Baobab Bookings – a Zimbabwean based agency offering a selection of accommodation, houseboats, transfers and activities throughout Zimbabwe, but specialising in and around Kariba Town, Lake Kariba, Binga, Mlibizi and other areas, including Victoria Falls, Hwange, Matopos, Mana Pools, Eastern Highlands area, Gonarezhou, Chimanimani.
We also offer a selection of activities in the Vic Falls and Livingstone areas and destinations in the Chobe area.
The core business of the company is the self-catering lodges at Charara - on the shores of Lake Kariba, east of Kariba town - Wild Heritage, Nzou and Cerruti Lodges. On offer are 3 or 4 bedroom lodges, fully-equipped for self-catering, each with its own cook/houseman; most have private swimming pools, and air-conditioning. Gorgeous lake views; close encounters with wild life (elephant, zebra, hippo, jackal, buffalo, resident leopard in the area; waterbuck; etc.). Tender boats are available to hire for fishing, game viewing and recreational purposes. Fishing rod hire is also available.
Baobab Bookings also specialise in the hire of houseboats in Binga (at the western end of the lake) and in Kariba town (at the eastern end, near the dam wall). These include luxury and middle-of-the-range boats accommodating from 4 people up to 50 people. A huge variety of houseboats on offer. Road transfers; charter flights or commercial flights to or from the houseboats can be arranged.
Victoria Falls or Livingstone accommodation at either 3-5 star hotels, lodge accommodation or self-catering venues are offered, including the various activities, airport transfers, etc.
Kariba Ferry bookings can be made, with all arrangements, including accommodation the night before, transfer to or from the Ferry etc. taken care of.
Reviews 134
Mudzimba O, Zimbabwe
4 January 2019
Thank you so much Lorraine for booking for us . You have such an amazing taste. The stay at Lokhutula was so amazing and the Zambezi sunset cruise was wonderful. The family is looking forward to book with you this 2019
Thank you so much for your review Owen and look forward to assisting you again in the future. Warmest wishes until then.
Loraine
Mudzimba O, Zimbabwe
4 January 2019
Thank you Lorraine for booking us at Kariba in 2017, we had a wonderful time and the cooks at Nzou and Wild Heritage were excellent .
Sharon Wilsnagh, Zimbabwe
23 December 2018
We chartered the Harmony Houseboat for 4 nights on Kariba. Thank you Lorraine for organising a truly memorable holiday for us. With all the stresses in Zim at the moment, it was wonderful to have everything arranged for us. We had such a special family time and will most definitely be making future bookings through you. Harmony was wonderful and the crew were amazing. Thank you! Karl, Sharon, Chandelle and Nikkie.
Gus Le Breton, Zimbabwe
22 December 2018
Just back from a fabulous three days on the Vunduful houseboat, organised by Loraine. As many ellies and hippos as you could wish for, stunning bream fishing, a spectacular midnight storm that had us scurrying for shelter but laughing all the way, and a beautiful encounter with a pride of 10 plus lions in Gordons Bay. As always, everything ran immaculately smoothly. Houseboat perfect, crew amazing, Loraine's service phenomenal. Truly there can be no better way to spend a few days than on a houseboat in Kariba. And no-one better to help set it up than Loraine. Thank you!
Lars and Gitte Kristiansen, Denmark
21 November 2018
Thank you again for organising such a memorial trip for us . We spent 3 nights at Kavinga Safari Camp, Mana Pools . The animals, lion roars, hyena giggling and so so much action going all the time. Great service. 2 years ago Loraine also organised a trip for us to Vic Falls ( Elephant Camp ) and Hwange ( The Hide ). Also such a fantastic, memorial holiday.
We can fully recommend to get in contact with Loraine at Baobab Bookings. Great professional service. Thank you :-)
Dear Lars & Gitte.
Thank you so much for your review on my webpage and I hope you travelled safely back.
All the best for the upcoming farming season and I look forward to your next trip out to Zimbabwe.
Warmest wishes to you both
Loraine
Dion Fransch, Zimbabwe
16 November 2018
We would like to thank Loraine, Debbie and John for the wonderful holiday we had at Zhou Lodges on the banks of Kariba with Raymond Smith and Rubina Ferreira.
