GACHE GACHE LODGE - Lake Kariba

The Gache Gache Estuary in the Eastern Basin of Lake Kariba.  The Lodge lies approximately 3 km upstream of the lake.

The Lodge has open plan rooms built under thatch.  The rooms are built of handmade sandstone bricks made by the local people.

Our main Lodge consists of a dining room capable of seating 26 people, a lounge, and a semi circular bar area accommodating 12 people comfortably.  The Lodge has a reputation for its unusual architecture.  The upstairs has a small loft type sun lounge.

The Lodge can be accessed by water, road or by light aircraft.  Most of the transfers are done by boat or by air.  It is accessible by a very scenic road, but not practical to use, as roads are in a state of disrepair and a 4x4 vehicle must be used.

There is a Lodge Manager/Guide and a Marketing Manageress/Hostess. There are 4 senior staff members.  There are 8 junior staff members.

A small plunge pool done in our local ‘glitter stone’ is very welcome! 

The chalets are all identical and all have en-suite facilities and glitter stone floors throughout.

  All chalets have showers, hand basin and toilet.  There are 10 chalets in total. 7 of these have twin (3/4) beds and 3 of them have standard Queen size beds.  All chalets have a view of the lake.

All laundry is hand done, and the ironing is still done with the old-fashioned charcoal heated irons. There is no extra charge for our laundry service.

This particular Lodge offers numerous combinations namely:
  • MORNING & EVENING GAME DRIVES
  • NIGHT DRIVES
  • MORNING & EVENING WALKS
  • MORNING & EVENING
  • BOAT CRUISES
  • FISHING
  • BIRD WATCHING
  • OUR TRADITIONAL ‘DINNER UNDER THE STARS’

These trips are according to weather.
Basic lodge routine...

  • 0600 – Tea/Coffee to rooms or available in Main Lodge.
  • 0700 – Depart for safari
  • 0900 – Breakfast
  • 1000 – Midday safari
  • 1300 – Lunch
  • 1600 – Tea
  • 1630 – Afternoon Safari
  • 2000 – Dinner
The Lodge has 2 Game drive vehicles and 2 utility vehicles. a Sea Glider, a Vagabond (without cabin) and an Eagle and a piranha.

The water is pumped from the lake for showers etc. and bottled water is available on request.  All drinking water is sand filtered and chlorinated.

The Lodge runs off a generator as well as off solar (battery) power. 220-volt power is available most of the day. There are no electrical plug fittings in the rooms, but these are available in the Main Lodge.

The Lodge has a comprehensive medical kit onsite.  The Lodge Management have passed the MARS advanced first aid course.  The nearest medical facility (minor ailments) is 40 minutes drive away.  The nearest hospital is a 1-hour flight away.  MARS covers the lodge – registration done at clients request.

AIRSTRIP:

The airstrip is 2 km from the Lodge:
  • Co-ordinates – 16 degrees  44 minutes  926’S  / 028 degrees  55 minutes 828’E
  • Length – 800m marked, as well as 100m extra each side.  Total 1,000m.
  • Direction – East to West
  • Type – Dirt/Gravel Strip

The aircraft that have landed at the strip are namely Cessna 206, Cessna Caravan, Medical Air Rescue Service Ambulance (twin engine) and Dakota DC3.  The airstrip is not useable at night.  Overnight parking is possible.

AIRSTRIP TIMES:

The following is a time chart for the various types of aircraft capable of landing on the Gache Gache Airstrip:

ROUTE -        CARAVAN 206

HRE – GGA          60 MINS    70 MINS

CHOKS – GGA     70 MINS    80 MINS

VFA – GGA          80 MINS    90 MINS

KBA – GGA          05 MINS    06 MINS

DISTANCE CHART:

  • Lodge – Kariba (road) – 2hrs
  • Lodge – Village (road) – 40min
  • Lodge – Kariba, B Line boat charter – 1hr
  • Lodge – Kariba, Speedboat (Sabre) – 45min
  • Lodge – Airstrip (road) – 10mins
  • Lodge – Kariba (houseboat) – 2hrs

All of the times given for road travel are dry season only and strictly require 4-wheel drive.  The roads are strictly bush tracks and are not sign-posted.

WEATHER:

Summer: September – April.

The temperatures are well into the 40’s in October/November and during the winter months (May-July) temps rarely go lower than 20.  The Lodge is generally unaffected by rain (November through April) although the activities may be affected from time to time.

FISHING:

The fantastic fighting TIGER FISH is the most popular fish to try and catch… then comes the TILAPIA, Bream fish. This is a wonderful fish to eat, so eat what you catch! Many other species also available.

MONTHS with an ‘R’ in them are the best months to fish!

BIRD WATCHING:A fantastic paradise for Bird Watchers with an amazing variety of birds – don’t forget your binoculars!

FAMILY RESORT:GACHE GACHE LODGE is a wonderful family lodge with something to offer every member of your family. 

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