Sinazongwe and the Islands in Lake Kariba

Sinazongwe draws attention to Lake Kariba and its nearby islands: Chete and Sikula lie close to the destination. This combination of water and islands gives local travel interests a clear scenic focus.

Chete and Sikula in Lake Kariba

Both islands can be reached from the mainland by water, from both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides. For travellers interested in the geography of the lake, this is a striking detail. Lake Kariba is therefore more than a backdrop: it is the geographical setting in which the islands lie and through which their location can be understood.

Chete and Sikula are home to a small, diverse population of large and small mammals. Together with their island location, this creates a tangible nature theme: the connection between a habitat in Lake Kariba and a mammal population of varying sizes. For families planning a trip together, this combination can provide a conversation starter—for example, when considering whether a waterside landscape and wildlife belong among their preferred holiday highlights.

When looking for a holiday rental, you can first decide what kind of trip you want: should Sinazongwe and its nearby islands and lake be the main focus, or would you also like to include the nature and culture of the Southern Province? For a family trip with children, this is a concrete choice between different interests: waterside scenery and mammals on the one hand, birdwatching, archaeological history or other park landscapes on the other.

The Southern Province as a broader travel setting

Zambia’s Southern Province brings a broader geographical scale into the picture. Its network of rivers and lakes includes the Zambezi, the Kafue and Lake Kariba. This puts Sinazongwe’s focus on water and islands in the context of a province whose other highlights range from floodplains to archaeological sites.

Lochinvar National Park is in the Southern Province. Its landscape features floodplains, woodland and termite mounds; the Gwisho Hot Springs lie along a geological fault. The park offers opportunities for birdwatching, and more than 420 species have been recorded there. Sebanzi Hill is home to an archaeological site: an Iron Age village once stood there and remained inhabited until the last century. The landscape, birdwatching and settlement history offer different starting points for planning a trip.

Kafue National Park also lies partly in the Southern Province. Most camps and lodges near the river offer boat trips year-round; canoe trips are available especially at Kaingu. At the same time, water levels change considerably throughout the year. If you are planning one of these activities, check dates and availability with the relevant provider.

Livingstone, described as Zambia’s tourism capital, is also in the Southern Province. The city is home to the cross-border UNESCO World Heritage site Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls, which is shared with Zimbabwe. The Zambian portion covers 3,779 hectares of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Alongside the islands and Lake Kariba, the Southern Province therefore also offers its own natural and cultural highlights to help you choose the scope of your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Simonga, Siatwinda, Ngoma, Kalomo, Choma, Chirundu, Kazungula, Jenga Jenga.

For the broader travel overview: Southern Province.