Lake Kariba: Africa’s inland sea of stories, sunsets, and survival

Straddling the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Lake Kariba is far more than just a breathtaking body of water—it's a place of awe-inspiring scale, resilience, and raw African beauty. Stretching across roughly 2,000 square miles, this man-made lake is one of the largest in the world by volume, a shimmering expanse that seems to stretch to the ends of the earth.

But what lies beneath the surface—both literally and figuratively—is what makes Lake Kariba so fascinating.

Born from a River’s Power

Lake Kariba was created in the late 1950s by damming the Zambezi River in the dramatic Kariba Gorge, about 250 miles downstream from the thunderous Victoria Falls. At this narrow gorge—where ancient hills of hard rock hem in the mighty Zambezi—the Kariba Dam rose as a marvel of engineering and ambition. Behind it, the river slowly filled a vast basin that would become an inland sea, stretching 175 miles upstream to Devil’s Gorge, with a maximum width of 30 miles and depths plunging nearly 300 feet near the dam.

Its irregular, deeply indented shoreline gives way to a scattering of islands, and its ever-changing water levels shape the mood of the lake daily. Whether it’s the golden morning mist curling above its surface or the still, glassy reflections at dusk, Kariba always feels alive.

A Forest Beneath the Water

One of Lake Kariba’s most striking and surreal features is the ghostly forest of dead trees that still rise from its waters. These are the remnants of ancient hardwoods, long since drowned when the lake was formed. Decades later, they remain—bleached and bare, standing like silent sentinels above the waterline.

At sunrise or sunset, when the light turns golden and shadows stretch across the surface, these skeletal trees transform the lake into something otherworldly. Their reflections shimmer in the still water, creating dreamlike scenes that captivate photographers and travelers alike.

While they add to the lake’s unique atmosphere, these trees also serve an ecological role, providing perches for fish eagles, herons, and kingfishers, and sheltering fish below.

Wildlife, Water, and a New Beginning

As the lake filled, a massive relocation effort known as Operation Noah was launched to rescue thousands of animals that would otherwise be stranded by the rising waters. Antelope, elephants, and even predators were carefully moved to safety—many to what is now Matusadona National Park, which hugs the southern shore of Lake Kariba and has since become a haven for wildlife.

Entire communities of Tonga people, whose villages were submerged, were also resettled—a powerful reminder that Lake Kariba’s story is one of both beauty and sacrifice.

Today, the lake teems with life, including Tilapia introduced during the lake’s creation. The fishery now provides an impressive 15,000-ton annual yield, supporting local economies and livelihoods.

A Place to Unwind, Explore, and Reflect

For travelers, Lake Kariba offers a tranquil escape unlike any other. Houseboats gently drift along its shores, offering slow, immersive safari-style days spent watching elephants on the water’s edge or crocodiles sunning on rocky banks. Sunset cruises reveal silhouettes of drowned trees rising from the depths, stark reminders of the forest that once stood tall where fish now swim.

The lake's islands and inlets are prime territory for birding, fishing, photography, and quiet contemplation. Whether you're sipping sundowners on a houseboat deck, casting a line into the glistening water, or listening to the call of an African fish eagle overhead, Lake Kariba draws you into its rhythm—a pace dictated by nature.

Kariba's Legacy

What began as a bold hydroelectric project has become a symbol of adaptation—of nature, people, and wildlife finding new harmony. It remains a source of power, nourishment, and wonder.

To visit Lake Kariba is to step into a story that’s still being written—where rugged hills and ancient riverbeds cradle a vast, living lake, and where every sunrise brings new surprises.

Kim & Angela on the edge of Lake Kariba watching the sunset before heading back to our floating lodge on the canoe in front of us.

Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe