Lake Kariba

The shoreline is over 2 000 kilometres long. Lake Kariba is home to numerous species of flora and fauna and is an exciting and unique safari destination.

The Matusadonha National Park is located on the shores of Lake Kariba and several fine lodges and resorts are located here.

Kariba Recreational Park is based around the Zambezi River, which was initially dammed so as to build a hydroelectricity generation utility for the benefit of both Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Kariba dam wall with 6 flood gates was built between 1955 and 1959 and is 128 metres high and 617 metres wide. The lake is 282 kilometres long at full level and 32 kilometres across at it’s widest point, 116 metres deep and covers an area of 5 180 square kilometres of what once was the Gwembe trough. The weight of the water totals 177 million tons and were all 6 flood gates opened, over 91 500 cubic metres (300 000 cubic feet) of water would surge into the river below each second! 86 men perished during construction of the dam and a church has since been constructed as a memorial to them. The dam wall was designed by Andre Coyne, a Frenchman, and built by a constructor called Impresit from Italy.

There are many stories that are put forward to explain the name Kariba. Some elders in the area note that close to the dam wall lies a rock that resembles a traditional stone trap, riva, hence Kariva, later mispronounced by the Europeans as Kariba. The other version is that the rock was named “Kariva” due to the fact that when the river flooded, the Rock trapped water thereby making it difficult for the locals who often crossed the river to return to either side of the Zambezi.

Operation Noah:
This is one of the great acts of mankind giving back to nature. When the 2 sluice gates that were used to dam the Zambezi River were closed, the water started rising. Within 24 hours the level had gone up by 6 metres and by September 1959 it had risen by 60 metres. Alarm bells started ringing when it was realised that the dam was creating numerous islands and even submerging some pieces of land thereby threatening the resident animal population that had largely been left behind in the Gwembe Trough even as the local tribes were being forcibly resettled.

A concerted drive was made by the National Parks and Government to rescue the animals from the fast submerging islands. By the end of the operation the Zimbabwean team (then Southern Rhodesia) had rescued nearly 5 000 animals while the Zambian team (then Northern Rhodesia) had rescued about 2 000.

The operation attracted a lot of international attention and it received international publicity and significant material aid from as far afield as the USA and the UK.

Nyaminyami:
The Nyaminyami River God is a major force in the society around the Zambezi Valley. The River God is believed to have supernatural powers. The Nyaminyami is believed to be a dragon-like amphibious being with the head of a fish and a snake’s torso. It was believed that the Nyaminyami would occasionally offer charitable appearances and pause for the local villagers to slice pieces of meat from its back before returning to the water.

Folklore has it that the Nyaminyami used to live upstream with his wife but when the dam wall was constructed it separated the two. This infuriated the River God, and as he forced his way back upstream, he was responsible for the collapse of part of the dam wall that killed 86 workmen midway through the project.

The locals and tourists of Kariba look forward to September each year as the Nyaminyami Festivals are held to venerate the River God.

Flora and Fauna:
Adapting to the initial flooding and annual fluctuation has caused several changes in the local animal population around the shores of the lake. The shoreline is a rich grazing area for many species, which has in turn attracted the predatory animals that hunt these species.The lake is renowned for its tigerfish but it is also home to over 40 fish species that include nkupe, chessa, bottlenose, vundu, barbel and several types of bream.

Seasons:
The area generally has hot summers averaging 38 degrees Celsius and an average rainfall of 660 millimetres. The winters are usually warm with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.

Facilities:
A slipway has been provided for visitors to Nyanyana to launch their boats, but when the level of the lake is very low the slipway cannot be used.

Lodges:
The lodges at Nyanyana Camp are fully equipped self catering facilities. These lodges are situated at the mouth of the Nyanyana River on the Lake Kariba shore. During the night hippopotamus can often be heard grazing around the lodge area.

Camp Sites:
There are 20 camping sites available within 100 metres of the lake shore. These facilities together with the caravan sites are serviced by 2 ablution blocks comprising of showers, baths, wash basins and toilets.There are several other camps that are utilized on a seasonal basis. These are much rougher, with very little development and are more ideal for those yearning for a closer encounter with the wild.

Caravan Sites:
There are 15 caravan sites within the vicinity of the lake shore.

Amenities:
From Nyanyana the nearest supplies, foodstuffs, fuel and other necessities are found at Kariba town, just a few minutes drive away. At Kariba, one will find most of the hotels, shops, the main harbours and several other conveniences.

Activities and Attractions:

• Game viewing – visitors use their own vehicles for transport.
• Fishing – visitors bring their own fishing gear and boats.
• Guided walks
• Guided horse rides
• Scenic views
• Boat clubs
• Boat cruises – both day and night
• Nyaminyami tradition

Islands spread out on the lake:
There are 102 islands on the lake including: Fothergill, Spurwing, Msambakaruma, Rhino, 126, Long Island, Redcliff, Antelope, Zebra, Kings Camp, 155, Starvation Island, Lubangwa Island, Twin Sisters, Nemambere Island, Partridge Island, Whither Island, Paradise Island, Snake Island, Bed Island, Chete Island among others.

Why Visit Lake Kariba:

• The Park is rich in wildlife
• Beautiful well maintained accommodation
• The lake is the largest water body in Zimbabwe
• Wide variety of fish
• The history and folklore attached to the Lake

How to get to lake Kariba Recreational Park:
The Park stretches away from Kariba town and is accessible by all types of vehicles. By road from Harare along the Harare-Chirundu Road at Makuti you will turn at Makuti Hotel and a tarred road leads to Kariba town. If you are going to Nyanyana the turn-off to the camp is approximately 56 kilometres from Makuti and is sign posted. From this turn-off to the camp is 5,5 kilometres of dirt road. Kariba town is only 28 kilometres from the camp.