Golden Trails of East Africa

17 days
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3.7/5 Great
39 reviews  
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Small Ship 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...
From$14,495
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Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Visit most beautiful national parks like Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park and Tarangire National Park.
    • Explore Arusha
    • Enjoy fascinating look at Johannesburg
    • Enjoy the glorious Victoria Falls commonly referred to as the smoke that thunders.
    • Visit Chobe National Park
    • Opportunity to experience 4-night safari cruise & 2 nights in Victoria Falls, 2 nights in Johannesburg, 7 nights at Tanzanian

What's this trip about?

    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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Details

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

Travel Themes

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

Destinations

  • Africa
  • South Africa
  • Botswana

Attractions

  • Arusha
  • Chobe National Park
  • Johannesburg
  • Lake Manyara National Park
  • Nairobi
  • Ngorongoro Crater
  • Serengeti National Park
  • Tarangire National Park
  • Victoria Falls
  • Zambezi River

Activities

  • Bird watching
  • Culture
  • Game drive
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Nature
  • River cruise
  • Safari
  • Wildlife viewing

Trip includes

    • Johannesburg Arrival airport transfer
    • 1 night at the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel, in a Grand Chateau Suite including breakfast Zambezi Queen 4-night accommodations in a balcony stateroom
    • Chobe National Park safari
    • Private boat safaris along the banks of the Chobe River
    • Visit to African village for a cultural interaction with the community
    • 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, including breakfast daily
    • Presentation and discussion focusing on the day-to-day life of the South African bushmen
    • Special multi-course dinner with wine
    • Johannesburg and Soweto tour with lunch Tanzania Safari Lodges 1 night at Arusha Coffee Lodge
    • 2 nights at Tarangire Treetops
    • 2 nights at The Manor at Ngorongoro
    • 2 nights at Serengeti Migration Camp or Serengeti Pioneer Camp, both luxury tented camps
    • Day room at Arusha Coffee Lodge on your last day
    • Daily game drives with no more than 6 guests per vehicle
    • All meals, drinks and laundry service included

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Arrive In Johannesburg

Welcome to Africa! Upon arrival, you will be met by an AmaWaterways Representative and transfered to your hotel.

Day 2: Johannesburg – Zambezi Queen – Embarkation

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

After breakfast, fly to Kasane, Botswana where you’ll board the elegant Zambezi Queen on the Chobe River. Late this afternoon, enjoy the riverside scenery before your Welcome Cocktail and Dinner on board.

Day 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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 6: Zambezi Queen – Disembarkation – Victoria Falls

Meals: Breakfast  and Dinner

Transfer to legendary Victoria Falls, one of the nature’s greatest natural wonders. Settle into your hotel and 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 an encounter with Africa’s “gentle giants.”

Day 7: 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 for independent activities. Relax and enjoy the amenities of your iconic hotel, walk into town or perhaps ta...

Day 8: Victoria Falls – Johannesburg

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

After breakfast, a flight to Johannesburg brings you to the largest city in South Africa. After arriving at your hotel, settle into your suite and relax in the park-like setting. Before dinner, gather for an informative discussion on the day-to-day life

Day 9: 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 10: Johannesburg – Arusha

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Fly to Arusha, via Dar es Salaam, Tanzania where you will be met by an AmaWaterways Representative at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfered to the Arusha Coffee Lodge. The lodge provides a peaceful and calming retreat before you start your Tanzanian safari.

Day 11: Arusha - Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Enjoy a scenic drive to Tarangire. Take an afternoon safari drive, followed by a visit to Masai village. Spend two nights in a Tree House that rests on the branches of thousand-year old marula and baobab trees overlooking Treetops’ private reserve.

Day 12: Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Enjoy a full day of activities including game-drives, and a sunset drive in the bush. The meals at Treetops are also their own unique experiences to be enjoyed.

Day 13: Tarangire - Ngorongoro, Tanzania

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a game-drive and picnic lunch. Then on to the renowned Ngorongoro Manor.

Day 14: Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

You’ll enjoy a full day of exploration of the Ngorongoro Crater. Once a gigantic volcano, it is the largest intact caldera in the world and shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens on earth. A picnic hamper lunch wil...

Day 15: Ngorongoro - Serengeti, Tanzania

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast you will be transfered to Manyara Airstrip for your Serengeti flight. Upon your arrival you’ll enjoy a game drive en route to the luxurious camp where your lunch will be served. This afternoon, it is time for another drive.

Day 16: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today you’ll have two game drives exploring the vast Serengeti, one in the morning and another after lunch. It is not possible to say with any accuracy where the Great Migration of the Wildebeest will be located at any one tim...

Day 17: Serengeti - Arusha, Tanzania

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

This morning take your final safari drive. 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. Do not schedule onward flights before 6:00 pm.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $14,495
Price per day$853
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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Karen Schoppe Rublee

Dec 2020

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I’ve sailed with AmaWaterways 4 times

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Roberta Millert

Oct 2020

Provided byAMA Waterways

Cancel for any reason

AMA’s “Cancel for any reason” insurance is bogus. It should be called rebook for any reason.

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Aime Hoffman

Sep 2020

Provided byAMA Waterways

Refund my deposit for the Danube River Cruise

Refund my deposit for the Danube River Cruise. You canceled through 11/17 and our trip was the following week. You know darn well that trip will not happen. You’r...

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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

What's excluded

    • International Flights
    • Passport and Visa Charges
    • Personal Expenses
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
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: $1,200 (Africa)
  • 120-90 days prior to departure , Cruise & Land Cancellation Charge: $2,400 (Africa)
  • 89-60 days prior to departure, Cruise & Land Cancellation Charge: 35% of cruise and land price
  • 59-30 days prior to departure, Cruise & Land Cancellation Charge: 50% of cruise and land price
  • 29-7 days prior to departure, Cruise & Land Cancellation Charge: 80% of cruise and land price
  • 6-0 days prior to departure, Cruise & Land Cancellation Charge: 100% of cruise and land price
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

16 Breakfasts,11 Lunches and 13 Dinners

Age Requirements
36 to 64 years
Trip ID
traveltalktours-GolTraAma

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