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There once was a time when Zimbabwe was blessed with every natural asset except one; within its borders were rivers, mountains, deserts and wildlife galore, but being landlocked, the country had no coastline that it could call its own. In 1958, all that changed. With the completion of the Kariba dam, a jewel of an inland sea was created, two hundred kilometers long and forty kilometers wide at its widest point.
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Apart from giving the country much needed hydro-electricity, Lake Kariba now serves as the source of countless pleasures - fishing and sailing among them.
The wildlife on the banks is also a sight to behold. Elephant, buffalo, rhino and a host of smaller game are abundant, while the waters of the lake itself support more than forty different species of fish, as well as hippo and crocodiles. |
Lake Kariba is studded with islands and surrounded by mountains. Of the wildlife areas which fringe the shores, the most intriguing is found at the Matusadona National Park.
Once on dry land, these thousands of teak trees were half submerged in water as the lake slowly expanded to its present dimensions.
Today the skeletal branches of the trees jut into the sky as if from another world...
There is also the actual Kariba Dam Wall, as well as the town and a nearby crocodile ranch. Or jump a boat across to Bumi Hills or Katete for lunch or even a ferry to the other end of the lake. |
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The Kariba experience is mainly about big game and big fishing.
There are many different safaris that can be arranged, by boat or vehicle, and for fishing there are any number of ways getting out on the water - if you haven't fished for Tiger, you haven't fished!
The town of Kariba is perched above the dam wall and contains various hotels, casinos and restaurants. The summit of the hill above the town offers a spectacular panorama of the lake, the dam wall and the downstream gorge. The Church of Saint Barbara, built to honor those who lost their lives during the construction of the dam stands here.
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merchants.
