Fothergill Island

Fothergill Island is an idyllic camp on the shores of Lake Kariba, where you can easily relax at the end of your safari or rev up the pace with a fabulous range of activities. Days here are split between land and water. You’ll enjoy 4×4 game drives through Matusadona National Park in search of wildlife, testing your tracking skills on a walking safari, sitting back and relaxing on a boating safari, or trying your luck at catching a tiger fish. Between adventures, you can relax on the pool deck or head to the bar for a cold drink and sit outside to admire the views. The spacious, lake-facing accommodations include two family suites, making Fothergill a brilliant choice for those travelling with children.

A relaxed, well-run camp on a remote part of Lake Kariba in Matusadona National Park

A lounge, communal dining room, bar, swimming pool, and gym

night view, fothergill island, zimbabwe - Yellow Zebra Safaris

Two separate camps with ten spacious suites, including two family suites

Game drives, walking safaris, boat trips, fishing, and family experiences

outdoor bath, fothergill island, zimbabwe - Yellow Zebra Safaris

Our Yellow Zebra Opinion

Great value for quality

Steeped in Kariba’s legendary ‘Operation Noah’ history, Fothergill Island offers a proper off-the-beaten-track Matusadona experience. We love how its simple, contemporary design keeps the focus entirely on flexible activities and conservation. With the wide range of activities, it is an obvious choice for active families or anyone seeking genuine bush adventure without the crowds.

Emma Dunn Product & Sales Development Director

Activities

Fothergill Island offers a wide range of activities around Lake Kariba, including game drives, walks, boat trips, fishing, and fun family experiences.

Game drives

Walking safaris

Boat trips

Fishing

Family experiences

Venture onto the plains of Matusadona National Park on expertly led game drives in 4×4 vehicles, equipped with adjustable seating, interactive tablets, binoculars, and charging stations for your camera gear. You’ll likely see huge elephant herds, buffalo, zebra, and perhaps even a lion pride on the prowl. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for rhino and wild dogs, both of which have recently been reintroduced to Matusadona.
Explore the sights and sounds of the bush on a guided walking safari, when you’ll stop to admire details such as rare birds, animal tracks, insects, and plant life.
Experience Lake Kariba on a scenic boat safari, where you’ll encounter hippos, crocodiles, and elephants coming to drink and splash in the water. Sunsets over the lake are a particular highlight!
Suited to seasoned anglers and beginners alike, the waters of Lake Kariba are full of tilapia and catfish, making it a truly memorable fishing experience. Conventional and fly-fishing gear are provided, and you’ll be accompanied by experienced guides.
Fothergill’s mini ranger course caters for younger guests with fun activities such as archery, swimming, fishing, and stargazing.

Access & Location

Fothergill Island is located on Lake Kariba in Matusadona National Park. The nearest airport is in Kariba, which is reached with a 45-minute boat transfer. Fothergill also has its own airstrip so guests can fly in privately, followed by a 5-minute drive to the camp. It’s approximately 1 hour 30 minutes flying time from Hwange and 30 minutes from Mana Pools, with daily scheduled flights during the safari season.

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This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.

Facilities

Fothergill Island features two separate camps, the Lake Suites and the smaller Island Suites (formerly Little Fothergill), each with its own central lounge, bar, and dining tents.

Swimming pool

Gym

Wifi in communal areas

Both camps boast spacious decks with plenty of room for outdoor lounging and dining overlooking the waters of Lake Kariba. The swimming pools are set within lush greenery, creating the perfect spot to relax on a comfy sunlounger in the shade. For active guests, the main area features a gym tent fully equipped with exercise bikes, kettlebells, and other fitness gear, while private yoga classes can be arranged for downtime after a day on safari. Please be aware that Wi-Fi is only available in the main areas.

Amenities

Fothergill Island features ten exceptionally spacious suites split between two camps. At Lake Suites, there are five double or twin units, among the largest in the region, each with a writing desk, a lounge area, a minibar, and a coffee station.

Private decking

Private plunge pool

Writing desk

An impressive 1,200 square feet of private decking comes complete with a plunge pool and a daybed. Each luxurious en-suite bathroom features an indoor shower, and some also offer an outdoor shower or bathtub. Two large 2-bedroom family suites span 1,700 square feet of decking, featuring a spacious central lounge and a second master bedroom with en-suite facilities. For a more private stay, the three Island Suites can be booked exclusively or as a private add-on. These have four-poster beds and private decks with panoramic views of Lake Kariba, and some include outdoor baths. Every Island Suite also has its own central lounge, dining bar, alfresco deck, and swimming pool, and comes with a dedicated personal chef, a private safari vehicle, and a personal guide.

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Talk to someone who’s been there

Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.

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Fothergill Island

Our Yellow Zebra Opinion