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Hippos in the shallows of Lake Kariba with hills on the horizon

Northern Zimbabwe · Zambezi Valley

Lake Kariba

Slow down on the shores of one of the world’s great man-made lakes, where long sunsets settle over the Zambezi Valley hills.

  • 282 kmlong at capacity
  • 1955–59when the dam was built
  • ~6,000animals rescued by Operation Noah
Source: Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority ↗

Photo: SuSanA Secretariat · CC BY 2.0 · Cropped for display

The destination

Discover Lake Kariba

Lake Kariba was created when the Zambezi was dammed in the late 1950s. Shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia, it stretches for almost 300 kilometres, and its shoreline is a place for boating, fishing and watching wildlife come down to the water.

Ways to experience it

  1. Spend time on the water and watch the light change at sunset.
  2. Look for wildlife along the shoreline, keeping a safe distance from crocodiles and hippos.
  3. Learn the story of the dam, and of the people and animals displaced when the valley flooded.
Where is Lake Kariba? Northern Zimbabwe · Zambezi Valley. The pin marks the approximate area. Map outline: geoBoundaries · CC BY 3.0 IGO
Lake Kariba · Photo: SuSanA Secretariat · CC BY 2.0

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Highlights to discover

What makes Lake Kariba worth the journey, from the official sources we rely on.

  1. A lake of remarkable scale

    Zimbabwe Parks describes Lake Kariba as the largest man-made lake in the world by volume: about 282 km long and up to 32 km across at capacity.

    Read source ↗

  2. Operation Noah

    As the valley flooded between 1958 and 1964, around 6,000 animals were rescued, most of them moved to Matusadona National Park.

    Read source ↗

Explore locally

Places to explore

Places to stay, things to do and somewhere to eat in Lake Kariba.

27 published places to start exploring.

Browse all places in Lake Kariba →

Photos

Lake Kariba · SuSanA Secretariat · CC BY 2.0

Plan your trip

Helpful information

Confirm boat safety, fishing permits and park entry directly with operators and Zimbabwe Parks. Water levels change through the year.

When to visit

Water levels, heat and wind vary through the year. Ask your host or operator about conditions for boating and fishing.

Read more about when to visit

Getting there and around

Distances around the lake are large. Confirm road, boat or air transfers to your accommodation before you travel.

Read more about getting there and around

Safety and access

Crocodiles and hippos live in and around the lake. Keep away from the water’s edge and follow guidance from your host and Zimbabwe Parks.

Read more about safety and access

Read the full guide to planning your visit

Information sources

Information sources

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority — Lake Kariba ↗

Editorial guidance, not live operating information. Reconfirm fees, opening times, access, weather and any operator arrangements before travel.

Editorial source review: 2026-10-17

27 currently published places associated with Lake Kariba.

Continue your journey

Nearby destinations

Straight-line distances between destination areas; road journeys are longer.