Brief description
The Ra Ikane is named after an important guide called Lazarus Raikane who was an aid during David Livingstone’s expeditions of Africa, including his discovery of the largest waterfall in the world. There are three mono-hull boats in the fleet, each one designed to look like the elegant Ma Robert vessel that David Livingstone and his crew used to attempt to navigate the Zambezi Rover from the coast in Mozambique up to the Victoria Falls area.
The vessels resemble a turn of the century riverboat and boast a teak superstructure and brass fittings that epitomise Victorian splendour in Africa. Teak tables are dotted around the carpeted floor to fit three people at each, but the open plan allows guests to roam easily between them.
Two of the boats in the fleet are 16-seaters, and the one boat is a smaller 12-seater. Apart from the luxurious look and feel of each boat, their size makes them special and intimate. At certain water levels, the Ra Ikane likes to cruise through many of the smaller channels between the islands.
Breakfast Cruise
From about 6:30 am, guests are picked up from their Victoria Falls Hotels and lodges and transferred to Ilala’s jetty site to board the Ra-Ikane. Watch the sunrise over the Zambezi and capture moments as elephants and other animals come to the river to quench their morning thirst. A continental breakfast and freshly brewed coffee is included in the experience. Eats such as pastries, freshly baked bread, fruit platters, yoghurts, jams and cheeses, are served with your teas and coffees. This cruise drops off at about 9:30 am.
Lunch Cruise
Pickups begin at 11:30 am from the various hotels/lodges to Ilala’s jetty. On this cruise, refreshing drinks are served while the Ra Ikane takes you along the banks of the Zambezi. A buffet of fresh cold meats, salads and cheeses are provided by The Palm Restaurant. A fine selection of beers, spirits, wines and soft-drinks are provided in a fully stocked bar. After the cruise, guests are dropped off at around 2:15 pm.
Sunset Cruise
This is usually when most wildlife come down to the river. Hippos and crocodiles are ever-present but it is not unusual to spot elephants playing in the water or giraffe, buffalo and waterbuck grazing near the river banks. Canapés are served, along with a large range of beverages from the bar. Pick-up begins at 4 pm (summer) or 3:30 pm (winter), and guests are dropped off at about 18:30 pm.
Birding Cruise
For the bird-lovers – the Zambezi River is home to about 460 bird species, some of which are unique to the Victoria Falls area. The early morning Ra Ikane birding cruise provides an opportunity to relax and spot species such as the malachite kingfisher, the rare African finfoot, white-backed night-heron or the African Fish eagle. This is a very quiet time on the river, and there aren’t very many boats around. Teas and freshly made pastries are on the menu, along with fruit platters, cheeses and biscuits. Pickup is from 6:30 am, and drop-off is at about 9:30 am.
Duration
Approximately 2 – 3 hours.
Additional Info
No minimum age – children under 12 pay 50% and under 3 are free. Minimum of 2 people required for a booking.
Costs
Please contact us for pricing
Breakfast Cruise – US$ 85 per person.
Lunch Cruise – US$ 85 per person.
Sunset Cruise – US$ 85 per person.
Birding Cruise – US$ 85 per person.
Includes: Includes transfers from most hotels/accommodation, snacks, local drinks & River usage fees.
What to bring
Activity voucher/ticket from your agent, camera and/or binoculars (recommended), smart casual dress (warm clothing in winter), sunglasses, hat, insect/mosquito repellent, any medication that you might need.
**Please note that whilst every effort has been made to ensure the details and prices supplied above are correct, we cannot be held responsible in any way should any item/price be miss quoted.
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For package deals that include accommodation, as well as other lodges, activities and annual event participation in and around Save Valley Conservancy.
