About Matusadona National Park
photo credit Kelly Landrey
Introduction
In 2019, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority invited African Parks to enter into co-management of Matusadona National Park – the first in Zimbabwe to fall under the African Parks mandate – and a 20-year agreement was signed with the vision to revitalise the park for wildlife and communities. As a result of the partnership, the park is managed through the Matusadona Conservation Trust.
The Matusadona Conservation Trust oversees an expansive area, including the 1,470km² Matusadona National Park and 725km² of the adjacent Lake Kariba Recreational Park. Beyond these boundaries, the Trust extends its influence to over 2,000km² of Nyaminyami Rural District land and Kariba Recreation Park waters. This comprehensive approach aims to create a landscape where conservation, stability, and human-wildlife coexistence can thrive.
Under the Trust’s stewardship, Matusadona National Park has experienced a renaissance in conservation efforts and community engagement. Robust anti-poaching measures and habitat restoration projects safeguard the park’s rich biodiversity and varied ecosystems. The Trust’s impact extends beyond the park’s borders through collaborative programmes with local communities, offering sustainable livelihood options that reduce pressure on natural resources. Simultaneously, education initiatives boost conservation awareness and improve literacy rates in surrounding districts.
This holistic strategy secures the area’s long-term viability as a multifaceted preserve, standing not only as a wildlife sanctuary, but also as a paleontological treasure trove and a site of significant cultural heritage. The neighbouring community wildlife areas and Recreational Park serve as vital, biodiverse lifelines for the region’s people.
By anchoring the Sebungwe Region’s wildlife and wild landscapes while supporting sustainable community development, the Matusadona Conservation Trust is crafting a living legacy. This approach honours both human history and natural diversity, ensuring that Matusadona and its surroundings continue to thrive as a beacon of successful conservation and community partnership in Africa.
Biodiversity Conservation
In its heyday, Matusadona was renowned for hosting the highest density of lion in Africa, while also serving as a vital stronghold for elephant and the Critically Endangered black rhino. Although the park experienced significant losses over the years due to various challenges including poaching, it managed to maintain a diverse array of wildlife that hints at its former glory.
Today, Matusadona is home to a robust population of elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo, alongside typical lakeshore species such as hippo, waterbuck, and impala. Critically endangered white-backed, hooded and white-headed vultures call the park home alongside endangered grey crowned cranes, lappet-faced vultures, steppe and martial eagles, secretary birds, and bateleur eagles. Cheetah and African wild dog pass through the park, while the critically endangered Temminck’s pangolin thrive within the boundary. The Ume and Sanyati rivers are important spawning grounds for indigenous fish species, and the protected waters around the park support the critically endangered Kariba tilapia, the vulnerable longfin tilapia, near threatened mottled eel and African clawless otter.
Under the stewardship of African Parks and Zimbabwe’s National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, the Matusadona Conservation Trust has made the restoration of wildlife populations a top priority. Its ambitious goal is to re-establish the park as Zimbabwe’s premier sanctuary for the black rhino.
The Matusadona National Park is currently engaged in several crucial research initiatives aimed at enhancing the understanding of the local and regional ecosystems and its inhabitants. One significant project involves tracking the movements of collared lions, elephants, pangolins, and White-backed vultures in a bid to identify potential threats to these species and map the critical connections between various wildlife areas within the Sebungwe Region. Concurrently, the park’s Biodiversity Conservation department is conducting an in-depth assessment of the lakeshore grasslands. This research focuses on evaluating the current state of these vital habitats and examining the competitive dynamics among key grazing species, including elephants, buffalo, hippos, and impala. The findings from this study will provide valuable insights into the complex interactions within this unique ecosystem, enabling park management to make informed decisions for conservation strategies and wildlife management. By combining cutting-edge tracking technology with traditional ecological assessments, the park is building a robust knowledge base that will support long-term conservation efforts and help maintain the delicate balance of this diverse ecosystem.
While community wildlife areas and nearby safari areas around the park’s boundary helps mitigate some conservation challenges like human encroachment and agricultural expansion, other issues continue to demand attention. The Matusdona Conservation Trust remains focused on combating the unsustainable and illegal harvesting of natural resources and wildlife, as well as addressing the complex dynamics of human-wildlife conflict in surrounding areas.
Community Development
The long-term success of Matusadona National Park’s conservation efforts is inextricably linked to the active participation and support of local communities and authorities. Since 2019, park management has been implementing a comprehensive community engagement programme. This initiative aims to inform local populations about the park’s importance, ensure that communities benefit from its presence, and foster local support for protecting this vast wilderness area.
These goals are pursued through close collaboration with the Nyaminyami Rural District Council, the authority responsible for the welfare of the district’s people, the local Chiefs of Nebiri, Neganda, Masampakaruma and Mola, and the communities themselves. The Matusadona Conservation Trust’s Community Development Department spearheads a range of initiatives which include land-use planning and environmental education programmes, strategies to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, and rapid response systems when such conflicts occur. The department also supports existing government schools by improving access to literacy tools, establishing libraries, and providing bursaries for students. Additionally, the Trust focuses on developing sustainable enterprises within the community. By creating economic opportunities for local residents, park management aims to forge a symbiotic relationship between conservation efforts and community well-being.
Park Revenue Generation
Matusadona National Park possesses immense potential to become a leading safari tourism destination in Africa. Its unique position on the shores of Lake Kariba offers exceptional game viewing opportunities both on land and water, while its paleontological and cultural history sites creating a distinctive heritage safari experience that sets it apart from other parks.
To harness this potential, the park management has been proactive in developing tourism infrastructure and partnerships. It has signed concession agreements with third-party operators to develop and manage tourism facilities, while also initiating improvements and expanding the portfolio to existing infrastructure. There’s a growing trend of reinvestment in lodges within and around the park, complemented by the flourishing houseboat industry on Lake Kariba. These efforts are not only enhancing the visitor experience but also creating much-needed revenue and employment opportunities for surrounding communities. The burgeoning tourism industry is contributing to greater economic stability in the region, which in turn supports and reinforces conservation efforts.
By carefully balancing wildlife conservation, community development, and sustainable tourism, Matusadona National Park is working towards a holistic model of conservation that benefits both nature and people. The ongoing revival of this park serves as a compelling example of how strategic management and community involvement can help restore and protect critical wildlife habitats in Africa. As Matusadona continues to evolve, it stands as a beacon of hope for conservation efforts across the continent, demonstrating that with dedication, collaboration, and sustainable practices, it’s possible to reclaim and preserve our planet’s most precious wild spaces.