| ANIMALS
AND BIRDS
Matobo
is the domain of the impressive Black Eagle
and is their chosen breeding ground. These powerful
birds have no trouble targeting their main diet
of rock hyrax (rather like a very large guinea
pig but genetically closely related to the elephant)!
These comical little creatures scuttle around
the rocks in large numbers and there are plenty
of small buck including rock-hopping klipspringers.
This is perfect
leopard country and although many live here,
they are seldom seen. You should however, be
able to see giraffe, zebra, jackal, and perhaps
caracal, porcupine, civet and genet. Ancient
rock paintings showed that rhino used to live
in this area, so the Whovi rhino sanctuary,
adjacent to the park, reintroduced them and
both black and white rhino are doing very well.
Birds to watch
out for are a whole host of eagles, hawks, falcons
and other raptors, plus colourful purple-crested
louries who prefer the cover of dense foliage.
SEASONS
Dry
Season:
The cool dry season is from the end of April
to August and the hot dry spell is from September
to early November when temperatures get to 90°F
(34°C), but humidity is low.
Rainy Season: From November
to March thunderstorms unleash their might every
few days but the sun re-emerges and humidity
is high.
MATOBO
SPECIALITIES
• Precariously balanced boulders and stunning
scenery
• Cecil Rhodes' grave
• Black and white rhino
• Eagles
• Special accommodation
FACTS
The park covers 164²miles (424km²)
The region boasts over 300 rock paintings, many
of which can be hiked to. |
