Matusadona stretches along the southern shore of Lake Kariba, the world’s largest man-made lake, where skeletal drowned trees rise from the water against some of Africa’s most famous sunsets. Once a stronghold for lion and buffalo and degraded over decades, the park is now being restored under African Parks management, with elephant, buffalo, lion and growing game. Access is by boat or light aircraft, and a houseboat on Kariba is a classic, laid-back way to safari.
Ratings
Wildlife Density: ★★★★☆ Infrastructure: ★★☆☆☆ Photography: ★★★★★
Adventure: ★★★★☆ Exclusivity: ★★★★☆ Price: $$ Scenery: ★★★★★
Location: Northern Zimbabwe; Lake Kariba shore; access via Kariba town by boat or air
Key wildlife: Elephant, lion, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, fish eagle
Best for: Houseboat safaris, photography, scenery, rewilding story
Best time: May–October (dry; game concentrates on the shoreline)
More about Matusadona and Lake Kariba — houseboats, camps and fishing — will be added here over time.
Wildlife & Ecology
Matusadona rises from Lake Kariba’s shoreline into rugged escarpment and miombo woodland. Elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, black rhino and antelope are recovering under renewed management, while the lake itself supports hippo, crocodile, fish eagles and extensive aquatic life.
Best Time to Visit
May to October is dry and best for game viewing, walking and calm morning boat conditions. The rains bring heat, humidity and difficult tracks, and some camps reduce operations. Lake levels vary between years and affect shoreline appearance and boating access.
Conservation & Community
African Parks assumed joint management with ZimParks in 2019, focusing on law enforcement, infrastructure, species recovery and benefits for neighbouring communities. The park’s modern ecology was also profoundly shaped by the creation of Lake Kariba and the Operation Noah wildlife rescues that followed.
Activities
Boat safaris, fishing, guided walks and shoreline drives provide a genuine land-and-water safari programme.
How to Get There
Most visitors fly by light aircraft from Harare or Victoria Falls to park or lodge airstrips, or cross Lake Kariba by boat from Kariba town. Road access is long, rough and seasonal, requiring a well-prepared 4×4.