Zimbabwe Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
3 ships from 2 cruise lines
Zimbabwe cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 16 upcoming sailings on 3 ships from 2 cruise lines visiting Zimbabwe, calling at 1 place. Cruises can end in Victoria Falls. Of 16 upcoming sailings, 8 end there. More Africa cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare Zimbabwe cruise lines
See every Zimbabwe cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is an overland and freshwater safari destination rather than a classic ocean cruise market. Its greatest cruise moments are small-scale: sunset sails on the calm upper Zambezi at Victoria Falls, multi-day houseboat journeys on Lake Kariba, and canoe expeditions through the wildlife-rich floodplains of Mana Pools. For the mature American traveler who wants authentic, unhurried encounters and resents being herded, Zimbabwe offers dramatic landscapes, warm people, and a sense of discovery that big-ship cruising cannot match.
Typical routes
- Upper Zambezi - gentle river cruises around Victoria Falls, birdwatching, sundowners, and views of the spray plume.
- Lake Kariba and Lower Zambezi - houseboat and expedition-boat journeys from Kariba to Matusadona and Mana Pools for big game, tiger fishing, and wilderness camping.
Ports overview
Zimbabwe's cruise life is on fresh water: sunset cruises on the calm upper Zambezi above Victoria Falls, houseboat safaris on Lake Kariba, and canoe/boat expeditions in the lower Zambezi at Mana Pools. There is no ocean cruising. The 'ports' are informal riverbanks, jetties, and lake harbors.
Cruise season
May to October is the prime dry season for wildlife viewing and river cruising. November-April is greener and hotter; Victoria Falls is most dramatic after summer rains (February-May), though spray may obscure viewpoints. April and November are good shoulder months.
Find your Zimbabwe sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at Zimbabwe, earliest departure first.
11 Days One-Way from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls
Ends in Zimbabwe. Also visits Botswana
African Dream
15 Days One-Way from Johannesburg to Land Tour
Visits Zimbabwe. Also visits Botswana
Zambezi Queen
16 Days One-Way from Johannesburg to Windhoek
Visits Zimbabwe. Also visits Botswana
Zambezi Queen
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13 Days One-Way from Cape Town to Johannesburg
Visits Zimbabwe. Also visits South Africa, Botswana
Zambezi Queen
Where Zimbabwe cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (1)
Disembarkation ports (1)
Victoria Falls (16)
Ships by type: 3 river · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Plan your Zimbabwe cruise
Zimbabwe cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
Zimbabwe cruise port guide →More Africa cruises
Morocco · Egypt · Tunisia · Algeria · Sao Vicente Island Cape Verde · South Africa · Namibia · Mauritius
Frequently asked questions about Zimbabwe cruises
How many places do cruises visit in Zimbabwe?
1 Zimbabwe place are visited by 3 ships from 2 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a Zimbabwe cruise?
May to October is the prime dry season for wildlife viewing and river cruising. November-April is greener and hotter; Victoria Falls is most dramatic after summer rains (February-May), though spray may obscure viewpoints. April and November are good shoulder months.
Sources and further reading
Background on Zimbabwe draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA World Factbook: Zimbabwe - The World Factbook
- Britannica: Zimbabwe
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Matobo Hills
- Zimbabwe Tourism Authority: Zimbabwe: A World of Wonders
- Lonely Planet: Zimbabwe Travel Guide
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!