Malalangwe Ladge - S.W.Zimbabwe - Matobo's
Malalangwe ("Where the Leopard Sleeps") Lodge is situated in the privately owned Stone Hills Game Sanctuary in the north-western Matobo Hills of Zimbabwe's Matabeleland region. This is an area remarkable for its "kopjes" - rolling hills of ancient granite sculpted naturally into fantastic configurations by the forces of wind and weather.
The Matobo National Park is one of the last strongholds of both black and the white rhino, and the region is renowned for its high concentration of leopards and black eagles. Excursions into the Park, a prospective World Heritage Site, give the clients an insight into the unique geological, ecological and historical environment. Apart from the more recent grave sites of Cecil John Rhodes and his compatriots, numerous caves and rock paintings bear testament to the ancient San inhabitants of the area.
The Stone Hills Game Sanctuary boasts equal historical importance. The Lodge is situated just a few kilometres from the Mangwe Pass which was the original gateway to Matabeleland. More than eighty rock art sites have so far been discovered at Stone Hills, plus an iron age kiln and caves containing beads made of both glass (iron age) and ostrich shell (used as adornment by the San women).
Stone Hills Sanctuary is haven to a variety of game (44 species of larger mammal) and birdlife, and has one of the few herds of gemsbok (oryx) in the country. These can often be seen at close quarters from the Lodge. Within walking distance is a seasonally active nesting site of a pair of black eagles.
The Lodge is built of stone and thatch, and consists of seven chalets and two double-storey bungalows (family accommodation), a dining and living area, a swimming pool and small shop. The chalets are spacious and well appointed, each containing two 3/4 beds, dressing table and large en-suite bathrooms with triangular baths large enough for two people. There are showers over the baths. Each chalet has it's own private balcony with a view over the 'Pundamuka Valley'. The honeymoon suite has a queen-size bed and special guests are welcomed with a bottle of wine, fruit and a complimentary gift.
The stone, timber and thatch main building is of an impressive scale but still cosy, being furnished with solid teak furniture fashioned from sleepers from the Great African Railway. Dining is at a communal table.
Activities
There is a wide variety of activities available - bird watching, walks, drives, day trips to the National Park, trips into Bulawayo to see the local attractions and Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage. Cecil John Rhodes' "View of the World" - the ancient "Place of the Spirits" for local people, the Indaba sites, and historical battle grounds are all within easy reach of Malalangwe. Guests are offered informative slide shows during the evening. Malalangwe is an ideal place to become familiar with the art of wildlife photography.
"In every part of the hills scene succeeds scene of unbelievable beauty and wildness. From the lichens upward the colours seem rare and strangely lovely." (Sir Robert Tredgold)
Access
The Lodge is 75 km south-west of Bulawayo off the Bulawayo/Plumtree road. Access roads from Bulawayo and Plumtree are suitable for ordinary cars throughout the year. Transfers are offered by the Lodge from Bulawayo and its airport, and take approximately 45 minutes in a luxury minibus. Those clients who wish to fly in by light aircraft can make use of the nearby Thorn airstrip.
