SUNSET ZAMBEZI RIVER CRUISE & GAME VIEWING: ZAMBIA & ZIMBABWE

Even though there are morning, lunch, and evening cruises, the sunset river cruise is the most popular—the views of the sun setting over the calm waters are breathtaking. There are snacks and beverages on every cruise but the Dinner Cruise has dinner served. Morning and lunch cruises have breakfast and lunch served, respectively. 

If you are in the town of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, the river cruises start a few kilometers from Victoria Falls heading towards the upper side of the Zambezi National Park. Boats are concentrated on the section of the river that is wide, calm, and with no rocks. Those taking the cruise from Livingstone, Zambia, the boats launch in the lower part of the Zambezi National Park.

LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK OR MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK?

There are many animals both big and small around the Zambezi River area that is shared between two national parks—Lower Zambezi National Park in Livingstone, Zambia and Mana Pools National Park in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. You will find elephants, hippos, water buffalos, impalas, baboons, giraffes, waterbucks, wild dogs, zebras, leopards, lions, and a lot of different bird species. There are quite a few good tour operators to both Lower Zambezi National Park and Mana Pools National Park offering game drives and river cruises. 

Most tourists ask which national park has the best game viewing and would be the best place to visit. This would depend on the quality of the tour company, choice of hotel, and logistics—when it comes to animals, both parks have plenty of animals to see, both big and small. 

The Lower Zambezi National Park: Located in Zambia, this park has so much to offer, the animals are plenty and the Zambezi River cruises are equally impressive as those in the Mana Pools National Park. The animals seen here are usually drinking water in the banks of the Zambezi River. The park itself is thousands of square kilometers but animals tend to flock to the river. 

Mana Pools National Park: For those who have visited Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, it is easier to book tours to Mana Pools. The Zambezi River cruises will go upstream, away from the Victoria Falls. In terms of logistics, if you are visiting Hwange as well, it makes sense to visit Mana Pools National Park rather than Lower Zambezi National Park. Thus, it is best to fly to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. We took this Sunset River Cruise from Victoria Falls Town. 

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE TAKING THE ZAMBEZI RIVER CRUISE

Before embarking on the cruise you have booked make sure you remember to bring cash for National Parks Fees. Ask your tour operator the actual amount. You might want to pay the park fees as you are purchasing your ticket with your tour operator. People usually bring a camera, binocular (those who have them), sunglasses, mosquito repellent, and a jacket (in the winter). See this post on what to wear at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia for inspiration.