The resort is usually marketed as a family holiday destination. However, its sporting, religious and educational appeal has peaked of late. As a long-standing Kariba destination planner I am often asked, “Can you still…” My answer is always yes.
The need to have an itinerary drawn up by an informed, knowledgeable and preferably area-based professional cannot be overemphasized. Most students (and consequently parents and guardians who pay for these trips) lose out on the educational value of the destination when their trip leaders opt to arrive in Kariba with no game plan. The University of Zimbabwe’s Training and Development Unit has partnered the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority to offer courses in pertinent fields including Tour Guiding and Guest Relationship Management. Resorts are expected to benefit immensely from this move. Kariba, in particular, has well-informed and experienced guides. Polished by the new courses on offer, they will perform to their maximum best.
Worth a visit
Some of the places worth a visit are the power station of the Kariba hydro-electric system, the Lake Kariba Fisheries Research Institute, the Observation Point, the Kariba dam wall itself, the Roman Catholic’s Santa Barbara Church at the Heights, the Operation Noah Memorial, the Lake Navigation, the nascent aquaculture operation opened by Lake Harvest, and Padenga Holdings’ crocodiles are definitely hungry for a visit. The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe’s Kariba Airport is also worth visiting. Whilst there, visit the Meteorological Department and get to learn about the region’s weather and climate. The fishing operations dotted along the harbours are also worth a visit, as is a lake cruise at the end of grueling day.
Accommodation options
Accommodation varies from $1.00/person/night to $25.00/person/night, bed only, depending on your taste, of course. Campsites, chalets, dormitories, school classrooms, and self-catering lodges are all available for the traveller to choose from. Hotels, of course, are targeted at a high-end market and might charge more for their services. It is important to make prior arrangements and get the costing right.
Kariba, for the discerning educational tour planner, is a destination worthy of consideration. Rope in an intrepid destination planner, preferably an area-based one, and you have a recipe for a successful tour. With trained and experienced manpower, Kariba is geared to deliver on its promise of being Zimbabwe’s Riviera. – Laiton Mkandawire (ulakariba@gmail.com)
Post published in: Education