KYLE RECREATIONAL PARK

The Park itself exists as a secondary resource, the primary reason for the construction of Kyle Dam was to act as an irrigation reservoir for the lowveld farming estates. Due to the fact that Lake Mutirikwi’s total annual yield of water is committed, the level of the lake is subject to considerable fluctuation. 

The Park area is bounded on the north by the Beza Range which rises to a height of 1485m. Between this range and Lake Mutirikwi, is an undulating plain averaging 1070m above sea level. The plain terminates in an area of broken hills dividing Lake Mutirikwi into to two main areas: east and west. Four main estuaries are a feature of the lakeshore in the central section of the area. Great Zimbabwe, Africa's second largest ancient stone structure, is situated on the Southern side of the Park while Masvingo city which derives its name from the afore-mentioned ancient stone city is to the west of the Park.

On the south of the lake, granite hills dominated by almost bare whalebacks of solid rock occupy the area. The Park originated from traditional communal land formerly occupied by the Basutu and Kalanga tribes.

Animals found in the Park
The Park is home to more than 25 species of wild mammals. Some commonly sited animals include; buffalo, common duiker, eland, impala, kudu, reedbuck, warthog, waterbuck, white rhinoceros, widebeest, zebra, giraffe, squirrel, blackbacked jackal, leopard, honey badger, rockdassie, hippopotamus, ostrich, crocodile and porcupine. Some of the rarer species include; antbear, bushbuck, bushpig, klipsringer, sable and steenbuck.

Fish found in and around the lake?

• Largemouth bass - important & popular angling fish found in most areas?

• Nembwe - Popular angling fish found in all areas?

• Greenhead bream - Move in shoals found in most areas?

• Sabi/ red breasted bream - Found in most areas?

• Mozambique bream - Not very common?

• Black bream - Rarely found?

• Limpopo sardine - Important fodder fish?

• Three spot minnow - Rarely exceeds 12 cm?

• Spotted minnow - Rarely exceeds 10 cm?

• Hamilton barb - Rarely exceeds 12 cm?

• Straight fin barb - Rarely exceeds 12 cm?

• Beira barb - Rarely exceeds 10 cm?

• Southern kneria - Found in small rivers and streams?

• Spotted catlet - Never exceeds 7 cm?

• Mottled eel - Weighs up to 18 kg?

• Eastern bottlenose - Likes very deep rocky areas?

• Smallmouth yellow fish - May exceed 3 kg?

• Red spotted mudsucker - Mainly a riverine species?

• Red-eye mudsucker - Found in all areas?

• Catfish or barbell - May travel overland at night?

• Banded bream - Rarely exceeds 15 cm

Vegetation
The vegetation varies from small patches of evergreen riverine species, through thicket woodland, open woodland, grassland and rocky hills to a barren zone along the lake shore which is subject to periodic inundation and which supports only a sparse cover of annual herbs and grasses.

The vegetation changes from predominance of miombo woodland with brachstegia spiciformis and jubernada globiflora to thickets dominated by peltophorum africanum, terminalia sericea, comberetum and acacia karoo.

Faciliities

Lodges

Central Zone
Accommodation facilities are located about 1 km from the Tourist Office. There are a wide variety of self-catering lodges available at Kyle Recreational Park as outlined below.

Sikato Bay Camp
Located on the northern side of the Great Zimbabwe and 32 km from town. There are currently 2 x 2 bedroomed lodges under construction.

Camp Sites
Central zone
Located 700 metres from the Tourist Office. There are 11 camping sites with 2 ablutions consisting of toilets and hot shower. There are also 2 dining shelters serving this area.Sikato Bay CampThe location has 12 camping sites.

Caravan site
There are 5 caravan sites of which 4 have electric power. The maximum capacity for the site is 6 people per site.

Picnic Site
The picnic sites have ablution and fire places. The sites are mainly for day use.Popoteke Picnic SiteLocated approximately 10 km from the Kyle entrance gate and situated in the northern portion of the Park. The Popoteke gorge site adjoins a special conservation area; a refuge rich in estuarine for spawning fish. The woodland type is predominantly Miombo with brachystegia spiciformis and julbernada globiflora as constituent species. The gorge offers a spectacular view.Mutirikwi Picnic SiteLocated 6 km from the Tourist Office.

Conference Facility
Waterbuck lodge may be used as an alternative conference facility for 20 people upon request.

Activities

• Game viewing - visitors use their own vehicles for transport.

• Fishing - visitors bring their own fishing gear and boats.

• Guided walksGuided horse rides

• Arboretum walk - unguided walk from Tourist Office to the camp sites

• Scenic view - Uchicho; view of the lake and mountains

• Bompst boat club

Amenities

No supplies can be obtained from Lake Kyle, therefore visitors must bring adequate stocks of all utilities.

Why Visit Kyle?

• The Park is rich in wildlife, including 3 of the Big Five; White rhino, Buffalo and Leopard

• Beautiful well maintained accommodation

• The lake is the largest inland man-made lake in Zimbabwe

• Wide variety of fish; about 21 species

• Geographically the Park is one of the most centrally located

• Variety of scenic views

• Perennially good weather conditions

How to get to Kyle Recreational Park

Visitors to the Park use the Mutare/ Birchenough Bridge Road up to the 13km peg to Masvingo and then turn right and travel for 14 km to the Entrance Gate. From there to the Tourist Office is a distance of 5 km. The general condition of all roads leading to the Park are surfaced and in very good condition. However, some tourist roads within the Park may require four wheel drive vehicles.

ACCOMODATION