Matabeleland North Province

Matabeleland North Province: History & Culture

Discover Matabeleland North Province

Matabeleland North was created in 1974, when the original Matabeleland Province was split, and it lost territory in 1997 when Bulawayo became its own province. Victoria Falls is known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders”. David Livingstone, the first European recorded viewing them, on 16 November 1855, named them after Queen Victoria. The Victoria Falls Bridge opened on 12 September 1905, and Hwange became a game reserve in 1928 and a national park in 1961. Farming dominates, with 83% of employed people farmers.

Photo: Ninara from Helsinki, Finland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Key Attractions

Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls Bridge, Chizarira National Park

Heritage & Landmarks

What Makes Matabeleland North Province Special

🏛️

Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya)

UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989; 1,708 m wide, 108 m high

🦁

Hwange National Park

Zimbabwe's largest reserve; 100+ mammal and 400 bird species

💧

Victoria Falls Bridge

Opened 1905; ASCE International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark

🦁

Chizarira National Park

Rugged Zambezi Escarpment park, third-largest in Zimbabwe

Explore Matabeleland North Province

All Destinations

Hwange National Park: Travel Guide to Zimbabwe’s Elephant Kingdom

Zimbabwe's elephant kingdom

Khami Ruins: Travel Guide to Zimbabwe’s Second Stone City

Zimbabwe's other stone city

🏞 Inland

Victoria Falls

Adventure town on the Zambezi

Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe Side): Travel Guide to the Smoke That Thunders

Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders

Where to Stay

Featured Accommodation

Lodge

8.3

Excellent

Hwange Safari Lodge, Dete ↗

📍 Dete, Zimbabwe (near Hwange National Park's Main Camp entrance)

Hwange Safari Lodge, Dete Very Good 8.3/10 lodge near Hwange National Park. 100 rooms. From USD 221/night. Property Details Type: Lodge Guest Rating: 8.3/10 (Booking.com, 45 reviews) Price Range: from USD 221 per night Rooms: 100 Amenities Air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom, garden views, work desk, mosquito nets, in-room tea/coffee, mini-fridge, floor-to-ceiling windows, swimming pool, sun terrace,...

✓ Air-conditioning✓ en-suite bathroom✓ garden views✓ work desk

Luxury tented safari lodge

4.9

Good

Old Drift Lodge, Victoria Falls ↗

📍 Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Old Drift Lodge, Victoria Falls Exceptional 4.9/5 lodge in Victoria Falls. From USD 700/night. Property Details Type: Lodge Guest Rating: 4.9/5 (Google, 169 reviews) Price Range: USD 700 – USD 1,367 per night Amenities Private plunge pool, Open-air shower, Air conditioning, Airport transfers included, Town shuttle included, All meals and drinks included, Game drives, River...

✓ Private plunge pool✓ Open-air shower✓ Air conditioning✓ Airport transfers included

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