There is a specific kind of stillness that exists only in the Matobo Hills. As your fastjet flight crosses the Zimbabwean plateau, you might catch a glimpse of the massive granite whalebacks and balancing rocks that define this ancient landscape. It is a place that feels as though time itself has decided to rest, and nestled within this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a retreat that shares that same quiet energy: Abathwa Resorts.
The word Abathwa honours the San people, the original inhabitants who lived among these rocks thousands of years ago. To visit this area is to walk through an open-air gallery of history, where ancient rock art tells stories of a world long past. Staying here is not about checking into a standard hotel; it is about finding a sanctuary that respects the weight of that history while offering a soft place to land.
For fastjet Zimbabwe travellers flying into Bulawayo, Abathwa Resorts adds an easy and memorable extension to the journey. Land in the city, follow the road towards Matobo National Park, and the pace begins to change. The granite rises, the noise falls away, and the weekend starts to feel like an escape with a story.
BUILT AROUND CULTURE AND HERITAGE
Located at the 58km peg along the Kezi-Maphisa Road, Abathwa Resorts positions itself around a simple invitation: Rediscover Matobo National Park. It is a fitting line for a resort that wants to bring travellers closer to one of Zimbabwe’s most distinctive heritage landscapes.
Opened around the ZITF 2026 period, the resort gives visitors a fresh reason to look beyond Bulawayo and spend real time in Matobo National Park. Not a rushed day visit. Not a quick photo stop. A proper stay, with rooms, huts, glamping tents, pools, fire pits, food, outdoor activities and evenings that can unfold under the stars.
The resort describes its mission as becoming the preferred cultural and heritage resort for the Matobo National Park area, with a commitment to offering a contemporary, world-class guest experience while supporting staff development, growth and a sustainable community. That positioning matters because Matobo National Park is not just a scenic destination. It is a cultural landscape shaped by history, community knowledge, wildlife and a deep sense of place.
Abathwa’s values are built around conservation, sustainability, community partnership, service excellence, passion, responsibility, integrity and professionalism. In practical terms, that gives the property a purpose beyond accommodation. It aims to preserve the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area, while working with local communities as custodians of their knowledge and tradition.
THREE WAYS TO STAY
The architecture at the resort feels like a natural extension of the hills. For those who appreciate design, The Colosseum offers a private, circular escape that blends into the wilderness, providing a secluded space to watch the horizon.
It includes 11 rooms, a swimming pool, conference rooms, a gazebo and fire pits. Visually, it is the resort’s most striking structure, with its form sitting dramatically within the surrounding rocks and bushveld.
The Royal Huts bring a more intimate experience, with nine rooms, a swimming pool, a bar, a restaurant and parking. Their design gives the property a grounded cultural feel, linking the stay to traditional forms and the wider Matobo identity.
For travellers who want a night closer to the elements, the luxury glamping tents offer eight tents, a swimming pool, a bar and a braai area. They give guests the adventure of sleeping closer to nature, while still keeping the comfort expected from a resort stay.
MORE THAN A ROOM FOR THE NIGHT
While the accommodation provides a reason to linger, the surrounding landscape is a constant invitation to explore. Located within easy reach of Matobo National Park, Abathwa serves as a base for some of the most intimate outdoor encounters in Zimbabwe.
Activities include guided walks, trail walking, hiking, backpacking, scenic viewing, birdwatching, wildlife tracking, cave and rock-painting viewing, game viewing, game drives, mountain biking, rock climbing, and ziplining. This gives the resort an active personality. Guests are not only checking in but also stepping into the outdoors, where every experience adds another layer to the destination.
Between morning walks to hidden caves and late afternoon hikes up the granite slopes to watch the sun dip below the boulders, there is a rare opportunity to truly unplug. This is also the kind of landscape where rhino tracking remains a raw and moving experience, guided by those who know the land best.
There is also a strong food, gathering and events element, with dining, bush lunches, traditional cuisine, speciality food and beverages, barbecues, picnics, catering for events, weddings, celebrations and conferences listed as part of the offering. For families, groups, corporate travellers or weekend guests, that range gives Abathwa more than one purpose. It can be a leisure escape, a cultural retreat, an events venue, a conferencing option or a base for exploration.
BY THE POOL, BY THE ROCKS
The poolside setting is one of Abathwa’s signature visual strengths. In the images shared by the resort, the pools sit almost tucked into the granite landscape, giving the property a natural drama that feels unmistakably Matobo.
The combination of rock, water, fire pits and open sky gives the resort the atmosphere its headline suggests, by the rocks, under the stars. The rock concert strengthens that mood held quarterly, hosted poolside.
This gives Abathwa a lifestyle identity beyond the usual lodge offering. It is not only a place to rest after a day outdoors, but also a place where music, people, food and evening atmosphere can come together. For a destination already known for sunsets and ancient stones, the idea of a concert by the pool adds a memorable reason to plan a visit around the calendar.
A BASE FOR EVENTS AND EXPLORATION
Abathwa also makes sense for travellers looking ahead to future Matobo-based events, including the Matobo Heritage Challenge next year. For riders, supporters, families and outdoor travellers, choosing where to stay can shape the whole experience.
With accommodation, dining, conferencing, activities, transport, equipment hire and event facilities, the resort provides a practical and atmospheric base. This is where the fastjet Zimbabwe connection becomes useful. A traveller can fly into Bulawayo, connect onward to Matobo National Park and build a full weekend around the landscape, whether for an event, a family break, a cultural escape or a special celebration.
Instead of treating Matobo National Park as a day trip, Abathwa encourages visitors to stay longer and experience the area with more intention.
CONCLUSION
As you look out the window of the aircraft today, keep in mind that the hills are closer than they appear. Whether you are seeking a quiet moment of reflection, a family weekend, a concert by the rocks or an afternoon spent in the tracks of a rhino, the landscape of Matobo National Park is waiting.
Abathwa Resorts feels like a strong Hidden Gem because it is not trying to be a generic lodge in a beautiful place. Its identity is built around Matobo National Park itself, through cultural heritage, outdoor activity, resort comfort, community connection and events.
With the Colosseum, Royal Huts, glamping tents, swimming pools, a bar, restaurant, fire pits, braai areas, conference spaces, and a wide range of activities, Abathwa gives travellers a stronger reason to rediscover Matobo National Park.
For fastjet Zimbabwe passengers flying into Bulawayo, it is worth considering as a place to stay, especially when planning a weekend escape, a special celebration, a concert by the rocks or a future trip around the Matobo Heritage Challenge.
For those looking to find their own corner of the hills, more details are available at www.abathwaresorts.com. It is more than a destination; it is a chance to breathe with the bush.
Text by Marvin Madyara | Images © Abathwa Resorts
