Kariba Town Guide 2026

The Kariba Dam wall is the town’s defining feature and one of the great engineering achievements of the 20th century.

Dam wall tours are available and highly recommended. You can walk across the top of the dam wall, which forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, and view the massive spillway gates and turbine intake structures. The sheer scale of the dam only becomes apparent when you stand on it and look down the 128-metre face to the Zambezi gorge below. Tours can be arranged through the Kariba tourist office or hotel reception.

A memorial plaque on the dam wall commemorates the 86 workers who lost their lives during construction, and the Nyaminyami statue at the dam wall pays tribute to the Tonga river god of the Zambezi, whose legend is central to Kariba’s identity.

The Operation Noah monument in Kariba town commemorates one of the greatest wildlife rescue operations ever undertaken. Between 1958 and 1963, as the rising waters of Lake Kariba flooded the Zambezi Valley, thousands of animals were stranded on shrinking islands.

Wildlife ranger Rupert Fothergill led a team that rescued over 6,000 animals, including rhinoceros, elephants, lions, warthogs, baboons, and countless smaller species. Animals were captured by hand, by net, and by lasso from boats, then transported to higher ground. The operation captured the world’s imagination and was covered by international media.

The monument tells this remarkable story through plaques and imagery. It is a short walk from the town centre and is free to visit.

The Church of Santa Barbara is one of Kariba’s most distinctive landmarks. Built in the early 1960s by the Italian construction workers who built the dam, it was dedicated to Santa Barbara, the patron saint of engineers and miners.

The church has a unique circular design with a soaring concrete roof shaped like a coffer dam, paying tribute to the engineering heritage of the town. Inside, the stained glass windows depict the construction of the dam and the flooding of the valley. It is a fascinating piece of architectural history and a peaceful place to visit, regardless of religious affiliation.

Kariba Heights is the residential area above the town centre, and its elevated position offers the best viewpoints over Lake Kariba. The panorama of the vast lake stretching to the horizon, with the Matusadona Mountains as a backdrop and the dam wall in the foreground, is one of the most photographed scenes in Zimbabwe.

At sunset, the sky turns deep orange and red, reflected in the flat water of the lake, with the silhouettes of dead tree trunks (remnants of the flooded valley) creating an otherworldly atmosphere. Several hotels and restaurants in Kariba Heights capitalise on these views, making sunset drinks a daily ritual for visitors.

Getting There

• From Harare: 365km north (4.5-5 hours) via Chinhoyi and the dramatic Chirundu escarpment road, which descends 600m with hairpin bends and spectacular views.
• From Chirundu border: 145km east along the lake road.
• By air: Kariba Airport receives scheduled flights from Harare (40 minutes) and charter flights.

Where to Stay

• Caribbea Bay Resort: The largest hotel in Kariba, lakefront location, pool, casino, and restaurant.
• Kariba Safari Lodge: Mid-range option with lake views and easy access to the harbour.
• Cutty Sark Hotel: Historic hotel on the heights with panoramic lake views.
• ZPWMA Campsite: Budget camping at Charara on the lakeshore, with basic facilities and excellent game viewing.
• Self-catering: Several holiday homes and cottages available for rent through local agents.