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Silhouettes of dead trees emerge from the rippling waters of lake kariba under a dramatic golden and cloudy sunset sky.

Luxury Lake Kariba Tours made for you

Go on boating safaris and explore the surrounding wilderness on foot

Bush game drives, walking safaris and sunset cruises across Lake Kariba

The world’s largest reservoir by volume, Lake Kariba is on the Zambezi River and borders Zambia and Zimbabwe. Matusadona National Park stretches out from the lakes southern shoreline, a protected area of grass and woodland that encompasses the rugged Matusadona Mountains. These habitats support an abundance of wildlife including elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo and black rhinos.

Our tours in Lake Kariba include game drives and walking safaris with expert guides. They’ll help you spot a variety of species, sharing their knowledge of the landscape along the way. We especially recommend a boat safari to see waterbucks, hippos and Nile crocodiles. And head out on a fishing trip or a sunset cruise as the light changes across the water and surrounding hills. Birdwatching is excellent. Look out for some of the 400-plus bird species found here, such as fish eagles, marabou storks and Pel’s fishing owls.

You’ll stay in luxury Lake Kariba safari lodges like Bumi Hills, set within a private safari concession with opportunities to observe wildlife from the viewing deck.

With first-hand experience of the region, our Zimbabwe travel specialists will create a bespoke itinerary combining Lake Kariba with other parts of the country, and with wider safaris and journeys across Southern Africa. Get in touch to start planning your Lake Kariba safari.

  • Aerial view of Lake Kariba at sunset, showing a peninsula with dry vegetation and submerged tree trunks in calm water.
  • Three hippos partially submerged in the calm waters of lake kariba zimbabwe during golden hour.
  • A houseboat silhouetted against a bright orange sunset on the water at lake kariba zimbabwe.
  • A large brown and grey heron standing in green grass at the edge of calm grey water, looking to the right.
  • A young elephant walks near water with impalas grazing in the background at lake kariba zimbabwe.
  • A daytime scenic view of lake kariba zimbabwe, featuring a sandy shoreline, dead trees in the blue water, and partly cloudy skies.
  • An adult black rhino with a large horn and a smaller rhino calf standing together in tall, dry savanna grass.
  • A heron on a log and birds flying at sunset over lake kariba zimbabwe, with dead trees in the calm water. Source: AdobeStock_2604

From our experts

Experiences picked by our Zimbabwe safari specialists

Track the Big Five on safari

Head out on guided game drives and walking safaris in search of lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo.

Spot rare birds around Lake Kariba

Keep an eye out for rare and endemic species, including African skimmers and Goliath herons.

Watch the sunset from your lodge

Take in golden-hour views from the infinity pool at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge.

Cruise the lake in search of wildlife

Glide across the water on a boat safari, watching for hippos and crocodiles basking along the sandbanks.

Spend the night on a luxury sailing boat

Wake to views across the lake and watch for wildlife from the upper deck of your private sailing boat.

A word from one of our experts

I’d recommend staying at Lake Kariba for around three to four nights. That gives you enough time to enjoy a mix of walking safaris, game drives and time on the lake.

Ellie Smith Travel Designer

Luxury Lake Kariba safari lodges

There are many incredible places to stay in Lake Kariba. Here are some of our favourite camps and lodges, handpicked by our safari experts:

Why choose Jacada for your luxury safari experience?

  • Safari expertise

    Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.

  • Unforgettable guides

    We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.

  • Positive impact

    By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.

Trip inspiration

Get inspired with our Zimbabwe example trips and then get in touch to plan your own safari adventure

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Introducing Zimbabwe

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Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Lake Kariba trip, our team of safari experts are ready to help.

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Where to go

Meet your safari experts

When to visit Lake Kariba

The best time to visit Zimbabwe is generally during the dry season, from July to October. Wildlife gathers around water sources, including the Zambezi River and Lake Kariba, where vegetation remains lush. Cooler, but still warm temperatures between May and August make these months perfect for daytime safaris and boat cruises. The hotter months, in September and October, more animals are likely to gather at the lakeshore, as dry inland areas force them to the water.

Boat safaris

May–August

Dry season

July–October

Big Five viewing

September–October

Green season

November–April

When Is the Best Time to Visit Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe travel guides

Plan your trip to Lake Kariba

Whatever you want from your adventure in Lake Kariba, our team of safari experts are ready to help.

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We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…

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We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…

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Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

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