Lake Kariba
Lake Kariba is one of Zimbabwe's (and Zambia's) best-kept secrets; the lake's vastness creates spectacular panoramas as the sun casts its glow across the shimmering waters catching the distinctive half-submerged trees and islands.
Kariba is not as popular as it should be; this has always confused us as wildlife and birdlife are excellent, especially around the Matusadona National Park and the Chete Safari Area.
Lake Kariba Facts
- Size: 290km long, 32km at its widest, and has a minimum depth of 120metres
- Location: Northern Zimbabwe
- When to visit the park: Year-round
- Altitude: 500m
- Accommodation: Lake Kariba Lodges
Where is Lake Kariba located?
An easy question to answer, Lake Kariba is located on the north-western border of Zimbabwe. The Zambezi River and Kariba form the borders between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Click here to see the location for yourself on Google maps; Google Maps - Lake Kariba
Best Time to Visit Lake Kariba?
The Lake is a year-round destination when it comes to visiting. Summers are hot with rainfall, while winters are mild and dry.
Information On Lake Kariba
Visit the second-largest man-made dam in the world, Kariba, for game viewing, birding, photography, fishing and houseboat cruises.
The Lake (which is actually a dam) is 290km long, 32km at its widest and has a minimum depth of 120metres and was opened by the Queen Mother in 1960.
Lake Kariba's dam wall contains over a million cubic metres of concrete and 11 000 tones of steel and stands 126 metres high, and it took 10 000 men four years to build. The Dam wall is a spectacular sight in itself and can be photographed and visited by going through the Zimbabwean border post near the town of Kariba.
Main Attractions Of Lake Kariba
- Kariba dam wall
- Fishing
- House Boats
- Wildlife
- Birdlife
- Photography
- Sunsets
- Matusadona National Park
- Chete Safari Area
- Surrounding panoramas
- Singita Pamushana Lodge
Singita Pamushana in the private Malilangwe Reserve offers visitors incredible game viewing and birdlife sightings, including the famed 'Big 5' but some of Southern Africa's most scenic bushveld vistas.
Singita Pamushana Lodge ranks with the best lodges that Africa and Southern Africa have to offer.
- Amalinda Lodge
Amalinda Lodge, situated 45 kilometres south of Bulawayo, is a privately owned and family-run lodge that offers up excellent accommodation options and safari activities.
Take full advantage of all that the Matobo Hills have to offer when staying at Amalinda.
- Singita Malilangwe House
Singita Malilangwe House, with five luxuriously appointed bedrooms, is the ideal destination for a small group of friends or family seeking the ultimate privacy.
Malilangwe House is perched on a sandstone ridge with views of the surrounding landscape and Malilangwe Dam below.
- Bomani Tented Lodge
Bomani Tented Lodge in a private 5000-acre reserve just outside Hwange National Park offers up game drives, horseback safaris, and walking options for guests, birding in the summer months is spectacular.
The perfect Zimbabwe safari lodge and wilderness experience in Hwange for families and romantics alike.
- Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is located just 4km from Victoria Falls, one of Southern Africa's must-visit destinations with excellent accommodation options and, most importantly, access to the Falls, the Zambezi River and the Zambezi National Park.
- Somalisa Acacia Camp
Somalisa Acacia Camp is the perfect hideaway for families, honeymooners or a small group of friends, an intimate and luxurious safari lodge within a private concession hidden away deep in Hwange National Park.
The wildlife surrounding the camp is exceptional no matter the time of year.