2025 Set Departures- The MV Zambezi Trader
The first 3-night set departure from Friday to Monday will start on the 16th of May 2025 and the last on the 28th of November 2025. Then the following year, start again on the 23rd of January 2026.
The MV Zambezi Trader will be based at the top end of Lake Kariba at Msuna Island, This is 35 Kilometres upstream from the mouth of the lake and into the mighty Zambezi River. This, Zambezi River into Lake Kariba cruise set-departure from Msuna Island near Victoria Falls, is now a true Zambezi River and Lake Kariba Cruise combination.
Zambezi River Cruise Set Departure Details
3-Night Set Departure: We will be running a 3-night cruise Friday – Monday from May -November 2025
2-Night Set Departure: We will be running a 2-night cruise on Mondays to Wednesdays and Wednesday to Friday on Specific mid-week dates.
Land Based Activities : These range from Guided walks of 2 hours to Game Drives of 3hours and/or combo Chiefs village cultural tour of 3-4 hours.
Air Transfers: Air transfers from 2025 are with Mac Air and/or Grand Air from Victoria Falls International Airport to Deka Drum Airstrip, approx. 35 minutes. Road transfers from Deka Drum to Msuna Island Harbour is approx. 25 minutes.
Road Transfers: From Victoria Falls International or Victoria Falls Town departing at 07.30 AM to Msuna Island. On return depart Msuna at 9.AM on the last day of the Lake Kariba Cruise.
The journey by road is approximately 3 hours from Victoria Falls Town, 2 hours 30 minutes from Victoria Falls International Airport and 3 hours from Hwange Main Camp.
3-Night Lake Kariba/Zambezi River Cruise Itinerary below:
Day 1
- Arrive at Msuna Island Harbour and board tender boats between 10 and 11 AM
- Cruise to main vessel and board Zambezi Trader
- Cruise 4-5 Hrs to islands of Elephant Bay
- Lunch on board followed by an afternoon tender boat activity exploring Elephant Bay and its wildlife/birdlife and or fishing.
- Sundowners and return to the main vessel at sunset Dinner onboard.
Day 2
- Wakeup Call and Breakfast
- Morning Tender boat activity exploring inlets and bays for wildlife/bird spotting/fishing or set off on a game drive and visit to the local community and the Chief’s Kraal
- Return to the Main Vessel and cruise to Gwai River estuary.
- Lunch on board the Main Vessel
- Board the Tender boats for Afternoon Game Viewing/Fishing
- Sundowners or take a walking safari along the Gwai river shoreline.
- Head back to the Main Vessel for a Surprise Beach barbecue dinner this evening (weather permitting and subject to water-levels)
Day 3
- Wakeup Call and Breakfast
- Morning activities of Game viewing/birding and fishing and/or a walk or game drive in the surrounding areas
- Lunch on board before Exploring the birding and wildlife of the “Little Kariba” area.
- Sundowners & Return to Main Vessel
- Dinner on Board the Main Vessel
Day 4
- Wakeup Call and Breakfast on board as we head cruise back.
- Disembark at Msuna Island by 9AM
