6 Days • 5 Nights
Zambezi & Lake Kariba: Victoria Falls Houseboat Cruise
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- The thundering Victoria Falls, Mosi-oa-Tunya, is a breathtaking highlight of this journey. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the falls are where the vast Zambezi River plunges more than a hundred metres into a mile-wide basalt chasm, sending up a column of spray visible for miles that the local people named Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders. You walk the paths of the rainforest that faces the falls, drenched by the mist, cross the knife-edge bridge amid rainbows, and feel the ground tremble beneath the astonishing roar. The scale, power and beauty are utterly overwhelming.
- A leisurely houseboat cruise on vast Lake Kariba is a serene highlight of this journey. Lake Kariba, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, formed by damming the great Zambezi, stretches to the horizon like an inland sea, its wild, beautiful shores fringed by drowned forests, islands and hills. Drifting along it aboard a comfortable houseboat is wonderfully relaxing, the days unhurried, the scenery ever-changing, and the crew attending to your every need as you glide past wildlife-rich shores. Sundowners on deck as the sun sinks over the water are magical.
- Wildlife along the shores of Lake Kariba is a beautiful highlight of this journey. The shores of Lake Kariba teem with wildlife, and watching it from the deck of a houseboat or a small tender boat is a delight. You watch herds of elephant and buffalo come down to drink at the water's edge, antelope grazing the shoreline, pods of hippo wallowing and crocodiles basking on the banks, and enjoy superb birdlife, from African fish eagles perched in the drowned trees to herons, storks and bee-eaters. The dramatic skeletal forests and golden light make every sighting beautiful.
- Fishing, swimming and relaxed leisure on the lake are a delightful highlight of this journey. A houseboat cruise is the essence of relaxation, and Lake Kariba offers wonderful leisure. You can try your hand at fishing for the legendary fighting tigerfish and for bream, a thrilling challenge, cool off in the plunge pool on deck, laze with a book and a drink as the shores glide by, or simply soak up the sun and the serenity. Meals are prepared and served by the crew, from hearty breakfasts to sundowner snacks and candlelit dinners under the stars. The comfort and ease are sublime.
- Glorious sunsets over the water are a magical highlight of this journey. Lake Kariba is famous for its spectacular sunsets, and there is no finer place to witness them than from the deck of a houseboat. As each day draws to a close, the vast sky flames orange, pink and violet, reflected in the still water, the drowned forests silhouetted against the light, and the calls of fish eagles and hippos drift across the lake. Sundowner in hand, watching the sky and water blaze, is one of the most peaceful and beautiful experiences of any journey. The beauty and serenity are unforgettable.
- Above all, this journey blends a world wonder with serene watery leisure, a relaxed and rewarding escape. This journey pairs Zambia's greatest natural wonder with the tranquil pleasures of a houseboat cruise. Over six days you stand before the thundering Victoria Falls and cruise the upper Zambezi at sunset, then drift for several unhurried days along the wild, beautiful shores of vast Lake Kariba, watching wildlife, fishing, swimming and savouring glorious sunsets as the crew looks after your every need, all warmed by genuine Zambian hospitality. The combination of a Seven Natural Wonder and serene, scenic leisure on the water makes this a relaxed and rewarding escape.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 6-day journey.
Your journey begins as your flight arrives at Livingstone's Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport, close to the mighty Victoria Falls, where you are met and transferred to your lodge on the banks of the Zambezi. Livingstone is Zambia's welcoming gateway to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Spend the rest of the day settling in and relaxing after your journey, perhaps hearing the distant thunder of the falls, watching for elephants and hippos along the river, or enjoying the view from your deck. This evening, savour a first taste of Zambian hospitality and look forward to the relaxed journey ahead, the thundering falls and a leisurely houseboat cruise on vast Lake Kariba. Rest well beside the great Zambezi, ready to meet the falls tomorrow.
Today you meet one of the greatest natural wonders on earth, the mighty Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders. With an expert local guide, you walk the network of paths through the rainforest that faces the falls, where a wall of the Zambezi plunges more than a hundred metres into a mile-wide chasm, drenching you in mist and framing you in rainbows, and you cross the knife-edge bridge to gaze into the boiling gorge, feeling the ground tremble beneath the roar. You take in the sheer scale, power and beauty of the falls. In the late afternoon you glide out on a sunset cruise along the upper Zambezi, drink in hand, watching elephants and hippos at the banks as the great river turns to gold. As the day ends, you dine beside the river. Rest well beside the Zambezi.
