Entire home

Mata'Zamo, Almost Africa, cliffside, 900 acres w/trails, farm animals, hiking

Photo gallery for Mata'Zamo, Almost Africa, cliffside, 900 acres w/trails, farm animals, hiking

Interior
2 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel crib, free WiFi
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds
Miscellaneous

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8149 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot Tub
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Mata'Zamo, Almost Africa, cliffside, 900 acres w/trails, farm animals, hiking

Book for 4 nights, 4th night free!

We offer contact-free check-in, but are available whenever you need us by text or phone call.

Our ranch’s most remote “Far Afield” house, Mata’Zamo is spacious both inside and out!
We waited over twenty years to buy Mata’Zamo, and you’ll see why before you even get to the end of the 1.1 mile driveway!

Mata’Zamo, Swahili for 'up high and far afield’, is completely surrounded by our ranch, is in our low-intensity use area, and close to some of our favorite trails and sunset spots. This means we have a place where you can truly get away from it all, surrounded by wildflower and grassy fields, perched on the edge of a cliff giving you a miles-wide vantage point over the edge of Texas Hill Country.

All to yourself!

We completely restored the house to make it energy efficient (spelled C-O-O-L in our Texas summers!) and added an upstairs deck that catches great cross breezes, overlooks the cliffs and faces west. A great place to watch sunsets, clouds and stars! At Mata’Zamo you’ll find:

• A total of 1600 sq feet of living space (including the porches and decks) on two levels.

• Beds for 8 – 1 queen and 1 trundle bed (2 singles) upstairs, 2 sets of bunk beds downstairs.

• Dishes for 12, nicely equipped 'slow food' kitchen for cooking, preparing meals.

• An outdoor gas grill, with propane supplied.

• Indoor and porch tables easily seat 4-6 people each.

• An open floor plan- there are only 4 inside doors, two to the bathrooms, 1 to the kid’s bedroom (w/2 bunk beds) and 1 to the screened-in porch.

• The upstairs (with the queen and trundle beds in the open loft) has a half-bath, opens onto the deck, looks out onto the downstairs living area, no doors!

• The full bath with walk in shower room has all of the closets (so no need to lug your bags upstairs!) and laundry room.

• The adjacent 3 stall horse barn, 2 pens and a pasture are right out the door, along with miles of trails, but it’s bring your own horse!

• High speed internet is available.

We welcome you in a way that feels like home away from home, you'll find familiar touches from your own kitchen, including tea, coffee, spices, paper towers, plastic bags - the basics, and maybe new things to try.

To encourage family time and taking it slow, there is no dishwasher!

We doubt you’ll want to leave, but if you do, we have a detailed list of local restaurants, can help you set up tours at Fossil Rim, and have information on other local attractions (we wouldn’t want you to miss Fossil Rim, Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose’s Riverwalk and Big Rocks Park, shopping the Square’s antique stores, galleries, clothing stores, weekend farmer’s market and pie shop (plan ahead and order gluten free!!!).

Ask us about our NEW farm store! We offer rainbow pasture eggs, fresh produce, USDA grass-fed ground beef, garden salsa, balm jellies, and more!

Our ranch has been managed organically and holistically for over twenty years, we keep our houses as non-toxic as possible, too.

It is easy to get lost at Mata’Zamo, lost in thought, lost in time, lost from stress and the city life!

All of this and just 90 minutes south of the Dallas-Ft Worth area! We invite you to stay at Mata’Zamo, it’s the best cure we know for nature deficit disorder!!!

Looking for a last minute Saturday night get-away? If by 4:00 on any given Friday, this house shows available Saturday, we are happy to take last minute bookings (you may need to inquire for a 2-night stay though)! If you would like early check-ins or late check outs, let us know, and we will send you a special offer ($100 per 2 hour extra block).

