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-- Log 28 --
Lake Kariba taken from Zimbabwe with Zambia on the far side of the
lake
Kariba The dam wall was built in 1955, and complete in 1960 by an
Italian company. It was built to provide hydro-electric power to
Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Did you know? (Courtesy Kingdom Calls)
Lake Karibas total length is 280 kms
The widest point of Lake Kariba is 32 km
The average width is 18 km
The average depth of Kariba is 20 metres
Kariba is 120 m deep at the deepest point
The total shoreline stretches 2 000 km
1 032 000 cubic metres of concrete in the Kariba Dam wall
Kariba has 6 flood gates last opened 3 in April 2002
1 flood gate can release 1 574 litres per sec
The height of the dam wall is 128 metres
The wall is 617 metres long
The width of the top of the dam wall is 3 metres
The width of the base is 24 metres
And no, we did not want to go for a tour inside the wall!
Kushinga Lodge Kariba S16.31.726 E028.45.811 (this is the turn off
from here follow the signposts) 1 762 ft amsl US$ 3.00 pppn
21/11/02
The Camp is on the side of the mountain in a protected cove. We thought
it would be cooler because of the height how wrong we were! It was
hot, very hot, and very humid! We spent a sweltering night in our tent,
and decided there must be somewhere better to stay than this! So we went
in search of somewhere cooler.
Due to the good information from Dave (Lusaka) we were able to find and
book a houseboat for New Year we were very fortunate as there had been
a cancellation. It appears that Kariba is a very popular place with
Zimbabweans at this time of the year and because they cannot go
anywhere outside their country. Thanks Dave!
Our search for a cooler campground was well rewarded when we finally
(actually the last one we tried) came across Lomagundi Lakeside
Association.
Lomagundi Lakeside Association Kariba S16.31.605 E28.150.144 1 619
ft amsl Z$ 300.00 pppn 22/11/02 23/11/02
Every now and then we happen across a real gem this was one of them.
It had trees, lawn, a clean swimming pool, and lots of grace and
character. We enjoyed chatting to Eve and Jim, and the folk who popped
in and out of the area. We met with farmers who had been given a Section
8 for their farms, some already sent off their farms etc. It was an eye
opener, and left us with very heavy hearts.
Beautiful treed and lawned campgrounds at Lomagundi
It was still very hot and humid, but much more pleasant than the first
camp we stayed at. Horrors, there is no Internet cafι in Kariba! Were
shocked! We will have to confirm booking etc with the kids from Harare!
Due to all the problems that Zimbabwe is currently facing we have
entered the country with caution. We will keep our tanks filled and will
choose where we will tour with care. On our way to Harare we managed to
fill up with diesel, and petrol (for Genny).
Thanks to Dave (Lusaka) we were able to get the address of old family
friends in Harare and in true style (it is becoming our trademark) we
just popped in! As it turns out we were very lucky to find Lindi at
home, and she told us that Des and Sue were at the lake. She phoned them
and we arranged to go out to the campsite there.
So we headed out along the Bulawayo road for Lake Chivero and the ROCARA
Caravan Park.
Kamba (ROCARA) Caravan Park Lake Chivero S17.53.049 E030.48.163
4 504 ft amsl Z$ 150.00 pppn and Z$ 200.00 pd for MRW 24/11/02
02/12/02
Now, this is what I call camping! Boy, are these guys organized!
Des and Sue have been fantastic to us; they have opened their home to
us and made us feel extremely welcome. They are caretakers at the park
and are long time
caravaners. For us this was 5 star luxury MR W got a break and even
managed to squeeze under the carport awning!
We met with wonderful people, who all made us feel like we were in the
good old Rhodie days. It seems that this is the place where the city
dwellers come to relax and forget the problems of the Nation. Glen took
us to a beautiful shopping mall called Westgate where we were able to
send off our emails to the kids.
We met a lovely lady by the name of Di, who lived in a cottage on the
farm nearby, she told us that with much heartache she had finally
decided to leave Zimbabwe and emigrate to South Africa where her mother
now lived. A couple of days later we heard that Di had been attacked and
beaten in her home and had her remaining valuables and currency stolen.
When we met with her after the incident she had no doubt that she had to
leave. We were very upset and saddened by the incident.
We enjoyed the company of Vera (80 years old) her daughter Wendy and her
daughter Chantal enormously and are looking forward to seeing you again
at Christmas. Vera thanks for the tea and crunchies!
MR W was in need of some TLC and Terry was the man of the hour! Terry
thanks for all you did we will take MR W to have the diff sorted out
in Johannesburg when we finally get back home.
On a lighter note, we were able to enjoy the Childrens Christmas tree,
held at the park. The committee put on a great party for the youngsters,
and good fun was had by all.
Santa arriving on a tractor drawn sleigh we believe we missed the
photo of the year ten white blokes push starting the tractor while the
black driver sat in the driving seat!
Having thoroughly enjoyed being spoilt they have baths with hot
water!!!! We had better do some touring of Zimbabwe while we are here.
As Sue has not been to the Eastern Highlands we decided to make Nyanga
our first stop. Before we go
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At a fuel station (we are filling up wherever we can) we came across
this bus, which promptly pulled off down the wrong side of a double lane
highway makes you think!
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