Zambezi River lunch cruise Victoria Falls: 3-course meal afloat

Eat while the river carries you past elephants and fish eagles

A three-hour lunch cruise on the upper Zambezi River near Victoria Falls, with a three-course meal prepared on board using seasonal ingredients and Pure Africa wines. You'll drift past mist rising from the falls, watch for hippos and elephants along the riverbank, and experience the river when most visitors are resting onshore. Hotel pickup and return are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Zambezi River lunch cruise and wildlife viewing

• Board the cruise at midday
• Enjoy a three-course lunch onboard
• Watch for elephants and hippos
• View mist from Victoria Falls
• Cruise through Zambezi National Park

The experience

The Zambezi River is the fourth-longest river in Africa, and at midday (when Victoria Falls itself empties of crowds). You board a boat on its upper stretch to watch the mist rise from the falls while you eat. The chef works in the galley preparing three courses from seasonal ingredients. Wine and soft drinks arrive with each one. The river here flows through Zambezi National Park, a 40-kilometer frontage of mopane forest and savanna where elephants, hippos, crocodiles and kudus move between the water and the inland bush.

The cruise lasts three hours. Timing matters: the midday departure is when the light flattens and the water quiets, and when the resident hippos are most likely to surface near the boat. You'll hear the fish eagle's call across the water and feel the current carry you without the engine noise of a speedboat tour. The boat is wheelchair accessible, though the onboard toilet is not. The crew assists with boarding and moving around the deck.

Hotel pickup and return are included for lodges in Victoria Falls. Zambezi National Park fees are paid separately at check-in. An English-speaking guide is on board throughout.

What’s included

• Complimentary hotel or lodge pickup and return in Victoria Falls.
• three-course lunch prepared on board.
• Pure Africa wines and beverages throughout the meal.
• English-speaking guide for the full three hours.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 12:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 75 years) · Senior (76 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 24 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 12

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Pure Africa

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so you'll follow the commentary about the river, the falls and the wildlife as it unfolds. This cruise suits anyone who wants to eat well while moving through the landscape, without the pace or physical demands of a walking tour or an activity-based excursion.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals might I see on the Zambezi River during the cruise?

Hippos, elephants, crocodiles and kudus live along the riverbank and in Zambezi National Park, which borders the river for 40 kilometers. Hippos are most active at midday when the cruise departs, and fish eagles call across the water throughout the journey.

Is the boat accessible if I use a wheelchair?

The boat is wheelchair accessible and the crew will assist you when boarding and moving around the deck. The onboard toilet is not wheelchair accessible, so plan accordingly.

What's included in the three-course lunch?

The chef prepares three courses on board using fresh seasonal ingredients, accompanied by a selection of Pure Africa wines and soft drinks. All beverages are included with the meal.

When does the cruise depart and how long does it last?

The cruise departs around midday and lasts three hours. This timing is deliberate. Most of Victoria Falls is resting onshore, and the river is at its quietest.

Does the cruise include transport from my hotel?

Yes, complimentary transfers to and from your hotel or lodge in Victoria Falls are included. If you're staying in Livingstone on the Zambian side, transfers are not included and must be arranged separately.