Zambezi Trader Information - Vessel Specifications, Kariba Weather, Kariba Health & Safety

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Useful Info

Vessel Specification

Built:	2004
Registered:	Zimbabwe
Type:	Steel hull pontoon ship
Length:	160ft
Beam:	48ft
Draft:	4ft
Electricity:	220 V supplied by 2 x 60kva and 2 x 6kva Gensets
Engines:	2 x 200hp. Cummins Diesel Engines
Cruising Speed:	7knots

Weather

The weather in Kariba is generally hot and sunny with 3 evident seasons occurring throughout the year. Warm afternoon storms and rain occur from late November to March with the conditions being unpredictable and changing rapidly. High temperatures are experienced during these summer months with temperatures reaching as high as 42 degrees. May to August is slightly cooler building up to the very hot dry season from September to November. Moderate temperatures are experienced in the winter months with temperatures dropping to around 15 degrees.

Health & Safety

Safety
Malaria: Kariba is a malaria risk area and precaution should be taken when entering the area. Guests travelling to Kariba are advised to consult with a medical practitioner before attending a cruise.

First Aid
The boat carries a fully equipped first aid kit as well as smaller kits for each tender boat.

History

Lake Kariba is a large, man-made lake and reservoir located on the Zambezi river, about halfway between the river's source and mouth, about 1300 kilometers upstream from the Indian Ocean. The lake lies along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Lake Kariba was filled between 1958 and 1963 following the completion of the Kariba Dam at its northeastern end, flooding the Kariba Gorge on the Zambezi River and displacing large numbers of the local Tonga people.