Zambezi Cruise & Safaris – boats & cruises – Listing Page text
Zambezi Cruise & Safaris offer unique land and lake experiences combining their portfolio of safari camps and river lodges located in key travel destinations around Zimbabwe with a boat cruise on Lake Kariba.
The Zambezi Cruise & Safaris hospitality group’s safari lodges include Kariba Safari Lodge and Crowned Eagle Boutique Hotel in Kariba Town, Mana Pools Safari Lodge in Mana Pools, and Pamuzinda Safari Lodge, Chengeta Safari Lodge, Fig Tree Camp and Shumba Lodges in Selous just outside Harare. For more details about these, see their separate listings page: Zambezi Cruise & Safaris Lodges
The group owns the largest fleet of luxury cruise boats on Lake Kariba. This includes:-
THE ZAMBEZI TRADER (Max 68 pax multi-day cruises, and 120 pax for day tours):
Lake Kariba's largest cruise boat offers 3 decks:
A Deck – Gym, Spa, 16 Standard ensuite twin cabins with private balconies and air-conditioning
B Deck – Dining Room, Lounge, Bar, Large pool, Sun decks, 5 Family cabins sleeping max 4 each
C Deck – Private dining, Private bar, Private pool, 8 Luxury ensuites with king size beds, air conditioning and large private balconies. Private access to D Deck – The Captain’s wheels house and relaxing/viewing deck, private tender boats.
This cruise boat is ideal for large parties on day trips (up to 120 people), for hosting corporate functions, weddings, birthday celebrations and conferences or just gathering of friends and family for an unforgettable magic holiday cruise.
SOVEREIGN (Max 20 pax):
3-deck, pontoon-styled "Catamaran" cruiser with 10 in-suite air-conditioned cabins, large lounge, bar, dining area, and several sundecks.
SHIKRA (Max 20 Pax):
Offers 10 twin/double cabins with an optional fold-away bunk. All rooms are airconditioned, en-suite and have lake views. There is a 14.5 x 8m air-conditioned lounge and dining area with 360-degree views of the lake. A large 4.5m x 2.4m pool, fully shaded, surrounded by a large deck area, plus a further 2 deck areas at the rear of the boat.
UMBOHZA (Max 28 Pax):
Offers 5 family cabins (twin/double with 2 bunks); 2 twin/double cabins; 2 master suites. All rooms are airconditioned, en-suite and have a lake view. There is a large central bar/dining/lounge area, a large pool deck area and an upper viewing deck.
KARABEZI (Max 10-13 PAX):
5 main cabins plus 2 guide/kids’ cabins: 2 double bedded cabins, 2 twin cabins and 1 cabin with bathroom opposite. All cabins are fully air-conditioned and have lake views. There is a large 9m x 7m fully air-conditioned lounge/dining area, a front and back deck and sitting area.
A cruise on Lake Kariba is often considered a relaxing break on a fast-paced Zimbabwe safari tour. This is a time to immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of this inland sea surrounded by its majestic wildlife. However, if you are looking to keep up the pace then there are morning and evening wildlife cruises along the many inlets of the lake shoreline, finishing the day with drinks in hand as you watch the iconic Kariba sunset. For those avid fishermen/women, a dedicated fishing boat is available at any time of the day. Optional excursions of either a two to three-hour game walk or drive in the Matusadona with your guide. We end the day learning about the various star constellations from our qualified team.
SAFARI GROUP CIRCUITS (COMBINING LAND & LAKE):
The following safari circuits and set departures are on offer, combining both luxury cruises and safari experiences.
LAKE & LAKE TOUR - VICTORIA FALLS-LAKE KARIBA - 7 Nights & 8 Days | Victoria Falls | Crowned eagle Boutique Hotel | Lake Kariba Cruise Tour
ZIMBABWE TOUR: PAMUZINDA – HARARE, LAKE KARIBA CRUISE, HWANGE & VICTORIA FALLS - 10 Nights & 11 Days | Zimbabwe Tour | Harare – Kariba – Hwange – Victoria Falls
LAKE KARIBA CRUISE & MANA POOLS TOUR - 8 Nights & 9 Days | Kariba Cruise | Kariba Safari Lodge | Mana Pool National Park Tour
VICTORIA FALLS, HWANGE NATIONAL PARK & LAKE KAIRBA CRUISE TOUR - 6 Nights & 7 Days | Victoria Falls | Hwange National Park | Lake Kariba Cruise Tour
BEST OF ZIMBABWE SAFARI TOUR - 11 Nights & 12 Days | Victoria Falls | Hwange National Park | Lake Kariba Cruise ( Matusadona National Park) | Kariba | Mana Pools Tour
CHARTER OPTIONS:
Besides the set travel dates and cruise itineraries, Zambezi Cruise Safaris also offer ‘Full Charter’ options for private groups, conferences, weddings and functions.
SET DEPARTURE CRUISES (From Victoria Falls):
2-Night and 3-Night scheduled departures on board the Zambezi Trader are now on offer from May to November 2025, Friday through to Monday, as weekend escapes and extensions to other Zimbabwean safari destinations.
3-Night Set Departure:
Will be running a 3-night cruise Friday – Monday from May - November 2025
2-Night Set Departure:
Will be running a 2-night cruise on Mondays to Wednesdays and Wednesdays to Fridays on specific mid-week dates.
Land Based Activities:
These range from Guided walks of 2 Hours to Game drives of 3 Hours and/or a combo Chief’s village cultural tour of 3-4 hours.
Air Transfers:
Air transfers from 2025 are with Mac Air and/or Grand Air from Victoria Falls International Airport to Deka Drum Airstrip, approx. 35 minutes. Road transfers from Deka Drum to Msuna Island Harbour is approx. 25 minutes.
Road Transfers:
From Victoria Falls International or Victoria Falls Town departing at 07.30 AM to Msuna Island. On return depart Msuna Island at 9.AM on the last day of the lake cruise. The journey by road is approximately 3 Hrs from Victoria Falls Town, 2H30 minutes from Victoria Falls International Airport and 3 Hrs from Hwange Main Camp.
Each vessel is accompanied by tender boats and an experienced crew to take you on your daily activities.
Bookings can be done as a Group or as an Individual Traveller on set departure dates. Cabins can be twin/double and there are family rooms as an option.
Related articles and Blogs:-
Beat the Heat (Travel Blog Nov 2021)
Family Fun in the Wild (Travel Blog July 2021)
Warm winter weddings (or honeymoons) in the wild (Feature Blog - June 2021)
Little Gems in the Wild (Travel Blog May 2021)
Exclusive Use travel options for family and friends (Feature Blog, Feb 2021)
What's UNIQUE about us? (Feature Blog - Aug 2020)
The Wild Zambezi Culinary Collection (Feature Blog May 2020)
Coming to Lake Kariba in 2021 - the "Zambezi Adventurer" (Feb 2020)
Zambezi Cruise & Safaris expands with 7 new set-departure circuits for 2020 (Oct 2019)
Kariba Safari Lodge: introducing the WOW factor (Feb 2019)
New Lake Kariba cruising options from Zambezi Cruise Safaris (May 2018)
On tour in Zimbabwe with Zambezi Cruise Safaris (Nov 2017)
Plans for 2018: Scheduled cruises & Kariba lodges (Nov 2017)
Cruising Lake Kariba out of Victoria Falls (Oct 2016)