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AmaWaterways

Zambezi Queen

Intimate ship Bliss scored

On a river cruise, you can expect to see the shoreline every day, get off of the ship every day, and enjoy a more comfortable setting with fewer passengers. AmaWaterways with its emphasis on wine and food amid comfortably stylish details has carved out a…

  • 28guests
  • 500gross tons
  • 8cruises now

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Take a river safari aboard the Zambezi Queen to see wildlife and take in the rustic vistas along Africa's Chobe River.

At a glance

Zambezi Queen is an intimate-size cruise ship operated by AmaWaterways, in service since 2009. It carries 28 guests and 30 crew (0.9 guests per crew member) at 500 gross tons. It is the 29th largest of 29 AmaWaterways ships by guest capacity. On Cruiseable's Bliss scale it scores highest for adventure & nature and staterooms (10/10) and lowest for family friendly and spa & fitness (2/10). It is rated 4.5 out of 5 by Cruiseable. It has 8 cruises on sale.

Builder's plate

Specs

Cruiseable
4.5 / 5
Guests
28
Crew
30
Gross tons
500
Decks
3
Length
150 ft
Beam
37 ft
Maiden voyage
2009
Launched
2009
Refurbished
2013
Space ratio
0.9
Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew
0.9
Cabins
14

Bliss scores

What Zambezi Queen is best at

Ten dimensions scored by our editors on a 10-point scale. The Cruiseable app ranks every cruise against the mix you care about.

  1. Active 8.0
  2. Adventure and nature 10.0
  3. Cultural 8.0
  4. Dining 7.9
  5. Entertainment 7.8
  6. Family friendly 2.0
  7. Party 5.0
  8. Romantic 8.0
  9. Spa and fitness 2.0
  10. Staterooms 10.0

Our review

Zambezi Queen: The wildlife comes to you

On a river cruise, you can expect to see the shoreline every day, get off the ship every day, and enjoy a more comfortable setting with fewer passengers. AmaWaterways, with its emphasis on wine and food amid comfortably stylish details, has carved out a special niche in the river cruise arena.  

With just 28 guests and 14 suites (all with balconies), your Zambezi Queen shipboard experience will be very different than other cruises, and despite its name, on the Zambezi Queen, you will journey on the Chobe River, not far from the Zambezi River in Botswana.

These 9-, 12-, 14- and 16-night combined cruises and land tours will give you a taste of Africa with a river twist. Your cruise originates in South Africa and takes you down the Chobe River, passing by Botswana’s Chobe National Park, known for its great concentration of African wildlife. The animals are visible on the day excursions, and also from the ship. You'll also visit spectacular Victoria Falls, stopping at either the Zimbabwe and Zambia side of the river. 

Although this small, intimate cruise ship may lack many of the features of larger ships, you are close nature and able to "safari" from the river. Much of the animal action takes place near the river, and the unique vantage point pays off.

Who will like sailing on Zambezi Queen

Sailing on the Zambezi Queen will appeal to travelers that want to get up close and personal with Africa's treasures with all the comforts of a fine hotel. 

Where Zambezi Queen sails

Home port: Kasane, Botswana

Destinations: The Zambezi Queen cruises the River Chobe, with excursions to Chobe National Park and Kasenu village. It is good to remember that the Chobe River is the destination for the wildlife in the region, so the show comes to you.

Read the full review

Dining & cuisine 

A stay on-board the Zambezi Queen includes three meals daily – a full English breakfast in the morning, buffet lunch and either a buffet or a la carte menu for dinner.

Scrumptious and mouth-watering, meals are prepared using only fresh ingredients sourced from the local markets. Breakfast offers a hearty choice of dishes with  oats cooked in cream a popular choice for those wanting a hearty start to the day. Buffet lunch offers a delectable choice including healthy options while dinner alternates between a la carte and buffet-style.

The kitchen staff are all locally trained Namibians and proud to display their skills.

The bar stocks both local and imported spirits, wine and beers. Included in the rate is all locally sourced wines, beers, soft drinks and water.

Meet new people and take in the passing landscapes of Africa from the comfort of the lounge aboard the Zambezi Queen.
Meet new people and take in the passing landscapes of Africa from the comfort of the lounge aboard the Zambezi Queen. Courtesy of AmaWaterways

Staterooms

The Zambezi Queen was refurbished in 2008, when a third deck was added and the decor was updated to fit its upscale clientele.

Fourteen suites and master suites are available on board. All suites have a balcony and are air-conditioned for passenger comfort. Meals are served in the main dining room, with dinners that alternate between buffets and an ala carte menu, prepared by the Namibian staff.

Entertainment & activities

Land-based excursions are available, as are water-based trips to view wildlife on smaller tenders. You won't have a lot of decisions to make on this cruise, the pace is tranquil, and some passengers just enjoy the views (including many types of wildlife) from the ship itself.

Your take

How about you? Have you cruised on Zambezi Queen? What was it like? Tell us about your experience and we'd love to see your photos! Show us your great wildlife photography!

