By Kim Barnett
9 January 2026
Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort has added a fresh new experience to the Zambezi River, launching its newest cruise product with the debut of a Sunday lunch roast on 9 January 2026. Designed to expand river-based dining beyond the traditional sunset cruise, the new offering signals a confident step forward for product innovation on the Zambian side of the Zambezi.
Africa’s Eden was proud to attend the inaugural sailing, which marked the first official launch of what is expected to become a sought-after addition to Livingstone’s leisure and MICE market.
The cruise meanders past the Mosi-oa-tunya National Park in Zambia and the Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe, along with a generous buffet-style Sunday roast, allowing guests to enjoy both wildlife viewing and a leisurely lunch in one seamless experience. The menu set the tone for the product’s ambitions, featuring sliced roast beef served with rich gravy, roast chicken pieces, Zambezi bream, golden roast potatoes, roasted vegetables and a wide selection of fresh salads, including Caesar salad, citrus broccolini and smoked trout. A dessert spread rounded off the meal, offering plenty of indulgent options for guests to enjoy as the boat cruised gently upstream.
As with Radisson’s established river cruises, a full bar service is available throughout the journey, offering a wide selection of soft drinks, wines, spirits and mocktails for guests to purchase. The cash-bar format gives guests flexibility while keeping the experience easy to sell and appealing to both leisure travellers and groups.
The launch was attended by a cross-section of Livingstone’s tourism and civic leadership, including Zambia’s Honourable Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, the Mayor of Livingstone, Constance Nalishebo Muleabai, and Eunice Nawa, District Commissioner for Livingstone. Radisson Hotel Group’s Commercial Director, Nicola Storkey, introduced the resort’s newly appointed General Manager, Peter Tichy, who in turn welcomed the Honourable Minister and distinguished guests, alongside Executive Chef Lindsay Venn, setting a confident and celebratory tone for the inaugural cruise.
Media from Daily Mail, Zambezi FM, Power FM and Radio Mosi-oa-Tunya were also on board, along with several Livingstone-based travel agents who will be key to bringing this product to market.
In his remarks, the Minister highlighted the importance of diversifying tourism offerings in Livingstone and making better commercial use of existing assets. He emphasised that river vessels, like aircraft, generate value only when they are actively operating, and welcomed this new daytime cruise as a practical example of innovation that strengthens both visitor choice and local economic returns.
The setting could not have been more fitting. A warm January afternoon brought with it sightings of hippo, elephant and an abundance of birdlife, while a gentle breeze offered welcome relief from the summer heat. The relaxed pace of the cruise allowed guests to enjoy the scenery, socialise and sample the full menu, reinforcing the appeal of the experience as both a leisure activity and a marketable tourism product.
The new cruise operates from the Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort, which sits within the protected wilderness of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, on the outskirts of Livingstone and just ten minutes from Victoria Falls. The 200-room resort offers a full suite of amenities including a spa, fitness centre, family facilities, conference centre and its own river cruiser fleet, making it well placed to support both leisure and business travel in the region.
With strong early interest from agents and media alike, the Sunday roast cruise is likely to turn into more than a once-a-week novelty. For trade partners, it represents a fresh, easy-to-sell experience that adds depth to Livingstone itineraries and extends the commercial potential of the Zambezi beyond sunset.
