Houseboat Lake Kariba
THE WORLD'S LARGEST LAKE ANYONE?
Introducing you to the magic wilderness and wildlife of Africa's Zambezi River. Here is a world of nature where the pace is slow, the sun is warm, the sky is huge and the people are friendly............... Stand in the thundering spray of the Victoria Falls; pump adrenalin in the white-water of the Batoka Gorges; soak up a crimson sunset from the deck of your cruiseboat on Lake Kariba; catch (and release) a magnificent Zambezi tigerfish; canoe silently downstream past crocodiles, hippos and herons to Mana Pools; walk with a guide where elephants roam, and, if you are lucky, witness the chase of a lion or wild dog kill." - Wild Zambezi
There is a certain calmness that can be found when out on the water. As one of the largest inland bodies of water in the world, Lake Kariba in Africa's heartland offers much promise when it comes to finding that calmness. Kariba Dam is an impressive feat of engineering and the ecosystem that has formed behind it is unique. Luxury houseboat cruises are popular on Kariba, and with good reason; they enable you to relax in the company of your family and friends, they are the perfect way to explore the vast expanses of the lake, and they come well appointed with stealth boats for fishing, and for game viewing on the shoreline of the Matusadona National Park. Notably, it is in the Matusadona that you will have the chance of seeing some of the last wild Black Rhinoceros in all of Africa. Furthermore, due to the existence of rhino in the park, your chances of sighting all of the Big 5 are high. Finally, this itinerary can also be tailored to include nights at some of Kariba’s famed luxury safari lodges where relaxation and luxury are the order of the day.
sample itinerary - 12 days
Day 1-3 - If you're going to this part of the world, a trip would be incomplete without the famed Victoria Falls. Oh, to think what Livingstone must have thought when he first encountered them. Maybe something like 'Mosi-oa-Tunya', their Tonga name, or 'The Smoke that Thunders' in English. Staying at the Victoria Falls Safari Club or AndBeyond Matetsi, you will have an absolute ball here. From watching animals from the comfort of a hide to white water rafting, you are in complete control of what you do here. One thing we thoroughly recommend however, is a visit to The Boma - Place of Eating, an experience you won't easily forget!
Day 4-6 - After Victoria Falls, you'll escape the hustle and bustle for something more intimate in Zimbabwe's largest national park, Hwange. Based at either Little Makalolo or Khulu Ivory, waterhole traffic abounds and as home to over one hundred mammal and four hundred bird species, your time in Hwange will astound. And if you've been to Africa before, you can do something a little different and go on a private early morning walk in search of a couple of Hwange specialists - sable and roan antelope. For the seasoned traveller, we can arrange a village visit or you can simply relax in Hwange's elegant luxury.
Day 7-9 - Time for what you came here to do - cruise the world's largest dam on a luxury houseboat. After transferring from Hwange to Kariba via light aircraft, you'll board your selection of houseboat. Houseboats come in all shapes and sizes and suited to all manner of budgets. One of our favourites however, is the MV Matusadona - the elegant lady of the lake. Whilst on board, you'll enjoy all-inclusive five star luxury with activities included. Whether your interest is fishing, birding, game viewing or simply relaxing on the pool deck with cocktail in hand, all of that comes as standard with the Matusadona. Depending on the conversations we have with you, we can also arrange an additional night in one of Kariba's permanent shoreline lodges for you.
Day 10-12 - Kariba's proximity to Mana Pools allows perfectly for the epitome of a conclusion to a safari - Mana Pools. If you've never visited the mountainous interior of the park, we'll send you to Kavinga Safari Camp, an oasis of luxury perched atop a cliff of the seasonal Ruckomechi River. From here you'll also be able to explore the famed predator paradise that is Chitake Spring. Or if you have visited the interior, we'll send you to the floodplain on the Zambezi River where you'll have a choice between a five star permanent lodge or luxury all-inclusive camping. With either option, all of your needs will be catered for and your game-viewing experiences with Zimbabwean guides will be the best in the world, owing to their rigorous five year qualification process.
