The Elephant Café is an exciting offering with the area located approximately 10 kilometres upriver from the Victoria Falls at Zambezi Elephant Trails. The guests’ experience begins when they board a boat to cruise upriver from Victoria Falls, keeping an eye out for wildlife in the national parks that border each side of the Zambezi River.

But it is when they step out into the elephant sanctuary that the magic really begins. There they are greeted by elephants of all ages. On arrival you start with elephant interaction and guests can stroke them, feed them, pose for photos with them — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact this closely with elephants.

Then, as they are invited up onto a beautifully-appointed deck suspended over the Zambezi River and handed a champagne cocktail, the guests’ attention gets pulled in a new direction. There are only enough tables for twenty-four guests at the Elephant Café. Each table is adorned with white linen tablecloths, sparkling glasses, and a singular view out across the river. The meal is prix fixe, so guests can sit back and relax over the delicious “bush gourmet cuisine” unique to The Elephant Café.

This exclusive restaurant only uses wild and locally-sourced fresh ingredients, therefore its fine dining menu changes according to the seasonal produce that is available at any given time. Guests will experience a fine wine list paired with first-class cuisine of a quality rarely found outside major urban centres. Afterwards, they can linger over cappuccinos as they listen to the bush-speak of the animals and birds all around them, satisfied that this was an opportunity they could never experience anywhere else.

The Café is built on a deck over the Zambezi River and offers various meal options are available from early morning breakfast to three-course lunches, decadent high teas and a three-course dinner. The food is prepared using fresh local ingredients, with a strong focus on wild edibles, and thus the menu will change with the seasons.

Transfers

Guests can arrive by boat or road transfer.

1. Boat

The boat ride takes approximately 20 minutes, but may take longer if wildlife is spotted along the way. The boat will depart from David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa jetty.

2. Road

Road transfer from Livingstone town / lodges take approximately 20 – 30 minutes. Times are dependent on where clients are staying and how many pick-ups there are on the day, therefore may vary slightly.

General Information

• Minimum 2 people – Maximum 24 people
• No upper age limit. Minimum age is 10 years and all under 18 year olds need to be accompanied by parents/guardians.
• There is no child rate
• The Breakfast option is only available by boat
• All participants must receive the safety briefing and sign an indemnity form before embarking on an activity
• Special dietary requirements need to be communicated in advance.
• All clients on this activity are covered by Specialty Emergency Services (S.E.S) through Safpar; However, this only covers threatening situations. It does not cover hospitalisation and medication. As such all guests must have travel and medical insurance cover.

Excursions Includes

• Return transfer by Road or by Boat from the David Livingstone Jetty
• Breakfast, lunch, High Tea or Dinner – Depends on the option booked
• A selection of local brands drinks included
• Elephant Interaction (No rides)

What you need to bring

• Camera
• Hat/Cap, sunglasses
• Sunscreen and mosquito repellent
• Neutral coloured clothing recommended

Pick up times from various hotels and lodges

• Boat / Elephant Interaction / Breakfast – Pick up 06:10 and back by 09:30 to 10:00
• Boat or Road / Elephant Interaction / Lunch – Pick up 10:00/10:30 and back by 14:30/45
• Boat or Road / Elephant Interaction / High Tea – Pick up 14:15/14:50 and back by 18:00/18:15
• Boat or Road / Elephant Interaction / Dinner – Pick up at 15:15/16:15 and back by 21:15