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Golden Trails of East Africa

Golden Trails of East Africa

About This Cruise

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.

Type

River, Luxury

Ship

Zambezi Queen

Departure Date

6 August 2028

Cruise Line

AmaWaterways

Duration

16 Nights

Select Your Cabin Type
Select your cabin type
Call Us at 01 6874149

Itinerary

South Africa

Johannesburg

ARRIVE IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA. After being greeted at the airport by an AmaWaterways Representative, transfer to Fairlawns Hotel.

Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls

No summary for this day yet.

South Africa

Johannesburg

JOHANNESBURG – KASANE, BOTSWANA – ZAMBEZI QUEEN – EMBARKATION. Fly to Kasane, Botswana where you’ll be transferred to the Chobe River. Tender boats will take you to the Zambezi Queen moored on the Namibia side of the river. Settle into your stateroom and in the evening, enjoy a Welcome Cocktail Reception and Dinner. (B,D)

South Africa

Johannesburg

No summary for this day yet.

Botswana

Chobe National Park

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. (B,L,D)

Botswana

Chobe National Park

ZAMBEZI QUEEN. Join a full-day safari of Chobe National Park in open-top 4x4 vehicles. For lunch, take a seat under the trees and savor a delicious picnic. (B,L,D)

Botswana

Chobe National Park

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. (B,L,D)

Botswana

Kasane

ZAMBEZI QUEEN – DISEMBARKATION. Disembark your cruise in Kasane. (B)

Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls

No summary for this day yet.

Zimbabwe

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. (B,D)

Zimbabwe

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. (B)

South Africa

Johannesburg

No summary for this day yet.

South Africa

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. (B,L,D)

South Africa

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. (B,D)

Tanzania

Arusha

ARUSHA – TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK. Journey to Tarangire National Park, where you'll go on an adventurous safari before checking into Treetops Lodge. (B,L,D)

Tanzania

Tarangire National Park

No summary for this day yet.

Tanzania

Tarangire National Park

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. (B,L,D)

Tanzania

Tarangire National Park

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. (B,L,D)

Tanzania

Lake Manyara

No summary for this day yet.

Tanzania

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

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. (B,L,D)

Tanzania

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

NGORONGORO - SERENGETI, TANZANIA. Fly to the Serengeti and in the afternoon, go on a game drive to see the “Big Five.” (B,L,D)

Tanzania

Serengeti National Park

No summary for this day yet.

Tanzania

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. (B,L,D)

Tanzania

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. (B,L)Note: Please do not schedule your onward flight until after 6:00 p.m.

Tanzania

Arusha

No summary for this day yet.

Overview

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.

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Suite

Luxury Suite

Spacious Staterooms and Suites
Unwind in thoughtfully designed rooms with room to relax and enjoy the river views. Elegant décor and comfortable spaces create a peaceful retreat to start and end the day.

Comfort and Understated Luxury
Experience the art of subtle indulgence in every room. Soft fabrics, marble-tiled bathrooms, and thoughtful touches elevate each room into a sanctuary of effortless luxury.

  • Lower Deck
  • Luxury Suite
  • Private Balcony with Sitting Area

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    Suite

    Category SA

    Spacious Staterooms and Suites

    Unwind in thoughtfully designed rooms with room to relax and enjoy the river views. Elegant décor and comfortable spaces create a peaceful retreat to start and end the day.

    Comfort and Understated Luxury

    Experience the art of subtle indulgence in every room. Soft fabrics, marble-tiled bathrooms, and thoughtful touches elevate each room into a sanctuary of effortless luxury.

    • Lower Deck
    • Luxury Suite
    • Private Balcony with Sitting Area

    View More Images
    Suite

    Category SB

    Spacious Staterooms and Suites
    Unwind in thoughtfully designed rooms with room to relax and enjoy the river views. Elegant décor and comfortable spaces create a peaceful retreat to start and end the day.

    Comfort and Understated Luxury

    Experience the art of subtle indulgence in every room. Soft fabrics, marble-tiled bathrooms, and thoughtful touches elevate each room into a sanctuary of effortless luxury.

    • Main Deck
    • Category SB
    • Private Balcony

    regional

    Main Restaurant

    The ship has one Main Restaurant where guests enjoy a mix of international favorites and locally inspired dishes, often featuring regional ingredients and South African wines. Meals are served with panoramic river views, and vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary needs are happily accommodated.

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    Bar, Lounge

    Lounge & Bar

    This versatile space hosts a bar, dance floor, plenty of comfortable couches and big windows on three sides and is used for everything from the morning port talks, daytime reading and chatting to scenic cruising, afternoon tea and evening entertainment.

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    Pool Deck

    Pool Deck

    The top deck features an open-air Sun Deck complete with a plunge pool. Unlike a typical river cruise that travels from one port to the next, the Zambezi Queen was designed for an entirely different purpose—to facilitate optimal game viewing along the Chobe.

    Local Entertainment

    Local Entertainment

    Onboard Performances and Musical Evenings
    Throughout many voyages, the ship’s lounge transforms into a stage for local ensembles, jazz duos, and classical quartets

    Select sailings have Music Hosts, conductors and musicians who guide you through historical context, lead onboard performances, and deepen your connection with the region’s musical heritage.

    Live Regional Performances On Ship

    Even on non-themed sailings, enjoy musical offerings like local performances, curated playlists, and connections to the musical stories of the rivers you traverse.

    Shop

    Boutique

    The onboard boutique offers a variety of souvenirs for purchase.

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    Whirlpool/Jacuzzi

    Plunge Pool

    Take a cooling dip and feel refreshed while watching the passing scenery and wildlife upon the Chobe River.

    Spa

    Onboard Spa

    Indulge in the ultimate in relaxation by pampering yourself with a variety of massage and facial treatments while cruising the Chobe River, available for a nominal fee.