Luxury Lake Kariba Tours made for you
Start PlanningBush 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.
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.
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
Where to go
Hwange National Park
Zimbabwe’s largest national park is roamed by more than 100 species of mammals, including one of the world’s largest populations of African wild dogs.
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve
This wild and remote area of Mopane forest provides habitat for the Big Five. See sandstone hills, creeks and Baobab trees. Track endangered black rhinos and spot rare species of eagles and antelopes. You will also learn about and view ancient San rock art.
Mana Pools National Game Park
This UNESCO-protected national park, in northern Zimbabwe, can be explored on guided game drives and by canoe.Vast areas are only accessible on foot, exploring woodland and scrub with expert trackers.
Matobo Hills National Park
Matobo is Zimbabwe’s oldest national park, and among the best places to observe black and white rhinos. Alongside giraffes, kudus, leopards and black eagles.
Livingstone and Victoria Falls
Known as the ‘smoke that thunders’, Victoria Falls is impressive and imposing from every angle. Take in dramatic views of the waterfall, visiting areas like the Devil’s Cataract.
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
Plan your trip to Lake Kariba
Whatever you want from your adventure in Lake Kariba, our team of safari experts are ready to help.
Don't take our word for it
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.
