6 Days / 5 Nights
Lake Kariba & Matusadona Escape
Duration
6 Days / 5 Nights
Journey
Lake Safari & Wildlife
Group size
2–12 people
Pickup
Available
The journey
A journey built around the experience.
Discover the beauty of Lake Kariba and the wild landscapes of Matusadona National Park on a memorable six-day Zimbabwe escape. Enjoy lakeside scenery, spectacular sunsets, boat excursions, birdwatching, and opportunities to encounter wildlife along the shores of one of Africa's great reservoirs. Continue into the Matusadona wilderness for guided game drives and nature experiences in a remote setting where rugged hills meet the water. This itinerary combines relaxation, wildlife, and adventure for couples, private travellers, families, and small groups, subject to accommodation and activity availability.
Package
Highlights
Explore the scenic shores and islands of Lake KaribaEnjoy the changing colours of the lake at sunsetTravel by boat into the Matusadona wilderness, where the route and weather permitLook for elephants, buffalo, antelope, hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birdlifeExperience guided wildlife viewing in Matusadona National ParkStay in selected lakeside accommodation and a wilderness safari lodge or campCombine water-based activities with land-based wildlife experiencesEnjoy a quieter alternative to Zimbabwe's more traditional safari circuits
Plan your stay
Itinerary
6 Days / 5 Nights
Lake Kariba & Matusadona Escape
1
Day 1
Arrival in Kariba and Lakeside Welcome
Arrive in Kariba by road or through a separately confirmed flight arrangement. Meet your representative or transfer provider and travel to your selected lakeside hotel, lodge, or houseboat embarkation point. After check-in, enjoy time to settle in and take in views across Lake Kariba. If timing and weather permit, enjoy a short sunset cruise or a relaxed evening by the water.
Morning
Travel to Kariba
Depart from Harare or arrive by another pre-arranged connection. Road travel from Harare typically takes several hours, depending on traffic, stops, and road conditions.
Afternoon
Check-in and lakeside relaxation
Arrive at your selected accommodation, settle in, and receive an overview of the programme and the following day's activities.
Late afternoon
Optional sunset cruise
If arranged in advance and conditions allow, enjoy an introductory boat cruise across the lake as the sun sets.
Evening
Dinner in Kariba
Enjoy dinner at the booked property or another confirmed venue and relax before the first full day on the lake.
2
Day 2
Lake Kariba Exploration and Sunset Cruise
Spend a full day enjoying Lake Kariba's distinctive scenery. Depending on your selected accommodation and confirmed activities, the day may include a guided boat excursion, birdwatching, shoreline exploration, or fishing. Learn about the lake's landscapes and wildlife while enjoying time on the water. Return to shore or your houseboat for an evening overlooking the lake.
Morning
Breakfast and lake excursion
After breakfast, board a pre-arranged boat for a scenic lake excursion. The route depends on the operator, weather, lake conditions, and available time.
Late morning
Birdlife and shoreline scenery
Look for waterbirds and other wildlife while enjoying views of the shoreline, islands, and submerged trees where present.
Midday
Lunch and relaxation
Return to the accommodation or enjoy lunch on the boat if this is explicitly included in the booking.
Afternoon
Optional fishing or leisure time
Choose a confirmed fishing excursion, another boat outing, or time to relax at the property.
Sunset
Lake Kariba sunset experience
Enjoy an afternoon or sunset cruise if included and safe operating conditions permit.
Evening
Dinner by the lake
Return for dinner and prepare for the transfer to the Matusadona area on the following day.
3
Day 3
Boat Transfer to Matusadona Wilderness
After breakfast, prepare for your transfer from Kariba to your selected lodge or camp in the Matusadona area. A boat transfer is a practical option for many properties, but the embarkation point, landing location, duration, and cost depend on the accommodation provider. Crossings are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled. On arrival, settle in and enjoy an introductory wildlife activity if time permits.
Morning
Breakfast and check-out
Complete check-out and meet the transfer team at the confirmed harbour or embarkation point.
Morning / midday
Transfer across Lake Kariba
Travel by the pre-arranged boat or another confirmed transfer option. Follow the skipper's safety instructions and wear the provided life jacket.
Afternoon
Arrival and camp orientation
Arrive at the selected property, check in, and receive a briefing about the camp, wildlife safety, and available activities.
Late afternoon
First Matusadona experience
If available and compatible with arrival time, enjoy a short guided game drive, boat outing, or wildlife-viewing session.
