Profile

Matusadona was proclaimed a non-hunting area on 7th November 1958, and became a Game Reserve in 1963. in 1975, in terms of the Parks & Wildlife Act, it became a National Park.
It is a Park comprising some 1 400 square kilometers of diverse flora and fauna. The name Matusadona came from a mispronunciation of the local word "Matuzviadonha" which literally means 'constant dripping of dung'. This is said to have been derived from the fact that the terrain is extremely rugged causing those crossing it to stop often to relieve themselves!
Before the lake was built, Matusadona was a vast wilderness and it is only slightly marred by the progress of man today. With the lake came ecological changes. One in particular, the lakeshore contributed greatly to tAnimal species that are foundhe increase of large mammal populations in this area, especially buffalo.
One of the dominant grasses found on the shoreline isPanicum repens and is a rejuvenative gras s needing only fluctuating lake levels to replenish its nutrients. With this ready food source, buffalo, waterbuck, zebra, and even impala have thrived.

Matusadona is an Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ). It was set up to rejuvenate herds of endangered species like the black rhino and others.
The Environs of Matusadona
Matusadona National Park's southern boundary is the Omay communal land and the northern boundary is the lakeshore. The eastern side of Sanyati Gorge and the middle of the Urne River provide the east and west boundaries respectively.
Flora and Fauna
Basically, Matusadona cornes in three ecological Trames'. First îs the shoreline grassland discussed above; second, the valley floor, a hodge podge of thick Jesse and mopane woodland, and; third, the Escarpment floor oï/ulbernadia and Brachystegia woodlands. The Jesse/ Mopani area is sparsely grassed, but provides habitat for browsers notably the black rhino. Elephants roam throughout the Park, taking to the Jesse in the heat of the day. The Escarpment rises some 700 metres above the Valley floor and is extremely rugged. Over the years, elephant and fire depredations have caused the once substantial woodlands covering it to dwindle, until in parts grasslands have taken over. It became necessary to take out control measures to reduce the elephant population to a manageable size. It also became necessary to carry out early burning programmes in the upper escarpment, to prevent later, hot fires raging through and causing serious damage to tree growth. Judicious practice now means effectiveness of programmes can be seen by the tremendous regrowth apparent in the Escarpment.
Animal species that are found in abundance include elephant and buffalo. Fairly common species are those of night ape, honey badger, civet, small spotted genet, slender mongoose, banded mongoose, spotted hyaena, wild cat, lion, leopard, yellow spotted dassie, black rhinoceros, zebra, warthog, common duiker, gemsbok, klipspringer, waterbuck, bushbuck, scrub hare and porcupine.
The animais that can be considered to be common are vervet monkey,  chacma baboont  side-striped jackal, hippopotamus, kudu and bush squirrel. Uncommon animal species are clawless otter, white-tailed mongoose, reedbuck,  sable, and eland. Fairly uncommon animais are civet and rusty spotted genet. There are some animais that are very uncommon but still found in the Park, these include, caracal and bush pig. The animais that you would rarely sight in the Park are wild dog, cheetah, roan and pangolin/ anteater.

FACILITIES LODGES AND Tashinga Camp
The Park has a camping site at Tashinga on the Lake Shore. There is an ablution block with hot ar|d cold water, showers, toilets, wash basins and baths. Firewood and braai facilities are available. Some of the camping sites have sleeping shelters.
Sanyati Camp
There are two camping sites at Sanyati, Sanyati camp site accomodates 6 people per site and Sanyati West accommodates 5 people per site. There are braai stands and also an ablution block with hot and cold water and a laundry trough.
Other Bush camps
There are also 2 totally undeveloped bush camping sites at Jenje and Kanjedza for up to a maximum of 12 persons per camp per time. Visitors must be fully equipped and have a four wheel drive vehicle for this section.
Exclusive Sites Changachirere Camp
Changachirere Camping Site is an exclusive camping site that caters for one party of a maximum of 5 person per time. The facility has a mini-ablution block and shelter.
Urne Lodge
Situated close to Tashinga airstrip on the east bank of the Bumi River, 55 kilometres from Kariba by boat.
Mbalabala
Also situated on the Bumi River upstream around 300 metres beyond Urne Camp
Other exclusive camp sites can be found at Maronga close to the Chifudzi substation and Kautsiga sited on the escarpment is ideal for hikers and climbers
AMENITIES
The closest convenience shops are only found in Kariba and are accessible easier by boat therefore visitors are advised to thoroughly pack up for the trip. Petrol, diesel and oil are sometimes available at Bumi Harbour but supplies are not always reliable.
ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES
• Unbridled adventure in the extreme wild
• Hiking and escarpment climbing
• Game viewing along the lake shoreline from the safety of Houseboats
Fishing in the rivers and inlets
Bird watching in the breathtaking Sanyati Gorge
Game drives
Walking trails
Water-borne safaris
WHY VISIT MATUSADONA?
• One of the highest densities of black rhino and lions in Africa
• To conquer the menacing physical challenge posed by the terrain