Unique safari experiences in southern Africa (2026)
starting at 9.300 €

The myth of the Zambezi | River cruise Africa

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15-day small group tour with a 4-day boat trip on the Zambezi River

Africa

Zimbabwe

12 to 18 people

15 days

This trip combines the pleasure of a leisurely boat trip with safari adventures around the mighty Zambezi River in southern Africa! First, marvel at the famous Victoria Falls before traveling to an unspoiled region of the Zambezi that has seen few visitors to date. The estuary area of Lake Kariba is characterized by its abundance of wildlife. On board your ship, you will enjoy all the amenities and relax on the deck while watching wildlife on land and in the water. Small dinghies will take you to explore smaller bays and islands, and with a little luck, you will get up close to elephants, giraffes, and countless other animals. Another highlight of this trip is a visit to the wildlife-rich Mana Pools National Park, where you will stay for three nights in a magnificent lodge and go on exciting safaris along the banks of the Zambezi River.

Stephanie Gräf

Spezialist für individuelle und erlebnisreiche Reisen rund um den Globus.

I am your contact person for questions and bookings regarding your trip.

You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de

Select consultation appointment

HIGHLIGHTS

The fascination of the Zambezi: Southern Africa's mightiest river
Relaxing days aboard a comfortable cabin ship on a previously little-visited section of the river
Time for safaris in small dinghies and open vehicles
Picturesque gorge: Devil's Gorge
The thundering smoke of the Zambezi River: Victoria Falls
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Mana Pools National Park with three nights in an idyllically located safari lodge
Two flights in small charter planes, so no long transfers by land
Kariba Dam and the legend of the river god Nyami Nyami
Excellent support from your German-speaking tour guide

route

itinerary

Day 1 Flight to Africa

Day 2 Arrival at the Zambezi

Land in Victoria Falls, where you will be greeted at the airport and driven to your lodge. After lunch, relax on the terrace or by the pool and enjoy the natural scenery with a cool drink. In the early evening, explore the Zambezi River by boat at sunset – with the opportunity to observe elephants and hippos in their natural habitat. Enjoy your welcome dinner in style during the boat trip. (FMA)

Day 3 At Victoria Falls

In the morning, a guided tour takes you to the mighty waterfalls and the legendary Victoria Falls Bridge. After lunch in a restaurant with a magnificent view over the Zambezi Gorge, you can fly over Victoria Falls by helicopter (optional excursion, payable on site). (FMA)

Day 4 Drive to Msuna – Welcome aboard!

Travel by bus through sparsely populated inland areas and continue eastward to the Zambezi River. From Msuna, the river is navigable eastward, and here your floating home for the coming nights awaits you: the Zambezi Trader. You will be warmly welcomed aboard by the crew as the ship departs from the shore and slowly picks up speed. Settle into your cabin and then take a seat on the sun deck. The Zambezi opens up at Msuna, offering views of small islands, bays, and rolling hills stretching far into the countryside. After dinner on board, you will surely be lulled to sleep by the grunting of the hippos... (FMA)

Day 5 Water safari ...

Devil's Gorge, through which the river forces its way, offers magnificent scenery. The banks rise up as high cliffs, above which cliff eagles and Taita falcons often soar. At the mouth of the Gwayi River, your captain will look for a secluded anchorage. Those who wish to can try their luck at fishing. Maybe you'll even catch a tigerfish? (FMA)

Day 6 ... and on land

You will spend today on land. You will go on game drives in open vehicles and, with a little luck, spot buffalo, elephants, zebras, wildebeests, and other wild animals. Lunch will be a braai barbecue at a magnificent viewpoint. In one of the remote fishing villages of the Batonga tribe, you will visit the chief in his kraal. Marvel at the impressive size of one of the largest baobab trees in southern Africa before finally returning on board, full of impressions. (FMA)

