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