Lake Kariba Reservoir

Address: Lake Kariba, Matabeleland North Province / Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe/Zambia border

Website: http://www.zimbabwetourism.net/

Hours: Lake accessible year-round; services vary by operator

Admission: No charge to view from public shores; boat trips and park fees for Matusadona/other protected areas vary

Lake Kariba is a large reservoir on the Zambezi River forming a border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, created by the Kariba Dam. The impoundment is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world and supports fisheries, tourism and hydroelectric power.

The lake extends for more than 200 kilometres behind the dam and has broad, shallow bays and deeper channels that support rich aquatic life; it is a major destination for fishing, boating and wildlife viewing. Numerous lodges and camps line the shoreline offering boat safaris and fishing trips, notably for tigerfish.

Kariba Dam was completed in 1959 to impound the Zambezi and supply hydroelectric power; the lake and its shoreline have since become important for local economies and cross-border tourism infrastructure.

Lake Kariba stretches along the Zimbabwean-Zambian border, with the dam and town of Kariba on the Zimbabwe side and lakeshore towns such as Siavonga on the Zambian shore.

• Artificial reservoir: The reservoir was created by the construction of Kariba Dam and is one of the world’s largest man-made lakes by volume and surface area.
• Size and extent: The lake is about 223 kilometres in length and in places reaches widths of up to roughly 40 kilometres, forming a long border lake between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The main towns on Lake Kariba are Kariba town (Zimbabwe) and surrounding lodges; road access from Harare is roughly a 3-4 hour drive north on the A1. Boat charters and houseboat operators leave regularly from Kariba town and various private lodges.

• Take a sunset cruise to see elephants and hippos forage along the shore.
• If driving, check road and ferry conditions; the Kariba Dam area has long distances between services.
• Book lodgings or boat cruises in advance during peak season (July-September) to secure waterside rooms.
• Bring insect repellent for evenings near the water; mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk.