Situated in the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, the new operation is called Wild Horizons Waterfront Adventures and offers a variety of scheduled and private charter cruises such as harbour trips, bay sails and sunset voyages. The fleet comprises the Spirit of Victoria, a traditionally designed 58-foot Gaff Rigged Schooner, Dawn, a 40-seater harbour cruise boat and Escape Cat, a 39-foot sailing Catamaran.

Wild Horizons has been in operation since 1981 and has grown into the leading tourism activity operator in the Victoria Falls vicinity over the years. It offers river cruises, helicopter flights, white water rafting, a variety of different safari types, cultural tours, zip-lining, canoeing and gorge swings. It also offers transfer services to and from nearby airports as well as between hotels and lodges.

Wild Horizons is also active at the Chobe Marina Lodge in Botswana offering various safaris, game drives and boat trips. Additionally, Wild Horizons operates The Elephant Camp in Victoria Falls as well as Old Drift Lodge and Imbabala Lodge on the banks of the Zambezi.

Gary Archer, Chief Executive, says that boat cruises at its new Cape Town business are just the beginning and, in time, it will add more activities to the portfolio. “We want to bring the same level of quality, for which the Wild Horizons brand has become world-renowned, in terms of both product and services to holiday-makers in Cape Town,” he says.

Wild Horizons Waterfront Adventures is managed by Judy Phillips, who Archer describes as having a wealth of knowledge in the Cape Town tourism activity sector as well as a strong work ethic. “She is passionate about conservation, the ocean and adventure activities and we have every confidence that she will turn the business into a great success,” he says.

Known as The Alba, the boat has been modelled on similar successful concepts in tourist cities across the world including the Bateaux London, Bateaux Parisiens, Bateaux Dubai, The Hornblower and the Melbourne River Cruises. It measures 22 metres in length with a six metre beam and will have a capacity of 72 seated guests or 100 for cocktail functions.

“It has been designed to be stable and smooth in the water, with floor to ceiling glass windows, which will ensure a comfortable dining experience with great views regardless of the weather. Additionally, The Alba is fully compliant with the safety regulations of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and the captain and crew are seasoned veterans, fully qualified to handle a vessel of this size,” Brian Seaman, CEO of Tourvest Restaurants and Taverns says.

Cruise lengths will range between one and a half and two hours, beginning with four cruises a day. Bookings are now open to experience their bubbly brunch, lunch, sunset, high tea (on Saturdays only) or dinner cruises. However, The Alba will also cater for private functions such as corporate outings, weddings or gala events.