We really enjoyed the fishing, most beautiful African Sunsets over the Lake and our enormous visitors i.e. Elephants and Hippos to the lodge. The food was excellent and the service was top class.
I would recommend Zhou Lodges for the ultimate African Fishing Experience and would love to do this trip again.
Ainsley Sanderson, Zim
1 October 2018
Had an excellent trip on Zambuka .The crew were very friendly and very helpful in all ways .
The people from the UK were most impressed .I would recommend this houseboat to anyone and most of all it is very user friendly for old people .Well done .We will be back.
Brian, Zimbabwe
27 September 2018
We recently spent 3 nights up at Bumi Hills in Kariba where we were truly spoilt by the staff there. Service was amazing, staff were so friendly and efficient. Thanks to Loraine for all her hard work in organising such a special trip for us, much appreciated and whole heartedly recommended to everyone out there.
Colleen, USA
26 September 2018
We took the day trip to Chobe National Park. It was an amazing experience-we got close to the animals and our guide was very informative! It was amazing to watch the elephants play and cool off in the mud! Would recommend!
Shamiso, Zimbabwe
21 September 2018
Our weekend in Kariba was amazing! We stayed at Wild Heritage #16, the accommodation was very comfortable and clean and the view from the deck was fabulous. Special mention to Lazarus who took great care of us and made our stay even more special. Thank you Loraine for all your assistance.
Ross Taylor, Zimbabwe
31 August 2018
We chartered Vunduful houseboat as well as booked Wild Heritage Lodges through Loraine of Baobab Bookings. Loraine is an absolute pleasure to deal with and I would highly recommend her and Baobab Bookings to anyone looking to charter a houseboat or book any of the lodges in Kariba. Vunduful was a lovely boat with plenty of space and very well designed. We had 2 elderly people in their 90's as well as 3 kids under the age of 7 and the boat was catered to their needs very well. A huge thank you to Loraine for organizing our booking. We will certainly you her services in the not too distant future.
Vimbai, Zimbabwe
20 August 2018
Cerruti Lodges is breath taking!!! The moment we got the venue we were speechless. A home far away from home. What you see on the website is definitely what you will get when you get to Cerruti. It's a beautiful place, the views are amazing as well. It's one place I know I would go back to whenever I think of going back to Kariba. We didn't want to leave by the time of our departure. Loraine thank you for your assistance!! I would recommend anyone who would want a self catering place to go to Cerruti. And also it's peaceful and not crowded, something that you would want if you are to go on a holiday.
Fred, Zambia
15 August 2018
We had a great family time on the Sundowner houseboat in lake Kariba. Advices and help from Lorraine was good. The cruise was nice with a nice and a very friendly staff. That was just a very good memory and enjoyable.
Les Watson, Zimbabwe
15 August 2018
Once again we had the most amazing family weekend in Kariba. Thanks to Loraine for booking Wild Heritage No 2 for us. Kennias our cook was absolutely 5 star! Was always there to lend a hand and cooked amazing food. We have been booking with Lorraine and her team at Baobab and will continue to use them for all our bookings. Thank you so much can't wait to book again!!
Cathrine, Zimbabwe
5 July 2018
We have been using Lorraine and her team for a while now and are very happy with their services. They always find these lovely homes for us. Recently we stayed in Vic Falls at Amadeus Garden Guest House. Lovely serene environment with hands on staff. They even woke up early and drove us to where our race was starting. Thank you so much! I highly recommend Baobab travel.
Jeffrey, Brunei
24 June 2018
I will like to thank Loraine and Baobab Bookings for the phenomenal service and tour recommendations which created a wonderful experience for my family on our very first visit to Africa.
We scoured the internet to the best value booking agent for activities within the vicinity of Victoria Falls and we are glad to find Afrizim (Baobab Bookings).
Their advertised activity prices are UPFRONT and COMPETITIVE and there are no hidden fees! You can verify their prices against other local tour operator in the area if you wish.
Once again, I will like to thank Loraine and her team for the superb service and I highly recommend Baobab bookings for your activity bookings in the Victoria Falls area!
