• Includes Lake Kariba and the lower stretch of the Zambezi River
that runs into Mozambique
• Lake Kariba is one of the largest man-made dams in the world
• This stretch of the Zambezi River is Africa's best canoe safari
region
• From a wildlife point of view Mana Pools and the Lower Zambezi
National Park compare favourably with the Luangwa and Chobe river
frontages
Lake Kariba is a huge expanse of water - covering nearly 6 000km²
- and forming part of the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. As with
Victoria Falls, the Zimbabwean side of the lake is better developed
and known as a prime holidaying area.
The lower Zambezi section is particularly well known for Mana Pools
National Park, the World Heritage Site on the Zimbabwean bank. The
Zambian shoreline has a selection of excellent safari lodges through
Game Management Areas and the Lower Zambezi National Park. This park
is still wild and relatively undeveloped.
This part of the valley with its riverine forests, broad flood plain
and woodlands in the hills towards and beyond the escarpment provides
excellent habitats and the birding is spectacular year round.
The lake is named after a rock which used to feature quite prominently
in the river gorge - but is now buried underwater. Many believed it
to be the home of the river god Nyaminyami, who caused anyone who
came near it to be drawn into the deep water, never to be seen again…
Lake Kariba: Was built in 1960 and provides electric power
to Zambia as well as Zimbabwe. The 220km long and 40km wide lake is
great for anglers, offering fantastic freshwater game fish and on
the shores, there is lots of wildlife. Many of the animals take to
the water easily, swimming through waterways to the numerous islands
- a popular reason for boating and game viewing expeditions on the
lake.
