Zimbabwe travel guide
Kariba is the closest thing Zimbabwe has to a coast. The lake was created when the Zambezi was dammed in the 1950s, and it is big enough that the far shore disappears in haze — 200-odd kilometres of water with drowned mopane trees standing in the shallows and elephant on the shoreline. People come for three things: the fishing, the houseboats and the light. Sunsets over the lake are the reason half the photographs of Zimbabwe look the way they do. It is also the most forgiving weekend trip from Harare, because once you are on a boat or an island there is nothing left to organise.
Booking now
FeaturedUS$850 per person — 4 nights, based on 8 people
Four nights on Spurwing Island on Lake Kariba for a group of eight, with a luxury coach from Harare, Avoca transfers, full board and four activities.
Valid until 10 December 2026
Sold by Zambezi Drift — Spurwing Island
Call +263 772 429 255
US$240 per person
Two nights on Lake Kariba over the long weekend, with a sunset cruise, Kariba Heights, the lookouts and a crocodile farm and game viewing. Transport from Harare and all meals are included.
30 October 2026 – 1 November 2026
Sold by Piaxao Travel & Tours
Call +263 242 787 954US$770 per person — 3 nights, based on 2 people
Three nights for two in a refurbished cabin on Spurwing Island, with transfers, full board, National Parks fees and three activities.
Valid until 10 December 2026
Sold by Zambezi Drift — Spurwing Island
Call +263 772 429 255US$1,450 per person — 4 nights, based on 2 people
Four nights for two on Spurwing Island with return flights from Harare on Mack Air, island transfers, full board and four activities.
Valid until 10 December 2026
Sold by Zambezi Drift — Spurwing Island
Call +263 772 429 255
US$349.99 per person
Two nights on Lake Kariba over Christmas, with the Dam Wall, a sunset cruise and game viewing, plus return transport from Harare and daily breakfast.
24 December 2026 – 26 December 2026
Sold by Piaxao Travel & Tours
Book on WhatsAppKariba is hot. The valley sits low, and from September to early November the heat is serious — which is exactly when the tiger fishing is at its best and when the game concentrates on the shoreline. The cooler months from May to August are the comfortable ones for a first visit, with warm days and cool nights. The rains from December to March bring green bush and dramatic skies, and some of the smaller operators close or run reduced schedules. Whenever you go, the water is the point: take a hat and drink more than you think you need.
Kariba is a straightforward drive from Harare on tar, and most operators run it in a morning. The escorted packages on this page include return transport, and a couple include a fly-in from Harare instead — a short hop that saves most of a day at each end. Once you are there, movement is by boat: transfers to the islands and the houseboats leave from the harbour, and the lodges arrange them as part of the package. If you are driving yourself, a car hire company from the directory will do, but check the road conditions to the specific camp before you commit.
From the directory
A tented safari camp on the shore of Lake Kariba in Matusadona National Park, rated 4.8 from 64 Google reviews. It suits couples and small groups after a relaxed, well-looked-after stay with game…
Mopani Bay Campsite sits off Power Line Road in Kariba, facing the lake and the Zambezi floodplain. It suits campers who like wildlife close by, and it is a popular weekend spot with local visitors…
The closest official park camp to Kariba town, Nyanyana serves as a convenient gateway for those heading into Matusadona or out on the lake.The sites are grassy and well-shaded. Facilities include…
Located in Matusadona National Park, Tashinga is a remote and off-grid site on the wild shores of Lake Kariba. It feels incredibly isolated and is best for self-sufficient 4x4 enthusiasts.There is no…
Warthogs Safari Camp is a lakeside camp on Powerlines Road in Kariba, with camping, tents, a bar and a restaurant. It suits travellers who want an easy base by the water, including people getting…
Cruise boats and island accommodation on Lake Kariba, operating full-board stays at Spurwing Island in Hungwe House and in refurbished lakeside cabins. Packages include National Parks fees and…
From the directory
A houseboat suits a group who want to fish, move around the lake and cater for themselves or bring a cook. An island lodge suits couples and families who would rather be looked after, with full board and activities arranged for them.
Yes, with the usual water sense. The lodges are set up for it and the boat trips are short. Bear in mind that the shoreline has crocodile and hippo, so swimming happens in pools, not the lake.
It varies. The packages on this page generally cover transport from Harare, accommodation, meals and a set number of activities; National Parks fees are sometimes included and sometimes not. Check each deal's inclusions before comparing prices.
Yes — there are light-aircraft transfers from Harare, and at least one package on this page is sold as a fly-in. It costs more but turns a travel day into an hour.
Deal alerts
New getaways, group packages and activity rates as operators send them through. No more than a handful of emails a month.
Keep exploring