The Elephant Cafe Experience in Livingstone, Zambia
- Esther Mehesz
- Jun 7, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 4
I wanted something a little different to celebrate my 31st birthday in Zambia. Not just a hotel dinner — something memorable - granted, this whole trip has been memorable if you've been following along, but why not try another new thing here in Livingstone? I had heard about The Elephant Cafe near Victoria Falls, a place known for its rescued elephants and sunset dinners on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, and thought… why not?
Getting to the Elephant Cafe: Choppy Boat, Hippos, and the Zambezi
They pick you up right from your hotel (in our case, from the Radisson Blu in Livingstone) and take you to a nearby lodge, where you board a jet boat for a ride along the Zambezi. This part was hands down one of my favorite moments of the evening - and we hadn't even seen the elephants, and those really are my favorite!
The boat ride is about 15 minutes long — not smooth sailing, to be clear — you’ll hit a few bumps (and a splash or two) along the way, but cruising through the shallow basalt rock channels with hippos popping up beside you, birds flying overhead, and that golden hour glow? Magic. Just hang on tight - and keep your eyes open for other animals along the banks of the Zambezi River!
The Elephants: Gentle Giants and a Pretty Special Welcome
As we pulled up to the Elephant Cafe, the setting itself was beautiful — a small wooden deck tucked into nature with a relaxed, peaceful vibe. We were greeted by the staff and a professional photographer, who followed us through the evening to capture photos (shared later via a Dropbox link — complimentary).
Then came the main event: meeting the elephants.
There were three rescued elephants that evening, some older elephants, some younger, but all members of a magnificent herd of rescue elephants that had been hand-reared and now live in this protected elephant sanctuary. Feeding them was special — no rush, no crowds. Just 12–16 people in total, so you actually had plenty of time to interact with them.
They call it an unforgettable close encounter, and honestly… it was. As someone who loves elephants (most likely my next tattoo), I could watch them just roam all day, whether that be from the entrance of the hotel to the waters of Chobe, I simply can't get enough of the elephants. But these specifically were gentle, calm, massive, and humbling. You’re up close and personal with these elephants, and they most definitely are not performers. And that matters.
Dinner Time: Wild Foods, River Views & Mosquito Bites
Dinner is served on a wooden deck overlooking the Zambezi, and while the setting is stunning (you can hear hippos grunting in the water and monkeys rustling in the trees), this was also the only time on the whole trip I felt truly attacked by mosquitoes — so definitely pack the bug spray (and maybe wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants).
The meal is a set three-course dinner, a taste of the wild with local ingredients sourced from local farms, wild edibles, and even the Zambezi Fish Farm. I had emailed them ahead of time about dietary restrictions, and they were very accommodating — swapping the main meat dish for fresh fish.
Was it the most unforgettable food I’ve ever had? Not quite. But it was solid — flavorful, thoughtful, and paired with the ambiance, it hit the spot.
So… Was It Worth It?
This was one of those experiences I’d say is worth doing once. It’s not cheap (it’s a fixed-price package, including road transfers, a boat ride, elephant interaction, a photographer, and dinner), and there was definitely a lot of hype around it.
But if you’re already in the Livingstone area and looking for a unique dining experience that includes rescued elephants, river magic, and a story to tell? Go for it. Just set your expectations accordingly — and bring that bug spray.
Quick Tips Before You Go
If you're not looking to do dinner at the Elephant Cafe, you can actually do lunch with decadent high teas and a different three-course lunch as an alternative option
Reach out ahead of time with dietary needs — they’re happy to accommodate
Reservations are required for the Elephant Cafe
There is a fixed price for the dinner, and then an additional charge for alcohol
A champagne cocktail is included for a toast at the beginning of the dinner
Best way to enjoy the jet boat? Sit near the front, and prepare to get a little wet - and you do wear a life vest during the boat ride
At night, you do not ride back on the boat, but rather a little bus takes you back to Livingstone town or back to your hotel (based on location) - I don't think I would have wanted to do that boat ride in the pitch black anyway!
During the day and when you're arriving at the Elephant Cafe at 4-5 pm, it's still nice out, but don't neglect warm clothes for once it does get dark outside
And pack some mosquito spray for the evening hours as you are right on the Zambezi
You’ll get complimentary photographs from the on-site photographer (sent to your email later)
Final Thought
There’s something magical about eating dinner while watching and hearing the rumble of elephants in the distance. Maybe it wasn’t the over-the-top luxury dinner (nor had I imagined it was going to be), but it was real, intimate, and something I won’t forget. What was missing? I probably had imagined that the elephants would be right next to us throughout the dinner - probably like the famous Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya, where they feed giraffes from their breakfast table.
If you’re already exploring Zambia — whether you’ve just come back from a Chobe day trip, visited the mighty Victoria Falls, taken a walking safari in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, or hopped on a sunset cruise from the Radisson Blu — The Elephant Cafe can be a beautiful way to round out your experience. For more info or to book your own visit, head to their official website.
Turns out, the best kind of dinner guest might weigh 6,000 kilos and eat out of your hand!
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