Interested in a cruise on this ship?

For pricing, itinerary information and to reserve your spot on Zambezi Queen, contact a Cruiseable travel consultant by email or call 1-877-322-3773. We can usually offer a better deal than you can get by contacting the cruise line directly.

SEE ALL ZAMBEZI QUEEN SAILINGS

On board highlights

Photos

Inside and out

Dining 2

  • Take in scenic views from the dining room aboard AmaWaterways' Zambezi Queen.
    Take in scenic views from the dining room aboard AmaWaterways' Zambezi Queen.
  • Take in breathtaking views along the Chobe River in Africa while dining aboard the Zambezi Queen.
    Take in breathtaking views along the Chobe River in Africa while dining aboard the Zambezi Queen.

On board 2

  • The lounge and bar aboard the Zambezi Queen.
    The lounge and bar aboard the Zambezi Queen.
  • Hop into the pool on the sundeck of the Zambezi Queen for sightseeing like you've never experienced.
    Hop into the pool on the sundeck of the Zambezi Queen for sightseeing like you've never experienced.

Staterooms 1

  • Comfortable Western-style bathroom aboard the Zambezi Queen riverboat? Check.
    Comfortable Western-style bathroom aboard the Zambezi Queen riverboat? Check.

More photos 9

  • Take a river safari aboard the Zambezi Queen to see wildlife and take in the rustic vistas along Africa's Chobe River.
    Take a river safari aboard the Zambezi Queen to see wildlife and take in the rustic vistas along Africa's Chobe River.
  • The Zambezi Queen offers a luxurious river safari on the Chobe River where Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia all meet.
    The Zambezi Queen offers a luxurious river safari on the Chobe River where Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia all meet.
  • View elephants and other game along the Chobe River during your river cruise aboard the Zambezi Queen.
    View elephants and other game along the Chobe River during your river cruise aboard the Zambezi Queen.
  • Grab a deck chair — and perhaps your camera — to take in the sunset from aboard the Zambezi Queen.
    Grab a deck chair — and perhaps your camera — to take in the sunset from aboard the Zambezi Queen.
  • Day breaks over AmaWaterways' Zambezi Queen during her river safari on Africa's Chobe River.
    Day breaks over AmaWaterways' Zambezi Queen during her river safari on Africa's Chobe River.
  • Meet new people and take in the passing landscapes of Africa from the comfort of the lounge aboard the Zambezi Queen.
    Meet new people and take in the passing landscapes of Africa from the comfort of the lounge aboard the Zambezi Queen.
  • The dining room aboard the Zambezi Queen. Worry not, no endangered animals were hurt.
    The dining room aboard the Zambezi Queen. Worry not, no endangered animals were hurt.
  • A typical stateroom aboard the Zambezi Queen.
    A typical stateroom aboard the Zambezi Queen.
  • Passengers on Zambezi Queen take photos of a herd of migrating elephants along the Chobe River in Africa.
    Passengers on Zambezi Queen take photos of a herd of migrating elephants along the Chobe River in Africa.

Sailing now

Cruises on Zambezi Queen

Plan my cruise
  1. 14 Night Stars of South Africa 14 Night and Land Package 3 Nights Cape Town 4 Nights Wildlife 2 Nights Victoria Falls and Land Tour 14 nights · from Cape Town Next Sep 18, 2026 51 dates Fare on request
  2. 9 Night Discover Africa 9 Night and Land Package 3 Nights Cape Town 4 Nights Wildlife 2 Nights Victoria Falls and Land Tour 9 nights · from Cape Town Next Sep 18, 2026 17 dates Fare on request
  3. 12 Night Wildlife and the Falls 12 Night and Land Package 1 Night Johannesburg 4 Nights Wildlife 2 Nights Victoria Fa and Land Tour 12 nights · from Johannesburg Next Sep 20, 2026 51 dates Fare on request
  4. 16 Night Golden Trails of Africa 1 Night Johannesburg 4 Nights Wildlife 2 Nights Victoria Falls 2 Nights Johannesburg and 7 and Land Tour 16 nights · from Johannesburg Next Sep 20, 2026 51 dates Fare on request
  5. 14 Night Classic Kenya and Southern Africa 1 Night in Johannesburg 3 Night Wildlife 3 Nights in Victoria Falls and 7 Nights i and Land Tour 14 nights · from Johannesburg Next Sep 22, 2026 84 dates Fare on request
  6. 14 Night Iconic Africa and Land Package and Land Tour 14 nights · from Cape Town Next Sep 22, 2026 45 dates Fare on request
  7. 9 Night From the Cape to the Falls 3 Nights in Cape Town 3 Night Wildlife and 3 Nights in Victoria Falls and Land Tour 9 nights · from Cape Town Next Sep 22, 2026 46 dates Fare on request
  8. 9 Night Discover Africa 9 Night and Land Package 3 Nights Cape Town 4 Nights Wildlife 2 Nights Victoria Falls and Land Tour 9 nights · from Cape Town Next Mar 3, 2028 35 dates Fare on request

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