Did you know you can find plenty of flora and fauna in a man-made lake in Africa? Lake Kariba is a , square mile wide lake making it the largest in Africa in Zambia and Zimbabwe that was formed by a dam. The lake was originally created to support a fishing village and fishing industry but over the time, it became a lifeline for wildlife that adopted the area as its year-round home. Here are some fun things you can do on a trip to Lake Kariba.
Because the lake is man-made, very few waves are present which makes the water ideal for houseboats. Multiple companies like Lake Kariba Houseboats offer several boats for rent. The boats are outfitted with luxury bedrooms, a full kitchen with bar and electrical hookups. Visitors love relaxing and grabbing a nightcap on the calm water under the stars.
For those who prefer to stay rooted on land, the lake has several hotels and inns nearby for tourists to stay in as an alternative. Yes, this man-made lake has several islands that visitors can visit to escape from their everyday routines. Some of the islands have its own lodges and designated hiking trails for guests to explore the area.
Some islands are very small and unpopulated, making it a great spot for a picnic to live out the dream of having your own island. Lake Kariba attracts big game animals to its waters so several companies have opened up its own charter boat and safari cruises for visitors to admire them from their boats.
Because Lake Kariba connects to Victoria Falls, some rides will go all the way to there. Avid birders love to visit Lake Kariba. Bird enthuasiasts can easily kick back on their houseboats or river cruise with a set of bincoculars and see a healthy range of colorful and exotic birds. Birders do not have to look very hard or very long to find an impressive collection of the winged creatures. Common birds to spot in the region are African fish-eagles, gray herons, lilac-breasted rollers, and many more.
