Ngezi Recreational Park
- Fishing from the bank or boat during summer months, bass, bream and tiger are caught.
Boating is a major activity with power boats permitted, beware rocks when the water is shallow. - Game viewing includes antelope and smaller game.
- The vegetation is influenced by the close proximity of the Great Dyke, but the climate is typical of the Highveld with a hot and dry summer and mild cool winter
- Lodges are very affordable with good views over the lake
From the main Harare-Bulawayo national road (A5) 71 KM from Harare, 2.95 KM after Selous reach the roundabout, turn left off the national road toward Ngezi Mine, 7.2 KM pass Chengeta Safari Lodge turnoff on the left, 11.6 Km pass Pamuzinda Safari Lodge on the right, 17.6 KM cross the Mupfure River, 24.7 KM cross intersection, 66.2 Km reach Ngezi Mine, 74.2 KM turn right onto gravel road to detour around Ngezi Mine, 82.4 KM turn left at intersection for Ngezi Recreational Park, 91.3 KM cross the Great Dyke, 96.4 KM reach entrance to Ngezi Recreational Park. The road as far as Ngezi Mine is excellent thanks to Zimplats.
From the Harare-Masvingo national road (A4) distances are from Featherstone Police station. 29.2 KM turn right travelling north west, 46.3 KM turn left at the National Parks sign, 76.83 KM turn right at the junction, 82.6 KM turn left, 104.1 KM turn right at the intersection, 105.2 KM arrive at Ngezi Recreational Park entrance.
GPS reference: 18⁰42′51.74″S 30⁰22′50.14″E
If you need a weekend’s break in the country where you can hear the hippos snorting in the lake at night and watch the banded mongoose chasing each other over the rocks by day; or take a drive and spot a shaggy waterbuck ignoring a group of vervet monkeys, then Ngezi might be the place to visit. The Recreational Park is medium size (6,326 hectares) of which 10% is occupied by the lake which was constructed in 1945 to supply water to the thermal power station at Munyati. The Ngezi River squeezes through the Great Dyke in a narrow gorge and forms a good natural site for a dam. To the west the wooded rolling hills of the Great Dyke crowd the horizon, along the lake are marshes and rolling plains of Highveld msasa.
Visitors have a choice of either Lodges or camping for overnight stays:
Lodges
The four Lodges are each fully self-contained for four visitors with bedding, crockery, cutlery, linen, indoor toilets, electric lighting, hot and cold water and are fully furnished, including a refrigerator.
Camp Sites
The twenty-five camp sites are found at Mitchell's Point, Storey's Point, Hammond's Point and Ventura's Point. Only toilets are provided on these sites, except for the Quarry site which has ablution facilities.
Caravan Site
The caravan site located at Mitchell's Point has ablution facilities. Braai sites are provided at both campsites and the caravan site.
Most visitors work at the Ngezi Platinum Mine people and come at the weekend to fish, picnic and braai. Visitors should note that repair service, fuel and groceries are only obtainable from the nearest towns which include Kwekwe, Chegutu and Beatrice.
