Matusadona National Park, National park along Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Matusadona National Park is a protected area along Lake Kariba that blends shoreline habitats with bushland and rolling hills. The landscape shifts from open grasslands to thicker woodland, with the lake forming a natural boundary on one side of the reserve.
The park was established in 1975 following the creation of Lake Kariba through dam construction in the 1950s. The flooding of this region transformed the landscape and prompted the need to protect wildlife in the newly altered environment.
The park serves as a refuge where local communities have learned to coexist with large wildlife populations for generations. Guides from nearby areas share stories about how animals shape daily life and traditional beliefs in the region.
Visitors reach the park by boat from lakeside access points or by small aircraft to airstrips within the reserve. Most lodges and camps are located near the water, providing direct views of wildlife coming to drink and bathe.
The park holds one of the region's largest elephant populations, which concentrate along the lake shores during dry seasons. These seasonal migration patterns make certain months particularly rewarding for observing these large animals at watering points.
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