Lake Kariba

Getting there
By Air
Charter flights are primary mode of transport and options are available from Harare, Hwange, Mana Pools and Victoria Falls that link up with Lake Kariba or Matusadona airstrips. On arrival on the airstrips you will be road transferred to your campsite, lodge or houseboat in air-conditioned 4×4 vehicle or mini buses. There are several daily flights from Johannesburg to Harare.

Weather & Best Time To Visit
Lake Kariba is generally hot all year round. The area is at most humid during the rainy season from October to April when short, intense thunderstorms are scattered with periods of bright sunshine. During August to September there’s lots of wind, which makes the lake quite choppy, so it’s not the best time to visit if you get seasick.

The best time to visit Lake Kariba is during May and July when the weather is dry, calm and slightly cooler.

Medical Considerations
Lake Kariba is situated within a high malaria risk area, and anti-malaria safeguards ought to be consulted with your personal medical practitioner when you are scheduling your tour to Southern Africa. Further than that, make sure that all your regular vaccinations are up to date.

Health & Safety
Swimming in the lake isn’t possible due to hippos, big crocs and bilharzia. In Kariba town, avoid walking around at night due to the prevalence of elephants. The prevalence of crime is very low, however appropriate action may be taken should you sense the need to secure your valuables.

There are a variety of activities to do in Kariba, ranging from wildlife viewing safari’s on land and on water, fishing and village tours.

Bush Walks
One of the best ways to experience and feel a part of the African bush. You will be accompanied by experienced and knowledgeable professional guides. Walks are best performed in the early mornings or late afternoons when it is not too hot.

Game Drives
Kariba is among the world’s largest man-made lakes and a genuine African wilderness with far more animals than people. This allows for glorious game viewing by boat as well as the traditional open 4 x 4 vehicles and walking in the wilds with an armed professional guide.

Boat Cruises
Relax and enjoy one of Lake Kariba’s most popular activities. If you are fascinated with birding, then the boat cruise is perfect for you as it will provide a different vantage point to get up close and personal to numerous species of birds. Whilst drifting along the banks of the lake, you will also encounter some great wildlife sightings in their peaceful surroundings. What better way to end your day in Kariba, than listening to the sounds of hippo around you and witnessing an unforgettable sunset on the lake.

Bird Watching
Bird watching can be done on either a gentle boat cruise or a game drive in the morning or afternoon. The birdlife in the Matusadona National Park is prolific, with 350 different species identified in the area including ducks, herons, plovers and storks that congregate along the waterfront and darters and cormorants who use the dead tree base for their fishing forays.

Cultural Excursions
The Chalala and Mola communities, which are home to the Tonga, a delightful and very spiritual people who have resided in this area and along the length of the Zambezi river for centuries. They have preserved ancient traditions and still live a largely subsistence lifestyle that is reliant on fishing, livestock and small-scale farming. In the village of Chalala these customs have melted together with the inevitable infiltration of modern ways of life. However, the luxuries of a permanent electricity and water supply to homes are still absent, leaving the communities still largely reliant on the surrounding environment for their livelihood.

Is malaria prevalent in this area?
Yes – The whole of the Zambezi Valley is a malaria area. Speak with your doctor before leaving home about prophylactics. You should also bring an insect repellent spray or cream with you to apply topically, especially in the evening.

Can I board a boat at Kariba and travel to Victoria Falls?
The only boat permitted to travel from the eastern side of Lake Kariba to Binga is the Kariba Ferry. Charter boats are restricted to the Eastern Basin of the Lake.

Are fishing rods, tackle and bait provided on boats?
A small minority of the boats will supply the above, but rods and reels can be hired from Kariba and tackle and bait may be purchased there, too.

Do the boats travel at night?
No, the latest you may board a boat to travel is 16:30 hours in summer months and 16:00 in winter months.

Can I swim on Kariba?
No. There are crocodiles and hippos present all over the Lake. Rather hire a boat with a splash pool or swimming cage.

What plug points are on the houseboats?
Most boats have square plug sockets but to be on the safe side rather take round to square and square to round adaptors.

Is there a place where I can stay before or after our houseboat trip?
Yes. There are plenty of well-run self-cater/catered Lodges in Kariba as well as a host of hotels.

What does dry boat or bare boat mean?
They are one and the same thing. – it means that fuel is provided for the charter but is not included in the quotation given and ought to be paid by the clients at the end of their trip direct to the harbour fuel jetty.

Can I cross from one side of Kariba to the other?
On the Kariba Ferry yes and only on certain boats that permit this crossing.

What is the difference between a Pontoon and a Cabin Cruiser?
Pontoon houseboats are much bigger than Cabin Cruisers, they have more space and can take more passengers. Houseboats are also built on pontoons which raises them slightly of the water which enables the boat to travel in shallow water. This means that most Houseboats can overnight in Bays that are closer inland where the game is. Cabin Cruisers are hulled vessels which means that they cannot travel in shallow water, they are not very stable in stormy weather and rough waters and most Cabin Cruisers are not considered child-friendly.