Lake Kariba Cruise and Mana Pools  Tour: Culture, Wildlife and Cruising

• 3 Nights Lake Kariba Cruise
• 2 Nights Kariba Safari Lodge – Kariba Town
• 3 Nights Mana Pools National Park

Travel Itinerary: Day-by-Day Summary

Day 1: Arrival, Kariba Town – Lake Kariba Cruise Boat

Guests arrive at Kariba Airport and are welcomed by our local guide. We transfer from the airport to the harbour for the first part of our Kariba Cruise and Mana Pools Tour.

At the harbour, we are welcomed by refreshing drinks as we board our Lake Kariba cruise boat and check in. Lunch is served whilst the boat cruises out of the harbour onto the largest man-made water reservoir in the world

That same afternoon guests can go for a sundowner cruise on tender boats. This lake excursion is one of the best ways to enjoy that iconic Kariba sunset, drink in hand.

We end the day sailing back to our cruise boat to relax before our first dinner on Lake Kariba.

• Game viewing from tender boats (Afternoon)
• Fishing
• Sundowner Activities

• Accommodation
• Activities
• Meals
• Transfers

Day 2: Lake Kariba Cruise

Day 3: Lake Kariba Cruise

On day 3, we start the day with another delicious and nutritious breakfast. Breakfast is followed by water-based game viewing from tender boats.

After a morning of enjoying Lake Kariba activities, we set sail to our last night’s mooring on the lake. Guests can relax and take in the splendour of the lake and its wild surroundings as we cruise to our destination.

Once moored, we begin our afternoon lake activities. Guests can enjoy wildlife viewing, birding or fishing from the tender boats. The afternoon activities give way to a night of traditional African cuisine, the barbeque dinner. Barbeque dinners are hosted on the beach. However, sometimes due to safety reasons, this meal is enjoyed on the boat.

• Wildlife viewing on tender boats
• Fishing from the tender boats
• Barbeque Dinner

• Accommodation
• Activities
• Meals

Day 4: Lake Kariba Cruise – Kariba Safari Lodge

We wake up on the lake for the last time and we get ready to move on to the next stage of our African land and lake safari. Breakfast is served as the boat cruises back into the harbour.

At the harbour, guests disembark and transfer to Kariba Safari Lodge. A warm Zimbabwean welcome awaits us at the beautiful Kariba Safari Lodge. Welcome drinks are followed by check-in and a delicious lunch. The deck where meals are enjoyed at Kariba Safari Lodge offers stunning vistas of the lake. 

The afternoon can be spent at leisure or enjoying some of the land-based activities on offer in Kariba.

• Tour of Kariba Town
• Visit to the dam wall
• Tour the Church of Santa Barbara
• Sundowners at the Kariba Heights viewpoint

• Filtered water, coffee and tea
• Accommodation
• Activities
• Meals

Day 5: Kariba Safari Lodge

Breakfast on day 5 is served with outstanding vistas of Lake Kariba and the Matusadonha mountain range on the horizon. After breakfast, we begin our Kariba activities.

Kariba is a top destination for travellers because of the many activities on offer. Guests spend the day exploring Kariba. The Kariba tour includes a visit to the massive dam wall and the local market, a tour of the Santa Barbara church, and sundowner drinks at the Kariba Heights viewpoint.

We end the day back at the lodge where refreshing drinks, dinner and awesome views await.

• Tour of Kariba Town
• Visit to the dam wall
• Tour the Church of Santa Barbara
• Sundowners at the Kariba Heights viewpoint

• Filtered water, coffee and tea
• Accommodation
• Activities
• Meals

Day 6: Kariba Safari Lodge -Mana Pools National Park

Guests wake up ready to say goodbye to Kariba and its vistas but not before enjoying another nutritious breakfast at Kariba Safari Lodge.

Mana Pools National Park is the next and final destination on our Kariba Cruise and Mana Pools Tour. We transfer to Mana by air or road to Chirundu and a boat ride to the lodge.

Mana Pools greets us with that warm Zimbabwean welcome that we have become accustomed to on our tour.

After welcome drinks, check-in and lunch guests experience a Mana Pools game drive. This is an exhilarating experience regardless of whether it’s your first time in Mana or you are a frequent visitor. The afternoon ends with sundowner drinks before returning to camp for dinner and rest.

• Game drive in the Mana Pools National Park
• Sundowners on the banks of the Zambezi River

• Accommodation
• Transfers
• Activities
• Meals
• Filtered water, coffee and tea

Day 7: Mana Pools National Park

Mana Pools waits for no man, so we start the day with a game drive into the National Park. Wild Mana is up early therefore the best way to enjoy it is to be up early.

The early morning game drive is followed by brunch at the lodge. Midday is spent relaxing at the lodge. The afternoon game drive completes our activities for the day and we head back to the lodge.

• Game Drive in Mana Pools National Park (Morning)
• Afternoon game drive in Mana Pools National Park
• Sundowner activities

• Filtered water, coffee and tea
• Accommodation
• Activities
• Meals

Day 8: Mana Pools National Park

Day 3 in Mana Pools National Park offers guests more time to experience the magic of Mana. The park is huge and offers awesome wildlife viewing and wilderness experiences and the extra time always proves valuable.

The day is spent exploring the park and enjoying some of the best wildlife encounters available to humanity. That afternoon, we enjoy our final game drive in Mana Pools. We end the day taking in the sunset, drink in hand before heading back to the lodge for food and relaxation! 

• Mana Pools National Park game drive (Morning)
• Afternoon game drive in Mana Pools National Park
• Sundowner activities

• Filtered water, coffee and tea
• Accommodation
• Activities
• Meals

Day 9: Depart Mana Pools National Park

Guests can wake up to a delicious breakfast and game drive depending on their expected departure time. This morning we check out and prepare to depart Mana Pools National Park. 

At the Mana Pools Main airstrip, we say our goodbyes and wish you safe travels.

We hope you had a wonderful safari tour.