Mutusadona
The 1400 km ² Matusadona National Park was proclaimed a national park in 1975, but it was already a protected area before the creation of the dam. Its northern boundary is the lake shore, to the east and west respectively, its borders are the rivers Sanyati and Ume.
The 1400 km ² Matusadona National Park was proclaimed a national park in 1975, but it was already a protected area before the creation of the dam. Its northern boundary is the lake shore, to the east and west respectively, its borders are the rivers Sanyati and Ume.
Due to the high water levels of the lake, large animals that were previously found here only seasonally, now stay in the park permanently, e.g. elephant and buffalo that are highly dependent upon a regular water supply.The park is very rough and mountainous, covered with dense bush. This makes it an ideal habitat for black rhinos that were relocated here from other parts of the country to protect them from the increasing threat of poaching.
There are different options for exploring the Park. For experienced campers and 4×4 enthusiasts, the Park can be accessed by road, either from the East via Karoi or from the west from the direction of Binga.You need a 4×4 with good ground clearance and you must be self-sufficient as a camper, all you are supplied with in the Park is water. There are several camp sites, some are equipped with simple showers and toilets others have no facilities at all.
Access by boat from Kariba is far more comfortable and much faster. A popular and very leisurely way to explore the Lake and the Park is by houseboat. You stay on the boat and go spotting wildlife with the small tender boat.The tender boat can enter the small bays and river mouths and wild animals barely take notice of it. With a licensed guide, walking Safaris in Matusadona are also possible.
Some of the islands are private concessions with lodges suitable for various tastes and budgets. The lodges are accessible by boat or small aircraft. Your game watching activities are then organized by the lodge management.
Some of the islands are private concessions with lodges suitable for various tastes and budgets. The lodges are accessible by boat or small aircraft. Your game watching activities are then organized by the lodge management.
Lake Kariba is also famous for its tiger fishing and the sports-fishermen that gather here once a year for a huge tournament. If you like fishing, then you can also try for bream, fresh from the lake they taste superb!
Matusadona has three distinct ecological areas:
Matusadona has three distinct ecological areas:
- Lake and shoreline grassland from Lake Kariba, probably the most far-reaching of the ecological changes, particularly the introduction of Panicum repens, a rejuvenative grass found on the shoreline which only needs the fluctuating lake levels to replenish its nutrients. With this new food source, elephant, buffalo, waterbuck, zebra, and even impala populations have increased greatly and following close behind them have come the predators
- Zambezi Valley floor with a mass of thick Jesse and mopane woodland which is sparsely grassed, but provides habitat for browsers, most notably the black rhino. Elephants range throughout the Park, but seek the shade of the Jesse in the heat of the day.
- Zambezi Escarpment area of Julbernardia and Brachystegia woodlands. 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 to dwindle, and in parts, grasslands have taken over. It has become necessary to carry out early burning programmes in the upper escarpment, to prevent later, hot fires causing serious damage to tree growth.
MAPP (The Matusadona Anti-Poaching Project): The Zambezi Society provides vehicle and fuel support to the increasingly successful anti-poaching efforts of MAPP which was established several years ago to help protect the fish and wildlife resources of the Matusadona National Park on the southern shores of Lake Kariba. In 2015, after introducing a very successful "informer" operation and working with the authorities to tighten-up on law-enforcement procedures, MAPP reported the following operational successes for the year: a total of 160 years of jail sentences for poaching and other illegal activities in the National Park; 3 poacher fatalities; more than 30 illegal weapons seized from villages surrounding the Park. MAPP's successes have continued to gain momentum into 2016.
Conservation
BHAPU (Bumi Hills Anti-Poaching Unit): Bumi Hills Safari Lodge & Spa runs its own anti-poaching unit, helping to protect fishing and wildlife in its own concession and in the settled lands to the west of the Matusadona National Park. It collaborates with MAPP within the Park itself.
The Matusadona Anti-poaching Project (MAPP) (www.facebook.com/Matusadona-Anti-Poaching-Project) was launched in early 2013 by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) The Tashinga Initiative (TTI) and the resorts of Changa Safari Camp and Spurwing Island Resort. In order to be successful in their anti-poaching operations the ZPWMA rangers need to be adequately equipped and collaboration with organizations such as Conservation Zambezi (www.conservationzambezi.org) and the Zambezi Society(www.zamsoc.org) has resulted in donations of radio communications, speedboats and engines, vehicles, solar power and education materials. A 24-hour hotline with rewards for information has been very successful.
The Zambezi Elephant Fund (ZEF) (www.zambezielephantfund.org) has been formed specifically to address the escalating rise of poaching in the Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe. It organization began when John Stevens, a private guide who operates in the area, decided to do something about this. Like-minded concerned individuals, operators, NGOs and relevant government bodies joined him and formed the collaborative ZEF initiative.
Most of the Zambezi Valley has already lost its rhino population to poaching and is now losing elephants every month for their ivory. ZEF works collaboratively with the Zimbabwean government, NGOs and the private sector to develop, implement and manage:
-Anti-poaching operations
-Field equipment and supplies for rangers and support teams
-Anti-poaching ranger training
-Conservation security planning and implementation
-Information systems and networking
-Technology and systems for anti-poaching operations
They aim to protect elephants in the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe by putting a stop to poaching and developing and putting in place systems that ensure the long-term safety of these incredible animals and the security and growth of other wildlife in the area, together with the protection of the environment and the improvement and sustainability of these efforts.
ZEF recognizes the importance of involving and supporting local communities in a wide range of areas within the Zambezi valley including Binga, Chewore, Chirundu, Chizarira, Kanyemba, Kariba Town, Lake Kariba, Mana Pools, Matusadona, Mavuradonha, Mlibizi and Msuna, Mongwe, Sapi and Victoria Falls.
