Golden Trails of Africa
Your journey begins with an overnight stay in Johannesburg (option to start with 3 nights in Cape Town). Next, fly to Kasane, Botswana and board the Zambezi Queen, your wildlife river cruise vessel on the Chobe River for the next 4 nights. Enjoy two nights at Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. From here, fly to Johannesburg for two nights at your intimate, all-suite hotel. Depart to Nairobi where a connecting flight brings you to your Tanzania safari. Enjoy two nights at three of the four luxury Tanzanian lodges: Tarangire Treetops, The Manor at Ngorongoro, and the luxury-tented Serengeti Migration Camp or Serengeti Pioneer Camp.
This river cruise journeys through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Tanzania, calling at Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Chobe River, Chobe River, Chobe River, Chobe River, Victoria Falls and Victoria Falls.
You’ll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ship Zambezi Queen.
On our cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
- 05 Mar 2028 – 22 Mar 2028
from $19,444 pp twin share * - 12 Mar 2028 – 29 Mar 2028
from $19,988 pp twin share * - 19 Mar 2028 – 05 Apr 2028
from $20,132 pp twin share * - 26 Mar 2028 – 12 Apr 2028
from $20,420 pp twin share * - 02 Apr 2028 – 19 Apr 2028
from $20,420 pp twin share * - 09 Apr 2028 – 26 Apr 2028
from $20,564 pp twin share * - 16 Apr 2028 – 03 May 2028
from $20,707 pp twin share * - 23 Apr 2028 – 10 May 2028
from $20,851 pp twin share * - 30 Apr 2028 – 17 May 2028
from $20,851 pp twin share * - 07 May 2028 – 24 May 2028
from $21,569 pp twin share * - 21 May 2028 – 07 Jun 2028
from $21,139 pp twin share * - 28 May 2028 – 14 Jun 2028
from $21,139 pp twin share * - 04 Jun 2028 – 21 Jun 2028
from $21,139 pp twin share * - 11 Jun 2028 – 28 Jun 2028
from $21,713 pp twin share * - 25 Jun 2028 – 12 Jul 2028
from $21,139 pp twin share * - 09 Jul 2028 – 26 Jul 2028
from $21,139 pp twin share * - 16 Jul 2028 – 02 Aug 2028
from $21,713 pp twin share * - 23 Jul 2028 – 09 Aug 2028
from $21,283 pp twin share * - 30 Jul 2028 – 16 Aug 2028
from $21,427 pp twin share * - 06 Aug 2028 – 23 Aug 2028
from $21,427 pp twin share * - 13 Aug 2028 – 30 Aug 2028
from $21,427 pp twin share * - 20 Aug 2028 – 06 Sep 2028
from $21,427 pp twin share * - 27 Aug 2028 – 13 Sep 2028
from $21,427 pp twin share * - 03 Sep 2028 – 20 Sep 2028
from $21,427 pp twin share * - 10 Sep 2028 – 27 Sep 2028
from $22,351 pp twin share * - 24 Sep 2028 – 11 Oct 2028
from $21,139 pp twin share * - 01 Oct 2028 – 18 Oct 2028
from $20,995 pp twin share * - 08 Oct 2028 – 25 Oct 2028
from $20,564 pp twin share * - 15 Oct 2028 – 01 Nov 2028
from $20,420 pp twin share * - 22 Oct 2028 – 08 Nov 2028
from $20,132 pp twin share *
* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Johannesburg
ARRIVE IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA. After being greeted at the airport by an AmaWaterways Representative, transfer to Fairlawns Hotel.
Day 2 – Johannesburg
ZAMBEZI QUEEN – EMBARKATION. Embark the Zambezi Queen in Kasane. Late this afternoon, enjoy the riverside scenery before your Welcome Cocktail and Dinner on board.
Day 3 – Chobe River
ZAMBEZI QUEEN. Embark on an exhilarating morning boat safari. Return to the Zambezi Queen for lunch. Later in the day, enjoy another thrilling boat safari.
Day 4 – Chobe River
ZAMBEZI QUEEN. Join a full-day safari of Chobe National Park in open-top 4×4 vehicles. For lunch, take a seat under the trees and savor a delicious picnic.
Day 5 – Chobe River
ZAMBEZI QUEEN. Visit a typical African village spending time with the village children as well as its elders followed by lunch on board. During the afternoon, you can go on a boat safari, bird watch or fish, and then cap the day off with a festive African-themed dinner.
Day 6 – Chobe River
ZAMBEZI QUEEN – DISEMBARKATION – VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE. Enjoy a morning cruise during breakfast and be on the lookout for wildlife. Afterward, transfer to the legendary Victoria Falls, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Spend the afternoon exploring the town or experience one of the many activities offered at your hotel. Later this afternoon, join a cocktail reception with appetizers aboard a vintage steam train and make your way to the Victoria Falls Bridge to watch the sunset over the Falls.
