World's biggest man-made lake

 Lake Kariba : World's biggest man-made lake

Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made lake and reservoir by volume. It lies approximately 1 300 km's upstream from the Indian Ocean, along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The lake was filled following the completion of the Kariba Dam wall at its northeastern end, flooding the Kariba Gorge on the Zambezi River. The town of Kariba was built for construction workers on the lake’s dam in the late 1950’s. Lake Kariba is Zambia’s undiscovered Riviera! It offers spectacular views, stunning sunsets, great fishing, boating opportunities, water sports, safari on the shoreline and wonderful relaxing holidays just soaking up the sunshine.

World's biggest man-made lake that took five years to be filled and spans across 2 nations. Covering 2,150 square miles, this is the world's largest artificial lake and reservoir by volume, filled over a span of five years . Lake Kariba was formed following the damming of the Zambezi River in the Kariba Gorge, where the river narrows between hills of hard rock 250 miles below Victoria Falls. The weather is mostly sunny and fine. It can get quite hot in mid-summer (about January and February), but even mid-winter days (about July) are warm and the nights are balmy. This is the planet’s largest man-made dam: 226km / 140mi long and in places up to 40km / 25mi wide. It is also the world’s largest water reservoir by volume. It provides considerable electric power to both Zambia and Zimbabwe and supports a thriving commercial fishing industry.

Lake Kariba covers an area of 2,150 square miles, and its storage capacity is 44 cubic miles. The mean depth of the lake is 95 feet, with a maximum of 318 feet. As a result, it took five years to fill, between 1958 and 1963. It is the world’s largest man-made reservoir by volume, four times as large as the Three Gorges Dam in China. The sheer size of it makes you forget it’s a dam and in certain places it almost feels like an ocean! There are islands with wildlife sprinkled around (Chete and Chinanka are among the largest) and access from the Zambian side is fairly limited, the Zimbabwean side offers more facilities. Chinanka is privately owned and open to guests of the fishing lodge only.

The major towns are Sinazongwe and Siavonga, with the latter being more developed and offering more ways of accessing the dam. The main focus of Kariba is houseboating and fishing, which is permitted year-round rather than seasonally like other lakes and rivers in Zambia. One notable aspect of the lake is its diverse wildlife. The lake and its surrounding shores are home to a variety of bird species, including fish eagles and cormorants. These majestic birds can often be seen soaring through the skies or perched along the shorelines, hunting for fish. In addition to the birdlife, Lake Kariba attracts large numbers of elephants and other big game species. The presence of water draws these animals to the lake’s shores, providing them with a vital source of hydration in the arid landscape. It is a truly remarkable sight to witness herds of elephants gathering near the water’s edge or bathing in the shallows of the lake.

Experience the untamed beauty of Lake Kariba through a range of activities. Set sail on the pristine waters of this colossal man-made lake, where boat safaris offer breathtaking sunsets and wildlife encounters along the shoreline. Explore the terrain on game drives, encountering Africa’s Big Five and an array of other creatures. Enter the wilderness on guided walking safaris, forging a deep connection with nature as you soak in the sounds and scents of the bushveld. Birdwatchers will be in paradise, as Lake Kariba is home to a diverse avian population. Dive into local culture with visits to nearby villages, and try your hand at fishing, aiming for the legendary tigerfish. Lake Kariba offers the ultimate African adventure for all nature enthusiasts. You can explore the waters and island of Lake Kariba, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, where you can witness breathtaking sunsets and observe the wildlife that thrives along the lake’s shoreline.

Today, the Kariba Dam hydroelectric power station, situated on the lake, serves as a vital source of electricity for both Zimbabwe and Zambia. The dam harnesses the power of the Zambezi River, generating substantial amounts of electricity that contribute to the energy needs of the two countries. This hydroelectric power station has become a significant cornerstone of the region’s power infrastructure, supporting economic development and improving the quality of life for local communities.