Ross Taylor, Harare, Zimbabwe
31 May 2018
A huge thank you to Loraine and Baobab Bookings for handling our houseboat charter on P-Ten. Loraine was a pleasure to deal with and very swift to respond to any queries we had. The houseboat itself was fantastic, very well laid out with lots of space for all the guests. Henry, the captain and his crew made our charter a very enjoyable one. The staff were very efficient and kept the boat in tip top order. The chef cooked amazing food for us and handled all our catering requirements perfectly. I would HIGHLY recommend both Loraine of Baobab Booking and P-Ten for anyone looking to book a houseboat charter. Thanks again to Loraine and all the staff of P-Ten. Look forward to seeing you again in the future.
Thank you Ross – I am thrilled that you enjoyed your trip so much and very much look forward to assisting you with your next trip. Loraine, Baobab Bookings.
Eric, Zimbabwe
5 March 2018
Loraine I just wanted to say thank you for arranging the three night stay for us at Wild Heritage 4.
The house is fantastic and had everything that we needed, the pool was also fantastic and the children spent most of the day in it.
Mark who attended the house every day was excellent and a good cook, he even gutted and prepared the fish that we caught. All in all it was a fantastic few days and we wished that it were longer....we will definitely be back!
Richard Pollen, Zimbabwe
10 January 2018
Many thanks to Loraine at Baobab Bookings for all you did to make our 7 night house boat trip on the Golden Mariner a very memorable one. The communications from the time of enquiring on boats through to the day we boarded. Staff on Golden Mariner were amazing and will definitely be booking through you again.
Tracy, Zimbabwe
5 January 2018
Thank you to Loraine for her wonderful efficient service with our booking for Kariba for Dec! We had a wonderful time on Big Daddy! A spacious well thought out designed boat! Crew were organised and pleasant! Thanks again!!!!
Tash, New Zealand
3 January 2018
A huge thank you to Loraine and Baobab Bookings for making my trip home after 5 years so wonderful. Loraine made everything so enjoyable and easy. All itineraries, activities, transfers and bookings were exactly what I had hoped for. It was my partners first time to Zim and it blew his socks off. Vic Falls was a top highlight but the Sundowner and Kariba were our number 1. The boat was clean, tidy, and spacious and the staff were excellent. The upstairs space was huge and the cabins were spacious for those not wanting to sleep upstairs.
We had a special 3 weeks and when I head home again Loraine will definitely be part of our planning process.
Thanks again for sorting so much and being so understanding through the whole process.
Naboth Machemedze, Zimbabwe
20 December 2017
We had a wonderful 3 nights stay at Nzou Lodge, Kariba. Thanks to Loraine for organizing this trip for us and many thanks to John for taking good care of us @22 Nzou. The family really enjoyed the stay. Unfortunately, we did not have any animal visit at the Lodge but we had a special and wonderful encounter with the two hippos on our way from boat cruising at about 2045hrs. The boat cruise was enjoyable and the weather was favorable for us. Certainly, it was a worthwhile trip for a Zimbabwean family to just spend time together and resting, in our beautiful country. Once again many thanks to Baobab Bookings for your services
Loreen, Zimbabwe
13 November 2017
We had an amazing time in Kariba,we stayed at number 22 Nzou lodge.We had visit from 7 elephants and 2 hippos at night.The other elephant came right at our door step.The boat cruise was really great and we enjoyed our lunch at Spurwing. Thank you Lauraine for really organizing our trip.
Renee McMaster, Zimbabwe
27 October 2017
Thank you to Lorraine for organizing our accommodation at Wild Heritage #11. Due to circumstances we had to change our booking several times and she was very understanding. Lazarus looked after and fed 9 of us as if we were only 2 - always on time and cooked to perfection. He even baked a cake for a birthday event we had whilst there. The animals right on our front lawn were an absolute treat to the foreigners. Fishing was a little slow but we found a nice little place right in front of the lodge that kept us supplied with enough for snacks. We will definitely be back.
