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The 16-passenger African Dream is run by CroisiAfrica, the southern African arm of the French-based company CroisiEurope which is the largest European-based river cruise operator.
Launched in 2018 and branded as one of the CroisiEurope's "premium" ships, African Dream marked the line's first venture in Africa. It is a very comfortable vessel with a bright, airy and contemporary African-themed décor enriched with colourful locally made artifacts. All cabins on the three-deck ship face outside and are located on the lower Main Deck. They are all the same size – 183 square feet -- and there are no suites; the only difference is that two have small balconies.
The ship has one restaurant and one lounge bar, and amenities include a sun deck and a very small pool. Although the main onboard languages are French and English, all menus and printed information are available in English only. An English-speaking guide stays on the ship for the entire cruise, accompanies passengers on shore excursions and is always available to help and answer any questions.
From February through December, African Dream sails on three-night itineraries on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. These voyages are part of a fully escorted eight-night cruise–safari itinerary, which includes three nights at CroisiEurope's lodge near Chobe National Park, the second largest game park in Botswana, and a one-night pre- and post-trip stay in a hotel. An optional helicopter flight over Victoria Falls can be prebooked and pre-cruise extensions in Cape Town are available. The sailing element is very different from traditional river cruises, where ships move daily to different towns and destinations. The African Dream experience is geared toward providing passengers with the best water- and land-based sightseeing and wildlife experiences on and around the world's largest artificial lake. At 136 miles long and 25 miles wide, Lake Kariba defines a portion of the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and is dotted with more than 100 islands. It is also a very relaxing experience, as it is a "silent" vessel with no onboard announcements.
**Daytime:** There is no set dress code and the key is to opt for casual attire based around the climate. Comfortable shoes are a must for the lodge-based shore tours and getting on and off African Dream into the expedition tender. Chinos, shorts, cotton dresses and pants, and T-shirts are ideal, along with sweaters, a hat and a light rain jacket.
**Evening:** Most passengers change for dinner, but again attire is very casual and only a few folks opt for smarter clothes; jeans are fine.
**Not permitted:** Too many clothes! There are very strict baggage limitations on internal transfer flights on small planes. Only one piece of soft checked baggage is allowed per person, and bags must not be bigger than 23.6 inches in length, by 15.7 inches in height and 11.8 inches in width.
African Dream is all about providing passengers with an authentic and in-depth experience of Lake Kariba, and its surrounding nature, wildlife and local culture. It certainly achieves this with up to two daily excursions, which are all included in the fare.
Tours are accompanied by the onboard English-speaking guide. After the ship docks at different islands and bays on the lake, passengers are taken out on the excursion tender to sail in different areas, passing through an ethereal waterscape of petrified trees -- submerged when the dam was constructed between 1955 and 1959 -- and stopping whenever wildlife, such as hippos, crocodiles and elephants, are spotted. The tender is well shaded and has comfortable seats, and complimentary water, sodas, beer and snacks are always available. There is also a toilet. On sunset cruises, passengers have the option to fish (on a catch-and-release basis) and the guide serves cocktails, wine and other beverages as the sun starts to dip over the horizon. There is one early morning land-based excursion to Matusadona National Park, bordering the lake, where passengers are driven around in jeeps on a game drive by regional guides, along with the onboard guide. Minimal walking is involved, and drinks and snacks are served at the halfway point. Every time passengers leave the vessel, they hand in their keys to a crew member at the tender embarkation point. Upon return their to African Dream, passengers are given cold towels and a refreshing juice.
Daytime and Evening Entertainment
Onboard entertainment is limited, as the star of the show is Lake Kariba and the natural environment. A small library of novels in different languages can be found in the lounge, along with board games and puzzles. There are three floor-mounted telescopes which offer close-up views of the lake and its wildlife, and there is also a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, which is mainly used to publicize the next day's program. Relaxed and tired after the day's excursions, most passengers tend to head to bed straight after dinner, with a few staying up for a quiet nightcap in the lounge. On one day the crew set up a craft market on the open deck selling colourful and inexpensive locally made crafts and jewellery, which make great souvenirs and presents. They also stage an enthusiastic performance of drumming, song and dance on the last evening.
Enrichment
On one afternoon, the well-versed guide hosts an insightful "round table" gathering in the lounge to talk about the creation of Lake Kariba and its dam, wildlife, the history of Zimbabwe and answer any questions. There is a dedicated session for English speakers. The purser gives a daily predinner talk outlining the following day's program. Passengers can follow the route on a map on the Main Deck, and a recap of the following day's schedule, including meal and excursion times, is also featured on the TV screen in the lounge.
