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Lake Kariba is a man made lake, 226 km long and 40 km wide, located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Lake Kariba Vacation Packages and Tours

Overview

Take a trip to Lake Kariba on your Zambia Vacation

Located 1,300 km (807 mi) upstream from the Indian Ocean and along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe is Lake Kariba, the world’s largest human-made reservoir.

The idea for Kariba Dam and thus Lake Kariba came in response to the needs of a hungry nation that decided to control the flow of the Zambezi River. Construction of the dam began in the mid-1950s and Lake Kariba was filled between 1958 and 1963. Before the lake was filled, the land was burned to create incredibly fertile soil that became the lake bed resulting in a great deal of vibrant vegetation and ecology today. Kariba Dam provides electric power to both Zambia and Zimbabwe which helps to support a growing commercial fishing industry.

Today, Lake Kariba is becoming a popular tourist destination for those in search of fishing, boating and water sports opportunities on a Zambia vacation. Tigerfish, considered to be one of the finest game fish in the world, are common in the lake. Many other fish species have been introduced and share the waters with Nile crocodiles and hippopotamus on Zambia safaris. In recent years, Siavonga, a town on the edge of the lake, has been given the nickname the “Riviera of Zambia” as it has grown into a favourite retreat for locals as well as international tourists. 

At a Glance

Languages

English

Currency

Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)

What do the experts say?

Queenie Hou

Queenie Hou

Destination Specialist
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Compared to some other African safari destinations like Kenya or South Africa, Zambia offers a more off-the-beaten-path, less commercialized experience. Its a hidden treasure.
Whitney White, Africa & Middle East Expert

Whitney White

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
If you looking for the best time to visit then pick June to October for prime wildlife viewing and ideal weather conditions.
Whitney White, Africa & Middle East Expert

Whitney White

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
Zambia still feels like visiting a hidden gem.. It feels authentic, rugged and unscathed by tourism. South Luwangwa has stunning landscapes, high levels of biodiversity, and expert guides who openly and expertly share their knowledge of the wildlife and ecosystems.

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The booking processs was really easy. Katie was very communicative and was very responsive. Every change we asked for, she quickly replied. The room arrangements had a small hiccupp but Katie fixed it within minutes! All the excursions were a blast and well planned. The trip was a bucket list trip and was everything we hoped for. Alison M
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Our 2-week trip to Normandy, Switzerland and Italy after we disembarked from the Queen Mary 2 in Southampton in mid-May was superb. Michael Keon did an amazing job of putting together highlights for us to see and visit with the short time we had. All the train reservations, private and small group tours and transportations were very well coordinated, on time, and usually exceeded our expectations. Drivers were courteous and knowledgeable. Mike did a wonderful job getting everything coordinated, in spite of our almost “last minute” booking. I booked a month-long trip through GOWAY back in 1989 for Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, and they were superb then. So I tried them again, and found the entire organization to be even better. Mike was quick to respond to any questions that came up regarding booksings and times, regardless of the 6-hour time difference. Just superb! Although we had a nasty experience in Milan, GOWAY was very responsive and saw to our requests and our needs. Again, Michael Keon is the person who coordinated our travel. I will ask for Mike when I travel again with GOWAY. I recommend GOWAY highly. PJ Wheeler
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I recently went on an African Safari with my brother-in-law and sister and another couple who I knew. The entire experience was absolutely unbelievable. The complete details were flawlessly coordinated from the transfers to the breathtaking lodges. Our guides Peter showed us Kenya and Maulid Tanzania were very knowledgeable and very sharp eyes for finding the animals. We were able to see the animals up close, learn a lot about the people, birds , vegetation etc. We had several sundowners in the bush really added to a magical experience with beautiful sunsets. I would highly recommend Goway to all my friends, they will not be disappointed. Thank you to Bijal for the excellent African Safari that you put together for us. You were wonderful.Nancy Hay
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Everything was planned perfectly. The excursions were so small and personal. Ask for Mark! I have already planned another trip back to the Oregon wine country with Mark. Claire
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