Detailed below are Houseboats either moored permanently in Binga
or houseboats that switch between Kariba and Binga. There is a limited
selection of houseboats in Binga and the ones detailed here are the only
ones available, other than privately owned boats. Binga is 300kms from Victoria Falls
and 190kms from Hwange Main camp, sections of the road have potholes so it
takes roughly 4hrs and 3hrs respectively but it's a pleasant drive through
rural Zimbabwe. Self-drive is the easiest option but transfers or charter
flights can be also arranged.
These Houseboats are ideally positioned if you are
incorporating a holiday at
Victoria Falls and
Hwange National Park.
Sometimes called the golden triangle, these three locations are all within easy driving distance
of each other. Together they include a natural wonder of the world, Victoria Falls, pristine
big five game viewing in
Hwange and ultimate relaxation,
game viewing and good fishing aboard a lovely houseboat on
Kariba.
The game viewing around the Binga side of the lake is less productive than on the Kariba side which has the
Matusadona National Park. However the fishing is good, the bird watching is excellent and some game will be seen. Journeys up to the Sengwe
river and beyond offer complete peace and solitude and a totally relaxing
holiday in the sun. You will see far fewer, if any houseboats at this end of the
lake, which is an appealing advantage.
Faster boats or longer days out means that you can easily get to the eastern
basin around the Ume river and Matusadona National Park for prime game viewing.
There is a bigger choice of boats on
eastern side of the Lake (Kariba Town), but the snag is getting to that side
from Victoria Falls, which involves either a long drive or a long and
expensive charter flight. Alternatively,
the Kariba
Ferry is a pleasant option.
The houseboats we have detailed below should cover all your
requirements from economy to luxury and all group sizes, we have personally inspected
all of them, enabling us to give honest reviews.
Click on the links below to look at these House boats in full detail and
if you scroll further down you can read more about Kariba and having a
houseboat holiday.
**Please note that whilst every effort has been made to ensure the details supplied
below are correct, we cannot be held responsible in any way should an item mentioned
below not be on board /broken or miss quoted.
Details: Kariba town hotels are used more by local Zimbabweans who have their own boats and come on holiday. International tourists generally stay at the more
luxurious safari lodges detailed below, where there are more activities and they can enjoy a safari.
Caribbea Bay Resort is probably the most popular hotel, followed by Cutty
Sark Hotel. Hornbill Lodge is a boutique lodge with stunning views, whilst Nzou
Lodge, Cerruti and Wild Heritage offers affordable self-catering accommodation.
Warthogs Bush Camp has backpacker accommodation with a great relaxed atmosphere
and location, while Lomagundi Lakeside also has self-catering and camping
options.
Location: Lake
Kariba shore, Zimbabwe.
Details: Lake Kariba is a very noteworthy safari destination, although mistakenly
often overlooked by international tourists. The safari lodges that have
developed on the islands and mainland along the
Matusadona shoreline offer some
truly amazing safari opportunities.
The ones we recommend are Spurwing Island Lodge, Musango Island Camp, Bumi
Hills, Changa Safari Camp and Rhino Safari Camp. Each one has its own uniqueness in some way, so please
contact us for more information and details on
each.
Location: Lake
Kariba shore, Zimbabwe.
Details: This is going to be a very short paragraph as options are very limited
indeed. This western end of the lake is remote, and tourism has never really
taken off. It is very convenient if including Victoria Falls and Hwange in your
holiday plans as it’s a nice drivable little circuit. There are a few houseboats
at this end which are popular and the accommodation available is really for a
night on either side of a houseboat trip.
Masumu Lodge is top of the ranking here and is actually a very nice spot.
Chilila Lodges also have a few nice chalets. These both serve the Chilila
harbour where several of the houseboats are moored and
Zambezi Cruise Safaris depart from.
Kulizwe Lodge serves the Kulizwe harbour, where the other houseboats are moored.
Mlibizi is a bit further west and it is from here that the Kariba ferry
starts and ends. Accommodation is limited to the basic Mlibizi resort, right by
the ferry harbour.
Info coming soon, but feel free to send us an
enquiry...
Details: The once beautiful National Parks, Tashinga Campsite and chalets are today in
a fairly dire state but are still open. Situated at the mouth of the Ume River
in Matusadona National Park, access is very difficult and is either by boat or
via a very arduous 4 x 4 road. Experienced 4x4 self-drivers attempt this, as the
location is beautiful once you get there.
Whole vessel per night - up to 20
passengers.
Self Catering. All Year
Star Rating: ** (2)
• 86ft cruiser • 6 air-conditioned twin cabins
• Accommodates 12 people comfortably and up to 20 maximum
• Open upper deck, covered dining area, lounge and bar •
Splash Pool, music system and DSTV, gym equipment
2024 International Price: US$ 1223 self-catering;
excludes National Park fees ( fuel deposit required at time of
booking)
Details: A very popular accommodation option on Lake
Kariba is a houseboat and there are plenty of those to choose from.