African Dream Bars and Lounges
Chobe Space (Sun Deck): By day, this area is a panoramic observation deck when the ship is sailing across the lake. It is set out with four low wooden tables, two with three chairs and the others with an L-shaped rattan settee with comfy cushions and pillows. By night it turns into an outdoor lounge, and the guide will come with a flashlight to point out any passing wildlife, such as elephants, and the glinting eyes of crocodiles on the bank and in the water. Any lake breezes keep away the bugs. It is a standout area on the ship. After dinner, with faux candles set out on the stairs and oil lamps flickering on the tables, it is absolutely magical.
Lounge Bar (Upper Deck): Situated forward on the middle deck, this attractive space with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows is the heart of the ship, and the hospitality begins with the captain's welcome and introduction to the crew at the start of the cruise. Large enough to seat all passengers on the vessel, there is a bar with four stools next to the entrance and three tables with a mix of comfortable banquette and armchair seating. It is decorated with attractive handicrafts, including a large wooden giraffe, and cool bright orange pillows decorated with stylized African animals and specially designed for CroisiEurope. (The line is probably missing a trick here, as many passengers ask if the cushion covers and ornaments on the ship are for sale. They're not!). The bar opens 30 minutes before breakfast for tea, coffee, juices and other beverages and stays open until the last passengers go to bed. All alcoholic beverages and sodas are included in the fare. Unlike CroisiEurope's European program, there is no premium drinks list which is available at extra charge. On our sailing, there was a large choice of liquors, wines and beers; however, certain choices sometimes run out, for example, there was no sparkling wine on our sailing. Due to the remote location of the ship and very limited Wi-Fi and phone signal available to crew members, it can take weeks for extra supplies to arrive. Therefore, any passengers used to getting their favourite tipple on demand should be open minded and put it down to being part of the quirks of an off-the-beaten-track and an "it's Africa" experience. Nuts, chips and biltong (African dried meat) are set out before lunch and in the early evening to snack on. There is no rest room serving the lounge or restaurant, and passengers have to use the facilities in their cabins on the deck below.
African Dream Outside Recreation
There are two small open deck areas at the front and back of the ship. The one accessed from the lounge has a pool -- jokingly described by the purser as "Olympic-sized" -- which in reality is the size of a hot tub (albeit not heated) and is a refreshing place to cool off on warm days. It is cleaned daily. There are also two tables, each with three chairs, in this area. The second area is accessed from the dining room. It has two larger tables, each with four chairs, which provide a shady place to sit outside, and beyond this area, right at the back of the vessel, are eight loungers. Upstairs is the Sun Deck, which has an attractive artificial deck covering that resembles traditional wooden decking, where passengers can stroll around briefly or sit and watch the surroundings under parasols when the ship is docked.
African Dream Services
The doors to the vessel lead to the Main Deck, and stairs lead to the Upper Deck and reception desk, which is manned during throughout the day and evening. If passengers have an emergency or need to help outside these hours, they can go to the wheelhouse on the Main Deck at any time and summon the captain, whose living quarters are situated there. There is a TV in the reception which shows the lunch and dinner menus approximately one hour before mealtimes (although on our cruise the purser preferred to announce the dinner menu as a surprise during his evening briefing). The ship does not have a lift and all decks are reached via flights of wooden stairs -- 12 steps in each case from the Main Deck to the Upper Deck and then on to the Sun Deck. Ice is freely available from the bar during opening times. Smoking is only allowed in designated outside areas on the Upper Deck and Sun Deck where ashtrays are provided. The ship does not have a laundry and there is no Wi-Fi available for passengers, satellite TV, nor -- for most of the time -- any phone signal while on Lake Kariba. The ship carries a first-aid kit, which is taken out on all excursions. However, passengers with medical conditions and mobility issues need to consider the remote and active nature of elements of the trip.
Meals are of a consistently good standard. Lunch and dinner menus are set and there are no a la carte offerings, meaning the line can keep a close eye on food budgets and cut down on wastage. Breakfast is a self-serve buffet, with eggs available to order, and lunch and dinner are waiter-served. Memorably, lunchtimes and dinnertimes are heralded by crew members beating African drums.
Despite the fixed menu set up, any dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, gluten-free and other food intolerances, can be catered for. However, passengers should advise of any restrictions at the time of booking rather than when on the ship. Due to the nature of the destination and cruise, African Dream stocks up with supplies at the beginning of the sailing and cannot pick up anything additional once the voyage is underway.
Passengers can expect a tasty range of regional and international dishes, often with a French influence. Sometimes the vegetarian option comprises the dish served to other passengers with the meat or fish element missing! The team of wait staff were always smiling, cheerful and helpful. One day we asked if we could break with the norm and eat lunch at one of the alfresco tables beside the dining room and they were happy to oblige and moved the table settings outside. There is no self-serve tea and coffee station; however, passengers can order beverages at any time during the day. Although the bar opens before breakfast for tea, coffee and juices, any crew members who are up and about will happily get passengers a drink before this time.
