Lake Kariba Houseboats
One of the most popular ways to experience the beauty and tranquility of Lake Kariba is by staying on one of the many Kariba houseboats, moored either at Kariba town or Binga. Options run from less expensive comfortable boats right up to quite palatial ‘floating hotels’, so there really is something for everyone. One can hire the whole boat on a private basis which is great if you have a family or group of 4 or more people, or book cabins on a set date departure trip, and literally sail away into the sunset!
The boats all come with a captain, chef, wait staff, deck hands and guides, so you can really just relax and enjoy your down time. The boats are motorized cruisers, and on average have only 4 to 10 en suite guest cabins, making it a very small intimate type of holiday, with plenty of outdoor spaces to relax, take your meals and enjoy the fresh air. Most of the boats have small swimming pools on the top sun deck, and most also feature air-conditioning in the cabins and below deck public spaces.
Activities include Sunrise cruises, sunset cruises, fishing, game viewing by tender boat, beach barbecues and a visit to a local fishing village. Or you may just wish to take a book and chill by the pool on a sun bed – the choice is yours - the atmosphere on board is very relaxed!
The boats moored at Binga (on the southern end of Lake Kariba) are easily accessible from Victoria Falls (5 hours) and Hwange National Park (2.5 hours) by road transfer, which are provided as part of the package. Alternatively we can arrange for you to take a light aircraft transfer from Victoria Falls or Hwange to Kariba town in the north, and you start your cruise from there. There are also options to start at one end of the lake and finish at the other. Generally the cruise safaris are 3 or more nights in duration, and the rates include all meals, drinks, boat based activities and fuel.
If you are looking for a relaxing laid back holiday option we can highly recommend a houseboat cruise. These trips make the perfect relax add-on to your safari holiday, where you would have been doing some very early mornings to get out game viewing! We would recommend at least 3 nights cruise, and we can combine it into your Zimbabwe, Zambia or Botswana safari with ease.