Matusadona National Park - Zimbabwe

The Matusadona National Park is situated on the shores of Lake Kariba between the Ume and Sanyati Rivers.

It covers an area of 1407 sq. km of which only a third is provided with roads for visitors.The other two thirds consists of very wild, rugged and inaccessible country.

The park has a beautiful, shady camping ground at Tashinga on the lake-shore.

There is an ablution block with hot and cold water, showers, toilets,

Wash basins and baths.Firewood and braai facilities are available.

Some of the campsites boast sleeping and dining shelters.

For the adventurous canoes are available for hire to explore the shores of the park.

The colors of an African sunset over water will provide spectacular memories of Lake Kariba and the unspoiled beauty of Matusadona.

Visitors are allowed to get out of their cars and view game on foot, but this is done at their own risk.Wild animals are dangerous and unpredictable.

Elephant, buffalo, impala, kudu and water buck are plentiful, whilst rhino, lion, sable, eland and zebra are frequently seen.

Escorted walks with a game Scout are possible, subject to availability

of staff at the time.

Free fishing throughout the year is obtainable in the Kariba Lake.

Tiger, bream and vundu provide good sport but a word of warning – look out for crocodiles when standing at the water’s edge and avoid swimming in shallow/shoreline areas.

Ume and Mbabala are exclusive camps.

Each consists of 2 family units containing 2 bedrooms and a bathroom.

There is a central dining room and kitchen with stove storeroom and fridge.

The units have basic furniture, linen, crockery & cutlery and cooking utensils.

Cooking is by wood stove and lighting is solar powered.

The camps are available for six-day periods (Monday to Sunday) and a maximum of 12 persons are allowed.

Matusadona once had the largest black rhino population in Zimbabwe.

Today many of their shuttered skulls are lined up like white tombstones along the road in the Chete safari area.

Dismal reminders of poachers, who shot their way through the area, in the 70's and 80's.What a sad end for these creatures which, with huge effort, were saved from the rising waters in Operation Noah.

Matusadona is now an Intensive Protection Zone as the small number of remaining rhino are successfully protected day and night by parks board personnel.

Newly introduced young rhino are kept overnight in bomas under the watchful eyes of armed guards.Still being babies they need to be fed twice a day with a nutritious milk formula, mamma style.

Then they are off to explore their new and save territory accompanied by a armed scout complete with 2 way radio who will protect them with his life.