About
Matusadona National Park runs along the southern shore of Lake Kariba, with varied terrain and island lodges offshore. It suits campers, houseboat parties and anyone who likes their game viewing with a view of the water.
There are three ways in, as one reviewer sets out: by road in an off-road vehicle, by light aircraft to the airstrip, or across the lake from Kariba, about an hour's crossing when the water is calm. One group came by houseboat, explored the Sanyati Gorge and stayed the night at Hydro Bay; they found plenty of hippos, a fair number of elephants and superb birdlife, fish eagles included, with few other boats about.
Campers speak well of the site near reception, where one visitor had elephants and impala wandering past every day and good sunrises and sunsets over the lake. Another calls it peaceful and family-friendly. The caution is seasonal: the camper who came in the wet season saw little game, so that may not be the time to come if animals are the priority. Rated 4.5 from 278 Google reviews.