Kariba is a town located on the shore of Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba. It’s quite far from the capital, Harare, being 365 km away. Both the lake and the dry land in the area offer spectacular views and is the perfect place for tourists with a great love for the outdoors. One of the main tourist attractions in Kariba is the Kariba Dam; a hydroelectric dam constructed in the late 1950’s and is one of the largest in the world.
Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made lake and contains a thriving ecology. There are many activities for tourists to enjoy in the lake such as fishing and houseboat tours. Tiger fish is the prized catch in the Lake Kariba; being able to catch a few is considered an impressive feat. Houseboat tours along the river allow tourists to view the native wildlife of the river banks and the water itself. Be sure to bring a camera so you can take photos of the different varieties of animals looking for a drink along the banks. An average houseboat tour usually takes a few days, 5 days being the longest.
The dry land around the river offers a nice place to camp at night after the houseboat tour. Camping areas are usually set near the edge of the river. There are camping huts on the camp sites so you don’t really need a tent. Even though the area is surrounded by wildlife, it is fairly secure to prevent animals from entering the premises. Still, you shouldn’t leave food unattended in your hut because small animals can still sneak in.