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 At
its widest point the lake stretches for 8 km. The dam wall
is 400 metres long and the lake measures approximately 27m
deep at full supply level at the dam wall. Construction of
the lake took 2½ years and was completed in 1952 at
a cost of $2,000,000.00.
The game park which opened in 1962 occupies around 1 867
hectares and holds a variety of game; most of which has been
introduced from the Hwange game reserve. Additional game was
brought in from Lake Kariba during the game rescue operation
better known as “Operation Noah”.
The park, also known as Lake Mcllwaine Recreational Park,
was first named in memory of the late Sir Robert Mcllwaine,
a former judge of the High Court and founder of Zimbabwe’s
Soil and Water Conservation movement. This water body is Harare’s
(the capital city of Zimbabwe) main water supply.
The animals that are easily sighted in the park are white
rhino, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala, kudu, waterbuck,
tsessebe, ostrich, eland, sable, baboon, monkey, duiker, warthog,
bush pig, rock hyrax, scrub hare, spring hare, bush squirrel.
The park also has a variety of nocturnal species that include
civet, genet, black backed jackal, porcupine, slender/ white
tailed mongoose, caracal, pangolin, ant bear, serval, bushbaby,
night ape and several other species.
There is a great variety of birdlife and for the birdwatcher,
the Park is a paradise. Included amongst the several bird
species are: African Open Bill Stork, Barbets, Bee-eaters,
Buzzards Coots, Cormorants, Doves, Hamerkops, Jacanas, Kingfisher,
Grey Heron, Darter, Goliath Heron, Fish Eagle, Glossy Starling
and Lilac-breasted Roller.
Lake Chivero is a habitat for several common fish species
including: Tiger fish, Yellow fish, Hunyani salmon, Black
bream, Robustus, Green headed bream, Aquilla Nebulosa, Clarius
Garicpnus, Oreochomus Niloticus, Common Grass Carp, Barbel,
etc. Popular fishing tournaments are based on species like
Common Grass Carp, Barbel and Robustus.
 Typical
of high veld vegetation, the park is dominated by brachystegia
woodland and miombo woodland. Brachystegia and Julbernada
globiflora with associated trees such as terminalia saricea,
parinari curatellifolia and monotes glaber create a variety
of food for the browsers.
Facilities
Facilities at Lake Chivero include lodges, chalets, caravan
and picnic sites. Lake Chivero is electrified and the water
is drawn from a borehole. All lodges and chalets are fitted
with outside lighting and clean water at all units.
Lodges
Lodges are self catering units that contain bedroom units,
lounge and a kitchen. Cutlery and crockery are provided. Presently
lodges are only available at the north bank.
Standard Lodges
There are two standard lodges, Sunbird and Stonechat lodges.
These are two bedroomed units.
Exclusive Lodges
There are 3 exclusive lodges, one located near the tourist
office and the other two 1.5 km from the tourist office. Hornbill,
the lodge at the tourist office is a two bedroomed facility.Fish
Eagle and Kingfisher lodges are located on a hill 1.5 km from
the tourist office. The lodges have a unique view overlooking
the plain and lake below. The lodges each have two bedrooms.
Chalets
There are two types of chalets. All chalets have external
communal ablution (toilet) blocks. The single chalets are
one bedroomed facilities with a small sitting area. The next
level of chalets, are the three roomed ones that boast of
two bedrooms, a lounge and a kitchen.
Camp Sites
Picnic sites
Bushman’s Point and Public Mooring are undeveloped campsites
available in the South Bank.
Caravan and Camping sites
The Msasa caravan and camping site is situated at the North
Bank which is about 29 km from Harare using a separate entrance.
The facilities offer braai stands and an ablution block that
includes showers, both cold and hot water, firewood is also
supplied at the spot.
Activities
Lake Chivero Recreational Park boasts of a wide array of
activities.
 Horse
Riding
Horse riding is conducted every day except Mondays. There
are two rides which take place per day, one at 0800hrs to
0930hrs and the other at 1530hrs to 1700hrs. Each ride is
1½ hours long. All rides are conducted under the guidance
of the parks personnel. Horse rides cannot be done when it
is raining or promising to rain. Charges for the rides and
any details on extra rides can be obtained from the tourist
office.
Crocodile Viewing
Conducted between 0700hrs and 1700hrs. the crocodile ponds
are a walking distance from the tourist offices and main rest
camp. Charges for the activity can be obtained at the tourist
office.
Game Drive
This activity is open to the public all year round. Gates
are open for game viewing daily from 0600hrs until 1800hrs.
All clients are only allowed to enter the park when driving.
Walking and cycling are strictly prohibited unless with express
authority and only in the company of a designated park officer.
Clients are allowed to drive around the park on their own
using designated roads only. If required, a guide can be hired
from the tourist office.
Game Walks
Game walks are conducted at the tourist’s chosen time
but they must be booked a day before. A guide takes tourists
for a walk for at least an hour but no more than five hours
a day per group, unless it is an educational tour. It is important
to note that prior arrangement is required before this activity
can be carried out.
Tennis
The tennis is open all year round for a fee. The court has
a clay surface. Rackets are supplied at the tourist office
but clients must supply their own tennis balls. The charges
per hour of usage of the court can be obtained from the tourist
office.
Volley Ball
Adjacent to the tennis court. Visitors also have to supply
their own balls.Swimming PoolThere are two swimming pools
situated next to the lodges and chalets. The pools are functional
during the dry season.
Fishing
The main and most sought out activity at the park; fishing
is conducted all year round. There are 5 fishing and picnic
sites in the park.
Skull, Bone and Snake Identification
This is done mainly at the tourist office where the skulls
and bones are housed at a small trophy shed.
Water based activities
Recreational activities include yachting, boating, rowing,
angling and canoeing. Launching fees apply and visitors will
have to consult the tourist office or central reservations
office on the prevailing charges.
Why Visit Lake Chivero?
Quality fishing spots
Proximity to Harare (capital city)
Good game viewing experience
Excellent water based activities
How to get to Lake Chivero Recreational Park
South Bank Directions
The park is only 32 km from the capital along the Harare -
Bulawayo highway. The left turn off just after Manyame River
Bridge leads to the dam wall and the spillway. Before reaching
the wall a right hand fork road clearly sign posted leads
to the game park entrance and rest camp.
The road condition is normally above average even though
it is a dust road. During the rainy season, parts of the road
may become muddy. It should be noted that the park has never
closed due to inaccessibility.
Once in the park, there are some side roads that may need
a four wheel drive during the rainy season. These are Bateleur
and Eland Drives on the western area and Reedbuck, Tsessebe
Drive and Giraffe vlei in the central area of the park. Four
wheel drive may be required when driving on Ostrich Loop and
Impala drive.
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