Zambezi Queen is a 28-guest AmaWaterways river cruise ship, in service since 2009. This page lists 11 upcoming departures across 11 itineraries in Africa & Middle East, day by day and port by port.
A small expedition-size ship at 500 gross tons — #559 of 566 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 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.
Venues Cabins only Both · Tap a deck to see what's on it
View the official Zambezi Queen deck plans from AmaWaterways →
| Category | Type | Cabins | Size | Decks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury SuiteOperator code LS; private balcony with sitting area. | Suite | 4 | 300 sq ft | 1, 2 |
| Category SAOperator code SA; private balcony. | Suite | 8 | 235 sq ft | 1, 2 |
| Category SBOperator code SB; private balcony. | Suite | 2 | 215 sq ft | 2 |
2 included 0 extra cost in the fare, by the line's own published policy.
| Nov 26 |
Dec 26 |
Jan 27 |
Feb 27 |
Mar 27 |
Apr 27 |
May 27 |
Jun 27 |
Jul 27 |
Aug 27 |
Sep 27 |
Oct 27 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa & Middle East | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| From / night | $1,030 | 0 | 0 | 0 | $1,144 | $1,405 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jump from Zambezi Queen sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.
| Departure | Return | Itinerary | Nights | Region | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1, 2026 | Nov 18, 2026 | 17 Nights Africa Cruise | 17 | Africa & Middle East | Book → |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | 12 Nights Africa Cruise | 12 | Africa & Middle East | Book → |
| Mar 9, 2027 | Mar 21, 2027 | 12 Nights Africa Cruise | 12 | Africa & Middle East | Book → |
| Mar 9, 2027 | Mar 20, 2027 | 11 Nights Africa Cruise | 11 | Africa & Middle East | Book → |
| Mar 11, 2027 | Mar 28, 2027 | 17 Nights Africa Cruise | 17 | Africa & Middle East | Book → |
| Mar 23, 2027 | Apr 9, 2027 | 17 Nights Africa Cruise | 17 | Africa & Middle East | Book → |
| Apr 2, 2027 | Apr 15, 2027 | 13 Nights Africa Cruise | 13 | Africa & Middle East | Book → |
| Mar 3, 2028 | Mar 18, 2028 | 15 Nights Africa Cruise | 15 | Africa & Middle East | Book → |
| Mar 3, 2028 | Mar 12, 2028 | 9 Nights Africa Cruise | 9 | Africa & Middle East | Book → |
| Mar 5, 2028 | Mar 22, 2028 | 17 Nights Africa Cruise | 17 | Africa & Middle East | Book → |
| Mar 12, 2028 | Mar 24, 2028 | 12 Nights Africa Cruise | 12 | Africa & Middle East | Book → |
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 566 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.
Dress is comfortable and casually elegant. A somewhat dressier outfit is recommended for the welcome and farewell dinners.
Meals in the Main Restaurant are included. Wine and beer with meals, soft drinks, and other standard beverages are included; premium beverages may cost extra.
Gratuities are not included in the standard fare and are left to the guest's discretion.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in staterooms and public areas where connectivity permits. Service may be affected by the ship's remote location.
The ship does not have an elevator, and some areas require stairs. Shore activities can also involve uneven ground, so guests with significant mobility limitations should seek guidance before booking.
AmaWaterways' Africa programs generally have a minimum age of 12 unless an exception is approved. The ship does not provide child-specific programs or child-minding facilities.
