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Lake Kariba holidays

One of the world's largest manmade lakes, Lake Kariba is Lion King-worthy sunsets and gorgeous game-rich shores

When the Kariba Gorge was dammed in the 1950s, the world's largest manmade lake was formed. Today the home of five-star safari lodges and houseboats, Lake Kariba is an undiscovered African Riviera on Zimbabwe's northern border. Remote, vast and exclusive, it's an outstanding natural playground. Here, skies explode with some of the best sunsets in Africa, and thanks to its fertile game-rich shores, there's always an opportunity to go tiger fishing, join a boat safari or try a spot of game viewing in nearby Matusadona National Park.

Top hotels in Lake Kariba

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

Changa Safari Camp

Lake Kariba holiday highlights

As the sky erupts into a burnished blaze of orange, pinks and gold, the hype surrounding Lake Kariba becomes clear. A secluded wilderness that's simply made for exploration, Kariba is an absolute photographer's paradise. Mesmerizingly remote, this spectacular natural setting is where explosive sunsets combine with a majestic mountain backdrop, and silhouetted drowned trees eerily emerge from the remote depths of the water.

Lake Kariba's impressive biodiversity makes it a top contender for a safari in northern Zimbabwe. The lake is adjoined to the game-rich plains of Matusadona National Park; from lions and leopards to elephant, rhino and buffalo, at this safari classic there's plenty of opportunities to encounter the legendary Big Five on a game drive. Back on the lakeshores, Lake Kariba offers entirely different game viewing dimensions. Bird watching and fishing here are superb, and there's plenty of chances to spot crocodiles and hippo on the banks from a boat safari or sunset cruise across the lake.

Where is Lake Kariba?

Lake Kariba sits on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, adjacent to Matusadona National Park. The lake is huge - often described as an inland sea, Kariba covers an area of more than 5000km2 and holds more than 180 billion tonnes of water.