Lake Kariba is stretches over 370kms of the Zambezi Valley; it's surrounded by wilderness, some protected as a national park, some simply wild and inaccessible. The wildlife is wonderful and the lake itself is beautiful. The best way to see it? Hire a houseboat.

You're moored on the shoreline, near the Matusadona hills. Sitting on the deck, sipping a gin and tonic, watching as elephant emerge from the treeline and wander down to the water to drink. You can hear the hippo and the hypnotic slap of water on the side of the boat. Tomorrow, you'll cruise on a little further, look for more game - buffalo, antelope, maybe even big cats. You might fish for tiger or, if you want to eat your own catch, bream. Or you might just laze, read a book, watch the islands and the hills cruise by. Utterly relaxing and utterly African.