Philadelphia (houseboat)
Dry-boat houseboat charter · Houseboat: based in Kariba town, cruises the Matusadona shore · Not confirmed
A drawing, because nobody has sent us a photograph of Philadelphia (houseboat) yet. Send five and this page changes the same week.
Budget
Outside the gate
Owner not confirmed
A dry-boat houseboat licensed for twelve guests in four cabins. Its former domains are parked and only a social media page remains, so bookings go by the email on its VisitKariba listing. Owner not stated.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Four cabins, licensed for twelve guests plus crew
- Mid-range dry-boat price, $450 to $500 a night
- Still bookable by email despite a dead website
Cons
- Its own website no longer works; only a social page remains
- Dry-boat hire: bring your own food and drinks
- No confirmed owner
- Park fees are extra
What the park charges on top
The rate above buys you a bed. Matusadona National Park charges its own entry fee for every day you are inside. Here is what that adds up to.
- Park entryThe trust's conservation levy for an international adult.
- $30per person, per day
- VehicleForeign-registered car or 4x4, per day.
- $5per vehicle, per day
Three nights means three days inside, so two adults sharing one vehicle pay $195 in park fees before anyone pays for a bed.
The ZimParks 2026 gazette gives $24 for an international adult, not $30. We use the trust's levy because that is what operators pass on in 2026. Confirm with reservations.matusadona@africanparks.org.
The full fee schedule for Matusadona National ParkRates at Philadelphia (houseboat)
$450 to $500 per boat per night. $450 to $500 per night dry boat (VisitKariba listing, read 24 September 2026). Park fees are extra.
What the rate covers is not confirmed. We do not know yet whether meals, drinks and activities are included, so read this as the bed only.
Every figure on this page is in US dollars.
Indicative rates read in September 2026 from each property's own website or rate sheet, and where noted from an agent or the VisitKariba directory. Watch the basis: lodges quote per person per night, houseboats per boat per night, and several Kariba town places per room or per unit. Park fees are extra almost everywhere, at $30 per international adult per day on the trust's levy, and houseboats add their own park and lake charges.
Questions about Philadelphia (houseboat)
Does Philadelphia houseboat still operate?
It appears to: its former website domains are now parked, but a social media page remains, and bookings go through the email on its VisitKariba listing, phillybookings@gmail.com. No owner is confirmed, so check it is still actively running before you commit.
How much does the Philadelphia houseboat cost?
From $450 to $500 a night as a dry-boat charter, meaning you bring your own food and drinks, according to its VisitKariba listing. Park fees are extra on top of that, so budget accordingly.
How many people can the Philadelphia houseboat sleep?
It is licensed for 12 guests plus crew, across four cabins. Confirm current availability and condition by email first, since the operator's own website no longer loads.