Lake Kariba Houseboat Safari

Three nights drifting through Africa's greatest inland sea. Elephants at the shoreline. Tigers on the line.

Price Range:

Regions:

Accommodation:

Lake Kariba is one of the world’s great freshwater wildernesses — 5,400 square kilometres of lake, ringed by game-rich shores and ancient submerged forests. A houseboat safari is the most languid, most distinctive way to experience Zimbabwe’s wildlife. Elephants wade into the shallows at dawn. Fish eagles call overhead. Tiger fish detonate beneath the surface. Hippos grunt through the night. The world slows down on Kariba.

Experience the Journey

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Day-by-Day Itinerary

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Day %day_number%

Kariba — Board the Houseboat

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Fly or drive to Kariba Town. Transfer to the marina and board your fully staffed houseboat. Cast off in the early afternoon and head east along the Zimbabwean shoreline. First sundowner on the upper deck as the Matusadona Mountains turn amber. Anchor in a sheltered bay. Dinner on deck under a sky full of stars.
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Kariba — Game Viewing & Fishing

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Early morning tender boat excursion along the shoreline — elephants wade at dawn, crocodiles bask, pods of hippos surface with a snort. Return to the houseboat for breakfast. Mid-morning tiger fishing — cast into the deep channels where tiger fish patrol. Afternoon drift along the lakeshore watching for game. Sundowner at anchor.
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Kariba — Explore the Islands

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Motor to one of Kariba's game-rich islands. Disembark for a short walking excursion — the islands concentrate game during the dry season. Afternoon fishing or simply watching the lake from the deck. Evening at anchor, fire on the lower deck.
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Final Morning & Departure

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Final sunrise on the water — the light on Kariba at dawn is extraordinary. One last game-viewing excursion by tender boat. Return to Kariba marina for onward connections to Victoria Falls or Harare.
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Testimonials

%day_number%

Kariba — Board the Houseboat

Fly or drive to Kariba Town. Transfer to the marina and board your fully staffed houseboat. Cast off in the early afternoon and head east along the Zimbabwean shoreline. First sundowner on the upper deck as the Matusadona Mountains turn amber. Anchor in a sheltered bay. Dinner on deck under a sky full of stars.
Accommodation:
%day_accommodation%
Meals:
%day_meals%
%day_number%

Kariba — Game Viewing & Fishing

Early morning tender boat excursion along the shoreline — elephants wade at dawn, crocodiles bask, pods of hippos surface with a snort. Return to the houseboat for breakfast. Mid-morning tiger fishing — cast into the deep channels where tiger fish patrol. Afternoon drift along the lakeshore watching for game. Sundowner at anchor.
Accommodation:
%day_accommodation%
Meals:
%day_meals%
%day_number%

Kariba — Explore the Islands

Motor to one of Kariba's game-rich islands. Disembark for a short walking excursion — the islands concentrate game during the dry season. Afternoon fishing or simply watching the lake from the deck. Evening at anchor, fire on the lower deck.
Accommodation:
%day_accommodation%
Meals:
%day_meals%
%day_number%

Final Morning & Departure

Final sunrise on the water — the light on Kariba at dawn is extraordinary. One last game-viewing excursion by tender boat. Return to Kariba marina for onward connections to Victoria Falls or Harare.
Accommodation:
%day_accommodation%
Meals:
%day_meals%

Inclusions and Activities

Meals

All meals and soft drinks included

Transport

Fully staffed houseboat with captain and crew

Not Inclusion

Premium Included

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Lake Kariba Houseboat Safari

Three nights drifting through Africa's greatest inland sea. Elephants at the shoreline. Tigers on the line.
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Why We Love This Tour

  • Elephants wading at the shoreline at dawn
  • Tiger fishing — one of Africa's great freshwater challenges
  • Game-viewing by tender boat — hippos, crocs, elephant
  • Sunsets over the Matusadona Mountains
  • Fish eagle calls across the water
  • Absolute stillness — the most relaxing safari in Zimbabwe

Lake Kariba Houseboat Safari

Three nights drifting through Africa’s greatest inland sea. Elephants at the shoreline. Tigers on the line.

Priced From $

950

Start:

Kariba Town

Meals:

All meals and soft drinks included

Duration:

End:

Kariba Town

Transport:

Fully staffed houseboat with captain and crew

Group Size:

2–10 guests

Best Time To Go:

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ToursLake KaribaLake Kariba Houseboat Safari
Bucket List ExperiencesSignature Journeys3 Days

Lake Kariba Houseboat Safari

Three nights drifting through Africa's greatest inland sea. Elephants at the shoreline. Tigers on the line.

From
$950
per person
Duration
Start / End
Kariba Town
Group Size
2–10 guests
Accommodation
Meals
All meals and soft drinks included
Transport
Fully staffed houseboat with captain and crew

Overview

About This Experience

Lake Kariba is one of the world's great freshwater wildernesses — 5,400 square kilometres of lake, ringed by game-rich shores and ancient submerged forests. A houseboat safari is the most languid, most distinctive way to experience Zimbabwe's wildlife. Elephants wade into the shallows at dawn. Fish eagles call overhead. Tiger fish detonate beneath the surface. Hippos grunt through the night. The world slows down on Kariba.

Elephants wading at the shoreline at dawn
Tiger fishing — one of Africa's great freshwater challenges
Game-viewing by tender boat — hippos, crocs, elephant
Sunsets over the Matusadona Mountains
Fish eagle calls across the water
Absolute stillness — the most relaxing safari in Zimbabwe

Day-by-Day Itinerary

The Journey

1
Day 1
Kariba — Board the Houseboat
Fly or drive to Kariba Town. Transfer to the marina and board your fully staffed houseboat. Cast off in the early afternoon and head east along the Zimbabwean shoreline. First sundowner on the upper deck as the Matusadona Mountains turn amber. Anchor in a sheltered bay. Dinner on deck under a sky full of stars.
2
Day 2
Kariba — Game Viewing & Fishing
Early morning tender boat excursion along the shoreline — elephants wade at dawn, crocodiles bask, pods of hippos surface with a snort. Return to the houseboat for breakfast. Mid-morning tiger fishing — cast into the deep channels where tiger fish patrol. Afternoon drift along the lakeshore watching for game. Sundowner at anchor.
3
Day 3
Kariba — Explore the Islands
Motor to one of Kariba's game-rich islands. Disembark for a short walking excursion — the islands concentrate game during the dry season. Afternoon fishing or simply watching the lake from the deck. Evening at anchor, fire on the lower deck.
4
Day 4
Final Morning & Departure
Final sunrise on the water — the light on Kariba at dawn is extraordinary. One last game-viewing excursion by tender boat. Return to Kariba marina for onward connections to Victoria Falls or Harare.

What's Included

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included
  • 3 nights aboard a fully staffed houseboat
  • All meals and soft drinks
  • Tender boat for game-viewing excursions
  • Fishing tackle and licence
  • Captain and crew throughout
Not Included
  • Flights to/from Kariba
  • Alcohol
  • Gratuities
  • Kariba national park fees
From
$950
per person sharing
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Quick Details
Duration3 Days
Best TimeApril to October
DifficultyEasy
StartKariba Town
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