Located 76 kilometres west of the capital city of Harare, is Darwendale Recreational Park, occupying a total area of 11,200 hectares. Of this area the Lake Mayame water body swallows 8,100 hectares, just under three quarters of the parks total area.
The dam wall is 2 kilometres long and the maximum water depth is 226 metres.
It took about three years to construct the dam, that is from 1973 to 1976. The park was established in 1973 but was offïcially opened in 1976.
The recreational park has a small area reserved for game. Here you can expect to see the following animais: sable, kudu, water buck, bush pig, reed buck, common duiker, warthog, baboon, vervet monkey, oribi and porcupine.
This park is a prime fîshing destination attracting local, regional and international fîshing enthusiasts.
The major fish species you can look forward to hauling as your catch are Mozambique bream, Hunyani salmon, tiger fish, barbel, parrot fish, bulldog, spot tail, bass, robustus and African mottled eel.
Fishing is the main attraction and bass fîshing attracts thousands of enthusiasts annually Fishing tournaments are held frequently with the most distinguished and world renowned being the Bass Masters Tournament.

The record catch on 25 July 2004 was a bass weighing 18,4 pounds.
The vegetation is well fed by the thick soils made fertile by humus derived from falling leaves and dying tall grass and other plants coupled with favourable rainfall. The park is able to sustain a variety of tree species among them, Jicus, capensis, dicyrostachys-cinera, pseudolachnostylls, maprononeifolia, euphorbia ingens anddiopyros.

FACILITIES
The park has two well sited lodges, camping sites, caravan sites, and picnic sites. Firewood for your braai and cooking purposes can be purchased from the main park office.
LODGES
The park has 2 lodges situated less than 2 kilometres from the main entrance and 500 metres from the main park office. The lodges have views which overlook the water body, have 2 bedrooms each with 2 beds. There is a dining room, kitchen and bathroom with hot and cold running water for each lodge. Ail cooking utensils are provided complete with cutlery and crockery. The kitchens are fully equipped with a refrigerator and four plate stoves with grills. Each lodge has an open air braai point where visitors can catch the fresh water breeze rising from the sprawling lake. The lodges have electricity for lighting and for energy.

CAMPSITE

Communal Campsite
The camping site is situated close to the launching point for boats making it an ideal camping point for both fishing and water sport enthusiasts. There are communal ablution blocks with bathrooms and showers providing both hot and cold running water. Water points and braai points are dotted around the camping site, while the lake is only a stone's throw away for those who may need fresh untreated water. The Parks authorities encourage you to carry along long extension cables in the event that your site may be situated a few metres away from the power point.
CARAVAN SITE
The camp site and caravan site share the same ablution facilities. Firewood for your braai and cooking purposes can be purchased from the main park office.
PICNIC SITE
The picnic sites are sprinkled along the north-western shore of the lake. The beauty of the lake can be savoured from the 10 rondavels at the picnic site. Each picnic rondavel has its own individual braai point. There is also an ablution block in close proximity to ail the rondavels.

ACTIVITIES

The  following are  some of the  main  activities  offered at Darwendale Recreational Park:
•  Fishing, angling
•  Boating, water skiing, yatching
•  Camping
•  Picnicking
•  Walking
•  Birdwatching
ACTIVITIES
WHY VISIT DARWENDALE?
•  Challenge the staggerine Bass fishing record of 18,4 pounds ( Darwendale is one of the-best angling environments in the world)
•  Stunning and breath taking view of the lake from the dam wall and picnic sites
•  Peaceful and calm environment
•  Variety of water sports