Come Sailing with the Elephants!

Conjure up this marvelous mixture, for it is unique. Africa’s last unspoilt river, the Zambezi, formed into a huge fresh water lake at Kariba; and a wilderness of great beauty, many wild animals, birds and fish, and few people.

The perfect yacht, blue skies every day. The nights are mild, the days warm and dry, the winds good. We call it “T shirt and shorts” sailing. Welcome, be you an expert sailor or an enthusiastic beginner, for we shall teach you the art of sailing.

Blissful days on the lake...
We sail in a flotilla, with one of the Tikis, our catamarans, as our mothership. Each client's crew has its own fully equipped catamaran, which will be your home away from home on your Kariba safari. From the mothership, we lead the way, taking note of the wind and the wildlife. Leave the catering to us and enjoy freshly cooked brunches and dinners made with delicious local produce and the morning's catch. Chef Tatenda's garlic-sauteed bream and rosemary roasted potatoes will leave you wanting more.

We put onto your yacht a crewmember to help you learn the practicalities of the Tiki, if need be to teach you to sail, and to give you social contact with Zimbabweans if you so wish. Years of experience on the lake and our local knowledge have taught us where the best places are to moor for the night, where herds of elephants and buffalo will greet you. In the dawn's early golden light join us on a game walk, where you may be treated to the sight of a lion slipping into the bush or a malachite kingfisher diving down to catch a fish.

Return to freshly brewed mugs of coffee and a light breakfast as we prepare to embark. We will take advantage of the morning's fine winds by heading out into the open water for a four or five hour sail before stopping for a hearty brunch and more game viewing, either from the yacht or on foot. We will join up with the other crews on shore for sundowners and snacks as we watch the sun's last rays color the clouds scarlet before the first stars appear in the night sky. After a hearty dinner, stretch out and relax as you gaze into a brilliant Milky Way and the Southern Cross overhead. Fall asleep to the sounds of hippos karfuffling in the shallows and the distant, low rumbles of lions.

The next day will bring with it new animal sightings, winds, islands, moorings, and adventures. You will leave with a renewed sense of awe for the power and beauty of nature and a commitment to protect these fragile ecosystems. And you will also leave us as a more skilled sailor, perhaps even having made new friends along the journey! This is the magic of Sail Safaris.