What's Included on a Zambezi Cruise: Drinks, Snacks and the Open Bar
What an inclusive Zambezi cruise at Victoria Falls covers: the open bar, canapés, hotel transfers and facilities, plus the park fee and extras you pay on top.
Almost every cruise on the Zambezi is sold as fully inclusive, and here the phrase means roughly what it says. Your ticket covers an open bar for the whole cruise, snacks or canapés served throughout, return transfers from your hotel, and a guide pointing out what’s on the bank.
Two things it does not usually cover: the national park fee, collected in cash at the jetty, and gratuities. Both catch people out, and the park fee is the commonest surprise on this river.
The Victoria Falls: Dinner Cruise on the Zambezi River (4.8/5 from 1,327 reviews, from $110) shows how far the inclusions can go: three hours on the water, a four-course dinner cooked on board, unlimited drinks and transfers within Victoria Falls town, with the US$12 park fee paid at check-in. Prices and departures change through the year, so check your date:
The bar
Drinks are the headline inclusion, and on most vessels there is no limit and no tab. A crew member starts serving before the boat leaves the mooring and keeps going until you dock.
| Standard vessels | Premium decks and boats | |
|---|---|---|
| Beer | Local lagers | The same, plus a wider selection |
| Wine | House red and white, typically South African | Better labels, sometimes sparkling |
| Spirits | Gin, vodka, rum and whisky with mixers | Premium and artisanal spirits |
| Cocktails | Varies by boat, so ask; the Zambezi dinner cruise pours cocktails and mocktails | Made to order; the Zambezi Explorer’s Signature Deck has a dedicated mixologist |
| Soft | Soft drinks, bottled water, tea and coffee | The same |
“Unlimited” refers to what’s on board, not to anything you can name. If a specific drink matters to you (a particular gin, champagne, a cocktail you’ve set your heart on), ask before booking instead of at the bar. Reviews of premium products mention this mild disappointment often. The Signature Deck is sold as an upgrade at checkout on the Zambezi Explorer two-hour sunset cruise (4.8/5 from 558 reviews, from $69).
Other things to do around Victoria Falls
A cruise leaves the morning free. Many visitors add a helicopter flight over Victoria Falls and the Batoka Gorge, or Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool in Zambia:
The food
On sunset, breakfast and lunch cruises this is snacking, not a meal. Expect canapés, finger food and hot bites passed round throughout the cruise: samosas, spring rolls, kebabs, cheese and crackers, nuts, and sometimes a fruit platter. Premium decks serve more elaborate canapés.
There’s enough that plenty of people skip dinner afterwards, but it isn’t dinner and shouldn’t be booked as one. For a proper meal on the water, book a Zambezi dinner cruise: plated multi-course menus on the dedicated dining vessels, buffets and braais on the larger boats.
Portion sizes are the most common food complaint, usually on the busiest large-vessel departures. Smaller boats tend to do better here, because there are fewer people between you and the tray.
Transfers
Return hotel transfers are included on nearly every cruise, on both sides of the river.
Check the catchment. Operators cover the relevant town, Victoria Falls town or the Livingstone area, but some define it as a fixed radius (5 km from Victoria Falls town on the GetYourGuide cruises) instead of by town boundary, and properties further out may pay a surcharge or be excluded. If you’re staying at a lodge outside town, confirm before booking.
Pick-up is usually around half an hour before departure, and operators normally reconfirm the day before. Reconfirm anyway. Missed pick-ups are the most common serious complaint across operators on this river, so keep the operator’s phone number to hand.
Guiding and commentary
A crew member gives a safety briefing, some river and area history, and points out wildlife as you go. Quality varies a lot between operators, and between individual crews on the same boat.
Two things affect this more than the operator does. On large vessels the commentary comes over a PA, which works less well than a guide talking to sixteen people. And on the Zimbabwean side, operators say national parks regulations prohibit music on board, so you hear the river and the guide instead of a playlist. Several Zambian vessels, by contrast, advertise live music.
Onboard facilities
| Vessel type | Typical facilities |
|---|---|
| Large pontoons and catamarans | Onboard bar, washrooms, lounge seating, multiple decks; some offer Wi-Fi; several are set up for wheelchair access |
| Mid-size vessels | Bar, washroom, covered and open seating |
| Small vintage launches | Bar and toilet, compactly; canvas sides that roll down in bad weather |
Many boats provide blankets in the cooler months, but not all. Winter evenings on open water get cold once the sun is down, so bring a layer regardless. See what to wear on a Victoria Falls cruise.