This morning, after breakfast, you transfer to Lake Kariba, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, formed by damming the great Zambezi River, where you board your comfortable, fully crewed houseboat and begin your cruise. As the houseboat casts off and glides out onto the vast, shimmering lake, you settle into the wonderfully unhurried rhythm of life on the water, greeted by the crew and shown to your cabin. Over a relaxed lunch on deck, you watch the wild, beautiful shores glide by, fringed by drowned forests and hills. In the afternoon you might take a tender-boat excursion along the shoreline to watch elephants and buffalo coming down to drink, hippos and crocodiles, and superb birdlife, before a magical sundowner on deck as the sky flames over the water. As the day ends, you dine beneath the stars. Rest well afloat.
Today you enjoy a full, wonderfully relaxed day cruising the wild shores of Lake Kariba. The houseboat drifts along the beautiful shoreline, the scenery ever-changing, and you watch wildlife from the deck, herds of elephant and buffalo coming down to drink, antelope grazing, pods of hippo wallowing, crocodiles basking, and superb birdlife, from fish eagles in the drowned trees to herons and bee-eaters. You might take a tender-boat excursion for a closer look, try your hand at fishing for the legendary fighting tigerfish, cool off in the plunge pool on deck, or simply laze with a book and a drink as the shores glide by. Meals are prepared and served by the crew, from a hearty breakfast to a leisurely lunch on deck. As the sun sinks in a blaze of colour, you savour sundowners and dine beneath the stars. Rest well afloat on the vast lake.
Today you enjoy a final full, unhurried day aboard your houseboat on Lake Kariba, savouring the serenity and beauty of the vast lake. The days are yours to spend as you wish, watching wildlife from the deck as the shores glide by, taking a last tender-boat excursion along the shoreline in search of elephants, hippos and birds, fishing for tigerfish and bream, swimming in the deck pool, or simply relaxing in the sun as the crew looks after your every need. You soak up the profound peace of life on the water, the ever-changing scenery, and the drama of the skeletal drowned forests in the golden light. As the sun sinks over the lake in a final glorious blaze of colour, you savour a farewell sundowner and a candlelit dinner beneath the stars, reflecting on your relaxed and beautiful journey. Rest well afloat, cherishing your last night on Lake Kariba.
After a final morning aboard your houseboat, perhaps a last sunrise on deck and a leisurely breakfast as the lake shimmers, you disembark at Lake Kariba and transfer to the airport for your onward departure. You leave having enjoyed a relaxed and rewarding journey, the thundering curtain of the Victoria Falls amid spray and rainbows, the golden Zambezi sunset cruise, and the serene pleasures of a houseboat cruise on vast Lake Kariba, drifting past wildlife-rich shores, fishing, swimming and savouring glorious sunsets as the crew looked after your every need, all warmed by genuine Zambian hospitality. The images stay vivid long after you go, the smoke that thunders, elephants at the lake's edge, and the vast sky and still water blazing at sunset. Zambia offers wonder and watery serenity in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to this beautiful land.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation, breakfast in Livingstone and all meals and local drinks aboard the houseboat
- Game drives, guided walks and activities as per itinerary with expert safari guides
- All national park and conservation fees as per itinerary
- Airport and land transfers, and internal light-aircraft flights where specified
- Bottled water on game drives and unlimited scheduled activities as per itinerary
- A guided tour of Victoria Falls and a Zambezi sunset cruise at Livingstone, a road and water transfer to Lake Kariba, a fully crewed houseboat cruise with tender-boat wildlife excursions and fishing, and all park and conservation fees
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Optional Livingstone adventure activities and fishing tackle hire
- Premium imported drinks, and tips for guides and houseboat crew
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Most visitors need a visa for Zambia, available online as an e-Visa before travel or on arrival for many nationalities, and a passport valid for at least six months with blank pages is required. The KAZA UNIVISA can cover both Zambia and Zimbabwe, ideal if you cross to see both sides of Victoria Falls. Requirements change, so we confirm the exact current process for your nationality and help you apply in good time
- Currency: The currency is the Zambian Kwacha (ZMW); US dollars are widely used at lodges, camps, for park fees and activities around Victoria Falls, and cards work at hotels and larger establishments in Lusaka and Livingstone, but carry some cash and small dollar notes for tips, curios and remote areas. ATMs are common in towns but scarce in the bush
- Best time to visit: The dry season from May to October is superb for wildlife, as animals gather at the shrinking rivers and lagoons and the bush thins out; September and October are hot but offer outstanding game viewing. Victoria Falls is at its thundering fullest from roughly February to May, while the low-water months of September to December are best for swimming at Devil's Pool and seeing the rock face
- Language & etiquette: English is the official language and is widely spoken, making travel easy, alongside Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Lozi and other local languages. Zambians are famously warm, gentle and welcoming; a friendly greeting is always appreciated. Ask permission before photographing people, dress modestly in towns and villages, and respect local customs, elders and community life throughout your journey
- Getting around: Zambia is a vast, wild country and its finest camps are remote, so light-aircraft flights link Livingstone, the Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa and Kafue quickly and scenically on fly-in safaris; road transfers are used where practical but can be long and bumpy. Activities include game drives, guided walks, canoeing and boat cruises, all led by some of Africa's best-trained guides
- Health & safety: A yellow fever certificate may be required depending on your route and onward travel; malaria prophylaxis is recommended for all safari areas, so consult a travel clinic well before departure, and bring insect repellent, sun protection and any personal medication. Zambia is a peaceful, stable and rewarding safari destination, and we use trusted guides and camps and follow official guidance
- Culture & tipping: Zambia is a warm, peaceful country of many peoples and rich traditions, and a village or community visit near Livingstone or the Luangwa is a genuine highlight. Tipping is customary and appreciated, for guides, camp staff and porters, and we advise on suggested amounts. Photography of airports, bridges and official buildings is best avoided out of caution
- Power & practicalities: Power is 230V with UK-style type G three-pin plugs, and type C and D are also found, so bring an adapter; remote camps often run on generators or solar with limited hours and charging points, so a power bank is useful. Pack neutral-coloured, lightweight clothing, warm layers for cool early morning game drives and canoe safaris, a hat, binoculars and a good camera with a zoom lens
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Lake Kariba houseboat cruise like?
