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Lake Kariba

By volume, Lake Kariba is the largest artificial lake and reservoir in the world. Lake Kariba was filled between 1958 and 1963 following the completion of the Kariba Dam at its northeastern end, flooding the Kariba Gorge on the Zambezi River which travels the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

 

Lake Kariba is over 220 kilometres long and up to 40 kilometers wide, covering an area of 5 580 square kilometers. Its storage capacity is an immense 185 cubic kilometers! The mean depth of the lake is 29 metres and its maximum depth is 97 metres.

 

The lake is home to several islands, including Chete, Fothergill, Spurwing and Antelope Islands which afford wonderful game viewing.

 

Described in the past as an inland sea, studies by the University of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) on the fauna living in its ecosystems reveal an exciting array of species from muscles and shrimps to the humble plankton. Built out of the need for hydroelectric electricity, the Lake serves a multitude of functions. The Kariba Dam supplies electricity to both Zimbabwe and Zambia and at 128 metres high and 579 metres long it is one of the world's largest. Commercial fishing also plays a major role in Kariba's life and Kapenta (fresh water sardines) fishing is one of the lake’s major industries. Every year, Kariba plays host to the annual Tiger Fishing Tournament, the Cruiser Nationals, and various other water-based events.

 

Kariba is completely unique: a great inland sea of outstanding beauty with a rich history. This Zimbabwean Mecca is not to be missed!

Kariba Trivia

 

  • It took 10 000 men four years to build the dam.

  • 87 men lost their lives, 18 of which fell into the concrete and 4 still remain in the wall.

  • Kariba contains over a million cubic metres of concrete and 11 000 tones of steel and stands 126 metres high.

  • The Queen Mother officially opened it in 1960.

  • A church with all names of the people who died during the construction was built as a symbol of respect.

  • The Batonga people can be visited in a nearby village for a taste of undiluted culture and traditions.

  • The Lake is inhabited by a mythical river god, Nyaminyami, who takes the form of a giant snake. Another Nessie?

  • The Kariba ferryboat will take you across the mighty Zambezi to Mlibizi.

The Weather

 

Lake Kariba is generally hot. October is called 'suicide month' as it signals the start of the rainy season - this is the best month for fishing! The rainy season continues up to about April, and the days can be swelteringly hot with dramatic thunder storms in the early afternoon and in the evening. The months of May, June and July are cooler and dry, but with the sun still shining it is a pleasant time to be on the lake. The months of August and September are the windy months and the lake can be very rough at times, although the weather is still sunny and enjoyable.

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