The Elephant Café experience is a three-tiered offering including a jetboat, elephant interaction and an all-inclusive dining experience that has quickly become one of Victoria Falls’ signature experiences.

The full experience has a fixed price so guests can sit back and relax over the delicious bush gourmet cuisine unique to this restaurant including wild edibles and locally-sourced fresh and organic ingredients. The Elephant Café is proudly rated the #1 Restaurant in the country and has won may awards since inception in 2016.

The trip departs just upstream of Victoria Falls departing from The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa from where clients will be observing game on the way through the National Parks in Zimbabwe on one side and the Zambian park on the other. Several rapids need to be negotiated on the way up (depending on river conditions) and shallow basalt rock channels avoiding hippos and crocodiles. The jetboat experience to The Elephant Café is approximately 30 minutes per way. On arrival clients will be met by members of a magnificent herd of rescue elephant for a once-in-a-lifetime meeting. Experience an unforgettable close encounter with these gentle giants and a hosted informative viewing of the herd around the vicinity of the venue. Once the herd retire to forage in the bush, clients are welcomed into The Elephant Café overlooking the Zambezi River for a unique dining experience. Road transfers are also available to the venue and advance reservations are essential.

Please note that all clients will be asked to sign an indemnity form before proceeding on the trip. Clients will be asked to provide an email address in order to receive a Dropbox link to complimentary photographs of their experience should the on-site photographer be available – this is not guaranteed. 

Age Restriction

Regrettably children under 4 years are not permitted at the venue. Whilst the minimum age to participate in the elephant interaction is 10 years, Guardians of Minors (under 18) will be required to sign an indemnity form on behalf of the minors.  A Guardian must accompany children under the age of 16 throughout the activity.  There is no child rate. All visitors must be able to obey safety instructions and to keep calm and quiet at all times.

Special Occasions

• The Elephant Café is a very exclusive venue that is ideal for a special occasion or private booking.
• Exclusive-use of The Elephant Café is permitted for min pay 20 guests (applicable for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner experience) and min pay 30 guests for High Tea experience.
• Birthday cakes can be arranged at additional cost.
• Please contact us directly for wedding enquiries / photography and film crew requests / other.

Private Jetboat Transfers

• Guaranteed private expeditions are available on request.
• Min Pay requirement applies.

Dresscode

• Neutral-coloured clothing is preferred for clients participating in the elephant interaction.
• Warm clothes are required for winter months.

What to Bring

• Hat and Sunglasses
• Sunscreen Lotion
• A cool, long-sleeved shirt is advised for sun protection on the jetboat experience.
• Camera

DOWNLOAD SAMPLE MENU

The Elephant Café seeks to showcase the taste and smell of the Zambezi landscape.

The palate is local, uncompromisingly Livingstone. The Chefs at The Elephant Café use local produce sourced from locals farms, markets and the wild, both ancient and modern, always keeping an eye on sustainability. The Elephant Café follows the seasons and the simple and the pure, what is fresh and traditional, characterises The Elephant Café.  Many of the wild nuts, fruits and leaves she uses are also much loved by elephants.

SAMPLE DINNER MENU

Wild Kir Royale with Sindambi Syrup Appetizer

Fire Roasted Bell-Pepper Soup with Wild Masawa Syrup, Greek Yogurt & Edible Flowers served with Homemade Ciabatta

Main

Seared Beef Fillet with Caramelized Garlic, Red Wine & Truffle Oil served with Mongu Rice & Native Quinoa, Peppery Leaves, Mixed Nuts & Cranberries with Fire roasted Butternut Squash & Minted Yoghurt.

Bondwe, Basil & Wild Mungongo Nut Ravioli served with Lemon-Infused Brown Butter (V)

Dessert

Flourless Dark Chocolate Torte served with Strawberry & Basil Ice Cream

Drinks included with The Elephant Café lunch experience are sparkling wine, red & white wine, beer, local spirits, soft-drinks and water. These drinks are available during the actual meal, any additional drinks required after teas/coffees will be for clients own account and payable directly at the Café.  The Elephant Cafe’s unique cocktails are available at additional cost.

PLEASE NOTE!

We offer a Set Menu – therefore it is essential that we are notified of any dietary requirements in advance.

Menus are subject to change with the season.

The Elephant Café concept was a unique solution in order to eliminate the era of elephant-back tourism in favour of ethical hand-reared elephant management.

Clients are invited to interact with members of the herd in a positive and secure environment with the onus of the experience to Observe, Experience, Conserve. This is a wildlife encounter like no other offering a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for observation and a personal meeting with these gentle giants.