It is wonderfully relaxed and scenic. You stay aboard a comfortable, fully crewed houseboat that drifts along the wild, beautiful shores of vast Lake Kariba, one of the world's largest man-made lakes. Days are unhurried, spent watching wildlife from the deck, taking tender-boat excursions to the shoreline, fishing for tigerfish, swimming in the deck pool, and savouring meals and glorious sunsets as the crew looks after everything. It is the essence of a relaxed, watery escape, combining serene leisure with superb wildlife and birdlife along the shores, and pairs beautifully with the drama of Victoria Falls.
Is the houseboat private or shared, and what is included?
We can arrange either a private houseboat for your own group or a cabin on a scheduled cruise, depending on your preference and budget. Houseboats are fully crewed, with a captain, guide and chef, and all meals and local drinks aboard are typically included, along with tender-boat wildlife excursions and fishing. Cabins are comfortable and en-suite, with a shaded deck, lounge and often a plunge pool. We detail exactly what is included for your chosen boat, and can tailor the level of comfort from relaxed to luxurious, so your cruise suits you perfectly.
What meals are included?
Meals as specified in each itinerary are included; on safari, Zambia's lodges and camps almost always operate on a fully inclusive basis, so all meals, and often local drinks and scheduled activities too, are included while you are in the parks, along with bottled water on game drives. In Livingstone and Lusaka, breakfast is usually included and other meals may be free to explore. Camp cuisine is excellent, from hearty bush breakfasts and riverside lunches to candlelit dinners, and we detail exactly what is included at each stage of your journey.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Activities at Zambia's intimate camps are typically shared with a handful of other guests in a small vehicle or walking group, led by an expert professional guide, and private guiding and vehicles can be arranged at many camps if you prefer. Zambia is renowned for the calibre of its guides, the pioneers of the walking safari, and their deep knowledge of the bush, its animals, birds, trees and smaller wonders greatly enriches every drive, walk and river journey through this beautiful country.
Do I need a visa for Zambia?
Most visitors need a visa, available online as an e-Visa before travel or on arrival for many nationalities, and a passport valid for at least six months with blank pages is required. If you plan to cross to the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls, the KAZA UNIVISA covers both countries. We confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality, advise on the best option, and help you apply in good time so your entry is smooth and stress-free.
Is Zambia safe to visit?
Zambia is one of Africa's most peaceful, stable and welcoming countries, with a long and proud safari tradition, and travel on a well-planned itinerary is smooth and rewarding. We use trusted camps, lodges and professional guides, and follow official guidance at all times, taking sensible precautions in towns as anywhere. On safari, around Victoria Falls and on the rivers you are in expert, experienced hands, and the warmth of the Zambian welcome is one of the great joys of a visit.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry season from May to October is superb for wildlife, as animals gather at shrinking water sources and the bush opens up, with September and October offering outstanding, if hot, game viewing. Victoria Falls thunders at its fullest from around February to May, while the low-water months are best for Devil's Pool and seeing the rock face. The green emerald season (November to April) brings lush landscapes, newborn animals and wonderful birding. We advise on the best timing for your interests.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of Victoria Falls and the parks, combine South Luangwa, the Lower Zambezi and Kafue, add walking or canoe safaris, extend your time at Livingstone, include a Lake Kariba houseboat, switch between fly-in and driving, and tailor the standard of camps from authentic and rustic to ultra-luxurious. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point that we shape around your interests, pace, budget and dream safari through beautiful Zambia.
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