Property manager

Sandra Skrei

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Hot tub

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking options include a garage
  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Blender
  • Electric kettle
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Toaster
  • Coffee/tea maker

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Towels provided
  • Toilet paper
  • Soap
  • Hair dryer

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Games
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Gas grill
  • Garden
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near laundromat

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near a zoo

Things to do

  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Golfing on site
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Winery tours nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Horse riding nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Golf nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 1600 sq ft (149 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The host will greet guests on arrival
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Access methods

Host will greet you

Pets

Pets not allowed
Note from host: Dogs on leashes when outside!

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: We have an open staircase!

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 99
Note from host: Ask about our event actions and pricing
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

About the neighborhood

Map
Glen Rose, TX

What's nearby

  • Fossil Rim Wildlife Center - 10 min drive - 5.0 km
  • Paluxy River - 21 min drive - 14.1 km
  • Big Rocks Park - 21 min drive - 15.0 km
  • Dinosaur Valley State Park - 24 min drive - 14.5 km
  • Dinosaur World - 26 min drive - 15.8 km

Getting around

  • Dallas-Fort Worth Intl. Airport (DFW) - 112 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Boot Scootin Country - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Loco Coyote Grill - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Rough Creek Lodge - ‬42 min drive
  • ‪Taylor's Turn & Burn Cafe - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪The Overlook Cafe at Fossil Rim - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Mata'Zamo, Almost Africa, cliffside, 900 acres w/trails, farm animals, hiking pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Mata'Zamo, Almost Africa, cliffside, 900 acres w/trails, farm animals, hiking?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Mata'Zamo, Almost Africa, cliffside, 900 acres w/trails, farm animals, hiking?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Mata'Zamo, Almost Africa, cliffside, 900 acres w/trails, farm animals, hiking located?

Situated in a rural location, this vacation home is 3.1 mi (4.9 km) from Fossil Rim Wildlife Center and within 9 mi (15 km) of Lake Granbury Medical Center and Barnard's Mill. Somervell County Museum and Walnut Springs City Museum are also within 9 mi (15 km).

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Mata'Zamo, Almost Africa, cliffside, 900 acres w/trails, farm animals, hiking Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 65 out of 67 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 67 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 67 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 67 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 67 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Topper & Tricia s., Arlington tx

Absolutely wonderful peaceful tranquil quiet a must see a must do
We were on a long overdue vacation and we enjoyed this particular property so much we are going to book it another property in the near future not to mention the Glen Rose people are absolutely wonderful please don't let this jewel escape you
Stayed 5 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Guido P.

Best kept secret near Glen Rose
We returned after two years to enjoy this property with our family. Best kept secret near Glen Rose, TX. Great property to relax and enjoy walks. Thank you for having us as guests again
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Diane R.

Wonderful Property!
This house and location are packed with things to do and surprises around every turn. The house is beautiful and comfortable. Gorgeous views in all directions. Will be booking again. Sandi and all the staff are very helpful, accommodating and informative.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

High hope ranch
We needed a retreat. A peaceful recharge. We got it here. Birds singing, walks, secluded peace and breezes. Delightful quaint Glen Rose for the day, Fossil Rim wildlife. We enjoyed our annual retreat in this special haven sanctuary.

10/10 Excellent

Courtney F.

Great views, very private and quiet. Highly recommend!
We had an amazing weekend getaway at High Hope Ranch, a perfect escape from Dallas to wide open space with great walking trails. Our boys (2 and 4) can’t wait to come back again to see their friend, Speckles the goat. Sandy, the property manager is so welcoming and accomodating. The house was immaculate and stocked with toys, games, and all of the kitchen supplies we needed. We will definitely be coming back again!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Guido P.

Great place to enjoy solitude, family time and plenty of hiking in close proximity to Dallas, TX
We spent 3 nights between Xmas and New Year. The house is very private and overlooks a limestone ledge. If you are a naturalist, this is definitely your place. There are miles of private hiking, multiple places to meditate or simply read a book, many opportunities to see wildlife and even some fossils to be found. Sandra was very accomodating, and the house is well-kept. We will be back soon!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kristi Z.

