinda Lodge is part of our 14-day small group safari, and we can also include it in a holiday designed around you.
Where to next?
It starts with a chat. No forms or scripts, just a friendly conversation. Call, email or pop into the Lounge, and one of the team will take it from there.
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