Stars of South Africa

14 days
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3.7/5 Great
39 reviews  
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River Cruise
Your journey begins with a three-night stay in picturesque Cape Town. Next, fly to Kasane, Botswana to begin your Zambezi Queen safari cruise on the Chobe River. Explore Chobe National Park, home to one of the densest populations of wildlife on the African continent. Spend two nights at the legendary Victoria Falls before flying to Johannesburg for two nights...
From$12,595
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Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Enjoy 3 nights in Cape Town, followed by a 4-night safari cruise & 2 nights In Victoria Falls
    • Experience 2 nights in Johannesburg & 3 nights at a luxury safari lodge in Greater Kruger National Park
    • Enjoy safari of Chobe National Park by open top 4x4 vehicle
    • Visit Zambezi Queen
    • Discover Cape Town

What's this trip about?

    Your journey begins with a three-night stay in picturesque Cape Town. Next, fly to Kasane, Botswana to begin your Zambezi Queen safari cruise on the Chobe River. Explore Chobe National Park, home to one of the densest populations of wildlife on the African continent. Spend two nights at the legendary Victoria Falls before flying to Johannesburg for two nights that includes a visit to the township of Soweto. Then fly to Hoedspruit, located in the game-rich country of Greater Kruger National Park. Spend three nights at a luxurious game lodge in this premier eco-tourist destination, known for some of the best “Big Five” viewing in Africa. Experience the thrill of daily game drives, while evenings bring you breathtakingly clear skies.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range36 to 64 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityCape Town
End CityJohannesburg

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Safari
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Activities

  • Bird watching
  • Culture
  • Festivals & Special Events
  • Game drive
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Nature
  • River cruise
  • Safari
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Wine Tasting

Trip includes

    • Cape Town Arrival airport transfer
    • 3 nights at the luxurious Cape Grace hotel in upgraded Table Mountain View Rooms including daily breakfast
    • Welcome Reception with drinks and tapas
    • Full day Cape of Good Hope tour including African Penguin encounter and local lunch with drinks
    • Cableway to the summit of Table Mountain
    • Cape Winelands tour including tastings and lunch OR guided visit to Robben Island follwed by lunch and tour of Cape Town’s diverse neighborhoods Zambezi Queen 4-night accommodations in balcony suite
    • Chobe National Park safari
    • Boat safaris along the banks of the Chobe River
    • Visit an African village
    • African-themed dinner
    • All meals included during the cruise with complimentary wine and beer Victoria Falls 2-night stay at the Victoria Falls Hotel in upgraded Stable Wing Rooms including daily breakfast
    • Sunset cocktail reception aboard a historic steam train to Victoria Falls Bridge, followed by dinner
    • Guided tour of Victoria Falls National Park
    • Exclusive Zambezi River Sundowner Cruise Johannesburg 2 nights at the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel in a Grand Chateau Suite Room including breakfast daily
    • Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert presentation followed by a special multi-course dinner, including South African wines
    • Johannesburg and Soweto tour with lunch Kruger National Park Area 3 nights in a suite at Tintswalo Safari Lodge, an exclusive luxury safari lodge
    • Daily morning, afternoon, and evening game drives
    • No more than 6 guests per safari vehicle on all game drives
    • All meals, drinks and laundry included at the lodge

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Arrive In Cape Town

After your airport greeting by an AmaWaterways Representative, transfer to your hotel. Your Tour Director hosts a Welcome Reception at 6:30 pm. (WR)

Day 2: Cape Town

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Your full day exploration on one of the world’s most beautiful drives takes you southeast along the Atlantic seaboard past the 12 Apostles, Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak. Stop at the Cape of Good Hope, first rounded in modern times in 1...

Day 3: Cape Town

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Choose from two sightseeing options today: The first option is to take a cableway up Table Mountain for spectacular views from the summit. Then head out to the scenic Cape Winelands, which comprises the Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and P...

Day 4: Cape Town – Zambezi Queen – Embarkation

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

ly to Kasane, Botswana via Johannesburg. Here you will be transferred to the Chobe River where tender boats will escort you to board the Zambezi Queen. This afternoon, enjoy the view as you settle in on the river before a Welcome Cocktail and Dinner on board the vessel.

Day 5: Zambezi Queen

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning embark on a boat safari to explore the Chobe River’s spectacular game viewing. Then journey back to the Zambezi Queen for lunch and time to relax on board. Later today, enjoy a slightly different version of a rive...

Day 6: Zambezi Queen

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Join a full day safari of Chobe National Park in open-top 4x4 vehicles. Chobe National Park is home to one of the most dense populations of wildlife in Africa. Be on the lookout for elephants, giraffe, zebra, sable, warthog an...

Day 7: Zambezi Queen

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning, enjoy an unforgettable visit to a typical African village to experience the local culture first hand. Spend time with the children of the village as well as its elders and learn about their day-to-day life. After...

Day 8: Zambezi Queen – Disembarkation – Victoria Falls

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Transfer to legendary Victoria Falls, one of the greatest natural wonders on earth. Spend the afternoon exploring the town or experience one of the many activities offered at your hotel. This evening you have a special dinner and meeting with Africa’s “gentle giants.”