Discover a new-found respect for elephants and receive a deeper understanding of their plight.

 The origins of Zambezi Elephant Herd are six elephants that were left orphaned after extreme drought led to culling operations in Zimbabwe in the 1960’s and 70’s. Raised with pioneering positive reinforcement techniques – these are elephants that have grown up with safe human support. During the height of the political uncertainty in 2002, the herd and many of their familiar handlers were transferred to the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park under the care of Safari Par Excellence. There is an extremely strong bond between members of the herd and their handlers. This love and respect is generously extended by the elephants to all the humans they meet. The herd receive regular visits from an advisory committee of veterinary specialists, who have assisted in all aspects of the herd dynamics including emotional and physical wellbeing – and the all-important dental check-ups! 

The Elephant Cafe meal timings are set as follows – please note that advanced reservation is essential!

BREAKFAST EXPERIENCE BY JETBOAT – MIN 6, MAX 24

*Jetboat option only

•  06.15 / 06.30 (depending on accommodation location) Livingstone town accommodation pick-up for road transfer to The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 06.30  Avani / The Royal Livingstone pick-ups for road transfer to The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 06.45 Jetboat departs The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 07.15 Jetboat arrives for Elephant Interaction
• 07.45 Café for breakfast
• 09.00 Jetboat departs back to The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 09.30 Boat arrives at The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 10.00 Clients back at their accommodation

 LUNCH EXPERIENCE BY JETBOAT – MIN 2, MAX 24

•  10.15 / 10.30 (depending on accommodation location) Livingstone town accommodation pick-ups for road transfer to The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa.
• 10.30 Avani / The Royal Livingstone pick-ups for road transfer to The David Livingstone Safari Lodge
• & Spa
• 10.45 Jetboat departs The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 11.30 Jetboat arrives for Elephant Interaction
• 12.00 Café for Lunch
• 13.45 Jetboat departs back to The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 14.15 Boat arrives at The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 14.45 Clients back at their accommodation

 LUNCH EXPERIENCE BY ROAD – MIN 2, MAX 24

•  10.45 Pick-ups start at Victoria Falls Waterfront / The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 11.00 Avani / The Royal Livingstone pick-ups, followed by Livingstone town accommodation pick up’s
• 11.30 Vehicle arrives for Elephant Interaction
• 12.00 Café for Lunch
• 13.45 Vehicle departs back to Livingstone
• 14.15 Clients back at their accommodation

HIGH TEA EXPERIENCE BY JETBOAT – MIN 6, MAX 36

•  14.15 / 14.30 (depending on accommodation location) Livingstone town accommodation pick-up’s for road transfer to The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 14.30 Avani / Royal Livingstone pick-ups for road transfer to The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 14.45 Jetboat departs The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 15.30 Jetboat arrives for Elephant Interaction and High Tea
• 17.00 Jetboat departs back to The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 17.30 Jetboat arrives at The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 18.00 Clients back at their accommodation

HIGH TEA EXPERIENCE BY ROAD – MIN 6, MAX 36

•  14.45 Pick-ups start at Victoria Falls Waterfront / The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 15.00 Avani / The Royal Livingstone pick-ups, followed by Livingstone town accommodation
• 15.30 Vehicle arrives for Elephant Interaction and High Tea
• 17.00 Vehicle departs back to Livingstone
• 17.30 Clients back at their accommodation

 DINNER EXPERIENCE BY JETBOAT (RETURN BY ROAD) – MIN 2, MAX 24

•  15.45 / 16.00 (depending on accommodation location) Livingstone town
• accommodation pick-up for road transfer to The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 16.00  Avani / Royal Livingstone pick-ups for road transfer to The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 16.15 Jetboat departs The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 17.00 Jetboat arrives at for the Elephant Interaction, Sundowners, Canapes & Dinner
• 20.00 / 20.30 Road Transfer depart back to Livingstone 
• 20.30 / 21.00 Clients back at their accommodation

 DINNER EXPERIENCE BY ROAD – MIN 2, MAX 24

•  16.15 Pick-ups start at Victoria Falls Waterfront / The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
• 16.30 Avani / Royal Livingstone pick-ups, followed by Livingstone town accommodation
• 17.00 Vehicle arrives for Elephant Interaction, Sundowners, Canapes & Dinner
• 20.30 Road transfer departs back to Livingstone – may depart earlier if required
• 20.00 / 20.30 Road Transfer depart back to Livingstone
• 20.30 / 21.00 Clients back at their accommodation

The Elephant Cafe is proudly rated #1 Restaurant in Zambia!

Please see our latest reviews on Facebook here and TripAdvisor here

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