Restaurant (Upper Deck): African Dream's one restaurant is located aft on the Upper Deck. Depending on the number of passengers, the dining room is configured with two tables to seat the maximum capacity of 16 or one long communal table, if the ship is not completely full. It is a very light venue, with large panoramic windows on three sides so you don't miss any passing views -- or wildlife -- during mealtimes. There is one buffet station for breakfast and the table -- or tables -- are laid out with crisp linen and sparkling glassware.
Breakfast times vary depending on the excursion schedule and will typically last from 45 minutes to one hour. The earliest breakfast begins at 6 a.m. and the latest 7 a.m. It includes pastries and breads -- all freshly cooked onboard -- along with fresh fruit, juices, yogurt, cereals, cheeses and cold cuts. Sometimes there are additional specialty items, such as African-style beef sausages. Any-style eggs are made to order and tea and coffee is served to the table.
Lunch is usually around 12:30 p.m., again with times varying slightly to accommodate the tour program. Reflecting the line's French heritage, this is often the largest meal of the day with four courses, including a cheese plate, and is a leisurely affair with passengers lingering to chat over coffee and tea, served to the table afterward. Lunch might be an appetizer of vegetable quiche with yogurt sauce, an entrée of tilapia fish served with a salsa sauce, rice with chopped vegetables and ratatouille, followed by cheese and then chocolate mousse.
Dinner usually begins at 7:30 p.m., and a typical three-course menu is Greek salad, beef filet with masala butter, sweet potatoes and green beans, with date and caramel cake served with custard for dessert, followed by coffee and tea. The meal on the final evening includes an additional cheese course. The menus were imaginative and well presented, and accompanied by a choice of quality South African wines (red, white and rose), with a different red wine -- merlot, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz -- featured at each dinner.
The ship has eight lake-facing cabins that are all located on the lower Main Deck. The predominantly grey-and-cream cabin features décor that is light and modern: African wood fittings, striking regional photographs of people and places on the walls, and local artefacts on the dressing table.
All cabins measure 183 square feet and can be configured as singles or doubles. They have panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows that slide open over a French balcony, where you can look out but not step out. There are also sliding inner mesh blinds to keep out any bugs. The beds all face the window overlooking the view (we often wonder why more river lines don't do this).
Standard amenities include climate control, flat-screen TV, plug-in hair dryer and safe. African Dream has a water purification unit, but drinking tap water or using it for brushing teeth is not advisable. Two bottles of still water are placed by the wash basin and replenished as needed, and extra bottled water is readily available. Each cabin has a large mirror over the dressing table and a narrow mirror running the width of most of the wall above the bed head. There is no full-length mirror. The main closet is divided into various sections: a half-length hanging space with fixed wooden hangers and a safe below, and four open shelves, one of which is used to stow life jackets. There are two storage units below the dressing table area and useful storage space on a shelf running the length of the bedhead. There are also two stools at the end of the bed. Additionally, aside from cabins 107 and 108, there is a small corner desk unit with a padded stool beneath. There is also room to stow bags beneath the beds.
Cabins are accessed with a traditional key, on a neat African-themed fob, which are handed in when passengers go on excursions. The electrical sockets in the cabin are compatible with European and South African plugs. Plug sockets are conveniently located by the bed, above the desk area and inside the bathroom.
Cabins are well lit and include individual bedside reading lights and a night light. The TV has no satellite connection and just two channels. One is used to showcase other CroisiEurope itineraries and the second is used to screen the daily program and an English-language movie after dinner. These films are African-themed and might include "Out of Africa" and "The Last King of Scotland."
The bathrooms have a large vanity with three shelves and a mirror above with good lighting. There is a good-sized storage unit and three open shelves below the basin. The shower unit, which is surprisingly large, has an opaque sliding glass door and both a fixed/hand-held head and a rain shower head. The water pressure is very good and the shower also has a three-tier rack for soap and other toiletries. A large bottle of Afrique branded liquid hand soap and small bottles of shampoo (see note below), conditioner, shower gel, lotion, soap bar and shower caps are provided and replenished as required. Very thoughtfully, a tube of insect repellent is also supplied. In addition to brown bathroom towels and facecloths, lightweight cotton robes are available, along with blue towels, which are for use in the pool and on the loungers.
African Dream does not have any suites; however, cabins 107 and 108 are situated at the front of the ship, with the wheelhouse in between, and each has a small balcony with room for a table and two chairs. As double aspect cabins, with panoramic windows overlooking both the side and front of the ship, they afford great views.
There are no wheelchair-accessible cabins.
Note: On our cruise shampoo had run out and supplies were not expected for several weeks due to the vagaries of the supply chain. Therefore, it is advisable to bring your own, along with any other toiletries that you deem essential.