Day 9:

Victoria Falls

Meals: Breakfast

Join a local guide for a tour of remarkable Victoria Falls, more commonly referred to as the smoke that thunders. The afternoon is free. Relax and enjoy the amenities and grounds of your iconic hotel, walk into town for a little shopping or take an optional outing. Tonight, embark on a private and festive Sundowner cruise complete with drinks and tapas, along with music.

Day 10: Victoria Falls – Johannesburg

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. Before dinner, gather with a Local Expert for an informative discussion on the day to day life of the South African bushmen in the Kalahari Desert followed by a special dinner.

Day 11: Johannesburg

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Head out this morning for a fascinating look at Johannesburg and the rich history it has to share, from colonialism to apartheid, and finally democracy. Get an in-depth look at Soweto, the center of the uprising against the apartheid ...

Day 12: Johannesburg – Kruger National Park Area

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning fly to the Greater Kruger National Park, where you’ll be transferred to a private game lodge, luxurious Tintswalo Safari Lodge. Later, set out on an afternoon game drive in search of the country’s “Big Five” and other native wildlife. Tonight you will enjoy your first dinner at the lodge.

Day 13
:

Kruger National Park Area

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Begin your day with an early morning game drive. Your open-air vehicle is the perfect means to explore this private game reserve, located just a stone’s throw from the game-rich Kruger National Park. The rest of the morning ca...

Day 14: Kruger National Park Area

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Enjoy two exhilarating game drives today, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, as well as ample leisure time to relax and enjoy your game lodge accommodations. Tonight, after dining with your fellow travelers, the evening is yours to read, socialize, or simply gaze up at the stunning star-filled African sky.

Day 15: Kruger National Park Area – Johannesburg

Meals: Breakfast

Early this morning, you’ll have your final game-drive before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg for your connecting flight home. Please do not schedule onward flight before 4:30 pm.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $12,595
Price per day$900
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with AMA Waterways.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

AMA Waterways Reviews & Ratings

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Tour Operator

AMA Waterways

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AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising.

AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy. All Three brought tremendous experience, knowledge and dedication to the venture. Rudi was one of river cruising’s pioneers, having introduced the modern-day river cruise concept to the market. Kristin brought with her vast sales and customer service experience. And Jimmy Murphy is the founder and former owner of Brendan Vacations. Their combined expertise and passion for the river cruise business results in a river cruise vacation experience that will exceed expectations. With more than 20 different itineraries to choose from, the river cruise vacation of a lifetime awaits with AmaWaterways!

At AmaWaterways, we love what we do — providing our guests with the best travel experiences possible. In fact, “Ama” is derived from the Latin word for “love.” It is a concept that permeates every aspect of our river cruises, from the design of our ships to the development of our itineraries to the high levels of service we deliver to our guests. It is a philosophy that drives our attention to detail, constant innovation and culture of always making our guests our top priority. It is the reason our guests all have a story about why it was the best cruise they’ve ever taken.

What they’re known for
All-inclusive luxury river cruises in Europe and Asia that offer a high level of service and attention to detail.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Ship & cabin information
Zambezi Queen
With a design specific for safari river cruising on the Chobe River, the 28-passenger Zambezi Queen offers a sophisticated onboard experience designed to maximize animal sightings. Your comfort is ensured when staying in any of the 14 air-conditioned balcony staterooms (which range up to 300 sq. ft), all decorated in contemporary style. The air-conditioned top deck of the ship offers a dining room, lounge, bar and pool area for your comfort. Enjoy game watching from your stateroom, or visit the top deck for a beverage, sun bathing and more game watching. Peruse the library of books, enjoy a board game and explore the riverbanks of the Chobe River on the Zambezi Queen.
Built: 2009 Renovated: 2015 Built in: Namibia Length: 150 feet Width:  25.6 feet Crew: 22 (African) Staterooms: 10 Suites:  4 Registry: Namibia Home port: Kasane
Deck Plans:
Cancellation policy

In the unfortunate event a participant must cancel travel, notice to AmaWaterways must be via email to Res@AmaWaterways.com, which must include a return receipt and read notation, or other writing stating clearly and correctly each guest’s name, ship name, start and end date of the cruise and a brief statement of the reason for cancellation. Other forms of notice are not sufficient. The effective date of the cancellation is the date we receive the written cancellation notice. Name changes, a substitution of a participant or a reduction in the number of guests in a stateroom are treated as a cancellation in that all applicable cancellation charges apply. Cancellation charges for bookings within charter and part-charter agreements are as per the charter contract. All other cancellation charges are per-person, based on the cancellation date, as follows:

More than 121 days prior to departure

Cruise & Land Cancellation Charge: $200 (Europe & Asia) $1,200 (Africa)

Airfare Cancellation Charge (Economy Contract fares): $350 penalty

Airfare Cancellation Charge (Business/First Class Contract fares): $600 penalty

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

14 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches and 8 Dinners

Age Requirements
36 to 64 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
traveltalktours-StaSouAma

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