Zimbabwe : Lake Kariba

A huge inland sea made by the damming of the Zambezi river in the late 1950s, lake Kariba has much to offer for those keen on fishing and wildlife. The Matusadona National Park which borders the lake is prolific in game and viewing can be done on foot with armed guides or by vehicle, canoe or boat. Huge herds of game come down to the shores to drink and inland you can track the endangered black rhino or go on a walking safari deep into the Matusadona Mountains. There are a number of luxury lodges situated along the shores all with first class, qualified guides. You can stay on luxury a floating raft and go to and from the mother ship by canoe or motor up the lake on your own private house boat.

Musango Safari Camp
The Musango Safari Camp is set on an island overlooking the Ume River and Matusadona National Park. The area is rich in game and birds, including elephant, buffalo, lion and rhino. Steve Edwards, a professional guide and a keen ornithologist and his wife Wendy will look after you at Musango and take you out on daily walks and drives into the Matusadona National Park, boating and canoeing excursions, fishing trips and visits to archaeological and geological sites. You will stay in large comfortably furnished safari tents set under cool thatch and with a stone built en suite bathroom. The bar and dining area is double storied with a swimming pool in front and views out across the lake. There are also 2 tented bush camps for private hire for small groups or families with an exclusive guide and staff.

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the main lodge	bedroom	walking safari

Matusadona Water Lodge
The Matusadona Water Lodge consists of a group of four luxury floating cottages and a mother ship moored in a beautiful, secluded bay. You can sit on your balcony, with a choice of drinks from your cool box, and watch elephant and buffalo come down to the lake to drink and at night you can hear the hippos splashing into the water from the bank. The central bar and dining room is on the mother ship and there is a special caged swimming/dipping pool set into the deck area to the front. Canoes are provided to get to and from your chalet or for the less adventurous the camp boat will collect you. An armed professional guide will take you to view game on foot or by 4WD vehicle in the Matusadona National Park or you can explore the shoreline by boat and canoe.

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floating cottages	returning home	sunset

aerial view	a morning visitor	bedroom interior

Elephant Point Safari Camp
Elephant Point is set slightly up a hill and has beautiful views of the lake. Each chalet is luxuriously decorated and has handmade driftwood furniture and the en suite bathroom has hand painted ethnic designs. Slightly further up the hill is a pool and the main dining and bar areas. The activities from Elephant Point include walking, boating, driving, canoeing, fishing and visits to the local Tonga village across the bay. The wildlife viewing is excellent with good elephant populations, buffalo, lion, leopard, herds of sable, zebra and waterbuck, many hippo, kudu and numerous other mammals. The birdlife is prolific with the most ideal habitat in the Sibilobilo river estuary. A well-kept secret of the area is its location as an excellent Tiger fishing spot. Seldom from Elephant Point do you see other people aside from those sharing the experience with you from camp and the local Tonga fishermen on the lake. This coupled with the excellent cuisine and homely hospitality makes Elephant Point an excellent safari destination. Walking safaris can also be arranged for a few nights where fly camps will be set up for you along the way. For the more intrepid there are safaris where you carry your own packs and sleep out under the stars with mosquito nets.