A luxurious houseboat on Lake Kariba near Matusadona National Park
Gourmet galley, indoor saloon, al fresco breakfast area, and open-plan entertainment area
Three well-appointed, air-conditioned en-suite guest cabins
Game viewing by boat and on land, fishing, and sunset cruises
After brunch every morning, the boat sets sail to a new destination. Passengers of Matusadona can enjoy some great game viewing on Lake Kariba and in the surrounding Matusadona National Park.
Kariba is one of the world’s largest manmade lakes, with a total volume of 185 cubic kilometers! The waters are home to plenty of crocodile, hippopotamus, and an excellent assortment of birds – highlights include fish eagle and cormorant.
Glide towards the national park, and you can look out for lion, rhino, elephant, and buffalo. Availability permitting, you can go on one complimentary game drive from either Bumi Hills Safari Lodge or Changa Safari Camp.
Fishing is possible too – over forty species swim the waters of Kariba, among them Cornish jack, tiger fish, and bream. And sunset cruises are a wonderful way to end the day, while sinking a sundowner on board the Matusadona!
Matusadona is moored permanently at Marineland Harbor, which is accessed via road transfer from Kariba International Airport, 25 minutes away. Travelers can also drive from the Zimbabwean borderpost at the Kariba Dam Wall, or board close to properties in Matusadona National Park, if that’s more convenient.
*As this is a houseboat, the location of this property may change based on the houseboat’s position on the water.
Heading upstairs, the middle deck is known as the Saloon Deck, and it boasts a great range of communal facilities.
The lounge offers a TV with DVD player, a sound system, a small collection of books, and a few board games. There’s also a dining area and a coffee station. The gourmet galley is home to a lot of useful equipment, such as an electric oven, a gas hob, a microwave, two fridge–freezers, a washing machine, and a tumble dryer. Outside, there’s a breakfast area, perfect for enjoying a hearty first meal of the day in the sunshine. Brunch is available too, lunch is usually provided at 12:30pm, and delicious dinners are served at 7 o’clock. On the upper deck, the Palm Deck, there are two lounge areas, another dining area, the boat’s bar, a sundeck with open-air Jacuzzi, and amazing views!
The boat contains three en-suite guest cabins, all found on its lower deck and accessed via a staircase from the middle deck’s indoor saloon.
In total, Matusadona measures 28.6 meters in length and 6.85 meters across the beam, so all guest accommodation is spacious. Each cabin is air conditioned, and includes a queen-size bed, bedside tables and lighting, a writing desk and chair, a wardrobe, and mosquito-proof portholes! The en-suite facilities are very well appointed. Every cabin has capacity for at least one child aged 6–15 years in addition to two adults.
Yellow Zebra recommends Matusadona Houseboat for travelers seeking a very special kind of experience of both Lake Kariba and Matusadona National Park. Great game viewing is guaranteed, and you even get a free game drive at either Bumi Hills Safari Lodge or…
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