Matusadona National Park National Park

Address: Matusadona National Park, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe (on Lake Kariba)

Website: http://www.zimparks.org/

Hours: Park open year-round

Admission: Park entry fees apply; boat and park concessions charged separately

Matusadona National Park occupies areas of shoreline and adjacent woodland on the southern edge of Lake Kariba in northern Zimbabwe. The park includes a mixture of miombo woodland, escarpment and lakeshore habitat.

Wildlife viewing here commonly uses boat-based safaris on Lake Kariba and shoreline drives, with sightings of elephant, hippo and a variety of bird species. The park’s shoreline setting offers fishing, boating and water-based wildlife observation alongside terrestrial game viewing.

The park was established to protect shoreline habitats and wildlife associated with Lake Kariba after the lake’s creation in the mid 20th century altered local landscapes. Management has had to adapt to changing water levels and human-wildlife interactions around the reservoir.

Located on the southern and western shores of Lake Kariba in Mashonaland West Province, the park borders the lake formed by the Zambezi River dam and is reached by road and by boat from lodges and launch points on the lake.

• Access and activities: Located along the southern shoreline of Lake Kariba, many visitor activities are boat-based and camps and lodges are often accessed by water.

Matusadona is accessible from the Lake Kariba area; most visitors stay at lodges along the lake and arrive by boat or via rough roads requiring 4x4 vehicles. The closest towns with regular services are Karoi and Kariba.

• Consider a boat trip on Lake Kariba from Matusadona for water-based wildlife viewing and to reach remote bays.
• The park has steep access points; 4x4 vehicles are recommended for remote lodges and camps.
• Book lodgings well in advance during peak season (July-September).