Sunset cruises on the upper Zambezi
The cruises run on the Zambezi above the falls. Boats differ in size, comfort and what is included, and so do the prices. The figures below are those listed by the operators in 2026, and they change.
Read the price in two parts. A cruise has a fare, and a park fee for international visitors comes on top. The listed standard cruise costs $59, plus a $12 international park fee, so $71 in total. Check what each cruise includes, because snacks, drinks, park fees and transfers differ.
Sunset cruises compared
Examples from operator pages and a 2026 hotel brochure. The brochure prices are estimates and need to be confirmed.
| Cruise | Fare | Park fee | Total | Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard cruise | $59 | $12 | $71 | 2 hours on the water, about 3 hours in all |
| Riversong cruise | $100 | $12 | $112 | Snacks, drinks and local transfers |
| Signature Deck, Dinner Cruise or Ra-Ikane (hotel brochure) | $145 | included | $145 | Park and river fees, hotel transfers |
The first two cruises span $59 to $100 before fees, or $71 to $112 with the international park fee. That is the range of these two offers, not of the whole market. Outlying lodges pay an extra transfer price on the Riversong cruise.
Our picks: Zambezi cruises
Sunset cruises from Victoria Falls and Livingstone, and an evening dinner cruise.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Three-hour dinner cruise on the Zambezi
Hotel transfer in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, a four-course menu and alcoholic and soft drinks. Six courses are an upgrade; the $12 park fee per person is paid at check-in and tips are extra.
Check availability →Zambezi sunset cruise from Livingstone
Transfers from accommodation around Livingstone, plus drinks and snacks on board. Tips and premium spirits are extra.
Check availability →
Two-hour Zambezi sunset cruise
Hotel transfer within Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, plus canapés and drinks on board. The $12 park fee per person is paid at check-in; tips are extra.
Check availability →Sunset cruises on the Zambezi
Sunset boats, dinner cruises and river safaris on the Zambezi, with live prices and availability.
Pick-up times and booking
The standard cruise collects guests in two seasons. From 1 May to 31 August pick-up starts at 15:30. From 1 September to 30 April it starts at 16:00. At least two guests are needed. This is the schedule of one operator, not a timetable for all boats, so confirm your own time when you book.
Children aged 3 to 12 pay a park fee of $3, and children under 3 pay nothing for it. This applies to the park share only. Ask the operator what the boat fare is for children.
Cruises are also sold in combinations. One set of packages is valid until 30 November 2026. It pairs the African Queen sunset cruise with a helicopter flight (from $235 per person), a microlight flight with a sunset river safari (from $240), or a microlight flight, the cruise and rafting (from $345). See the page on Flight of Angels for the flights.
What you may see
The operator mentions hippos, elephants and crocodiles as possible sightings. There is no guarantee, and the animals do not follow a schedule. A cruise is a river trip with a chance of wildlife, not a safari. For a full wildlife day, look at the Chobe day trip.
Do not forget mosquito protection. The German Foreign Office lists a high malaria risk around Victoria Falls and the Zambezi valley all year. Bring mosquito protection and ask a doctor about prophylaxis before you travel.
Other boat trips from the Zambian side
The operator of Livingstone Island also sells boat tours that go out to the island above the falls. The Breezer tour is listed at $149 in the green season and $159 in the peak season. The lunch tour is $199 or $209, and the high tea tour $189 or $199. Departures are at 07:30, 09:00 and 10:30 for the Breezer tour, at 12:30 for lunch and at 15:30 for high tea. Park fees are included in these prices.
The green season runs from 6 January to 30 June and from 1 to 15 December. The peak season covers 1 to 5 January, 1 July to 30 November and 16 to 31 December. These are different trips from a sunset cruise, so read the Devil's Pool page before you compare them.
Choosing a cruise
Three questions that settle most choices.
Simple or all-inclusive?
The standard cruise is the lowest of the listed prices. The Riversong cruise costs $41 more before fees and lists snacks, drinks and local transfers. The premium hotel cruises include fees and hotel transfers.
Where do you sleep?
Local transfers are part of some cruises. Lodges outside the usual pick-up area pay extra, so tell the operator where you stay.
Is it a combo day?
If you also want a flight or rafting, the packages can be easier to plan than separate bookings. Compare the "from" price with the sum of the single prices.
More on the river
Other ways to be on or above the Zambezi.
Zambezi sunset cruise: frequently asked questions
How much is a sunset cruise at Victoria Falls?
The listed standard cruise is $59, plus a $12 international park fee, so $71. The Riversong cruise is $100 plus $12, so $112. A hotel brochure lists premium cruises at $145 with fees and transfers.
How long does a cruise last?
The standard cruise is 2 hours on the water and about 3 hours for the whole programme.
What time are guests collected?
One operator collects guests from 15:30 between 1 May and 31 August, and from 16:00 between 1 September and 30 April. Confirm the time when you book.
Will I see animals?
Hippos, elephants and crocodiles are possible sightings, but nothing is guaranteed.
Are children allowed, and do they pay?
Children aged 3 to 12 pay a $3 park fee, and children under 3 pay no park fee. Ask the operator for the boat fare.