Victoria Falls Sunset Cruise: Zambezi River with Gourmet Canapes

Watch the mist rise from Victoria Falls while the river carries you past hippos and elephants

A two-hour sunset cruise on the upper Zambezi River in Zimbabwe, departing from Victoria Falls with hotel pickup included. You board The Zambezi Explorer, a three-deck cruiser with the Signature Deck serving gourmet hors d'oeuvres and cocktails mixed to order, or the Luxury Decks offering lounge seating and snacks. A live English-speaking guide narrates the river as you pass through Zambezi National Park, where wildlife including hippos, elephants and crocodiles move along the banks while the mist from Victoria Falls rises ahead.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River

• Board the Zambezi Explorer cruise
• Cruise on the upper Zambezi River
• View mist rising from Victoria Falls
• Observe wildlife along the river
• Enjoy gourmet hors d'oeuvres and cocktails
• Relax on luxury decks with snacks

The Experience

The cruise departs from Victoria Falls and moves onto the upper Zambezi River, the fourth-longest river in Africa and the largest flowing into the Indian Ocean from the continent. As you travel the 2,574-kilometre river, the mist rising from Victoria Falls becomes visible, and the landscape opens into Zambezi National Park—40 kilometres of river frontage with mopane forest and savanna spreading inland. The park spans 56,000 hectares and holds a wide variety of larger mammals; hippos, elephants, crocodiles and kudus move along the banks as the boat passes.

The Zambezi Explorer carries three separate decks, each with a different pace and view. The Signature Deck sits on the uppermost level and is where the gourmet experience unfolds: freshly prepared canapes, premium cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages are served by a dedicated mixologist. The two lower Luxury Decks offer inviting lounge seating, a range of drinks and snacks, with the same river unfolding at a more relaxed tempo. Hand-woven Ndebele-patterned chairs and contemporary light fittings run throughout, part of a recent upgrade that brought the boat's design into line with its service.

Hotel pickup and return transfers are included for guests staying in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The cruise runs two hours, timed to catch the sunset over the water. Zambezi National Park entrance fees are paid separately at check-in. If you're staying on the Zambian side in Livingstone, transfers can be arranged as an add-on at checkout.

What’s included

• Freshly prepared canapes served onboard.
• complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
• a dedicated mixologist on the Signature Deck.
• hotel or lodge pickup and return transfers within Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
• live English-speaking guide throughout the cruise.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendly

Operated by Pure Africa

Is this one for you?Book the Signature Deck if you want the gourmet service and uppermost vantage point; choose a Luxury Deck if you prefer relaxed lounge seating and a quieter pace while the same river and wildlife pass by. Both decks run the same two-hour window and see Victoria Falls, so the choice is about where you want to sit and what level of service suits your evening.

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Top questions

What animals might I see on the Zambezi River cruise?

Hippos, elephants, crocodiles and kudus move along the banks of Zambezi National Park as the boat passes. The park covers 40 kilometres of river frontage and 56,000 hectares of mopane forest and savanna, so sightings depend on the time of day and season, but larger mammals are common throughout the park.

What's the difference between the Signature Deck and the Luxury Decks?

The Signature Deck on the uppermost level serves gourmet hors d'oeuvres and cocktails mixed by a dedicated mixologist, along with premium beverages. The two lower Luxury Decks offer inviting lounge seating, a range of beverages and snacks. Both decks see the same river and Victoria Falls mist; the Signature Deck adds the gourmet service and uppermost vantage point.

Is hotel pickup included in the price?

Complimentary transfers to and from your hotel or lodge are included when you're staying in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. If you're staying in Livingstone on the Zambian side, transfers can be added at checkout.

How long is the sunset cruise?

The cruise runs two hours, timed to depart and return around the sunset window so you catch the light changing over the Zambezi River and the mist from Victoria Falls.

Do I need to pay anything extra for Zambezi National Park?

Zambezi National Park entrance fees are payable separately at check-in and are not included in the cruise price. The fee gives you access to the park's 40 kilometres of river frontage and wildlife areas you'll pass through during the cruise.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

The Zambezi Explorer can accommodate guests with wheelchairs, though accessibility is limited. The crew will assist you when boarding, while onboard the cruise, and when entering or exiting the transfer vehicle. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.