Lake Mutirikwi
A reservoir near Masvingo below Great Zimbabwe, with a game park and granite hills around the shore.
Saved in this browser only - no account, nothing sent anywhere. See your map
Lake Mutirikwi, long called Kyle, was created in the 1960s by damming the Mutirikwi river to irrigate the sugar estates of the lowveld, and it is the second largest inland water in Zimbabwe. Granite hills stand around its shores and a recreational park on the northern side holds white rhino, giraffe, zebra and antelope introduced to it. Great Zimbabwe stands a few kilometres away, and the lake is used for fishing and boating.
What you actually see
- The lake - the second largest inland water in the country.
- The recreational park - the introduced game on the northern shore.
- The granite hills - the whalebacks standing around the shoreline.
- The Great Zimbabwe proximity - the ruins a few kilometres from the water.
When to go
April to October is the dry season and best for game. Water levels vary a great deal with the rains and with irrigation demand. Summer is hot.
Honest expectations
Water levels fluctuate widely and the lake can be low. The recreational park's game is introduced and managed rather than wild. Facilities around the shore are dated.
Nearby
Great Zimbabwe is west, and Masvingo is northwest.
What to pack for Lake Mutirikwi
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