The majority of Houseboats are moored on the Kariba Side, the eastern
basin. They vary in type and size, as well as quality, from luxury vessels to tubs.
The houseboats offer different rates based size
and quality and whether fully-catered or self-catered.
They are easily accessible from Harare, and offer a much larger
selection compared to the Binga side of the lake.
Two nights on a houseboat is absolute minimum but a week would be my recommendation. Gives you time to unwind completely and really get into the ambience of this idyllic place.
You can see which boats we recommend by clicking on the "More
Info" link below.
This
5000 square km lake, which when built was the largest man made lake in the
world is by far one of my most favourite places to go. Over the years we
have done many houseboat holidays
and they are always great time for family and friends.
Classic Kariba Sunset
The lake is 281 kms long
and at its widest point is 40 kms wide. The lake is studded with islands
and fringed with magnificent mountain ranges like the Matusadona mountains
and the whole landscape is supremely beautiful.
Sunrises and sunset are indescribably beautiful and the absolute magic of
this place can only be understood by those who have visited it and fallen in
love with it.
The warm
clear waters are home to over forty species of fish, the most notable of
course being the tiger fish for which anglers come from around the world to
catch.
The lush shoreline vegetation supports a profusion of bird and wild life,
which is ideal when cruising on your house boat or even on one of the
smaller tender boats, as you explore the shoreline or the many channels and
inlets.
All in all if you are looking for a holiday of
total relaxation, with the added attraction of game and bird viewing, some
of the best fishing available, some of the most outstanding scenic and
photographic opportunities....a Kariba House Boat holiday is ideal for you..
Best Times of year
This is a tricky one as everyone is different, so I would rather give
some information and let you make your choice.
Kariba gets extremely hot during the months September through to March
with temperatures often in excess of 40 degrees centigrade. October and
November are particularly hot and dry before the rains arrive.
The rainy season starts around the middle of November and finishes around the
end of March. This can be a spectacular time, watching the huge thunder
storms brewing over the vast lake, however if you are there when the inter
tropical convergence zone arrives you will have a miserable time, as you can
get 3 weeks of continuous rain with ease.
During the cooler months of April to August the weather is beautiful.
Warm days and cool nights. Beautiful blue skies, chances of rain are very
slight..
The fishing is better in the hot summer months of September to March
Game viewing is pretty good all year round; but is best through the drier
months August to November.
Birdwatching is also phenomenal all year round; Summer migrants arrive
normally around September time.
Over Easter and Xmas and New Year houseboats are very popular and generally fully booked,
so make sure you try to book at least six months in advance..
October is Tiger Fishing competition time at Kariba
Two nights is absolute minimum but a week would be my recommendation.
Gives you time to unwind completely and really get into the ambience of this
idyllic place.
What's Included
These houseboats are all fully staffed with a Captain, chef and crew. Once on
board the most you will have to do is lift your arm to drink your gin and
tonic. You will completely unwind and relax.
The houseboats all have tender boats with them included in the price. So
once you are moored at your night spot, you can then take the smaller boats
out for fishing or game viewing excursions. Its great!!
Kariba House boat 's are all fully equipped with fridges, freezers,
stoves, cutlery, crockery and linen, you just have to bring your clothes and
personal effects. Of course if you decide to self cater, you will need to
bring you own food and drinks.
Please look at each individual boat to see what else is included.
Don't forget Kariba is a Malaria
area so please take the necessary precautions.
If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to
contact us,
I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
THE VIC FALLS BUSH TELEGRAPH
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Brilliant service and so helpful by Sally (Blisworth, U.K.)
I stumbled across Victoria Fall Guide by accident, but I am so glad I did. Tony and Boo were so helpful, advising us on the best activities for us as I have mobility issues, and arranging our itinerary and booking everything.
I had no worries about using them, or sending a very large payment to someone I didn’t know. Everything they booked for us was so well organised, pick ups on time, knowledgeable and friendly guides, clean transport. We did the walking tour of the falls, the sunset dinner cruise, full day at Chobe, the team, lion encounter and the helicopter and every single one was faultless.
We were also due to do the lunar rainbow but unfortunately it was cancelled, however boo arranged the refund immediately. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone. We are so grateful to them for making our special holiday even more so.
Location: Kariba
town, Zimbabwe.
Location: Lake
Kariba shore, Zimbabwe.
Location: Lake
Kariba shore, Zimbabwe.
Location: Lake
Kariba shore, Zimbabwe.
Star Rating: ** (2)
Star Rating: ** (2)
