Zambezi Queen is a 28-guest AmaWaterways river cruise ship, in service since 2009. This page lists 16 upcoming departures across 16 itineraries in Africa & Middle East, day by day and port by port.
A small expedition-size ship at 500 gross tons — #513 of 520 ships we track. 18 tons of ship per guest.
Zambezi Queen is an intimate safari rivership operating on Africa’s Chobe River between Namibia and Botswana. Built in 2009 and refurbished in 2019, the 14-suite vessel carries up to 28 guests with 22 crew. Its compact design emphasizes wildlife viewing, with river-facing suites, private balconies, an upper-deck dining room and lounge, and an outdoor pool deck. The ship is chartered by AmaWaterways for African cruise-and-land programs and is designed to drift quietly through wildlife-rich waters rather than operate like a conventional port-to-port river cruiser.
Wildlife viewing is the central experience, with panoramic river views, private suite balconies, and frequent opportunities to observe elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife along the Chobe River. The open-air pool deck and upper-deck lounge provide additional viewing areas.
The ship has an enclosed, air-conditioned main dining room on the upper deck, serving regional and international cuisine in a small-ship setting. An adjacent lounge and bar provide additional informal space for drinks and light socializing.
Entertainment is oriented toward the landscape, wildlife, and destination rather than large-scale production shows. Guests can relax in the lounge, read, enjoy the views, or use the open-air deck and plunge pool.
There are 14 river-facing suites across the lower and middle decks, generally featuring private balconies and large windows. Suite categories include standard suites and larger master suites, with reported sizes ranging from approximately 215 to 300 square feet.
The vessel is primarily an intimate safari ship for adults and multigenerational travelers rather than a family-focused resort ship. A limited number of suites can accommodate three guests, but there are no reported dedicated children’s clubs or youth facilities.
Wellness amenities are limited to the outdoor pool or plunge pool, sun deck, and relaxed open-air spaces. The ship does not advertise a full-service spa or fitness center.
The vessel has three decks and no elevator, which may present mobility limitations for guests who cannot use stairs. Prospective passengers should confirm current boarding and accessibility arrangements directly with AmaWaterways.
The ship was designed with environmental measures suited to the Chobe River, including water-jet propulsion, fuel-efficient and low-emission generators, battery operation during overnight periods, solar water heating, water-saving fixtures, biodegradable cleaning products, sewage treatment, and onboard water purification.
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| Africa & Middle East | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| From / night | $1,116 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | $1,170 | $1,405 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jump from Zambezi Queen sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.
Zambezi Queen is registered in Namibia.
Zambezi Queen carries about 28 guests with roughly 22 crew.
Zambezi Queen entered service in 2009 and was last refurbished in 2019.
At 500 gross tons and 46 m long, Zambezi Queen is a small expedition-size ship — larger than 1% of the 520 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.
