Rivers & Rails of Africa

13 days
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3.7/5 Great
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USTOA

Cancellation Policy
Small Ship Cruise
Your African journey begins with a three-night stay in Cape Town where you’ll explore the Atlantic Seaboard including the Cape of Good Hope and an African penguin encounter. You’ll also take a cableway up Table Mountain and then choose between a wine region tour or a visit to Robben Island that includes a cultural tour of Cape Town’s diverse neighborhoods. Ne...
From$12,695
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Overview

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

Highlights

    • Discover Cape Town
    • Enjoy the safari of Chobe National Park
    • Explore the Chobe River’s spectacular game viewing
    • See the magnificent Victoria Falls
    • Amazing travel by rail to Hwange Game Reserve

What's this trip about?

    Your African journey begins with a three-night stay in Cape Town where you’ll explore the Atlantic Seaboard including the Cape of Good Hope and an African penguin encounter. You’ll also take a cableway up Table Mountain and then choose between a wine region tour or a visit to Robben Island that includes a cultural tour of Cape Town’s diverse neighborhoods. Next, fly to Kasane, Botswana for your four-night 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. Then continue with two nights at the legendary Victoria Falls, one of the world’s great and impressive natural wonders. From here, you will join the Rovos Rail. Enjoy a three-night luxurious train journey as you travel through approximately 1,000 miles of breathtaking scenery from Zimbabwe through Botswana and into South Africa.

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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

  • Africa
  • Zimbabwe
  • South Africa

Attractions

  • Cape of Good Hope
  • Chobe National Park
  • Victoria Falls
  • Zambezi River

Activities

  • Bird watching
  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Nature
  • River cruise
  • Safari
  • Trains & Rail
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Winetasting

Trip includes

    • Cape Town 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 nights accommodation in a balcony suite
    • 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
    • Traditional African 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
    • Elephant Interaction Experience at a Wildlife Sanctuary and Orphanage
    • Guided tour of Victoria Falls National Park
    • Exclusive Zambezi River Sundowner Cruise with drinks, tapas and music Rovos Rail 3-night journey on the Rovos Rail luxury train in an upgraded Deluxe Suite
    • All meals and drinks included on board the train
    • Excursions accompanied by a qualified guide
    • 24-hour full room service and bar facilities

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1:

Arrive In Cape Town

Situated amidst majestic mountains and lined with pristine white sand beaches, Cape Town is home to a rich cultural and historical heritage. 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

Fly to Kasane, Botswana (via Johannesburg) and board the Zambezi Queen. This afternoon, enjoy the view as you settle in on the Chobe River before a Welcome Cocktail and Dinner.

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 encounter 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 for independent activities. Relax and enjoy the amenities and grounds of your iconic hotel, walk into town f...

Day 10: Victoria Falls – Rovos Rail

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

A free morning for independent activities. Later this afternoon transfer to the Victoria Falls train station. Once onboard, be sure to check out the Lounge and Observation Cars. Dinner is served in the dining car tonight as your train journey begins.

Day 11: Rovos Rail

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

An early morning as you disembark for your safari in the Hwange Game Reserve. After returning to the train, enjoy brunch as you journey towards Botswana. Delectable dinner selections are served on board for you to savor tonight.

Day 12: Rovos Rail

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Enter South Africa, your third and final country during this voyage. Lunch will be served in the dining car as the train travels through the farmlands of the Marico Valley. Enjoy your last afternoon on the train as you prepare for your final dinner on board.

Day 13: Johannesburg

Meals: Breakfast

This morning your train journey comes to a close, but not before you enjoy one last breakfast on board and a final scenic stretch. After your 10:00 am arrival in Pretoria, South Africa you will be transferred to the airport in Johannesburg for your onward flight home. Please do not schedule onward flights before 4:00 pm.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $12,695
Price per day$977
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

Provided byAMA Waterways

I’ve sailed with AmaWaterways 4 times

I’ve sailed with AmaWaterways 4 times. They are the best!...

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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

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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: Kasan
Deck Plan: Cat Ms
Cancellation policy

Cancellation Charges: 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:

 

89-60 days prior to departure

Cruise & Land Cancellation Charge: 35% of cruise and land price

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

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

Other Charges (except insurance): 35% of all charges

 

59-30 days prior to departure

Cruise & Land Cancellation Charge: 50% of cruise and land price

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

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

Other Charges (except insurance): 50% of all charges

 

29-7 days prior to departure

Cruise & Land Cancellation Charge: 80% of cruise and land price

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

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

Other Charges (except insurance): 80% of all charges

 

6-0 days prior to departure

Cruise & Land Cancellation Charge: 100% of cruise and land price

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

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

Other Charges (except insurance): 100% of all charges

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

12 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 8 Dinners

Age Requirements
36 to 64 years
Additional Information
All rates are per person, based on double occupancy. Unless explicitly stated that single supplement is waived, solo travelers in a double occupancy stateroom must pay an additional single supplement amount before receiving any discounts. Offer is not combinable with any other promotions/discounts, is limited to availability, is capacity controlled and is subject to change or termination without notice. Other restrictions apply.
Trip ID
traveltalktours-RivRaiAma

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