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Lake Kariba and Matusadona National Park travel info At one time, Zimbabwe was blessed with every natural asset except one. Within its borders were rivers, mountains, deserts and wildlife galore, but being landlocked, the country had no coastline that it could call its own. In 1958, all that changed. With the completion of the Kariba dam, a jewel of an inland sea was created, two hundred kilometres long, and forty at its widest.
Animals under threat from the rising waters of the dam were not left to fend for themselves; "Operation Noah" ensured that over 5 000 animals, including more than 44 black rhino, were rescued and relocated to the Matusadona National Park, which lies on the southern shores of the lake. Wildlife viewing is fantastic here. The park, comprised of wooded hills, plateau and shoreline, is best explored by 4x4, on foot or by boat - two thirds of its 1500 kmē expanse can only be explored on foot.
Lake Kariba is studded with islands and surrounded by mountains. Of the forests, which fringe the shores, the most intriguing is found at the Matusadona National Park. Once on the dry land, these thousands of teak trees were half submerged in water as the lake slowly expanded to its present dimensions. Today the skeletal branches of the trees jut into the sky from another world.
At the downstream end by the dam, the town of Kariba is equipped with sophisticated hotels, casinos and restaurants. The summit of the hill above the town offers a spectacular panorama of the lake, the dam wall and the downstream gorge. Here stands the Church of Saint Barbara, built to honour those who lost their lives constructing the dam. Perhaps the best way to see the lake is to hire a boat for a week, exploring its myriad inlets and islands in complete freedom. All manner of locally built luxury cruisers are available for charter, houseboats, as well as humbler maritime craft for the casual day tour
Seasons
The climate is tropical with three distinguishable seasons - the hot, rainy season runs from late Nov-Mar, the cool dry season occurs netween May-Aug and a very hot dry season (daily temperatures can hover around 40 Degrees Celsius) from Sep-Nov.
Wildlife
You should see: elephants, giraffe, zebra, eland, buffalo, baboon, impala, lion, hyaena, hippo, crocodile,
You may see: white rhino, sable antelope, leopard, black rhino,
Precautions
Malaria area - minimize mosquito bites by wearing light, long sleeved clothing and using effective insect repellents (containing Diethyltoluamide DEET) on exposed skin. Sleep under treated mosquito netting or ensure that the doors and windows of your accommodation are screened against mosquitoes. Having a fan or air-conditioner on at night will further suppress mosquito activity. Currently, the three effective anti-malaria tablets are Mefloquine (Lariam or Mefliam), Doxycycline and Malarone (Malanil). It is still possible to contract malaria while on malaria prophylaxis. Note that Lariam may present serious side-effects - please test before you depart.
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