The Matusadona National Park extends inland from the southern shores of Lake Kariba, covering an expansive 1,470km² of shoreline, Zambezi Valley flatland and mountain landscapes.
It offers a uniquely varied wilderness experience with diverse ecosystems including crucial aquatic breeding grounds, rich lakeshore grasslands, abundant valley-floor woodlands, and the rugged mountain range for which the park is named. A vital sanctuary, protecting four critically endangered species, the park is home to lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, zebra, an impressive variety of antelope species as well as many aquatic dwellers - hippo, crocodile and hundreds of fish species. It also nurtures an astonishing variety of nearly 400 bird species - a remarkable abundance that showcases the park's thriving biodiversity.
PARK MANAGEMENT
In 2019, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority signed a 20-year agreement with African Parks to co-manage this National Park through a non-profit conservation organization - the Matusadona Conservation Trust. By carefully balancing wildlife conservation, community development, and sustainable tourism, Matusadona National Park is working towards a holistic model of conservation that benefits both nature and people.
Under the stewardship of African Parks, and Zimbabwe’s National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, the Matusadona Conservation Trust has made the restoration of wildlife populations a top priority, including an ambitious long-term goal is to re-establish Matusadona as Zimbabwe's premier sanctuary for the black rhino.
Since 2019, park management also runs a comprehensive community engagement programme aimed at informing local populations about the park's importance, ensuring that communities benefit from its presence, and fostering local support for protecting this vast wilderness area.
TOURISM FACILITIES (see map in Image Gallery)
The park management has signed concession agreements with third-party operators who develop and manage various private tourism facilities throughout the Matusadona, complemented by the flourishing houseboat industry on Lake Kariba. More details of these are found in the searchable listings on this website HERE.
The Matusadona National Park itself runs a variety of self-catering or fully-catered tourism facilities and a range of land and water-based activities, the profits from which directly support the park's conservation initiatives.
PARK ACCOMMODATION
Tashinga Campsite
Matusadona’s main campsite, Tashinga, is set on a peninsula in the northwest of the park, under shady indigenous trees, overlooking the lake. It has flush toilets and hot showers and is entirely unfenced, so wildlife regularly wander through. Firewood and fishing worms are on sale from the main reception nearby. Guided activities can be booked on site.
Wilderness Campsites
A series of wild and secluded campsites are available for exclusive use in scenic areas of the park on the lakeshore or inland. These have no infrastructure, so campers need to be totally self-sufficient with water, sanitation facilities, food, and camping equipment. Visitors can base at one of the sites listed below
• Bonde/Kaingwe Campsite overlooks Lake Kariba in the north-eastern section of the park.
• Maronga lies at the mouth of the Ume River, on the park’s western border overlooking Lake Kariba.
• Shenga Wilderness (sites 1 & 2) are beautifully shaded and located on the Shenga River with a perennial spring which has water all year round.
• Matandare and Mashuma are the park’s southernmost campsites, close to the park entrance – a good stopover in or out of the Park. Matandare is situated on the Matandare Spring under a canopy riverine forest. Mashuma is situated near the Park entrance.
• Machamacha Campsite is situated next to a productive perennial spring on the southern boundary of the park.
Tashinga Cottages
These comfortable, fully-equipped cottages are all located on the Tashinga Peninsular and are named after the trees that shade them. All have solar-powered electricity and fans, private verandahs and en-suite bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. There is no Wi-Fi connectivity. Tashinga boat harbour is nearby for private boats.
Mahogany A and B Cottages are set within the main campsite accommodating four guests. Each cottage sleeps two (twin or double) with extra beds for children if required). These cottages share a fully-equipped kitchen and can be booked together for exclusive use.
Mopane Cottage is a stand-alone facility with its own private entrance tucked slightly away from the rest. It accommodates two guests.
Tashinga - Albida Camp - exclusive, self-catering
This new exclusive self-catering camp is located on the Tashinga Peninsula. It has three East African-inspired safari tents facing east to capture the sunrise across Lake Kariba's waters. Each tent has proper beds with high-quality linens, safari furnishings and its own ensuite bathroom with a flush toilet and hot showers. The central area consists of an open-sided lounge and dining area as well as a separate, fully-equipped kitchen.
Albida Camp overlooks a soft sandy beach which provides a natural playground for children. But be aware that the camp is unfenced and resident elephant bulls have a habit of wandering through camp in search of choice leaves from the magnificent shade trees in the area.
The self-catering camp books exclusively with a minimum of four adults. Although designed for six people, an additional ablution block — two showers and two toilets — stands ready for larger families or friends who pitch their own tents in the spaces around camp. Extra tents and bedding can be arranged for those who choose to arrive without them.
Drinks can be purchased from the Park shop, though spirits and wines are not included, and food can be ordered through a grocery service in Kariba for those who wish to travel lightly.
Jenje Bush Camp
Matusadona National Park also offers its own private, all-inclusive traditional tented safari camp, fully staffed with cook, camp host, and a professional guide. This is a seasonal inland camp available during the dry months of the year (May-Nov).
Each year, at the start of the safari season, it is set up under huge trees at the confluence of the wild Jenje and Biriwiri rivers with views over the dry riverbed and onto a spring frequented by many wildlife species including a resident pride of lions.
The camp has six spacious, en-suite tents (twin or double) and a central dining/living area providing fully catered, home-style, 3-course meals (alternatively, guests can opt to bring own food for the chef to prepare). Solar energy provides hot showers, lighting and charging stations, but there is no cellular signal or Wifi.
PARK ACTIVITIES
Visitors can experience the park’s rich lake and land habitats from a variety of exciting activities including traditional game drives and walking safaris to boat cruises and catch and release fishing excursions on Lake Kariba. Matusadona's rich paleontological sites and cultural heritage add depth to the visitor experience, offering insights into ancient life and local Tonga traditions. The Park itself offers the following activities:-
• Self driving through the Park
• Guided Game Drives
• Guided Walking Safaris
• Guided Hiking Safaris - multi-day Matusadona Trails
• Boating
• Fishing
• Birdwatching
ACCESS
The Matusadona National Park can be accessed by road (4x4 vehicles), boat (from Kariba) or by air (there are two airstrips in the Park at Tashinga (in the NW of the Park) and Kanjedza (in the SE of the Park). A vehicle/passenger ferry between Kariba and Tashinga is likely to become operational mid 2026.