Matusadona National Park

Matusadona is one of the smaller National Parks, but has a broad landscape diversity with hilly mountains, as well as the appeal of Lake Kariba, which provides water activities to guests.

This park is home to Zimbabwe's largest population of lions and it is one of the best places to view the endangered black rhino (while it is also home to the vulnerable white rhino).

This is a lesser known and less frequently visited park with few, yet varietal, accommodation options meaning that it is never a crowded destination. There is the option of staying in a houseboat on the lake and game driving in Matusadona Park.

Lake Kariba is characterised by the skeleton trees that stand in the depths of the water from the days before Kariba Dam flooded. Operation Noah relocated most of the animals to Matusadona after the flood.

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge offers a spectacular location on a hill overlooking Lake Kariba. Guests can expect a diversity of wildlife, game drives, bush walks and boat cruises accompanied by expert guides. A sunset boat cruise on Lake Kariba is a highlight and offers superb photographic opportunities.

Musango Safari Camp is situated on the doorstep of the world renowned Matusadona National Park, on its own island on Lake Kariba. Musango is exclusive and, being owner-run, places high emphasis on personalised service.

Rhino Safari Camp is accessed by boat either from Kariba or the nearby airstrips. This camp offers comfortable accommodation in a private and secluded location with friendly and efficient staff.

Changa Safari Camp is a new fully-catered facility offering luxury tented accommodation and a location in a private concession, set on the shores of Lake Kariba overlooking the magnificent Matusadona mountains.

How to Get There

Guests visiting Matusadona National Park will usually do so in conjunction with few other destinations, like Victoria Falls, or Chobe (Botswana). It is not recommended that one self-drives this region of Zimbabwe, particularly during the wet season from November to April, during which time roads become unusable. A 4WD is always necessary.

Sun Safaris will arrange for guests to fly into the country at either Harare International Airport or Victoria Falls International Airport. From the airport, there will either be a chartered flight to one of the nearby airstrips, or guests will connect with a road transfer to their respective lodges.

These details depend on time allowances and personal itineraries. Should guests take a chartered flight, it will be arranged for one of the lodge hosts to meet guests and drive them the last stretch to camp.

Matusadona National Park Game Viewing and Activities

Matusadona National Park is famous for big game, especially large herds of elephant and buffalo, which accumulate along the shoreline in the dry season. It is also said to have one of the highest populations of lion in Africa, after Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Other predators such as leopard and hyena can frequently be seen in the park, and sometimes cheetah.

There is a small population of endangered black rhino, which are often seen, while hippo and crocodile can frequently be seen on the shoreline. One of the highlights in Matusadona National Park is the incredible birdlife, with over 240 species having been recorded in the park. The fish eagle is common along the lakeshore and other species include populations of grey herons, goliath herons, great white herons and saddle-billed storks.

Matusadona National Park consists of wooded hills, plateau and shoreline, and certain parts of the park are only accessible on foot.