Safari 6* on the Zambezi River, Zimbabwe

Safari 6* on the Zambezi River, Zimbabwe

Author: Rael J. Zieve December 31, 2025 Duration: 20:36

Episode No: 56

https://www.matetsivictoriafalls.com

Episode Summary:

  • An in-depth conversation with Sara Gardiner, co-founder of Matetsi Victoria Falls, set on a vast private game reserve along the Zambezi River.
  • How Matetsi sits within the wider KAZA Transfrontier Conservation Area, allowing wildlife to move freely across international borders.
  • What guests can expect from game drives, walking safaris, night drives, and immersive riverfront wilderness experiences.
  • The remarkable conservation turnaround at Matetsi, from decades of poaching pressure to thriving wildlife populations today.
  • Why Zimbabwean hospitality, cuisine, and warmth leave such a deep and lasting impression on visitors.
  • Sara’s personal journey from growing up in Zimbabwe, studying at Oxford, and returning home to help build a purpose-driven safari operation.

Guest Information:

Sara Gardiner – Co-Founder, Matetsi Victoria Falls

Key Takeaways:

  • Matetsi Victoria Falls offers a rare blend of private safari, riverfront serenity, and close proximity to Victoria Falls within one seamless experience.
  • The reserve’s conservation model focuses on long-term impact, combining wildlife protection, community upliftment, and education.
  • Staying at Matetsi allows guests to experience Zimbabwe at its most authentic, with space, silence, and a strong sense of place.

Contact Information:

For direct enquiries, please email:
rael@keeptravelling.africa

Blog Post

A shortened blog version of this episode will be available https://www.wildsunsets.travel/matetsi magic/


Rael J. Zieve hosts Keep Travelling-Your African Story, a podcast that moves far beyond simple destination guides. This series is for those who feel that travel is about connection and context, not just itineraries. Each episode delves into the intricate layers of African societies, exploring how local business innovation intersects with deep cultural traditions, or how the logistics of aviation and travel infrastructure unlock remote, profound experiences. The conversations are built on genuine relationships and firsthand narratives, offering listeners a seat at the table with guides, entrepreneurs, artists, and community leaders who are shaping the continent's contemporary story. You'll hear the subtle details behind crafting a meaningful journey-the scent of a market at dusk, the weight of a historical artifact, the cadence of a local dialect, the strategy behind a sustainable tourism venture. This isn't a broadcast of tips; it's an immersion into the perspectives that make travel transformative. Tune in for a thoughtful, nuanced exploration of places and the people who bring them to life, mirroring the tailored, premium journeys the podcast's ethos represents. Listen to this podcast for stories that change how you see the world, one African story at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 71

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