Day 7 – Victoria Falls
VICTORIA FALLS. A local guide will take you on a tour of the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls. You’ll learn about its history, and the flora and fauna that make this area so unique. In the evening, embark on a private sunset cruise along the Zambezi River. Relax on board as you observe a variety of game while enjoying a delicious mix of tapas with drinks, followed by a special dinner with live local entertainment at the hotel.
Day 8 – Victoria Falls
VICTORIA FALLS – JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA. After breakfast, you’ll be taken to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. Transfer to the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel with its parklike setting and wonderful Spa.
Day 9 – Johannesburg
JOHANNESBURG. Take a fascinating tour of Johannesburg and Soweto. Walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, visit Mandela’s former home at Sanctuary Mandela, savoring one of Mandela’s favorite meals cooked by his former at-home chef for lunch. In the evening, enjoy a multi-course dinner.
Day 10 – Johannesburg
JOHANNESBURG – KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA – ARUSHA, TANZANIA. Fly to Kilimanjaro where you will be met by an AmaWaterways Representative and transferred to the Arusha Coffee Lodge.
Day 11 – Arusha
ARUSHA – TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK. Journey to Tarangire National Park, where you’ll go on an adventurous safari before checking into Treetops Lodge.
Day 12 – Tarangire
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA. Experience the wonders of Tarangire with a full day of activities, including a morning bushwalk, an afternoon safari and a sunset drive. This is home to the highest number of breeding bird species in the world along with thousands of elephants, huge herds of buffalo, stately fringe-eared oryx and the towering kudu.
Day 13 – Tarangire
TARANGIRE – NGORONGORO, TANZANIA. Visit a local village before enjoying a game drive through Manyara National Park, home to tree-climbing lions, giraffes, cheetahs, monkeys, impalas and baboons. Be treated to a picnic en route to The Manor at Ngorongoro.
Day 14 – Ngorongoro
NGORONGORO CRATER, TANZANIA. Go on a full-day exploration to the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater. Once a gigantic volcano, it’s the world’s largest intact caldera offering a unique environment virtually unchanged since the dawn of time. The nearly three million years old caldera shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens on earth. Deep within the crater, some 25,000 large mammals wander the plains, lakes and forests. A picnic will be served on the crater floor, followed by further exploration before heading back to The Manor.
Day 15 – Ngorongoro
NGORONGORO – SERENGETI, TANZANIA. Fly to the Serengeti and in the afternoon, go on a game drive to see the “Big Five.”
Day 16 – Serengeti National Park
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA. Explore the vast Serengeti via an open safari cruiser during the morning and after lunch. It is not possible to say with any accuracy where the Great Migration of the Wildebeest will be located at any one time. There are several determining factors; however, one can be assured that if there is a good chance of seeing it, then this can be accomplished from the Pioneer Camp or Migration Camp.
Day 17 – Serengeti National Park
SERENGETI – ARUSHA, TANZANIA. Take your final safari drive in the morning, and then transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Arusha. Lunch will be served in the gardens of the lodge before your final transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or extend your journey with four nights in magical Rwanda. Note: Please do not schedule your onward flight until after 6:00 p.m.
Highlights
- Welcome reception and a free day in Johannesburg included
- Open-top 4×4 safari through Chobe National Park
- Private sunset cruise along the Zambezi River
Your journey begins with an overnight stay in Johannesburg (option to start with 3 nights in Cape Town). Next, fly to Kasane, Botswana and board the Zambezi Queen, your wildlife river cruise vessel on the Chobe River for the next 4 nights. Enjoy two nights at Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. From here, fly to Johannesburg for two nights at your intimate, all-suite hotel. Depart to Nairobi where a connecting flight brings you to your Tanzania safari. Enjoy two nights at three of the four luxury Tanzanian lodges: Tarangire Treetops, The Manor at Ngorongoro, and the luxury-tented Serengeti Migration Camp or Serengeti Pioneer Camp.
This river cruise journeys through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Tanzania, calling at Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Chobe River, Chobe River, Chobe River, Chobe River, Victoria Falls and Victoria Falls.
You’ll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ship Zambezi Queen.
On our cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Inclusions
- Hotel Welcome Reception.
- Free Day in Johannesburg.
- Afternoon Cruise.
- Transfer from Johannesburg to the ship.
- Evening Welcome Reception.
- Morning Chobe River Safari.
FAQs
Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ship Zambezi Queen.
Stateroom categories available
- Luxury Suite
- Category SA
- Category SB
How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 18 days and 17 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 05 Mar 2028 and 13 Dec 2028, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
What style of accommodation is used?
Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.
Provided by: AMAWaterwaysFine Print
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