Matusadona National Park was inaccessible due to its rough terrain and dense bushland until Lake Kariba was built providing easy access. The lake changed the ecology of the park and more big mammals and birdlife were spotted, attracted by the body of water. The lake created a domino effect – the grassland started growing around it, attracting buffalo, zebra and waterbuck which in turn attracted predators creating a thriving natural environment. Matusadona is a protected area and houses a number of endangered Zimbabwe rhinos.
Matusadona National Park is the perfect place to have an enthralling safari holiday and there is a range of safari accommodation for guests to choose from. Activities such as game drives and nature walks are readily available. Spend some quality time with your family or whisky your significant other away on a romantic trip – The Matusadona National Park is perfect for any type of tourist! East Cape Tours is well informed about the park and the lodges within it, so give us a call and we will help you book your dream safari getaway today!
The park is made up of six different safari camps and lodges, each one unique and well appointed. Guests will wake up to fantastic views of the bushveld and have the opportunity to join in on wonderful safari adventures where they will get the chance to encounter stunning wildlife.
There are plenty of activities available for guests to enjoy including game drives and bush walks that are both conducted by trained guides. Cruise safaris are also readily available – guest will be taken along the vast Lake Kariba on a lavish houseboat where a host of animals frequently gather. Cruise safaris are perfect for viewing water loving mammals such as hippos and waterbuck. Keen bird watchers are in for a treat as a wide variety of birds can be found along the banks. Bird watching also takes place in the Sanyati Gorge, a unique and wonderful area of the park. The gorge is breathtakingly beautiful and the perfect spot to enjoy nature as well as keep a close eye on some fascinating bird species. Other activities include boating and canoeing, fishing as well as hiking.
The Matusadona National Park is home to a wide variety of interesting animals mainly because of the diverse ecosystems found throughout the park. Matusadona consists of shoreline grassland, jesse and mopane woodland, the Zambezi Valley floor and Brachystegia woodlands that are thick, dense and conceal many animals. Wildlife found around the park includes elephants, buffalo, cheetah, lion, leopard, rhino, hippo, warthog, jackal, baboon and a variety of buck and antelope. There are hundreds of birds that can be seen flying overhead. Elephants are the most commonly seen as the park has been active in rehabilitating the species resulting in an abundance of them. These beautiful and majestic animals can be seen roaming around freely and guests can expect plenty of encounters with them. The elephants are mostly found in the escarpment area that is situated above the valley floor where the bushland is dense and rugged and they blend perfectly into the natural surrounds.
Matusadona National Park is home to elephant, giraffe, zebra, hippo, wildebeest, leopard, cheetah, hyena and wild dog. One of Africa’s most elusive animals, the clawless otter, can be seen swimming in Lake Kariba. The best time to view the park’s wildlife is during the dry season (June to October) as animals gather around waterholes to drink. Eland, roan and sable antelope are often spotted in the park during the dry season, as this is when they wander to the shores of the lake to quench their thirst. Matusadona’s flora is comprised of three ecological areas, including the grassland along the shores, jesse and mopane woodland, and Julbernadia and Brachystegia. These areas serve as the habitat for the park’s abundance of game and wild animals.
The national park is situated on the southern shore of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. The country is known for its amazing wildlife, breathtaking scenery and reserves with game-filled plains. Matusadona National Park’s prime location means that guests have the opportunity to enjoy various water-based activities on the largest man-made lake in the world. The park’s name derives from Matuzviadonha Hills, and travellers will find that the area is comprised of hectares of rugged hills. Due to the park’s location, travellers can stay on the lake’s shoreline in a houseboat or cruiser, and Matusadona can easily be accessed by boat. The park is a short drive from the Victoria Falls, and a trip to Matusadona is perfect for anyone travelling to Hwange National Park.
