The 15 Best Zambezi River Cruises in Zimbabwe

1.Dinner Cruise on the Zambezi River

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 925 reviews · 3 hours · from $110Our pick

Spend three hours aboard Pure Africa’s Zambezi Breeze, cruising from the Victoria Falls waterfront toward the falls as sunset fades. You’ll enjoy a freshly prepared four-course or six-course dinner, included alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and chances to spot hippos, elephants, crocodiles, giraffes, buffalo, zebra, and birds.

“The lady who picked us up was very friendly and chatty and we all had a good convocation on the journey to the boat dock. We arrived and were showed to our seat. All the seats are 'side' or 'front' view so everyone has a great view. The service was fantastic and the drinks were all included and amazing too. The food itself was beautiful, it was very well presented and perfectly cooked to our liking. The Zambezi was just serine and the sunset was jaw dropping, we got to see a huge group of hippos and a crocodile and lots of birds. Couldn't recommend this high enough. 10/10 all…”

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2.Dinner Cruise on the Zambezi River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 518 reviews · from $92Top rated

Board Pure Africa’s evening boat cruise from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, for roughly three hours on the upper Zambezi. You’ll watch the sunset, look for hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and see mist from Victoria Falls while enjoying a four-course dinner, open bar, bottled water, and hotel transfers.

“What a fantastic sunset cruise ! We were picked up at our accommodation and stopped to collect one other couple before heading to the cruise. On arrival we had to pay a $10 government fee (per person) and then took a short walk to thRead more”

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3.2-Hour Luxury Zambezi River Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 303 reviews · 2 hours · from $69

You’ll cruise upstream on the Zambezi from Victoria Falls, watching for hippos, crocodiles, elephants, birds, and distant spray from the Falls. Choose the refurbished Luxury Deck or upgrade to the Signature Deck for fewer seats, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, premium drinks, and dedicated mixologist service.

“This cruise was an amazing experience. The car pick up was on time, we got the luxury package and it was perfect, it included drinks and delicious snacks. The boat was clean, and had great ambiance. The cruise was lovely, we saw hippos and a beautiful sunset. The staff was professional, always ready to serve you.”

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4.Dinner Cruise on the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 162 reviews · from $90

Spend about three hours cruising the Zambezi above Victoria Falls, watching for hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and birds as sunset arrives. A small group of up to 20 enjoys a four-course dinner, wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and hotel pickup from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

“We had a huge problem with South African airways strike. Our flight was canceled and re-scheduled several times. It was a very difficult situation. The operator was extremely understanding and appreciated their effort to accommodate our neeRead more”

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5.Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 151 reviews · from $92

Spend about two hours on the upper Zambezi River near Victoria Falls, with hotel transfers from Zimbabwe, drinks, and freshly prepared canapés. Watch for elephants, hippos, crocodiles, birds, and the distant mist of the Falls as the sky turns gold.

“It was a very pleasant couple hours, river can be so calming. During the cruise I have been served nice snacks adjusted to my diatery requirements with unlimited drinks (also alcoholic). My attending steward was very knowledgeable about the local fauna and flora And made sure to point out any animal spotting like hippos or elephants. The only disappointing thing was that we end up doing circles on the same part of the river we did not cruise further”

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6.Sunset Cruise and Dinner at The Eatery

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 137 reviews · 4 hours · from $110

Spend two hours on the Zambezi Explorer watching the sunset, spotting hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and birds, and enjoying included drinks and canapés. Then dine beside the river at The Eatery with a three-course meal and complimentary wines. Pickup is available from Victoria Falls hotels within 5 km.

“Amazing experience, perfect in every way from the pickup, to the cruise, the drinks and canapés, sunset was amazing and excellent meal at the eatery.”

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7.Zambezi River Relaxing Sunset Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 124 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $70

From Victoria Falls, you’ll ride 10 minutes to the Zambezi River and cruise upstream aboard the single-deck Wanuka Queen. Expect hippos, crocodiles, birds, possible elephants and buffalo, sunset views, snacks, an open bar, and English-speaking crew. Hotel transfers are included.

“Unfortunately the weather wasn’t great, but the guide explained a lot about the Zambezi. No music playing, so a rather peaceful experience. Snacks are a few, drinks are unlimited.”