Stacey-lee Partridge, South Africa
16 October 2017
What a wonderful well organised trip Loraine organised for us at Wild Heritage in Kariba. We will definitely be booking through Baobab again and highly recommend their services
Jane Foreman, USA
18 September 2017
Loraine worked with me for three years to get me to Victoria Falls and experiences that were truly the highlight of my life. Everything went like clockwork. All drivers arrived on time or even a bit early. I was in heaven walking with lions and cheetahs; feeding, hugging and kissing an elephant; and getting to shake "hands" with crocodiles and scratch their bellies during the croc cage dive. The zipline across Victoria Falls Gorge and the Devil's Pool (a must!) were thrilling beyond belief. I got to see endangered black rhinos on the evening private reserve game drive, and walk within 100 feet of white rhinos on the rhino walk. The two-day Chobe trip was wonderful! I saw many elephants, also many kinds of antelope, wart hogs, giraffes, hippos, mother and baby lions eating a kill, and a leopard with two cubs on the ground and in a tree. I had many incredibly delicious meals like those on the Zambezi sunset cruise, the evening game drive at Stanley and Livingstone and at the Boma restaurant and drum show (I ate a Mopani worm there!). I highly recommend Loraine and Baobab Bookings. She went above and beyond in every aspect of helping me arrange my trip.
Jacob, Australia
11 September 2017
Recently had a lovely trip to Victoria Falls. Loraine was very professional and highly efficient in managing our booking and accommodation at Lokuthula Lodges. We had a large group of 10 adults and these were the perfect size, very comfortable and not at all did you feel crowded. All the staff took great care of us from check in to check out and were there to answer any questions and help in booking activities. Would highly recommend to any visitor and will definitely be back!
Thank you Jacob – I really enjoyed putting your trip together and so pleased to hear that you had such a wonderful time.
I look forward to assisting you or your friends again in the future.
Warmest wishes until then.
Loraine
Louis Greyling ., Zimbabwe
24 August 2017
As a group we all had an amazing good and peaceful and tranquil rest at No 10 Wild Heritage. Richard Matambo, the cook, was awesome and made every meal as good as any top restaurant.
He was very helpful in many areas. The lodge was very clean .We saw a lot of Game i.e. Elephant, a big herd of Buffalo and Kudu and Impala. Certainly a lodge to be recommended.
Thank you Louis! Glad you had a good time :-)
Leah Faith Banda, Zambia
16 July 2017
I had a lovely birthday weekend at Nzou 20. From the onset, Lorraine was very helpful and gave prompt responses, Onias on the other hand was extremely helpful and gave us a very warm welcome. The private pool, the viewing deck, the lake view all made my stay most memorable. The homely atmosphere will surely make me visit once again.
Louise Oxden-Willows, Zimbabwe
4 July 2017
We would like to shout a BIG thank you to Loraine for all the time, care and sincere interest and involvement that went into planning our very special wedding week in Kariba. We were spoilt with the beautiful lodges at Wild Heritage, the rustic elegance of Changa safari camp and the 'have to come again' Sheer Magic houseboat. Loraine made sure that every single detail was perfect, and not only helped us immensely with our queries and requests, but reminded us about so many things we would of probably forgotten to plan for. Loraine - thank you thank you ! We had the most amazing wedding week a couple and family could ask for ~ Louise
Thank you Louise! So many congratulations to you both. Wishing you many years of happiness together! Loraine.
Tinashe, Zimbabwe
10 June 2017
I stayed at no 17 Wild Heritage with family and friends and had an absolutely fantastic time. The house was very comfortable, Crispen the made sure it was nice and clean and he prepared the most delicious meals. We enjoyed the home cooked meals so much that we didn't eat out at all which saved us money & we were able to do more activities.
I would highly recommend everyone to book with Baobab Bookings.
Thank you very much Lorraine and Crispen for making our holiday so pleasant.
Phil, U/k
9 May 2017
Loraine was fantastic, my mother who is 84yrs old, has booked every year through Loraine for the houseboats during Christmas and recommended her to us..
As previous reviews mentioned she works round you, to cater your needs at no fuss even on a short notice.
Loraine you are a credit to your business.
We had a very special family get together, which was very hard to do due to where we live round the world, plus time off work to be together in our busy lives, we had 4 nights on "whats a pleasure"
Great staff, great fishing and quality time together...
Loraine we will definitely use you again, please thank Nikki for us for meeting us with the rods and tackle, all punctual...
Zimbabwe is such a beautiful place to relax and see the sunset and sunrise and of course the beautiful animals.
Sincere thanks for your kind words, Phil. I really look forward to assisting you with your next visit to Zimbabwe. Hopefully I will meet you all next time around too! Loraine.
