Matusadona National Park

Getting There

Expert

Philip is our Zimbabwe expert and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.

Matusadona National Park stands on the shore of Lake Kariba, 470km/292mi northwest of Harare. The road into the park is very rough and needs a 4WD vehicle, whether you are coming from Victoria Falls or Hwange in the west, or Kariba or Harare in the east. In the Wet season, from November to March, the road tends to be unnavigable, and it might still be difficult over April to May in years of heavy rainfall.

No scheduled flights service Matusadona, but chartered planes can be arranged to airstrips in or bordering the park (for instance Bumi Hills or Kishinga). Alternatively, scheduled Fastjet flights service Kariba town, from where you can boat the remaining 18km/11mi to the park. There’s also a surfaced 355km/221mi road between Harare and Kariba town. Allow at least 6 hours* for this drive.

Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) is the main point of entry into Zimbabwe. Alternatively you can fly to Harare’s Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) and fly or drive from there. Your pickup from the airport will be arranged by your local tour operator as part of your safari package.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

10 Matusadona Safaris