Great time, even in the rain!
We had a great time at the Mata'Zamo house. Celebrating my daughter's 10th birthday over Memorial Day weekend, we hiked the property, hung out on the screened porch and upper deck, and strolled around Glen Rose for fun. The house perfectly accommodated our group of 7 and we lacked for nothing in amenities. The hospitality of Sandra and the others on site was wonderful. We even got the chance to help take care of new baby goats at the barn. It was a great time at a beautiful place!

10/10 Excellent

Matt C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing views and a unique Fossil Rim experience!
This property was remote, and would have been difficult to find without the amazing communication and help from Sandara. She was available to provide a personal tour and provided useful information about the trails on the property specific to our group. The house was well-appointed, and had just what we needed for a stay with four adults and four kids. The property and the sunsets were beautiful. Everyone had a wonderful stay. I'm already trying to figure out when we can make a return visit to explore more of the beautiful trails around Mata'Zamo. Thanks again for a wonderful time.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Racheal S., Edna

Relaxing and beautiful
Beautiful quarters, relaxing atmosphere... really a wonderful place to unwind. For two very busy professionals, it was just what we needed to enjoy the children. (And they never complained about no TV or computer games!) We enjoyed some wonderful wildlife sightings and searched for fossils in Goat cave- even found a porcupine needle! Both of the girls didn't want to come home- wanted to live there! Definitely a great sign. Can't wait for our next visit!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Pamela M.

Mata'zamo was a fantastic weekend getaway!!
The drive to the house was beautiful. Bluebonnets and indian paintbrush flowers were throughout the fields. When we arrived at the house, everyone in my group gasped... It was so pretty they said when they stepped inside. Instantly we felt like we were at home. Sandra showed us around , we unpacked and watched a breathtaking sunset from the upstairs balcony. We cooked dinner for 7 and ate on the enclosed patio complete with candles and twinkle lights. The next day we explored the property, walking the trails leading to St Frances Hill, The sunset lookout and the beautiful Goat's cave and stone henge look alike. A huge storm came in the night but we enjoyed the rain on the tin roof. It stopped in time for us to pack up and go home. All in all it was a PERFECT weekend! We will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nichole N.

Amazing views & hikes!
This renovated barn style house is amazing. Beautiful views from the 2nd floor deck. So many hiking trails on the property you really don't need to go offsite. The views from Sunset Cliff is stunning. Goat Cave hike is amazing and Stone Circle are just gorgeous. Our kids loved running around and exploring. The pics of this place do not do it justice at all. The house was very accommodating and well thought out. We ate all of our meals out on the screened in porch. We saw deer in the morning, so many cardinals and heard the wolves from Fossil Rim at night it was fun. This property backs up to Fossil Rim. I enjoyed walking over and having my coffee at Peace and Light circle every morning. We will be coming back for sure. The kids keep asking if we can go every weekend. Plus our host Sandy was so kind and super knowledgeable. My 6 yr old son bombarded her with questions about every rock/fossil that he found and she happily answered and encouraged. She also invited my kids to come back at super to feed the goats (a highlight). Thank you for everything. We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Joshua J., Dallas, TX

Great Escape!
First of all, I must admit I am one of those people that relies heavily on VRBO reviews, but rarely, if ever, leaves them myself. I have used VRBO for years and, quite literally, all over the world. It has been good to me and I keep coming back. All that being said, this weekend's stay at Mata'zamo was wonderful. The house is on the back bluff of an 800 acre ranch adjacent to Fossil Rim. Although we were only a few minutes out of Glen Rose, we might as well have been on another planet (and I mean that in a good way.) I took my wife, our 10 year old triplets, and our 2 australian shepherds. Every one of us had a good time- but all for different reasons. My wife loved waking up and going for runs up the (very) long scenic driveway. The kids loved exploring the very interesting topography of the ranch (including Goat Cave) and finding a treasure trove of impressive fossils. The dogs loved roaming around. I loved the fact there was no TV in the house (although wifi and other modern amenities were readily available) and THAT contributed to excellent "family time." Although everything we needed was readily accessible- we felt like we were the last people on earth- as the cabin feels genuinely remote. The house felt much bigger than it actually was- thanks in part to a soaring ceiling. The kids loved the 2 bunk beds, and the master suite upstairs was lovely. The house was clean and conducive to family activities (it would hard for anyone to sequester themselves off in the house.) The on-site laundry room helped us pack less. I must also say that Sandy stayed in contact with me prior to my arrival. She met me at the front of the property when we arrived and was always accessible (but never hovering over us) if we needed anything. She was great. I loved my time at Mata'zamo and only wish I had more time to spend there. Hopefully, I'll be able to return soon.