Sally Mackay, South Africa
21 April 2017
Lorraine arranged the most fabulous trip to Zimbabwe over Easter for our family of 8. (Ages ranging from 11 to 82 years old !) We flew directly to Victoria Falls and stayed at the superb Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. The views and setting are truly magnificent with frequent visits to the waterhole by elephants and other game. The staff, food and rooms at the lodge are really first class. The Falls itself was at its highest level this century, so whilst the viewing was very wet, it is a real bucket list experience. We also did a flight of angels helicopter trip which was one of the most amazing things we have ever done!
From Victoria Falls we drove to Hwange where we stayed at Khulu Lodge (Part of the Amalinda Ivory Collection) The setting, staff and exclusivity of the lodge makes it one in a million. We had game drives in the concession as well as into Hwange where we got to see the Presidential elephant herd up close and personal! Our ranger was exceptionally entertaining and incredibly knowledgeable about the bush. The attention to detail and the flexibility inside the camp is admirable and all our needs were catered for (including a gluten intolerant diet!!) We had super game viewing from the comfort of the lodges and the main lodge. I can highly recommend Khulu to everyone looking for a special, upmarket bush experience.
Thank you again to Baobab bookings for arranging such a special trip!
Thank you Sally for your review and your continued support – it is always such a pleasure assisting you with your trips. I am thrilled to hear that you had such an enjoyable time and that you enjoyed the Victoria Falls Safari lodge and Khulu lodge experiences so much. I look forward to assisting you with your next trip to Zimbabwe.
Loraine Finaughty, MD
Tawanda C, Zimbabwe
20 April 2017
We had a great Easter weekend 2017; James and Regius were very friendly and helpful. I loved the fishing in particular and might just get my own rods (everyone caught a fish!). The lodges are very family friendly and a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere all round.
The cutlery, pots and pans is so 1980s and 1990s ... I loved it and it was so reminiscent of my mothers kitchen (the mugs, teapots ... priceless!).
We will be back sooner rather than later for sure!
Hi Tawanda – thank you for taking the time to post this review – I am really pleased to hear that you had such a good weekend
And that the fishing was so good – we look forward to having you back again in the near future. Loraine Finaughty MD
Noémie, France
23 January 2017
We had a wonderful time. Everything was incredible, the lodge, the view, Freddy, Rainmore, Loraine. Everyone we met on our daily walk was friendly, welcoming and happy to share their knowledge about the nature. The lodge at Wild Heritage is very well kept and the view has a piece of magic. Thank you very much and a special thanks to Loraine for organizing and responding to our request very fast.
Paulette Jarvis, Zimbabwe
11 January 2017
Thanks so much Lorraine for all your help with booking us into Heritage Lodges. We had such a wonderful New Year and perfect location to be with the youngsters!!
Felix Mawadza , Zimbabwe
29 December 2016
Had a wonderful xmas at Cerruti lodges. Accommodation was excellent, service was excellent and big thank you to the housekeeper and chef Jeremiah for his service.
Shumirai, Zimbabwe
5 December 2016
Thanks Lorraine we had a good time at Nzou Lodge No 20. Everything was in order and the view is so beautiful. We got to see an elephant at the lodge which was friendly and the pool was so clean. I will definitely come back to Nzou lodges. Thank you once again Lorraine
Stuart Sylvester, Zimbabwe
11 November 2016
If you're looking for a reasonably priced getaway at Kariba "Plovers' Pad" is a real gem. One of the nicest houses on the Wild Heritage Peninsula it is fully air conditioned which is a massive bonus and the cook Kennedy is awesome. G and T's in the pool in the evening watching the game, unbeatable Thanks Loraine and Ray. Looking forward to KITFT 2017
Sean Wilyman, South Africa
4 October 2016
Had a wonderful time! Everything was very clean and well kept. The staff was amazing! Nothing bad to say! Would love to see the town of Kariba become a great tourist destination!
Mandy Dreyer, Zimbabawe
28 September 2016
Thanx to Loraine for organising all of our booking - all done very efficiently and professionally! We were booked into Nzou lodges for one night and then on to "Karibeer" houseboat. Both were wonderful. The staff on the houseboat were very friendly and always ready and willing to assist. The preparation and presentation of the food was wonderful and at every meal was commented on by all the guests on the boat. Would do this again in a heartbeat!