Wheelchair access varies by vessel, and boarding at the jetty changes with the river level, so confirm directly with the operator instead of relying on a listing.
What’s not included
Park and river usage fees. Charged per person by the national parks authorities on both sides and paid in cash at the jetty when you check in. Most advertised rates exclude them. On the Zimbabwean side, Pure Africa and Shearwater quote US$12 per international adult, while some operator sites still show US$10, so budget for the higher figure. International visitors pay more than residents, children pay a reduced rate and the youngest go free. A few operators fold the fee into the ticket, so check the inclusions on yours.
Gratuities. Not included and not compulsory, but customary. Cash.
Transfers from outlying lodges. See the transfers section above.
Premium brands. The inclusive bar covers the standard range. Specific imported spirits or champagne may cost extra on some vessels, and at least one Zambian party boat runs a cash bar for top-shelf spirits.
Photography. Some operators may offer onboard photos as a paid extra.
How these extras change price comparisons is covered in the Victoria Falls cruise cost guide.
Dietary requirements
Usually catered for, but flag them when you book; on the jetty it’s too late. Galleys on these boats are small and menus are prepped in advance. Vegetarian options are standard on most dinner cruises; anything more specific needs notice.
What to bring
- Cash in small US dollar notes, for park fees and tips.
- A warm layer, May to August especially.
- Binoculars. Few people bring them, and the birdlife is excellent; the Victoria Falls cruise wildlife guide covers what you might see.
- A camera, and something to keep spray off it.
- Sunscreen and insect repellent. The sun is strong until late afternoon, and the mosquitoes arrive around dusk.
- Your booking confirmation, with the vessel name on it.
Where inclusions vary most
Three areas to compare between listings:
- Bar quality. Everyone includes drinks; premium products include better ones.
- Whether park fees are bundled. A minority of operators absorb them into the headline rate, and this is often the entire difference between two quotes.
- Transfer catchment, if you’re staying outside town.
Everything else, from duration and route to the fact that you don’t see the falls, stays much the same across the fleet. Every vessel compared.
Booking
Book the Victoria Falls dinner cruise on the Zambezi River for a full meal and open bar, or the Victoria Falls 2-hour luxury Zambezi River sunset cruise for canapés and drinks at sunset, on GetYourGuide. The full inclusions are on the dinner cruise and sunset cruise tour pages. If you want the boat to yourselves, the private Zambezi cruise guide covers charters and premium decks.
Frequently asked questions
Are drinks unlimited on a Zambezi sunset cruise?
On most vessels, yes. An open bar runs for the whole cruise, covering local beer, house wine, spirits with mixers, soft drinks, water, tea and coffee; cocktails depend on the boat, and the Zambezi dinner cruise pours cocktails and mocktails. “Unlimited” covers what’s stocked on board, so a specific brand may not be there.
Is food included on a Zambezi cruise?
Yes. Sunset, breakfast and lunch cruises serve canapés and finger food throughout: a generous snack spread, lighter than a meal. Dinner cruises include a full plated or buffet meal.
Are hotel transfers included?
Yes, on nearly every cruise, within the relevant town’s catchment. Lodges outside town may pay a surcharge, so confirm if you’re staying further out.
What isn’t included in the cruise price?
National park and river usage fees, paid in cash at the jetty, and gratuities. Sometimes also premium spirits, onboard photography and transfers from outlying properties.
Do I need to bring cash on a Zambezi cruise?
Yes. Park fees are collected at the jetty in cash and card machines there are unreliable. Small US dollar notes are best, and you’ll want some for tips too.
Can dietary requirements be accommodated?
Usually, if you specify them when you book. Galleys are small and menus are prepared in advance, so requests on the day are harder to meet.
Is there a toilet on board?
On nearly every commercial vessel, yes, including the small vintage launches, though compactly. Larger pontoons have proper washrooms.
Is there Wi-Fi on Zambezi cruise boats?
Some of the larger pontoons advertise it. Don’t count on it, and consider leaving your phone in your pocket.
Are blankets provided in winter?
On many boats, but not all. Bring a jacket for evening cruises from roughly May to August regardless.
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