Lake Kariba is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, formed in 1959 when the Zambezi was dammed at the Kariba Gorge. It stretches for about 220 kilometres along the border with Zambia, with water the colour of steel and drowned trees along the shore.
Matusadona National Park lies on the southern shore, where the lake meets rugged hills and open grassland. The park is known for elephant, buffalo, lion, hippo, crocodile and bird life, and for walking and boat safaris. Houseboat trips are a relaxed way to see the shoreline and to fish for tigerfish.
The lakeside camps are remote and quiet, and the lake is a good place to relax after a safari. It is open all year, and the best months for wildlife are June to October.
Matusadona has elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, waterbuck, kudu, impala and lion, and leopard and spotted hyena are present. Wild dog are seen occasionally. The shoreline is a good place to watch herds coming to drink.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
The lake is wide and calm, with drowned trees, islands and a backdrop of hills. Sunsets over the water are spectacular.
Activities here
Kariba is hot all year, with daytime temperatures of 28°C to 36°C. The rains fall from November to March, and October is the hottest month.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 | 22 | 180 |
| Feb | 32 | 22 | 170 |
| Mar | 32 | 21 | 110 |
| Apr | 32 | 19 | 20 |
| May | 30 | 16 | 3 |
| Jun | 28 | 13 | 0 |
| Jul | 28 | 13 | 0 |
| Aug | 30 | 15 | 0 |
| Sep | 34 | 19 | 0 |
| Oct | 36 | 22 | 10 |
| Nov | 35 | 23 | 70 |
| Dec | 33 | 22 | 160 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
May to October is dry, with warm days and mild nights. Wildlife comes to the shoreline to drink, and game viewing is at its best.
November to April is hot and humid, with storms over the lake. Some tracks flood.
June to October is the best time for wildlife. The lake can be visited all year, and the green season is good for birding and fishing.
Best time to visit May to Oct
Kariba town has an airport with flights from Harare, and road transfers from Harare take about five hours. Matusadona camps are reached by boat from Kariba, about two to three hours, or by charter flight.
Park fees are included in our safaris. Please see the Zimbabwe page for visa details.
The lake shore is a malaria area, so please take advice. Bilharzia can be present in the lake, so avoid swimming. It is hot, so bring sun protection.
Scenic AreaVictoria FallsThe smoke that thunders
National ParkMana Pools National ParkWalking and canoeing on the Zambezi
National ParkHwange National ParkGreat elephant herds and painted dogsOur take
“Our take”
Lake Kariba is a good place to end a safari, with a boat trip at sunset and a long, slow day.
Safaris from
US$1,786 per person
Plan your time in Lake Kariba and Matusadona
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Made to measure
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