A sunken city of shrubs and flooded forests lie within Lake Kariba’s waters. Thriving off the nutrient rich decomposing vegetation from the land before, the depths of the lake have become a metropolis for aquatic species and the surface, a hunting ground for birds.
Anchor-up, and in the amber hue of the sunset over the Matusadona mountains, watch the local residents effortlessly fish for an evening snack.
Along the southern shores, Matusadona National Park has an impressive concentration of game benefiting from the virtues of the sodden grassland surroundings.
The biggest man-made lake was formed in the late 50s due to a series of flooding during the construction of the Kariba Dam. The disruption of the Zambezi waterflow was said to have caused the fury of the Great River God, Nyaminyami who in his rage caused not one, but two immense floods. With water moving at more than 16 million liters a second, this rapidly turned into an expanse that covered its entire surroundings. This expanse is Lake Kariba.
An ocean contained within a landlocked country. The shores of which, see a meeting point of different ecosystems and congregations of game. It is a stunning image of nature’s adaptation despite disruption.
Move with the water, as you angle for your own dinner of tigerfish or bream. See the lazy blue lake stretch out into the furthest distance, catching the beady eye of the croc as you scan the horizon. Drive or walk through Matusadona National Park, spending the day amongst the lioness and her pride or the congregations of hippo that wallow, not so far offshore.
