Part 1: Introduction & The Interview Magic

Today I want to introduce you to someone very special.

Sara Gardiner, co-founder of the award-winning lodge in Africa, Matetsi Victoria Falls.

We scheduled a seat for an interview to talk about how they created the property, their conservation efforts, and the essence of Matetsi.

But this conversation became much deeper than I thought it would be.

Sara opened up about things I hadn’t expected to hear.

We laughed together because a hippo started making noises outside the window.

We cried together because their conservation efforts inspire.

And we felt the presence of that intangible Matetsi Magic, something you can’t touch, but simply feel.

You can watch the whole interview here:

Part 2: The Essence of Matetsi Magic & Luxury Suites

As we spoke, it became clear that this feeling of Matetsi Magic is woven not only into the land, but into the very way the lodge was designed.

Here are a few glimpses of the stunning luxury suites at Matetsi Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi River views and that signature magic come alive:

Matetsi Victoria Falls is an intimate, family-owned safari lodge comprising 18 river-facing luxury suites across two camps, including two family suites, as well as an exclusive-use four-bedroom River House.

Each suite features a private deck, plunge pool, and indoor-outdoor en-suite bathroom, offering understated luxury immersed in the wild beauty of the Zambezi River.

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Part 3: Sara’s Childhood Roots in Zimbabwe

But long before Matetsi became a reality, the wilds of Zimbabwe shaped Sara herself.

Sara grew up in a small family of four.

She spent her childhood in the wide freedom of African land, playing in the mud with her twin brother next to the mighty Zambezi River.

Her parents instilled in her and her brother a profound love for Zimbabwe’s wild landscapes, especially through unforgettable family adventures in places like Mana Pools National Park.

She still recalls those magical days watching prides of lions together, the thrill of the bush, and even once being playfully chased by a giraffe.

Those early experiences on the banks of the Zambezi sparked a lifelong passion for the land, its wildlife, and its people.

After years abroad, including earning her doctorate from the University of Oxford, Sara felt called home.

Part 4: Turning Dream into Reality & Conservation Beginnings

Together with her family, including her father John Gardiner and brother Charles, she turned that childhood dream into reality.

In 2014, they secured a long-term lease on the land that would become the 136,000-acre Matetsi Private Game Reserve.

When they first took over, the area had been heavily decimated by years of poaching and illegal hunting.

Wildlife was scarce. Sara recalls spotting just one lonely, skittish kudu during an early visit, a stark contrast to the thriving wilderness it once was and could become again.

Many species had been drastically reduced or driven out, with snares threatening smaller animals like warthog, and rhinos having been translocated away long before due to intense poaching pressure.

Part 5: The Rewilding Transformation

The transformation began with a deep commitment to rewilding and restoration.

The family has invested significant resources, starting with the colossal task of re-establishing a vital network of roads, over 550 kilometers, which had fallen into disrepair.

These roads became essential for effective anti-poaching patrols, rapid response to incidents, game viewing, and overall monitoring of the reserve.

They also installed a comprehensive radio communications network spanning over 60 kilometers, with dedicated channels for anti-poaching efforts, and later formed their own in-house Amaganyane anti-poaching unit, complete with a K-9 team, while donating vehicles to support local teams.

To draw wildlife back and support the ecosystem, they drilled and established 16 solar-powered boreholes, creating life-giving waterholes that now attract vast herds of elephants, buffalo, and other species, especially during the dry season.

Combined with ongoing snare removal, river net collection to combat illegal fishing, positive human presence from guides and guests acting as natural deterrents, and community education initiatives, these efforts have led to an incredible resurgence.

Part 6: Matetsi Today

By 2016, after the foundational conservation investments, Matetsi Victoria Falls opened as a beacon of luxury hospitality fused with genuine rewilding.

And as a result…

A thriving wilderness where elephants, buffalo, lions, and countless other species have returned in abundance, all while offering guests an intimate, world-class safari experience just 40 kilometers upriver from Victoria Falls.

how many baboons do you see here? I found 9

Sara’s story is one of roots, resilience, and returning home to protect what matters most. It’s no wonder every stay at Matetsi feels like stepping into something deeply personal and profoundly Zimbabwean.

And behind it all is an extraordinary team.

Dedicated hospitality staff anticipate your every need with genuine warmth.

Skilled chefs craft unforgettable meals from local ingredients.

Passionate guides bring the bush to life with their knowledge and stories.

Every person pours their heart into making guests feel truly at home in the wild.

Part 7: Thoughts After Our Conversation

I have to admit something...

Africa was on my bucket list, but not in the first 3 or even 10 places I wanted to visit next.

But after meeting Sara, our conversation, learning about their team, the mesmerizing animals, and the experiences that make you want to explore this place too, Zimbabwe jumped way up on my bucket list.

I am still under big impression after immersing into Matetsi world, even though thousands of miles away.

This is all for today.

Till next week, dear readers,

Anastasia

p.s. can I ask you a favor?

When you have an hour sometime during the day, please consider watching or listening to our conversation on YouTube.

You’ll probably pick up something new and maybe feel inspired.

The algorithm favors videos with higher watch time (more minutes watched or listened to), so watching till the end helps a ton.

Thank you! ❤️

The Incredible Story of Matetsi Victoria Falls