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Kariba Car Ferry Service

Save time, fuel, money, frayed nerves, over 8 hours of driving and at least one nights hotel stop by taking your car the length of lake Kariba using the Kariba Car Ferry service

Kariba Ferry Service between Kariba town and Mlibizi resumes services on a regular (weekly) basis in December 2009/January 2010.

Confirmed Dates for December 2009

December 21/22 and December 28/29 are now both confirmed and do have space available

Kariba Mlibizi

Departures Arrivals

Dec 7th 8th Possible

14th 15th Possible

21st 22nd Confirmed

28th 29th Confirmed

Jan 4th 2010 5th Possible

Departures are from Andora harbor Kariba & Mlibizi, departure time 0900hrs. Passengers to be at embarkation point no later than 0800hrs.

Three meals are provided lunch and dinner on day of departure. Breakfast on the day of arrival. Please note the sailing time is 22 hours.

Sleeping is communal in our large saloon, the rear deck & front sundeck, weather permitting. Our tariffs include the 2% ZTA levy, 15% VAT & the National Parks fees not included.

The ferry, Sea Lion, which carries up to 70 people and 15 vehicles, plies the length of Lake Kariba between Andora Harbour in Kariba town and Mlibizi at the western end of the lake.

Departures from Kariba are on Mondays at 9.00a.m
Departures from Mlibizi on Tuesdays at 9.00a.m.
The trip takes 22 hours.

The Sea Lion's facilities include: chair-beds inside, mattresses for on deck and all bedding (sleeping is commmunal); toilets and hot showers; 3 full meals; teas & coffees; and a licensed cash bar.

There is a height restriction of 1.95metres for 12 vehicles, and 3 parking spaces in an open-deck area with no height restriction (ideal for heavily-packed 4x4s with roofrack tents etc.)

Map of Kariba ferries route The voyage takes approximately 22 hours in each direction, during which time you will be served with three meals together with morning and afternoon tea or coffee which is included in the tariff. There is a fully stocked cash bar aboard

On-Board Accommodation

You and your family can relax in the spacious panoramic-windowed saloon, laze on the open deck or enjoy the upper shaded deck.

At night you settle down in our fully-reclining bed/armchairs. Pack overnight bag and towels.

General booking information

When making enquiries regarding vehicles other than standard types, please supply full dimensional details as to overall length, width and height.

Book well in advance when planning a connection during "peak" season: December/January, Easter, July/August especially if you have a vehicle to consider.

Get to the departure point at Milibizi or Kariba by 07:30 in the morning.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management charge you the equivalent of US$5 (subject to change without notice) as you enter the Ferry Gates - carry small change and insist on a receipt.

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 Aboard "Sea Horse" or "Sea Lion"

The vessels depart on their voyages promptly at 09:00. Intending passengers are advised to be at the departure/loading point not less than 1 hour prior to sailing. For security reasons, once vehicles are loaded, access to vehicles is restricted. So do not forget to pack an overnight bag with personal and other requirements.

"Soon after departing from Andora Harbour, to our right the Dam Wall may be seen along with the Sampakaruma Group of islands in the fore-ground, named after a 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 south eastern basin, we arrive at the Sibilobilo Lagoon, which is formed by a series of islands along its northern border and is over-looked 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 waters edge. Binoculars at this time are a decided advantage. 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 mountain 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! It is strictly prohibited to climb on the roof and passengers are reminded that they are required to obey all instructions from the captain or crew.

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 approximately 20:00.

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

Having passed a number of islands, Binga and through the Sebungwe Narrows, the ferry will dock at M'libizi at around 07:00 whereafter off-loading you may continue your journey.

The ferry service may be used by those without vehicles either on our Karibean Cruise, which encompasses the return trip starting from either end, or alternatively, as a means to the other end which is very popular with the back packers, who would thereafter hitch-hike to their next destination. An option worth considering as a backpacker is to take the flight between Victoria Falls and Kariba - it's appreciably quicker and often cheaper!

N.B. When making enquiries regarding vehicles other than standard types, please supply full dimensional details as to overall length, width and height. Special attention must be paid to non-removable attachments. Overall lengths of car and caravan or trailer combination must be given when coupled. Under no circumstances change your vehicle or add a trailer without first contacting us to ensure that space is available for such alteration. In such circumstances, Kariba Ferries reserves its right to refuse to load your vehicle against forfeiture of the fare paid in full.

Regrettably, due to non-arrivals, we have to advise that we cannot confirm a booking until we are in receipt of a 50% deposit. Should this not occur, Kariba Ferries reserves its right to resell the booking. Final payment is due 45 days prior to sailing, likewise should this not occur, we reserve the right to resell the booking. Late bookings can often be accommodated "out of season", bookings required during school holidays and peak season must be done well in advance - we recommend a minimum of six months.

Cancellations will be charged at the following rates:

31 days or more ...................10% of fare
15 - 29 days ........................ loss of deposit
14 days or less .................... forfeiture of full fare
Please note that no animals are allowed on board

Planning guidelines: Kariba Ferry

Book well in advance when planning a connection during "peak" season: December/January, Easter, July/August especially if you have a vehicle to consider.

We hold provisional bookings for a maximum of 4 days pending receipt of a 50% deposit. Provisional space is released automatically unless confirmed. See our payment procedure. (Apologies for this un-user-friendly policy)

If you have a vehicle, supply dimensions particularly the height including roof rack/accessories when making an enquiry. Note that trailers carry a relatively heavy surcharge.

Get to the departure point at Milibizi or Kariba by 07:30 in the morning.

Remember to pack an "overnight bag" with towels. You'll sleep on "loungers" - blankets are provided. Take reading materials.

The tariff includes three meals plus morning and afternoon tea/coffee. There is a cash bar on board.

If you're a backpacker, you'll need to catch a lift between Victoria Falls and Milibizi. Also consider the flight between Kariba and Victoria Falls as very suitable alternative to the ferry.

Look at "temporary bases" in Kariba

Our prices are generally quoted in US dollars, net and exclusive of bank charges. Payments can be made in USD, GBP or Euro.
A provisional booking is only "confirmed" subject to availability and on receipt of a deposit.
The value of the deposit and terms of payment on the balance will be spelt out during the enquiry stage. Our normal terms are 20% deposit with the final balance due 60 days prior to travel. In some cases (usually only for group bookings or set date departures) a deposit of up to 40% is required.
No reservation is confirmed without prior payment unless agreed to in writing and no vouchers are issued unless full payment has been received