
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
Changa is set in an extremely remote location on the shores of Lake Kariba with views stretching out over the lake and onto the Matusadona mountains in the distance.
Changa Safari Camp in the Matusadona National Park is the perfect safari option for those looking for something different without sacrificing game viewing.
- Davisons Camp
Davisons Camp in Zimbabwe, 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 outstanding Hwange wildlife and birdlife throughout the day and night.
- Deteema Springs Camp
If you're looking for an amazing Zimbabwe safari experience, look no further than Deteema Springs Camp! Situated close to the Deteema dam in the Hwange National Park, this camp offers beautiful views of elephants and other wildlife.
Guests will love the chance to go on a walking safari in Hwange and see everything up close!
- Sapi Explorers Camp
Sapi Explorers Camp is located within 1180 square kilometres of private Sapi Concession that borders Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe.
Sapi Explorers in Mana Pools is located in one of the most remote and wild safari destinations found anywhere in Africa today.
- Old Drift Lodge
Old Drift Lodge lies on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, an accommodation option that offers luxury, location and the best of what the region has to offer.
With incredible views of the Zambezi, Old Drift Safari Lodge is the perfect escape that honeymooners and romantics alike have been searching for. - Little Ruckomechi Camp
Set on the banks of the iconic Zambezi River in the Mana Pools surrounded by high concentrations of wildlife and birdlife.
Little Ruckomechi Camp, is the perfect safari lodge option for offers seeking the ultimate in luxury and privacy when visiting the Mana Pools National Park.