Evening
Dinner in the wilderness
Enjoy dinner at camp and an evening surrounded by the sounds and scenery of the African bush.
4
Day 4
Matusadona Wildlife Safari
Spend a full day exploring the Matusadona landscape with your lodge or camp's safari team. Depending on the location and activity programme, enjoy guided game drives through woodland and open areas, wildlife viewing along the lakeshore, and time to observe birdlife. Your guide will select suitable routes according to conditions, wildlife movement, and access permissions.
Early morning
Morning game drive
Set out with your guide to look for elephants, buffalo, antelope, and other wildlife. Sightings depend on natural movement and local conditions.
Late morning
Breakfast and rest
Return to camp for breakfast and time to relax during the warmer part of the day.
Afternoon
Lakeshore wildlife viewing
Explore the lakeshore or nearby wildlife areas by vehicle or boat, depending on the activities offered by your selected operator.
Late afternoon
Optional guided nature activity
Join an additional game drive, birdwatching outing, or guided walk if available, authorized, and included in your booking.
Evening
Dinner at camp
Return for dinner and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the wilderness.
5
Day 5
Lake and Wilderness Adventure
Enjoy another full day in the Matusadona area, combining the lake environment with further opportunities to observe wildlife. Depending on the camp's programme, choose a boat safari, guided walking experience, fishing outing, or additional game drive. Walking activities must be arranged with an appropriately qualified and authorized guide. Fishing and boating depend on permits, weather, safety conditions, and operator availability.
Early morning
Morning safari activity
Join a guided game drive or a confirmed walking safari, depending on the camp's programme and the conditions on the day.
Late morning
Breakfast and leisure
Return to camp for breakfast and time to relax or enjoy the surrounding scenery.
Afternoon
Optional lake excursion
Enjoy a guided boat trip, fishing activity, or further wildlife viewing if arranged and included in your package.
Sunset
Final lakeside sunset
Take in the lake's changing colours from an approved viewing area or on a boat if conditions and the activity schedule permit.
Evening
Farewell dinner
Enjoy your final evening at camp and reflect on the lake and wildlife experiences of the journey.
6
Day 6
Breakfast and Departure
Enjoy breakfast before checking out and transferring to the agreed departure point. Depending on your onward plans, this may be a boat transfer back to Kariba, a charter flight from an approved airstrip, or another route confirmed by the lodge. If continuing to Harare by road, allow adequate time for the drive and any onward connections. The package concludes at the agreed drop-off point.
Morning
Breakfast and check-out
Enjoy breakfast, settle any personal extras, and prepare for departure.
Morning / midday
Transfer from Matusadona
Travel by the pre-arranged boat transfer or confirmed alternative. Departure time and duration depend on the selected property, weather, and transfer schedule.
Afternoon
Onward connection
Connect with your pre-arranged road transfer or flight. Additional accommodation may be needed if the onward schedule cannot be met comfortably on the same day.
Included
What's included
Five nights' accommodation: two nights in Kariba and three nights in the Matusadona area, subject to the final confirmed itinerary
Meals according to each property's confirmed meal plan
Boat excursions specifically listed in the final quotation
Guided game drives expressly included by the selected safari property
Boat transfers between Kariba and the selected Matusadona property, only where expressly quoted
Road transfers between the agreed arrival or departure point and Kariba, only where expressly quoted
Park entry fees, conservation levies, and concession fees only where itemized as included
Services of guides and boat operators during included activities
Shungu Africa itinerary planning and booking coordination as specified in the booking agreement
Not included
What's not included
International flights and domestic flights unless specifically quoted
Road transfers to or from Kariba unless expressly included
Boat transfers not listed as included in the final quotation
Charter flights, airstrip transfers, and baggage surcharges unless specifically included
Park entry fees, conservation levies, concession fees, and lake-use fees not itemized as included
Fishing permits, fishing equipment, and specialist fishing excursions unless specified
Additional game drives, walking safaris, boat trips, and activities not listed as included
Travel insurance and medical evacuation cover
Visas and entry documentation
Tips and gratuities
Alcoholic beverages, premium drinks, and personal purchases unless included by the accommodation provider
Laundry, telephone, and other personal expenses
Additional accommodation required because of flight schedules, weather delays, or changes to the itinerary
Any service not expressly identified in the final booking confirmation
FAQs