Lake Kariba

A vast inland sea of drowned forests and fiery sunsets — safari by houseboat and game-rich shores.

Getting there

Charter to Kariba; lodges and houseboats on the shore and islands

Best for

Houseboat safaris, sunsets, elephant and game on the shoreline, fishing

The land

One of the world's largest reservoirs, ringed by the Matusadona shore and skeletal drowned trees

Good to know

The Matusadona shoreline holds elephant, lion and big herds drawn to the water's edge

What it is

Kariba is a man-made inland sea so large it has its own horizon — and a wholly different way to safari.

Created by the Zambezi dam, Kariba is famous for drowned forests, spectacular sunsets and houseboat safaris. The Matusadona shore on its southern edge draws elephant, buffalo and lion to the water, and you watch it all drift past from the deck.

PhotoLake Kariba — great lake.

The reason to come

Safari from the water

Kariba slows everything down — the game comes to the shore, and you meet it from a boat.

Houseboat days

Drifting the shoreline with game on the banks and sundowners on deck.

Matusadona shore

Elephant and buffalo on the grassy fringe; lion not far behind.

The sunsets

Kariba's skies, framed by skeletal drowned trees, are the stuff of legend.

Worth knowing

A different rhythm

After the intensity of a walking park, Kariba is a place to exhale — game viewing with your feet up.

PhotoDrowned trees and a burning sunset over Lake Kariba.

When to come — honestly

Dry season brings the game to the water.

May – October

Best

Dry season. Game concentrates on the shoreline; calm, clear days on the water.

November – April

Good

Green season. Storms and birds; lush shores and warm water.

As the land dries, the shoreline draws the herds — the best months to combine boat and game.

Context

An engineered wilderness

Kariba flooded the Zambezi valley in the late 1950s; the wildlife rescued during 'Operation Noah' seeded the Matusadona shores you cruise today.

It makes a relaxed finale to a Zimbabwe circuit, or a base for unhurried boat-based safari.

Beyond the obvious

More to Lake Kariba.

PhotoHouseboat safari

Houseboat safari

Days adrift along the Matusadona shore.

PhotoTiger fishing

Tiger fishing

Kariba is famous for fighting tigerfish.

PhotoSundowners on deck

Sundowners on deck

The lake's legendary skies at dusk.

Why Wild Voyager

We send you with Zimbabwe's best guides.

Zimbabwe's professional guides are the most rigorously qualified in Africa. We pair you with the camps and pro guides who make walking and canoeing here both thrilling and safe.