Russell Wayn Makuwaza, Zimbabwe
26 September 2016
We were booked at Nzou 22 during the month of September and the trip was so amazing. We enjoyed ourselves. The lodges are situated in the middle of the game area which is very convenient for those who love animals. We had the opportunity to get a visit from elephants and you could watch them within a few meters. The game drives and boat cruises were so amazing. Thank you very much Baobab Bookings for arranging such a memorable outing. Special thanks to Lorraine who assisted in every way. And also special mention to John our chef and helper. He did a splendid job. People should definitely visit the place.
Isabella Landgraf, Österreich
20 September 2016
I booked the river cruise at Victoria Falls with dinner on Zambesi river. Loraine was very helpful and I got my answers even at the weekend very quickly. The atmosphere on board was very pleasant with nice decorated tables. The dinner was superb and the staff very friendly and attentive. Lovely "extra": I could watch an elephant crossing the river in the sunset. All in all a very enjoyable evening and a perfect conclusion of a great time in Africa
Judi Ward, Zimbabwe
12 September 2016
Over the last two years we have asked Loraine to organize trips around Zimbabwe for groups of Australian family and friends . This included booking Flights, Houseboats, Lodges and organizing multiple transfers. On many occasions the bookings were complicated and we had to requests last minute changes , however she always responded very promptly and in a friendly manner. She also managed to get the best prices on every occasion.
I highly recommend her services to anyone wanting a booking, be it for a flight or accommodation. She is also a mine of information if you need recommendations on activities at each destination.
Ailsa Walley, South Africa
30 August 2016
We have just got back from a three week overland trip from Gonarezhou, to Kariba, to Mana Pools and finally to Hwange via Vic Falls and Loraine assisted us with our Houseboat booking. She was also instrumental in advising us on routes to drive, tolls and police blocks. We had everything that was specified, and telephone numbers for emergencies. We found the Zimbabwe Police to be polite, courteous and efficient. Most times, we were waived on and not stopped, but if we were, we provided whatever was asked and were waived on with a smile. We did not get any fines and were very pleasantly surprised with our experience. We would encourage anyone to drive the country roads without fear of police harrassment. Our houseboat booking was a treat, the boat was in great condition, the crew and Sonya went out of their way to make our trip special. Debbie had our drinks delivered and we had a wonderful time. We had wonderful experiences at all the National Parks we visited and cant wait to get back to explore more of a wonderful country. Loraine will be the first one we contact for our future visits. Thank you so much Loraine, you were a star!!
Marina Higham, UK
29 August 2016
Lorraine is amazing at taking care of all your requirements the very best person to arrange all your travel and accommodation in Zimbabwe always available to answer questions and put your mind at rest, Baobab go above and beyond to take care of their customers could not have chosen a better company.
THANK YOU LORRAINE FOR A FANTASTIC HOLIDAY.
MARINA
Nigel Bailey, Zimbabwe
21 August 2016
It has always been a pleasure booking through Baobab, it is always efficient accurate and pleasant.
The lodges offered are always clean and above expectation, for the price paid.
Thank you Lorraine, we will always use your professional services for our family and friends when booking.
M, USA
16 August 2016
We spent the Heroes' Weekend in Wild Heritage Lodge and had a wonderful time! Loraine was very helpful in setting up the booking. The lodge was very comfortable and the kitchen in particular was beautiful. We enjoyed watching the wildlife, swimming in the pool, and eating the delicious food that Crispin had prepared for us. The boat ride was also very enjoyable and our guide was very knowledgeable about the lake and the wildlife we saw.
Shaline , Zimbabwe
14 August 2016
To start with, thank you Lorraine for being such a professional, friendly, efficient and patient person. Lorraine made the booking fun and not stressful for us, even with a lot of confusions we had on the number of people going on the trip and which house to take and all.
My family and I had a wonderful weekend at Nzou. We had the chance to see elephants grazing right down our yard and hippos right in our yard at night. Twas an amazing moment. Also had the chance to hear stories about Mabhini, the elephant we all fell in love with. Loved every second we were there.
And last but not least, Anna our maid and cleaner is an amazing, very helpful, efficient and cheerful lady. She is an asset.
Thanks Loraine. We shall be back.
Alexa, Zimbabwe
12 July 2016
Thanks so much Lorraine for organising our trip to Victoria falls. We had a great time at Lokuthula lodges there were 6 of us and we all did the marathon which was a great experience. Thanks again.