Fishing
For many years the Matusadona has been plagued by Zambian and local fish poachers entering the Sanyati Gorge at night indiscriminately netting the fish populations. Semi-permanent camps had been established and up to five Zambian fishing boats would enter these waters nightly to catch all sizes and any species of fish to sell on the lucrative Zambian market. Their activities threatened the very existence of the once healthy fish population in these parts which are a favoured spawning ground of the tiger fish.
In their operations MAPP have taken out almost one hundred and twenty kilometres of netting that has been illegally set by these poachers, in addition, over one hundred and sixty boats have been impounded or destroyed and many fish poachers arrested; jail terms, fines and warnings have been imposed.
Ivory and rhino horn poaching
In 1997 it was estimated there were just thirty black rhinos left in the Matusadona National Park. Local and international organizations, schools and volunteers have provided vehicles and camera traps to enable the DPWMS to carry out land based ranger patrols to halt the activities of poachers. Local commercial firms have been donating fuel and their mechanics to sustain these anti-poaching operations which has resulted in arrests of a number of persons in possession of ivory and the confiscation of illegal firearms and happily, no new elephant carcasses have been discovered in the National Park recently.
Matusadona National Park (MNP) once supported Africa’s second highest density of lions. The plentiful grasslands on the foreshore of Lake Kariba provided for large herds of buffalo and consequently the lions thrived. However, following fluctuations in lake levels and increases in poaching, the buffalo herds disappeared, quickly followed by the lions. The last census of lions in 2005 suggested just 28 individuals, down from nearly 90 individuals in 1998, remained. The ALERT Lion project is deeply committed to lion conservation by monitoring lion populations and a better understanding of their behaviour. They are working with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) as part of a conservation strategy and action plan for the diminishing lion population in Zimbabwe.
Conservation
BHAPU (Bumi Hills Anti-Poaching Unit): Bumi Hills Safari Lodge & Spa runs its own anti-poaching unit, helping to protect fishing and wildlife in its own concession and in the settled lands to the west of the Matusadona National Park. It collaborates with MAPP within the Park itself.
The Matusadona Anti-poaching Project (MAPP) (www.facebook.com/Matusadona-Anti-Poaching-Project) was launched in early 2013 by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) The Tashinga Initiative (TTI) and the resorts of Changa Safari Camp and Spurwing Island Resort. In order to be successful in their anti-poaching operations the ZPWMA rangers need to be adequately equipped and collaboration with organizations such as Conservation Zambezi (www.conservationzambezi.org) and the Zambezi Society(www.zamsoc.org) has resulted in donations of radio communications, speedboats and engines, vehicles, solar power and education materials. A 24-hour hotline with rewards for information has been very successful.
The Zambezi Elephant Fund (ZEF) (www.zambezielephantfund.org) has been formed specifically to address the escalating rise of poaching in the Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe. It organization began when John Stevens, a private guide who operates in the area, decided to do something about this. Like-minded concerned individuals, operators, NGOs and relevant government bodies joined him and formed the collaborative ZEF initiative.
Most of the Zambezi Valley has already lost its rhino population to poaching and is now losing elephants every month for their ivory. ZEF works collaboratively with the Zimbabwean government, NGOs and the private sector to develop, implement and manage:
-Anti-poaching operations
-Field equipment and supplies for rangers and support teams
-Anti-poaching ranger training
-Conservation security planning and implementation
-Information systems and networking
-Technology and systems for anti-poaching operations
They aim to protect elephants in the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe by putting a stop to poaching and developing and putting in place systems that ensure the long-term safety of these incredible animals and the security and growth of other wildlife in the area, together with the protection of the environment and the improvement and sustainability of these efforts.
ZEF recognizes the importance of involving and supporting local communities in a wide range of areas within the Zambezi valley including Binga, Chewore, Chirundu, Chizarira, Kanyemba, Kariba Town, Lake Kariba, Mana Pools, Matusadona, Mavuradonha, Mlibizi and Msuna, Mongwe, Sapi and Victoria Falls.
Fishing
For many years the Matusadona has been plagued by Zambian and local fish poachers entering the Sanyati Gorge at night indiscriminately netting the fish populations. Semi-permanent camps had been established and up to five Zambian fishing boats would enter these waters nightly to catch all sizes and any species of fish to sell on the lucrative Zambian market. Their activities threatened the very existence of the once healthy fish population in these parts which are a favoured spawning ground of the tiger fish.
In their operations MAPP have taken out almost one hundred and twenty kilometres of netting that has been illegally set by these poachers, in addition, over one hundred and sixty boats have been impounded or destroyed and many fish poachers arrested; jail terms, fines and warnings have been imposed.
Ivory and rhino horn poaching
In 1997 it was estimated there were just thirty black rhinos left in the Matusadona National Park. Local and international organizations, schools and volunteers have provided vehicles and camera traps to enable the DPWMS to carry out land based ranger patrols to halt the activities of poachers. Local commercial firms have been donating fuel and their mechanics to sustain these anti-poaching operations which has resulted in arrests of a number of persons in possession of ivory and the confiscation of illegal firearms and happily, no new elephant carcasses have been discovered in the National Park recently.
Matusadona National Park (MNP) once supported Africa’s second highest density of lions. The plentiful grasslands on the foreshore of Lake Kariba provided for large herds of buffalo and consequently the lions thrived. However, following fluctuations in lake levels and increases in poaching, the buffalo herds disappeared, quickly followed by the lions. The last census of lions in 2005 suggested just 28 individuals, down from nearly 90 individuals in 1998, remained. The ALERT Lion project is deeply committed to lion conservation by monitoring lion populations and a better understanding of their behaviour. They are working with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) as part of a conservation strategy and action plan for the diminishing lion population in Zimbabwe.