Travel Guide Lake Mutirikwi Recreational Park

The Mutirikwi water body (better known by its former name of Kyle) is the second largest man-made lake in Zimbabwe after Kariba. It was created in 1961 in order to provide a water supply for the towns of the Lowveld (especially the area around Hippo Valley and Triangle) where sugar cane is grown intensively. Unfortunately, the project collapsed in the 1980s due to repeated droughts that caused the lake to dry up almost completely. Zimbabwe was forced to import much of its sugar, which did not do the government's coffers much good. Fortunately, in 1990, the skies returned, allowing the lake and the sugar cane plantations to recover. Nowadays, it is possible to canoe on the blue waters of Mutirikwi again or to go fishing. Apart from its purely utilitarian function, the lake is indeed a renowned recreational base, regularly visited by the local population. Its shores are as varied as they are pleasant (high hills, rocky overhangs, small cliffs, vast forests...) and a rather rich wildlife reserve borders the entire northern shore of the lake (the Lake Mutirikwi Recreationnal Park, managed by Zimparks). This protected area, created in 1960, covers 16,900 ha (of which 9,300 ha are occupied by the lake) and is home to an impressive diversity of antelopes (eland, impala, kudu, crescent cob, reed cob, wildebeest, duiker, harnessed guib, etc.), as well as warthogs, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and even a few white rhinoceroses. Most of these animals were introduced from the famous "Noah" operation, which allowed thousands of mammals to escape the rising waters of Kariba. There are approximately 65 km of trails that run through the reserve and it is also possible to do 90 minute horseback safaris. This is the only way to get to know the local people and the local culture, as well as the local culture of the local people.The southern shore of Lake Mutirikwi is accessible by shared cabs from the Pick N Pay in the center of Masvingo. The north shore is more difficult to access; kombis and buses going east from Masvingo can drop you off at the main road, but the walk will usually be longer.