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 The best example of cave paintings is probably as the Nswatugi Cave where the artists seem to have captured the motion of giraffes and other animals. The western side of the national park is the Whovi Game Area where over 50 mammal species may be found. These include sable, rhino, giraffe, hippo, crocodile and possibly the world’s greatest concentration of leopard. The area also has the highest concentration of black eagle which is only found in this type of mountainous country. It has the ability to make long vertical climbs, lightning turns and high-speed dives. It lives mainly on hyraxes (rock dassies) and is even known to dive-bomb the leopard. On one excursion into the game park, we were able to approach the female white rhino and calf whilst on foot and get a really close view (walking is only permitted in this area with an armed guide). Surrounding Matopos Hills are a wealth of historical sights - the Bambata Caves, the Cyrene Mission decorated dwellings and Fort Usher where Baden-Powell conceived his idea for the Boy Scout movement. The park is also only a short distance form the city of Bulawayo which offers a significant contrast to Harare. It still has many of its old buildings including the City Hall, Bulawayo Club, High Court and the Railway Station. It also has the Natural History Museum and the Railways Museum which are both excllent and worthy of a visit. The main places to stay for visiting Matopos Hills are Camp Amalinda, Matobo Hills Lodge, Malalangwe Lodge and Big Cave Camp (or the hotels in Bulawayo).
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