
Zambezi River Sunset Cruise
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 11 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Zambezi River Sunset Cruise worth booking?
Zambezi River Sunset Cruise is a 2-hour experience in Livingstone, Zambia, from $110 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 11 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (11)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $110 per person
Sunset Cruise trips along the Zambezi are a magnificent and extremely popular way to experience the river. All the boats, bar the jet boats, navigate a 6 km stretch of river above the Falls themselves, shallow waters and hazardous rocks prevent them from venturing any further. Although you do not see the Falls themselves during a cruise, a cloud of spray, visible from the boats, sits on the horizon, crowning the waterfall. This section of river, which starts 3kms above the Falls is placid and wide and dissected with many islands. Resident hippo and crocodile are guaranteed sightings, whilst elephant herds are often seen as they cross from one island to the other in search of food. The birdlife is phenomenal and the sunsets are truly unforgettable.
What you get
About this experience
Sunset Cruise trips along the Zambezi are a magnificent and extremely popular way to experience the river. All the boats, bar the jet boats, navigate a 6 km stretch of river above the Falls themselves, shallow waters and hazardous rocks prevent them from venturing any further. Although you do not see the Falls themselves during a cruise, a cloud of spray, visible from the boats, sits on the horizon, crowning the waterfall. This section of river, which starts 3kms above the Falls is placid and wide and dissected with many islands. Resident hippo and crocodile are guaranteed sightings, whilst elephant herds are often seen as they cross from one island to the other in search of food. The birdlife is phenomenal and the sunsets are truly unforgettable.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Alcoholic beverages
- Snacks
- Soft Drinks
Not included
- Camera
What you'll see and do
The clients are picked from Hotels/ Lodges within Livingstone
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Cherish Travel and Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 11 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
11 verified traveler reviews for Zambezi River Sunset Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Zambezi River Sunset Cruise
It was a pleasant late afternoon cruise with some tasty snacks and libation.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your kind review. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your late afternoon cruise on the Zambezi River. There’s nothing quite like relaxing on the river while enjoying delicious snacks, refreshments, and the beautiful sunset views. We’re glad you had a pleasant experience and appreciate you choosing Cherish Travel and Tours. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another memorable adventure on the Zambezi.
via Tripadvisor
A perfect add on in Vic Falls
Great river cruise. Sunset was spectacular, food and drinks provided were tasty and generous ald the service excellent and plenty of wildlife and things happening on the banks to keep you interested. Hard to fault.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're so glad to hear you enjoyed the cruise, especially the sunset, food, and service. It's great to know the wildlife and riverbank sights added to the experience. We really appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
via Tripadvisor
Scam alert
Scam alert: Cherish Travel is very possibly bogus Never showed to pick us up, despite us having a confirmation from them. Never answered email through Viator. Never answered their office phone. Never answered their mobile phone. Never answered text messages. Hotel checked for us and there were no bookings with any of the boats on the river
Response from the operator: Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you experienced. Unfortunately, we had a power supply loss at our office that caused a temporary disruption in communication, which affected our ability to respond promptly. We have processed your refund immediately, and we appreciate your understanding in this matter. Your experience is important to us, and we’re working hard to prevent such issues in the future. If you have any further concerns, please feel free to reach out directly. Thank you for your patience, and we hope to have the chance to serve you better in the future.
via Viator
The cruise was excellent....
The cruise was excellent. The shuttle service was late We were scheduled for 3 30 and then was rescheduled to 4 the eve before. The driver arrived at 4 20.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're thrilled to hear that you found the cruise experience to be excellent. However, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delay in our shuttle service. Our pick ups commence at 3:30 but we pick from different hotels which lead to your late pick up. Punctuality is a top priority for us, and we understand how frustrating it can be to wait for transportation. We're sorry for any inconvenience caused by the rescheduling of the shuttle service and the late arrival of the driver. Rest assured, we'll investigate the issue internally to ensure that such delays are minimized in the future. We truly appreciate your understanding and hope that despite this inconvenience, you were able to enjoy the cruise experience. If there's anything else we can do to make it up to you or if you have any further feedback, please don't hesitate to let us know. Thank you for choosing us for your cruise, and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future with improved services. Best regards,
via Viator
Mostly positive
I did my homework before opting for a Zambezi sunset river cruise. Many reviews said it is a must-do for Victoria Falls. That comment was usually coupled with statements about the wealth of wildlife sightings and the beauty of the sunset. Overall, it was a very nice experience. A pleasant and scenic river excursion. However, I could not give it 5 stars because: 1) we did not have a sunset. We were picked up from our hotel at 4pm and the tour lasted about 2 hours. Can you see a sunset before 6pm? Don’t know. We didn’t. Really should not advertise as a sunset cruise if the sailing time (or weather conditions like cloudiness) will not accommodate a sunset. Just call it an evening cruise and let the sunset be a bonus when it happens. 2) The tour included certain alcoholic beverages, which was nice. It also included snacks, but they were not good to me. Snacks: boiled peanuts (which were good), a chicken kabob, and something else that was like a fried ravioli but without pasta. My husband found it fine. But if you have a discriminating palette, you may not find it very good; 3) loved the hippo sightings. Great photo opps and ability to see them. We also saw a crocodile or two on a rock, not moving. We also saw some cool birds. This was great, but the reviews of other sunset cruises made it sound as if you saw an abundance of wildlife constantly. 4) which brings me to my next observation: not all of these Zambezi river cruises are the same. We were aboard the African Queen, which is a largish vessel. While we were cruising we noticed boats of varying sizes, including some quite small. The smaller boats ventured much closer to the hippos, and to the shoreline. Being a nimble boat seems advantageous for this type of cruise. All will see similar things, but the vantage point will be decidedly different. 5)Our hotel was in Zambia, so I was grateful to not have to cross the border to Zimbabwe for a river cruise. However, there are more options and therefore more pricings to choose from on the Zimbabwe side. We paid about $30/pp more than some of the other sunset cruises with comparable descriptions, so shop around. 6) friendly and attentive wait staff (Martha in particular) but be sure to take small bills or Kwacha for tipping. They do not give change in USD. 7) Tour narration: average. Again, overall a good experience, with these caveats.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for the review
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Cherish Travel and Tours, who run 13 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 61.4.
See everything Cherish Travel and Tours runsWhy this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Zambezi River Sunset Cruise: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Livingstone.
How much does Zambezi River Sunset Cruise cost?
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Prices start at $110 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Livingstone usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Zambezi River Sunset Cruise take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Livingstone is not rushed.
Is Zambezi River Sunset Cruise worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 11 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Livingstone, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Zambezi River Sunset Cruise?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Zambezi River Sunset Cruise suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Zambezi River Sunset Cruise?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Livingstone can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Livingstone and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Zambezi River Sunset Cruise start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Livingstone within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Livingstone?
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On Outty we rank every Livingstone experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Game Drive & Rhino Safari Exp - up to 3 hrs long - MIN 2 PEOPLE, Raft the Zambezi, Zambezi Whitewater Rafting — Full Day All 25 Rapids : Livingstone. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Livingstone?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Livingstone?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Zambezi River Sunset Cruise?
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Included: Bottled water; Alcoholic beverages; Snacks; and Soft Drinks. Not included: Camera. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Zambezi River Sunset Cruise include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 12 listed pickup locations in and around Livingstone. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Zambezi River Sunset Cruise offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Zambezi River Sunset Cruise?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Zambezi River Sunset Cruise wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Zambezi River Sunset Cruise if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Zambezi River Sunset Cruise?
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Across 11 reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, the guide, photo opportunities. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
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