Lake Kariba

Zambia's Lake Kariba is home to breathtaking landscapes, breathtaking sunsets, fantastic fishing, boating, and water sports options, as well as beautiful peaceful vacations or weekends spent simply soaking up the sun. Most days are sunny and pleasant here. Midsummer can be quite warm, but even midwinter has pleasant days and cool nights.

Lake Kariba is Africa's largest man-made dam, measuring 226 kilometers long and up to 40 kilometers wide in parts. It generates a significant amount of electricity for both Zambia and Zimbabwe and supports a robust commercial fishing industry. The sheer vastness of it makes one forget it's a dam, and it almost feels like an ocean in certain areas! Any trip to Kariba or Siavonga should involve a stop at the Dam Wall if only to marvel at the enormity of this magnificent construction. At the bridge's entrance, there is a display that describes the construction of the wall and the statistics involved. The wide bridge allows for plenty of walking space on both sides. The striking contrast between the endless lake on one side and the precipitous drop into the valley on the other is amazing.

One of the popular activities on Lake Karibu is fishing. The annual Tiger Fishing Competition is held in May further down the lake's shore at Sinazongwe and draws fishermen from all over the subcontinent. The tiger fish, which is widely regarded as one of the best game fish available, has thrived in the lake's nutrient-rich waters. The maximum average weight caught in competition is slightly under eight pounds, but the tigerfish is a fair opponent for the skilled angler because of its speed, bravery, and strength.

Kapenta, a little sardine-like fish, has been introduced to Kariba with great success. In 1967, the Shoals were transported from Lake Tanganyika to Lake Kariba. Kapenta is also dried and distributed as a high-protein dietary supplement in locations where fish is scarce.

Location: Central Africa, between Zambia and Zimbabwe