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Matusadona National Park

Matusadona is the wild southern shore of Lake Kariba, reached by boat or a small plane rather than a main road.

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Matusadona Safaris, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

Bordering Lake Kariba, it is no surprise to learn that Matusadona National Park is famously packed with animals. A mixture of grassy floodplains and rugged hill country, Matusadona offers sanctuary for some of Zimbabwe's biggest elephant and buffalo herds, many of which use the park as a vital staging post on cross-country migrations.

It is also home to arguably the greatest concentrations of lions outside Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater as well as healthy numbers of leopards and spotted hyenas. Cheetahs and wild dogs are regularly seen, and lucky visitors may even get the chance to tick off both black and white rhino.

  • The Matusadona Safari Experience

    A Matusadona safari revolves around the rhythm of the lake. Early morning game drives patrol the lakeshore for big cats on the prowl while your afternoon could be taken up by a leisurely boat cruise on the lake, watching hippos and crocodiles sun themselves as nervous antelope make their way down to drink. Great for bird watching, it is also a destination where the more adventurous can stretch their legs and enjoy a walking safari in the company of expert guides and armed rangers.

  • When to go

    The best time to go to Matusadona National Park is during the May to October dry season. As the rest of the park dries up, animals arrive at the lakeshore in increasing numbers and diversity. Visitors enjoy mild sunny days and cold nights from May to August but hot and sometimes humid temperatures in September and October. Once the rains have arrived in earnest by around December, Matusadona is largely inaccessible and much of the wildlife retreats into the park's remote back country.

  • Getting to Matusadona

    A fly-in destination, Matusadona is just a short hop from Victoria Falls and makes a great combination with Zimbabwe's other heavyweight reserves such as Hwange or Gonarezhou. Have a look at our Matusadona tours and safaris or simply chat to one of our Africa Safari Experts for more information: they know all the right combinations and will create a fully tailored tour with the best accommodation and smooth-running logistics.

  • What travellers most enjoyed about Matusadona National Park

    • Bird watching

    • Sunset cruises and boating

    • Walking safaris

    • Wildlife and safari

Where to go

When to go

  • When to go

    May to October. The lake shore in the dry months is when the animals come to the water.

Travel advice

  • Before you travel

    The valley is malarial, and tsetse flies are part of it. Cover up. The transfer is part of the trip, so do not cut it fine.

Popular tours and safaris in Matusadona National Park

Priced itineraries that pass through this place. Nights can still change when the quote is drawn up. Nothing is paid until you accept it.

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  • From KSh523,904 pps

    Train Journey to Vic Falls
    Day1 BoardRovos54 days

    Highlights

    Morning and afternoon game drives.

    Destinations visited

    Botswana | South Africa | Zimbabwe

  • From KSh523,904 pps

    Train Journey to Vic Falls
    Day1 BoardRovos54 days

    Highlights

    Morning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.

    Destinations visited

    Botswana | South Africa | Zimbabwe

  • From KSh1,125,713 to KSh1,824,252 pps

    Mana Pools & Lake Kariba
    Nyamatusi Camp wildlife7 days

    Highlights

    Time on foot with a guide. Time on the water by boat or canoe.

    Destinations visited

    Lake Kariba | Mana Pools | Zimbabwe

  • Ask for the rate

    Linyanti & Hwange Safari
    Linyanti bush camp river7 days

    Highlights

    A helicopter flight can be arranged. The quote confirms the fare. Time on the water by boat or canoe.

    Destinations visited

    Botswana | Hwange National Park | Linyanti | Zimbabwe

  • From KSh1,070,401 to KSh1,405,388 pps

    Livingstone, Hwange & Mana Pools
    Toka Leya bedroom interior7 days

    Highlights

    Morning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.

    Destinations visited

    Hwange National Park | Mana Pools | Victoria Falls | Zambia | Zimbabwe

  • From KSh1,036,123 to KSh1,176,350 pps

    Family Kruger & Victoria Falls
    The Victoria Falls Hotel 1 17 days

    Highlights

    Morning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.

    Destinations visited

    Kruger National Park | South Africa | Zimbabwe

  • From KSh1,136,100 to KSh1,817,760 pps

    Romantic Vic Falls, Chobe & Delta Safari
    Victoria Falls Hotel exterior7 days

    Highlights

    Morning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.

    Destinations visited

    Botswana | Chobe National Park | Chobe River | Okavango Delta | Victoria Falls | Zimbabwe

  • From KSh3,419,986 to KSh3,852,353 pps

    Cape Town to Tanzania by Rail & Zanzibar
    Day1 capetown8 days

    Highlights

    Time in a wine valley.

    Destinations visited

    Cape Town | Dar es Salaam | Madikwe | South Africa | Tanzania | Victoria Falls | Zambia | Zimbabwe

Accommodation

Matusadona National Park stays

3 stays. The rate is per person sharing.

  • From KSh1,116,624 to KSh1,125,713 pps

    Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

    Bumi Hills Safari Lodge 3Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe

    Activities travellers enjoyed

    Game drives | Cultural visits | Bird watching | Picnics | Boat excursions | Fishing

  • From KSh719,314 to KSh1,302,295 pps

    Fothergill Island

    Fothergirll LionMatusadona National Park, Zimbabwe

    Activities travellers enjoyed

    Game drives | Guided walking safaris | Fishing | Canoeing | Star gazing | Bush dining

  • From KSh984,187 pps

    Musango Safari Camp

    Musango 2Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe

    Activities travellers enjoyed

    Game drives | Guided walking safaris | Star gazing | Bird watching | Picnics | Boat excursions

Costs

Matusadona costs in the access as much as the room. A fair quote shows the boat or the flight.

International flights, visas, and tips sit outside the sample price. Nothing is paid until you accept the quote.