10/10 Excellent

BROOKE R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Vacation
We had such a great time here! The cabin is beautiful and just as described. The view was amazing and getting to explore was fun. We saw tons of deer and of course the cows and goats! Our kids loved it! We'll definitely be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

ELISA C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect and Peaceful!
Our stay was perfect and peaceful! Our cabin was in a secluded part of the ranch and it has amazing views. Our group was able to help feed the ranch animals nightly, which the children really enjoyed. We witnessed Zoey, the donkey, laugh! Overall, this is perfect get away from the city life and we will definitely visit again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect spot for a family getaway
We thoroughly enjoyed our Mata ‘Zamo, the cabin, the scenery, the hiking…we can’t wait to go back ! 😀
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tyson H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Always love Mata’zamo!
This is our second stay at High Hopes ranch! We enjoyed it so much the first time we knew we had to come back even if it took a few years. Everything was perfect for our family of 5!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Amanda K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved It!!!
This is definitely one of our favorite stays! The house and views were absolutely beautiful and our kids loved exploring the trails!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kellan B., Fort Worth, Texas

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We are definitely coming back!
We are definitely coming back! My five-year-old son has not stopped talking about our trip since we got back. Sandy is awesome. Maintenance of the property was impeccable. The house was incredibly clean, and had everything you could ever need to enjoy your trip. And, the proximity to fossil rim dinosaur Valley state park was amazing!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Getaway
My kids loved the house and beg me to come back every year (we have visited the twice now). Peaceful and quiet, friendly and helpful staff— we will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Tracey S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful getaway
Beautiful, quiet setting away from the city. Great place to spend time with friends.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Allison A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic
Took me back to my childhood running around my grandparents acreage up north. Very peaceful, no tv or other electronic distractions. Just like other reviews, kids 5 and under did not want to leave. Would be great vaca spot any time of year. Hope to be back soon!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Erika B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A time to reconnect
We had an amazing time reconnecting as a family and exploring the property. There is so much to explore on the property or just relax on the top deck and look out over the serene forest. Kids enjoyed sunsets and sundaes on the balcony. We found fossils and fed goats thanks to our amazing hostess. If you need a get away definatly check this out. I will miss the nightly conversations starring out at a sky full of stars. Also dog friendly so we were able to bring the fur babies along for the trip and all the hikes.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Rachel A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Weekend Getaway
Our stay at Mata ‘Zamo was wonderful! The house was secluded on the property, and we did not even have to leave the property to get our fill of hiking and nature. All throughout the weekend, I was texting Sandi and asking her questions, and she always responded. She was very helpful. The house was clean, neat, and beautifully furnished. We already want to go back again! Thanks for a wonderful weekend of memories.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Natalia R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful escape from the city
Great view and many activities to do in the property and in the surroundings. Enjoyed the stars when having a campfire. If you enjoy nature this is a great place to be, we loved it! We are already planning to come back.

10/10 Excellent

Jessica H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic Time
My family (includes 2 boys 2 and 5) had such a nice, relaxing adventurous time here. We enjoyed walking the trails, exploring Goat Cave, watching the sunset and relaxing at the house. We went to Fossil Rim twice and had a different, fun experience each time. We can't wait to come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020