Matopos National Park
Zimbabwe’s national parks form an integral part of the country’s tourism. Here you can experience natural surroundings, stunning beauty, and interesting features. The wildlife and species of plants are popular tourist attractions. The Matopos National Park is one such attraction in Zimbabwe that tourists visit frequently.
Matapos National Park is also called Matabo National Park and is one of the oldest of its kind in Zimbabwe. It forms the central area of the Matapos Hills in the southern part of the country. The Matapos Hills cover an area of around 3100 km square of which the park is of 424 km square. About 100 km square is reserved as the game park for children. The park established in 1926, has only a small portion of the park as commercial field. The park offers stunning views of the hills and the adjoining river valleys of Thuli, Mtshelele, Maleme, and Mpopoma. The Matabo National Park in Zimbabwe includes the Lake Matapos Recreational Park too.
Matapos National Park features
Matabo or Matapos sanctuary is popular among the tourists for its flora, fauna, natural beauty, and adventure zones. The children are mostly drawn to the place for the species of rare amphibians and reptiles that is often spotted in the hills. Trekking is an important activity in the region. You can also walk through the valleys. The place is also well-known for its diverse flora and fauna. There are around 200 species of trees, herbs, and 100 varieties of grass in the park.
The park is home to several bird species, 16 fish species, snakes, 88 mammals, and other endangered species like the rhinoceros, antelopes, leopard, and impala. At least 50 per cent of the leopard species live in this park. The game park in the western end comprise of white and black rhinoceros. It is one of the top zones of wildlife conservation especially for the leopards and rhinos.
The White Rhino Shelter is located near the Gordon Park on the road through the central national park.
Other animal species found in the park are ostrich, giraffe, and zebra. Bird breeding center of the park consists of large number of eagles and migratory birds.
Things to do in Matapos National Park
Apart from the animal species, the national park is a host to other activities and adventure trips. The place is a popular destination of adventure lover. The campsites in Matabo National Park are of immense importance to them. The campsites are located in the southern part of the park. Most of them are linked to the various dams in the region and Lake Matapos. Private companies and agents maintain the privately owned campsites. They are found near the Gordon Park region.
Below given are the camping grounds located within the park
- Maleme Camp
- Mtsheleli camp
- Mwesilume Camp
- Toghwana Camp
- Arboretum Camp
- Sandy Spruit Camp
- Lake Matapos Camp
