Top 5 Zambezi National Park Cruises: Reviews & Recs

Planning a visit to Zambezi National Park? You’re in for a treat! I mean, it’s almost impossible to overstate how awesome it can be to experience the mighty Zambezi River up close, and what could be a better way than on a cruise? I find it very freeing, personally. But you know, deciding which cruise can be the tricky part, and there are truly so many choices, right? That’s why I’ve put together a guide to the top 5 Zambezi National Park cruises and sailing tours, that offers some helpful insights to help you make the right choice. It gives you an idea of what to expect and helps to give you an awesome experience.

1. Zambezi Sunset Cruise: A Classic Experience

The Zambezi sunset cruise could very well be the iconic river experience, as a matter of fact. Usually, they launch in the late afternoon and often take you along some picturesque stretches of the river where you can soak in the fantastic scenery. Think about it: You’re sipping on your favorite drink, maybe it is that classic G&T, watching the sun dip below the horizon. In any event, it sure paints the sky with the colors that are almost unreal – hues of orange, pink, and purple that you often can only see in picture books, as I was saying. This one almost tends to be super popular for people who like taking some cool pictures and really chilling out after a long day. But what makes it special is that you get to see some local animals, and you should watch elephants come down to the riverbank for a late afternoon drink or crocodiles lurking close to the shores, basically right when you thought it couldn’t get any better. Usually, cruises run for about two to three hours and that does often include drinks and snacks.

Read our full review: Zambezi Sunset Cruise Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Zambezi Sunset Cruise)

2. Breakfast Cruise: A Morning Delight

Very few things rival a leisurely breakfast while surrounded by nature’s beauty. That is definitely the vibe when you do a breakfast cruise on the Zambezi, which you should keep in mind. Leaving very early, like before sunrise even, and very often offering a tasty buffet-style breakfast, too. Usually it gives you all the energy you often need for the day’s activities. The atmosphere can be a little calmer than a sunset cruise, making it often very awesome for people who do not enjoy big crowds and want to chill out while watching the local wildlife wake up, by the way. A bit similarly to other cruises, you might catch sights of hippos, different cool bird species, and maybe even a giraffe if you’re lucky. Also, because the air is cooler and crisper early in the morning, so in some respects you get an almost refreshing feeling that gets you started on the right foot.

Read our full review: Zambezi Breakfast Cruise Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Zambezi Breakfast Cruise)

3. Lunch Cruise: A Midday Feast

If breakfast seems very early, perhaps a lunch cruise would be your thing! Leaving mid-day, usually it is the way to make the most of the warmest parts of the day. Usually it’s not just food on offer; some boats tend to come with shaded seating which offers a cool relief from the harsh heat, and it can also sometimes provide spectacular vistas of the area, right when the sun makes everything shimmer on the water. You can also sit back and loosen up while taking in the sights, very possibly spotting a huge variety of waterbirds that usually are most active during the day, alright?

Read our full review: Zambezi Lunch Cruise Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Zambezi Lunch Cruise)

4. Private Charter: Exclusivity on the Water

If you like something a little more private, consider this: hiring a private cruise really takes the experience to another level. These private charters give you and whoever you take with you that little exclusive slice of the Zambezi that I personally adore, as I was saying. Generally these cruises are awesome for little gatherings, a couple who want to enjoy some peace and quiet away from other people, or even families, it could be, right? So you could work with the tour company and really craft the experience that you like, as a matter of fact, be that choosing your meals, deciding how long the trip should be or even choosing a specific route, alright? Also, having your own boat and crew definitely means more attention and an almost intimate connection with the river.

Read our full review: Private Zambezi River Cruise Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Zambezi River Cruise)

5. Multi-Day Sailing Tour: The Ultimate Zambezi Immersion

Want something more? Then how about a multi-day sailing tour? Often the most inclusive method of experiencing the River in question is a multi-day sailing tour if you really wish to totally surround yourself with the beauty and grandeur of the Zambezi. Typically running from three to five days, the tours stop off at remote spots where you often won’t find other people, allowing you to really surround yourself with some great nature. Also included in the cost might be a guide that can take you through local culture or on a hike through special areas on foot where other boat tours can’t go. A multi-day tour makes that trip very remarkable for people with a love for wild adventures.

Read our full review: Multi-Day Zambezi River Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Zambezi River Tour)

With this guide, I’m pretty sure that you have the foundation of what might suit you, to potentially get you a very memorable outing.