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8.Zambezi River Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 71 reviews · 2 hours · from $75

Join Livingstone’s Adventure for a two-hour sunset cruise upstream from Victoria Falls aboard the African Queen or African Princess. Your English-speaking crew serves drinks and snacks as you watch for hippos, admire nearby nature reserves, and follow the evening light. Transfers from Livingstone accommodation are included.

“I like it very much. Nice boat and nice crew.”

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9.Sundowner Cruise on Zambezi River (Zimbabwe)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 58 reviews · from $55

Set out from Victoria Falls on a two-hour Zambezi River sunset cruise aboard boats such as the Finfoot or African Queen. You’ll look for hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and birds while enjoying finger snacks, local drinks, and a calm ride. Pickup is included from hotels, guest houses, and B&Bs in Victoria Falls Town.

“Sightings of the herds of elephants and hippopotamuses while cruising in the Zambezi river with a view of the stunning sunset was the highlight of the cruise. The snack food and beverage need improvement for a better variety finger food and drink options.”

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10.Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 57 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $59

Spend two hours on the Zambezi near Victoria Falls, watching hippos, crocodiles, elephants, birds, and the setting sun. Shearwater provides hotel transfers, drinks, light snacks, and an English speaking crew. Guide Noaba has earned special praise for his sharp wildlife spotting and warm storytelling.

“We didn’t get to see the sunset as it was cloudy, but the animals more than made up for it. We watched elephants crossing across the river and saw hippos and crocodiles. Lovely boat.”

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11.Zambezi River Sunset Cruise, from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 48 reviews · from $66

Spend two hours on the Zambezi River aboard the Zambezi Explorer, watching the sunset from the standard or upper deck. Hotel pickup, an open bar, bottled water, and gourmet snacks are included. Hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and monkeys may appear along the riverbanks, but sightings are never guaranteed.

“The top deck of the boat was special and the staff were very friendly and canapé’s were enough for us.”

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12.Luxury Sunset Dinner Cruise with 4-Course Meal

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 46 reviews · 3 hours · from $140

Cruise upstream from Victoria Falls aboard Zambezi Breeze or Zambezi Reflections for three hours of sunset views, hippos, crocodiles, birds, and a four-course dinner. Hotel transfers, drinks, a guide, captain, crew, and onboard restrooms are included. Bring a sweater for the cool river breeze.

“Très agréable dîner croisière.Beau bateau, jolies dressages des tables, très bon repas et le personnel est attentionné. Boissons à volonté. Nous avons observé des hippopotames et au loin les chutes Victoria. La croisière dure 3h.Attention repas tôt,horaires 17h-20h. Prévoir pull il faisait frais avec le vent sur le fleuve à la tombée de la nuit.”

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13.Standard Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $50

Spend about two hours cruising the Zambezi through Zambezi National Park, between Zimbabwe and Zambia. A captain such as Moses may point out hippos, elephants, crocodiles, birds, and river history while you enjoy snacks and unlimited beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, and sunset views.

“We went on a cloudy day but even without a true sunset, it was so lovely. We were with about 8 other people's, making it a 10 person group not counting the crew. There were plenty of space to sit and room to move around. The crew was so aRead more”

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14.Birdwatching Cruise in Zambezi River with Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · from $85

Meet at the Zambezi River at 6:30 am, or use pickup from select hotels, for a two-hour birdwatching cruise with an experienced guide. Watch for African pittas, Narina trogons, and many other species while marking sightings in a supplied birding booklet and eating fruit, pastries, cheese, and biscuits.

“What a beautiful experience! This morning on the Zambezi there were 2 boats out, and we were in one of them. Last night there were 45, so you can imagine how tranquil everything seemed today. The banana boat is smooth, quiet, and stRead more”

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15.Shearwater Adventure Jet Boat Experience in Victoria Falls

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 16 reviews · from $122

You’ll ride with a trained captain from the Zambezi River toward Victoria Falls, viewing the Boiling Pot before racing through rapids into Batoka Gorge. The 3-hour outing includes a 45 to 50-minute boat ride, short hikes, safety gear, soda, and optional photos and video.

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