Questions and answers
Matusadona: frequently asked questions
The questions people ask most before a trip to Matusadona, answered from the park's own documents and dated operator rates.
How much is the entry fee for Matusadona?
Budget $30 per international adult per day. That is the conservation levy the Matusadona Conservation Trust charges, according to Changa Safari Camp's 2026/2027 rate sheets ($24 for SADC visitors). The ZimParks 2026 gazette gives lower figures, $24 international, $18 SADC and $10 for Zimbabwe residents. The two systems do not match, so confirm the current levy with the trust at reservations.matusadona@africanparks.org before you travel. A foreign-registered car adds $5 a day.
Who do I book park accommodation with?
With the trust, not ZimParks. The park-run campsite, cottages, Albida Camp, Jenje bush camp and wilderness sites are booked through reservations.matusadona@africanparks.org or +263 78 677 4616; the park says WhatsApp works best because signal is intermittent. ZimParks' 2026 gazette lists no Matusadona accommodation at all.
How do I get to Matusadona from Kariba?
By speedboat, about an hour to Tashinga, weather depending. Several lodges arrange their own transfers. With a vehicle, the private McMaster ferry runs on demand from Chawara Harbour to the Spurwing and Fothergill shore in three to three and a half hours, followed by about two hours of bush road to Tashinga.
Does Kariba Ferries go to Matusadona?
No. Kariba Ferries sails between Kariba and Mlibizi at the western end of the lake, a 22-hour overnight trip. It can bring a vehicle from the Victoria Falls side to Kariba town, but from there you still need a boat or the McMaster ferry to reach the park.
Can I drive to Matusadona?
Yes, but it is a long day. From Harare the route runs via Karoi and Magunje to the Chifudze gate; the park puts the whole drive at about nine hours and recommends a 4x4. From Victoria Falls or Hwange the Binga road takes a full day and the park says it is currently not in good condition. Karoi is the last reliable fuel stop.
Can I self-drive inside the park?
Yes, from sunrise to sunset. No off-road driving, 40 km/h maximum, and no more than three vehicles at a sighting. The escarpment roads need a safety permit for tourists.
When is the best time to visit Matusadona?
June to October, when the bush dries out and game concentrates on the lakeshore grass. August to October is the most concentrated and the hottest, with October reaching 40°C. The rains, roughly November to March, bring lower rates and dramatic storms but scattered game. The level of Lake Kariba also shapes the lakeshore, so check the Zambezi River Authority's figures before you book.
Are there lions in Matusadona?
Yes, but far fewer than at the famous peak of 138 in the late 1990s. No current count is published. The park's Jenje camp has a resident pride, and lions here are known for hunting crocodiles on the shore.
Are there wild dogs in Matusadona?
Yes, again. Twenty African wild dogs were reintroduced in two packs in February 2026, after decades of local extinction. Guides and plans written before then say there are none.
Is Bumi Hills inside Matusadona?
No. Bumi Hills Safari Lodge is on its own private concession west of the Ume River, outside the park, and so are Musango and the Tiger Bay area. Guests reach the park by crossing the Ume. Spurwing and Fothergill, on the Kariba side, are counted outside the park by its management plan.
Can I swim in Lake Kariba?
No. The lake is full of crocodiles and the shoreline is where they and the hippos spend their time. Stay out of the water, including the shallows.
Can I fish in Matusadona?
Yes, with a valid permit. The daily limit is five fish per person, and fish may not be cleaned in camp. The ZimParks gazette prices fishing into its water rate for the Ume and Sanyati, $30 a day for an international visitor. Many lodges fish catch-and-release.
Can I walk in the park?
Only with a designated official. Guided walks run from Tashinga and the lodges, and the multi-day Matusadona Trails take fit adults into the escarpment with a guide. Houseboat guests may not go ashore without an armed guide.
How big is Matusadona?
About 1,400 km². The Parks and Wildlife Act gives 140,700 hectares, or 1,407 km². The 1,470 km² quoted almost everywhere appears to be those digits swapped.