Kariba Ferry

Please note all  sailings are provisional until there are sufficient bookings to justify confirming a departure date

2018 Departures Kariba Ferry
Kariba – Mlibizi 
5  – 15 – 26 March;    2 – 9 – 16 – 23 – 30 April;   01 – 07-14 – 21  May ;   4 – 11-18-25 June;  2 – 9 -12 -16-19 July;
2-6-9-13-17-23-27 August;   3-9-17-24  September;
15-25 October   12  November;     3-10-17-27   December

Mlibizi – Kariba
6 – 16 – 27 March;   3  – 10  – 17 – 24   April; 1 – 8 – 15 – 22 May; 5 – 12-19-26 June;

3- 10-13- 17-20 – 24-27- 31 July;   3- 7-10-14-18-24-28 August;  4-10-18-25- September;

16- 26 October; 13 November ; 4-11-18-28 December

Ferry Service – Quick Facts

• Ferry departs at 10.30hrs and arrives the following day at 08.30hrs.
• Journey time is 22hrs
• 3 meals are provided: lunch, dinner and breakfast
• Morning and afternoon tea and coffee are also  provided
• there is a cash bar
• Bedding (pillow and light travel blanket) are provided 
• Toilets and hot showers 
• it is recommended that passengers pack an overnight bag

Vehicles

There is a height restriction of 1.95 metres for 12 vehicles, and 3 parking spaces in an open-deck area with no height restriction (ideal for heavily-packed 4x4s with roof rack tents etc.). When making enquiries regarding vehicles other than standard types, please supply full dimensional details as to overall length, width and height.

Road Transfer

Alternatives by road include the route via Livingstone and Siavonga in Zambia – recommended – (approximately 6,5 hours) – it’s tarred but potholed – you may need a visa.

Another option is the “back road” via Binga – a 4 x 4 is recommended, it’s essential during the rainy season

A typical day on board

Vessels departs on their voyages promptly at 9:00am. Intending passengers are advised to be at the departure /loading point not less than 1 hour prior to sailing. For security reasons, once the vehicles are loaded, access to the vehicles is restricted. So do not forget to pack an overnight bag of your requirements. We suggest bringing your towel, cameras, binoculars etc.

Soon after departing from Andora Harbour, to our right the Dam Wall may be seen along with the Sampakaruma Group of Islands in the foreground, named after the local chief. The small rocky outcrop to the left of these is called Rhino Island, so called due to the rescue of a particularly belligerent Rhino during the famous “Operation Noah”. This being the widest point of the lake at 32 Kilometres.

After Cruising across the southeastern basin, we arrive at Sibilobilo Lagoon, which is formed by a series of Islands along the northern border and is overlooked by the well known Bumi Hills Safari lodge. This whole area abounds with many varieties of game and birds, numbers of which may frequently be seen at the water’s edge. Binoculars at this time are a decided advantage.

Lake Kariba 

The animals swim regularly between the islands and indeed to and from the mainland. A cold buffet lunch will be served at this time. As we leave the lagoon via the gap between the Lubangwa and Namembere Islands, most passengers settle down to an after lunch nap in our fully reclining bed/armchairs. The ferry continues its journey between the northern shores of the islands forming Sibilobilo Lagoon and another chain of islands which form a channel. Game is often seen in this area. We now enter the “Kota Kota” narrows which is named after the mountains on the northern shore.

The lake then opens into the Sengwa Basin through which we travel some kilometres offshore. Weather and time permitting, your captain will stop, for those who wish it to allow a refreshing swim in the warm semi tropical waters. Passengers should note that whilst we consider swimming in open water as being safe, it is at their own risk and Kariba Ferries bears no liability whatsoever for any occurrences during such swim.

Shortly thereafter, you will almost certainly be witness to an African Sunset second to none, whilst enjoying a cool sundowner from the bar before dinner is served at 8:00pm.

You may wish to have an after dinner nightcap as your crew steer you through the night under the constant supervision of the captain aided by Radar and GPS. The ferry passes Sinamwenda River and then on to Kudu Island where a slight course change takes you into Chete Gorge so named after the Batonka Tribesmen who traded and fished along the river Zambezi. At this point, there were a series of swirling rapids that prevented them from proceeding any further “hence the local name Chete meaning” end or finish. The Gorge narrows to less than 400 meters wide, before we once again sail into open water.

Having passed a number of islands, Binga and through Sebungwe Narrows, the ferry will dock at Mlibizi at around 7:00am, where after off loading you may continue your Journey.

It is our sincere hope that this voyage will have proved to be the highlight of your Zimbabwean holiday and that you will ask any member of the crew for anything that you may require, remembering that your safety, comfort and happiness are our first concern.

Please Note: Positively no animals allowed onboard