By clicking ‘Accept’ you agree that we use Analytical cookies for gathering information about how our
website is used, as well as Advertising and social media cookies (including cookies from trusted
partners) to personalize our advertising campaigns and to allow you to share on social media.
About our use of cookies
Below you can decide which type of cookies you would like to keep switched on.
Open a list of all cookies
Functional cookies
Functional cookies are essential to using our website and cannot be switched off.
These cookies do not contain personal information and are not used for analytical or advertising purposes.ShowHide
description
Analytical cookies
(anonymous)
Analytical cookies gather anonymous information about how our website is used. The information collected
does not contain personal information, cannot be traced back to you, and
is not used for advertising purposes.
ShowHide
description
Advertising and social
media
cookies
Advertising and social media cookies (including cookies from trusted
partners) enable us to personalize our advertising campaigns, and enable you to share on social media.
ShowHide
description
Philip has traveled through Zimbabwe several times and is the author of more than 20 guidebooks to various African destinations.
Philip is the Zimbabwe expert for SafariBookings and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.
Philip is our Zimbabwe expert and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.
Matusadona National Park, on the shore of Lake Kariba, offers excellent wildlife viewing in a magnificent setting. All of the Big Five are present, including the endangered black rhino. Elephant and buffalo are abundant on the lake shore and hippos can be seen in small pods in the shallows. Spending time in a houseboat offers a unique safari experience.
All of the Big Five are present. Lion, leopard and hyena occur in good numbers. The park is well known for its large herds of buffalo that congregate on the lakeshore in the Dry season. There is a good variety of antelope species including waterbuck, sable and roan. The lake is teeming with hippo and crocodile.
Matusadona reaches from the southern shore of Lake Kariba up to the rugged Zambezi escarpment. The Sanyati River in the east of the park is well known for its breathtaking gorge, which is most beautiful in the rainy season when small waterfalls are running down the steep, rocky sides. Sunsets over the lake, with the mountains in the background, are spectacular.
Weather & Climate
Matusadona stays fairly hot throughout the Wet season (November to March). The days of the Dry season (April to October) start off cool – don’t make the mistake of wearing a T-shirt and shorts on an early-morning game drive. But the sun soon warms things up.
Matusadona NP can be visited throughout the year. However, the drier months (April to October), are best for observing animals wandering along the lakeshore. The Wet season (November to March) is less conducive to spotting wildlife, which is why some lodges shut up shop when the rains sweep in.
Emma is an award-winning travel writer for Rough Guides, National Geographic Traveller, Travel Africa magazine and The Independent.
Where you really can walk on the wild side
5/5
Many people might quake at the thought of a bushwalk in big cat country. But if the prospect appeals, Matusadona is an excellent choice. On my visit it didn’t disappoint. This beautiful, wildlife-rich park, considered one of Africa’s...
Matusadona is a national park usually accessed by boat or plane. As such, it is a secluded destination where you will enjoy the bush away from any crowd. Its location along lake Kariba makes it a very scenic place, its sunsets over the...