Kariba, Zimbabwe
Kariba is a resort town in Mashonaland West province, Zimbabwe, located near Lake Kariba, near the Zambian border. It’s a gateway to huge Lake Kariba, known for its houseboats, hippos and tiger fish. In Kariba Heights, a lookout offers panoramic views of the lake. Lake Kariba is still the world's largest man-made reservoir by volume, made up of a double curvature concrete arch dam in the Kariba gorge of the Zambezi river basin between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Kariba is not only the largest manmade lake in the world but it is also an oasis for tourism for both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Its capacity is not only centered on tourism but extends to supplying hydroelectric power to both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Lake Kariba is a popular fishing destination for avid and novice fishermen. It continues to be a great source of wealth for the commercial fishing industry. Lake Kariba encompasses a quiet beauty and a laid back experience with a slow cruise past the riverbanks and wildlife. There are few more magical places in Africa for bird viewing.
So don’t forget to bring your binoculars and your camera. You cannot afford to miss out on the abundance of nature around you.
Where to Stay
Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe is blessed with breath-taking scenery, amazing birds and wildlife and some of the best fishing waters in Southern Africa. The weather, although extremely hot in some seasons, is idyllic, so it’s no wonder a variety of accommodation options have sprung up.
Lake Kariba is a vast wilderness area, with the lake extending for more than 280 kms. So, it’s not exactly over developed at this stage, which is part of the magic…its isolation.
For those unfamiliar with Kariba, it can be a bit confusing and daunting to decide where to stay. We outlined the options below and in hopes to make it clearer for you.
• Houseboats on the lake itself, based out of both Kariba town and Binga.
• Hotels, lodges, self-catering and camping in and around Kariba Town on the extreme eastern end of the Lake, by the Kariba dam wall.
• A handful of beautiful Safari lodges dotted around the eastern basin, on the islands and the mainland extending just past the Ume river.
• Minimal hotel options in Binga and Mlibizi at the western end of the lake.
• Matusadona National Parks chalets and camping.
Get in contact for more detailed list matching your desired requirements to meet your true Alkebulan Experience.
Fun Facts
The name means “where the waters have been trapped.”
This large expanse of water is often referred to as “Africa’s Inland Sea”
The dam has a volume 1,032,000 cubic meters of water!
Lake Kariba is home to some fantastic fish species including the famous Tiger fish, Tilapia Bream, Catfish and the mighty Vundu. For most of the year, Lake Kariba is truly one of the greatest places in Africa for fishing.
Best of all, Lake Kariba has the perfect climate to visit all year round!