Day 7 Relaxation on board

Enjoy a new day aboard the Zambezi Trader. From the sun deck and dinghy, you can look out for hippos and crocodiles as your ship approaches Mlibizi. This is where the river flows into the vast Lake Kariba. During a lecture, you will learn interesting facts about the everyday life of the people who settled around the lake as a result of the construction of the Kariba Dam. (FMA)

Day 8 Kariba

You bid farewell to the ship's crew and travel by bus to a small airstrip. A charter flight of just under an hour over the 220 km long Lake Kariba and northern Matabele Land takes you to the small town of Kariba. Here you will spend the night in a lodge high above the lake shore with a magnificent view. (FMA)

Day 9 Via Chirundu to the east

After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Mana Pools National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site). First, you will visit a viewpoint overlooking the mighty dam wall, which was built in the 1950s and rises almost 130 m above the Zambezi River. There will be time to visit a small local market. Your journey then takes you on a three-hour drive to Chirundu, from where you will reach your stylish accommodation in Mana Pools National Park after a 1.5-hour boat trip. Built on the banks of the Zambezi River, the lodge is your ideal starting point for exciting wildlife viewing over the coming days. You will go on your first game drive before sunset. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Mana Pools National Park

On safari days, it's important to get up early! After an early breakfast, an exciting game drive begins in Mana Pools National Park. Due to its remoteness, the park has hardly been developed for visitors. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, it enchants with its varied landscape characterized by giant acacia trees, large animal populations, and rare wild dogs. (FMA)

Day 11 On the prowl

A new day offers opportunities to spot animals on the sandbanks, small lakes (pools), and watercourses of the southern Zambezi bank. Between extensive safaris in the morning and afternoon hours, enjoy a relaxing siesta on the veranda of your chalet. Your afternoon safari will be crowned with a sundowner in the middle of the park. On the way back to camp, you may also encounter shy nocturnal animals... (FMA)

Day 12 Pamuzinda Lodge

After breakfast, you will bid farewell to the Zambezi. A transfer will take you to the airstrip, where the pilots of a small charter plane will be waiting for you. During the approximately 45-minute flight, the mountain ranges of the Escarpment and later the vast Mashona Land will spread out below you. From the small airstrip, it is only a very short transfer to your cozy lodge. You will end the day with dinner on the restaurant terrace. (FMA)

Day 13 Harare and surroundings

In the morning, you can visit Chengeta Primary and Secondary School (only on school days), which was built by the operators of your safari lodge. Afterwards, you can choose between various activities – would you prefer to experience the wildlife living on the lodge grounds on horseback or on foot? Or would you prefer a leisurely canoe trip on an idyllic section of the Mupfure River lined with dense greenery? Your lunch will be served today in the midst of nature under a large fig tree. In the evening, a farewell dinner with a performance of traditional local dances awaits you. (FMA)

Day 14 Goodbye, Africa!

After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to go on one last game drive on the grounds of the safari lodge. You will then be transferred to the airport, where you will say goodbye to your tour guide. You will fly to Germany overnight. (B)

Day 15 Arrival at home

Information

Included services:

Flights from/to Frankfurt in Economy Class
Charter flights Msuna (Deka Drum) – Kariba and Mana Pools – Pamuzinda Lodge in small aircraft
Travel on the Zambezi Trader from/to Msuna with 4 nights in a balcony cabin
2 nights in a stylish lodge near Victoria Falls
1 night's accommodation in a lodge on Lake Kariba
3 nights in a safari lodge in Mana Pools National Park
2 nights in a lodge near Harare
Meals as per itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner); all beverages on board the ship are included in the tour price.
Permanent German-speaking tour guide from Victoria Falls to Harare
Safaris, boat trips, activities, and sightseeing as per itinerary
Transfers in air-conditioned minibuses typical of the country
luggage carrier service
Travel Guide Zimbabwe

Not included in the price:

Visa fee for Zimbabwe (US$30, payable locally)
tips

Travel documents:

Travel documents: Passport and visa required for Zimbabwe.
Required vaccinations: Information before booking. This trip takes you to areas where malaria is prevalent. Please consult your family doctor or a tropical medicine specialist for more information.