Evening cruises on the Zambezi are really what a stay in Livingstone is all about: tranquil, and picturesque, the perfect way to relax after a long-haul flight or a tiring safari. If you are staying at one of the secluded river-side lodges just outside Livingstone, a cruise will usually be included as part of your stay.

This normally involves setting out in the cool of the later afternoon on a small boat to explore the banks and open waters close to your accommodation. The route will inevitably take you inside the area of the Mosi-Ao-Tunya National Park on the Zambian side of the river, where giraffe, antelope and elephant are present in good numbers, particularly for such a small park. Of course, animals don’t recognise the boundaries of the park, so you will also see plenty of wildlife come down to the river close to your lodge, especially elephants. A cool box containing the drink of your choice and a selection of pre-dinner snacks will usually be taken on board, with the engines switched off as the sun begins to set so that you can enjoy a beautiful scene that has been unchanged for centuries.