Home | Zambia Activities | Elephant Cafe

The Elephant Cafe Experience - Zambia

A once-in-a-lifetime affair with the African elephant and an unexpected and intriguing dining experience on the banks of the upper Zambezi River

The Elephant Cafe, Victoria Falls, Zambia

The site of the Cafe on the Zambezi River banks

An elegant fine-dining restaurant built in the vicinity of an elephant sanctuary, the Elephant Cafe is exactly what its name suggests. This award winning freshly built establishment offers guests a chance to interact with the gentle African elephant, and then enjoy unique and wild flavours sourced locally in a gourmet meal. The elephants at Zambezi Elephant Trails are hand-reared, the older ones rescued from severe droughts and culling exercises done years ago, while the younger ones came from the wild or have been born into the herd. The tented open cafe is set on a wooden deck, elevated on stilts over the Zambezi River itself, and comfortably seats up to 24 people.

The Zambian experience starts with a 20-minute cruise up the Zambezi River. You will be picked up by transfer vehicle from your lodging, and taken to the jetty where a small jetboat will be waiting for you to take you to the Elephant Cafe, 10kms upstream from the Victoria Falls. Alternatively, you can take a game drive option through the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where you can see different kinds of game along the way.

Upon arrival, you will meet some of the rescued elephants and some of the younger ones which were born at the sanctuary. Spend some time feeding and playing with them while you hear stories of their lives.

You will be invited to the tented cafe for another once-in-a-lifetime experience - a fine-dining affair with unique meals prepared using wild ingredients infused with local Zambian foods. A champagne cocktail kicks off the dining experience.

"Guests will experience a fine wine list paired with first-class cuisine of a quality rarely found outside major urban centres" - The Elephant Cafe

The meals available depend on the trip: Early breakfast, Three-course Lunch, High Tea, or Three-course Dinner. Because a lot of the ingredients aren't available all year round, the menus are also seasonal, dependant on what is available. Below is a sample menu:
 

The Elephant Cafe Lunch Menu

APPETIZER
Thai-inspired Tilapia Ceviche, with Avocado, Pomelo and Roasted Peanuts
*Local ingredients sourced from Zambezi Fish Farm, Muchenje Farm, Siandunda Village & Livingstone Fruit Farm

MAIN
Sindambi Sage-glazed Roasted Pork Belly with Star Anise
Smoky Roasted Carrot & Beetroot Medley
French Potato Purée
*Local ingredients sourced from Eastwood Farm & Livingstone Fruit Farm

DESSERT
Meringue & Muchingachinga Mess with Lavender Flowers
*Local ingredients sourced from Eastwood Farm & Livingstone Fruit Farm


After your meal, spend some time listening to the sounds of the African bush, from monkeys to hippos and antelope, and take in the magic of the Zambezi River in front of you.

You will be returned to your accommodation via jetboat cruise downstream, or through the game park if that is the way you came in. Details in the table below...

Elephants by the cafe Meeting the locals Elegant settings under the tent Jetting up the Zambezi Delicious desserts Appetising and delightful Creative combinations

What to Bring

• Camera
• Binoculars
• Sunglasses
• Dress comfortably
• Insect repellent if required
• US$10 National Park fees to be paid on entry

What you Need to Know

• There are four trips available each day and guests can arrive by boat cruise or road transfer:
Duration: The boat rides take about 20 minutes. Road transfers can take between 20 and 30 minutes.

  Boat Transfer Game Drive Transfer
Breakfast Pick-up: from 6h10
Drop-off: 9h30 to10h00
(*1h45mins)
No game drive transfer for the breakfast trip
Lunch Pick-up: from 10h00
Drop-off: 14h15 to14h45
(*2h30mins)
Pick-up: from 10h30
Drop-off: 14h15 to 14h30
(*2h20mins)
High Tea Pick-up: from 14h15
Drop-off:17h45 to 18h15
(*1h45mins)
Pick-up: from 14h50
Drop-ff: 17h45 to 18h00
(*1h45mins)
Dinner Pick-up: from 15h15
Drop-off by Road Transfer: from 21h00 to 21h15
(*3h15mins)
Pick-up: 16h15
Drop-off: 21h00 to 21h15
(*3h30mins)
*These are approximate times between arrival at the cafe and departure


• Maximum group size is 24 which is the most people that can be seated at the Elephant Cafe
• Transfers from your accommodation, food and beverages are included

Children

The minimum age is 10 years of age, and children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Below is a video summary of The Elephant Cafe experience...

 



[Top of Page]



Download this 100% FREE Travel Guide with all things Victoria Falls


THE VIC FALLS BUSH TELEGRAPH
our Bi-Monthly E-Newsletter

Each issue has a destination update, loads of information about conservation and wildlife, specials offers, traveller tips, community projects, website highlights and tons more...

Find out more about our Bush Telegraph

"Your newsletter keeps me informed about new and old and is the best I've seen in a long while - informative, not commercial, just plain perfect!"  - I.Skliros

Don't worry. Your e-mail address is totally secure. I promise to use it only to send you The Vic Falls Bush Telegraph.

 

 


Return from Elephant Cafe to our Victoria Falls home page





Customer Feedback

Brilliant service and so helpful
by Sally (Blisworth, U.K.)
I stumbled across Victoria Fall Guide by accident, but I am so glad I did. Tony and Boo were so helpful, advising us on the best activities for us as I have mobility issues, and arranging our itinerary and booking everything. I had no worries about using them, or sending a very large payment to someone I didn’t know. Everything they booked for us was so well organised, pick ups on time, knowledgeable and friendly guides, clean transport. We did the walking tour of the falls, the sunset dinner cruise, full day at Chobe, the team, lion encounter and the helicopter and every single one was faultless. We were also due to do the lunar rainbow but unfortunately it was cancelled, however boo arranged the refund immediately. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone. We are so grateful to them for making our special holiday even more so.

Read more reviews or Add your own



Simunye - We are One - Live theatre show in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Click to book!
Luxury Journeys by train from Pretoria to Victoria Falls, on the Rovos Rail
Stone Dynamics Gallery in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe






Powered by SBI!

Copyright© 2008 - Tony and Boo Peel. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.