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

Changa Safari Camp

Set in an extremely remote location on Lake Kariba's shores with views stretching out over the lake and onto the Matusadona mountains in the distance, Changa Safari Camp the perfect safari option for those looking for something different without sacrificing game viewing.

Changa Safari Camp

Little Makalolo Camp

Little Makalolo is actually a pleasant 6 roomed tented camp and also one of the handful of camps situated inside of the Hwange National Park, which in turn provides solitude for visitors who appreciate small camps as well as a feeling of remoteness.

Little Makalolo Camp

The Elephant Camp

The Elephant Camp is located within the Victoria Falls National Park and is within a 10-minute drive of the Falls themselves. An emphasis on exclusivity and privacy all the while surrounded by natural beauty and wildlife.

The Elephant Camp

Big Cave Camp

Big Cave Camp is located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site; it is here that one gets the chance to explore the boulder fields, Rhodes Grave and World's View, track rhino, and view rock paintings when out on game drives.

Big Cave Camp

Davison's Camp

Davison's Camp, a classic African tented camp located in the private Linkwasha Concession in the south-eastern wildlife-rich region of Hwange National Park. The camp overlooks a waterhole that is teeming with both wildlife and birdlife throughout the day and night.

Davison's Camp

Kanga Camp

Kanga Camp, a seasonal safari camp, located in a completely untouched wilderness paradise, offers guest a remote and wild safari experience in the Mana Pools National Park. A small and intimate safari experience awaits.

Kanga Camp