Zambezi River cruise at Victoria Falls.
Zambezi River cruise at Victoria Falls : Above the magnificent Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River meanders widely and is home to a variety of wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Zambezi, which lies between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is home to a wide variety of birds, animals, and breathtaking views. The tranquil river makes for an ideal setting for leisurely and tranquil Zambezi River cruises.
After an exciting day in Victoria Falls, taking a cruise on the vast Zambezi River is a great way to relax. Which makes going on this excursion while in Victoria Falls essential. As we wouldn’t want you to miss out, we provide you with a variety of Zambezi River Cruise options. As the sun sets on the majestic Zambezi River, select from a variety of Classic, Luxury, or Signature Sunset Cruise options and enjoy gin and tonics. Or ruin yourself to a romantic Dinner Cruise and enjoy a four course meal as you float above the Victoria Falls.
The cruise options in Victoria Falls are abundant and cater for a range of budgets and preferences. Browse the below Zambezi River cruise options and select the one that best suits you. Every visitor to Victoria Falls must take at least one cruise on the famous Zambezi River due to the lush riverine vegetation, breathtaking scenery, abundant birdlife, and variety of wildlife.
A wide range of cruises are offered, such as lunch, dinner, sunset, and early morning cruises. Large party boats that can accommodate 120 people are available, as well as a vast array of smaller private boats that can accommodate 6 to 10 people. Each boat is catering for different sectors in the market, from bulk standard through to fancy luxury. If you need advice on which cruise to book, please contact us at visitvictoriafalls.org
Where do Cruises go?
In Zimbabwe, the boats launch about 5 kilometres upstream of the Victoria Falls well out of dangers way of going over the edge, some people are often wary of this.
Although the Zambezi River is a very large river (2700 km long), there are still rocks and rapids which means that in this section by Victoria Falls only about 5 kilometres of the river is navigable for these large boats.
Zambezi Morning Cruises.
Unexpectedly, there are very few boats out on the river in the early morning, which is one of the added benefits of these cruises.
It’s possible that they are simply less well-known than the sunset cruises, or it’s possible that most people dislike rising early. You won’t be disappointed, though, if you can get out of bed because the quiet and peace are breathtaking.
It is serene and cool, and during specific seasons of the year, mist floats over the glass-like water, capturing the first rays of the rising sun to produce shots and memories that will last a lifetime. Sunrise and breakfast cruises are popular with photographers and birdwatchers, but anyone can enjoy this activity there are far fewer boats at these times of day than at sunset, so it will be especially memorable for you.
Zambezi Lunch Cruises.
While these lunch river cruises don’t seem to draw as many people as the afternoon sunset cruises, they are still worthwhile in my opinion if you have a few hours to spare in the middle of the day and don’t want to sit in your hotel room. This is similar to the morning cruises.
Sail along the Zambezi River in the sweltering midday sun, comfortably shaded by a cool breeze that caresses your skin. You are treated to endlessly refreshing drinks by waiters as you take in the breathtaking scenery and vivid colours.
Along the riverbanks, you might come across some wildlife, including the usual suspects of the Zambezi, like crocodiles, hippos, and an amazing variety of birds. Depending on the boat you’re on, you may be served a gourmet lunch or finger snacks. Additionally, the boats range in size from tiny to double-decker.
Zambezi Sunset Cruises.
This is the one event that almost every visitor to Victoria Falls seems to do, and for good reason it’s a really fun experience. Both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides of the river are dotted with countless boats of various sizes and shapes.
Cruises range from a basic booze cruise up to high-end luxury cruises. Each of the boats offer something different and deciding on which one to choose would depend partly on your budget, as well as your personal preferences. You may also want a quiet dinner after the sun goes down.
As the name implies, sunset cruises take place on the river to witness the magnificent African sunset, with the departure time varying according to the season. After dinner, a select few boats remain on the river; further information about these can be found here: sunset and dinner cruise.
All drinks and snacks are included in the price you pay. The servers chirp that you will see more if you drink more. What a wonderful afternoon activity. The larger boats typically travel a short distance upstream before turning around and making a leisurely return, providing you with ample opportunity to appreciate the beauty of your surroundings.
There are lots of hippos and crocodiles to be seen, and there is an amazing variety of birds. Elephants frequently cross the river to reach the islands’ lush vegetation. Other common sightings include baboons, giraffes, and other plains game.
As you look downstream you can normally see the spray from the mighty Victoria Falls rising high into the sky and you imagine to yourself, that this must have been the same view that David Livingstone had, as he approached the Falls for the very first time in 1855. It’s hard to imagine the excitement he was feeling.
The fact that none of these cruises allow you to see the waterfall may confound and disappoint some people. You will only be able to see the Falls’ rising spray because they are all situated above the actual Falls.
To witness the waterfall from beneath you need to take a ride on the seasonal jetboat, which is an adrenaline safari activity (certainly not a sedate cruise). A whitewater rafting excursion can also accomplish this, but only during specific seasons of the year, namely the low water season.
