Rivers & Rails of Africa 13 Nights

ARRIVE IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA. Situated amidst majestic mountains and lined with pristine beaches, Cape Town has a rich cultural heritage with extraordinary attractions. After being greeted at the airport by an AmaWaterways representative, transfer to your Cape Town hotel. Get to know your Tour Director and fellow travelers at the Welcome Reception. (WR)

CAPE TOWN. Embark on a full-day exploration along one of the world’s most stunning routes, taking you past the 12 Apostles, Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak. Stop at the Cape of Good Hope, first rounded in modern times in 1488 by the Portuguese in their attempt to establish trade in the Far East and still a significant landmark for sailors today. Visit Boulders Beach, home to thousands of African penguins, and then be treated to lunch with drinks overlooking beautiful False Bay. (B,L)

CAPE TOWN. Take a cableway up to Table Mountain followed by a trip to the Cape Winelands where you’ll visit two of its best vineyards, complete with wine tasting. A delicious lunch will be included along the way. Or choose to explore another side of Cape Town at famous Robben Island, once used as a prison for many political inmates, including Nelson Mandela. Ferry over to the island where you will take a tour led by a former inmate. Back in Cape Town, enjoy lunch, and then visit the colorful historic Bo Kaap neighborhood before boarding the cableway to Table Mountain’s summit. (B,L)

CAPE TOWN – VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE – ZAMBEZI QUEEN – EMBARKATION. In the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Victoria Falls. Here, you will be transferred to the Chobe River that forms the border between Botswana and Namibia. Then board tender boats that will take you to the Zambezi Queen moored on the Namibia side of the river. Settle into your stateroom, enjoy a mid-afternoon snack, and in the evening, be treated to a Welcome Cocktail Reception and Dinner. (B,D)

Situated on the Zambezi river at the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is renowned as one of the continent's most awe-inspiring natural wonders. With a width of over 1.7km (1 mile), and a height of 108 metres (355 ft), Victoria falls is the world's largest waterfall, boasting both immense scale and breathtaking beauty. To the locals, the waterfall is better known as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" or "The Smoke that Thunders", attracting visitors from all over the globe to behold its magnificent cascades and the hair-raising view as the mist rises above the gorge.

ZAMBEZI QUEEN. Embark on an exhilarating, morning boat safari to explore the Chobe River’s diverse game viewing. Afterwards, return to the Zambezi Queen for lunch. As the Zambezi Queen cruises along the Chobe River, relax on board in the afternoon and enjoy what nature has to offer. Be sure to spend time in the splash pool or perhaps catch-up with your favorite book. Later in the day, revel in panoramic view with another thrilling boat safari. (B,L,D)

ZAMBEZI QUEEN. Join a full-day safari of Chobe National Park in open-top 4x4 vehicles. Be on the lookout for elephants, giraffe, zebra, sable, warthog and cape buffalo. For lunch, take a seat under the trees and savor a delicious picnic. (B,L,D)

ZAMBEZI QUEEN. Visit a typical African village where you’ll spend time with the village children as well as its elders. Back on board and following lunch, you’ll have a choice to take a boat safari, bird watch or fish. Enjoy your last evening aboard with a festive African- themed dinner hosted by your crew. (B,L,D)

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

Situated on the Zambezi river at the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is renowned as one of the continent's most awe-inspiring natural wonders. With a width of over 1.7km (1 mile), and a height of 108 metres (355 ft), Victoria falls is the world's largest waterfall, boasting both immense scale and breathtaking beauty. To the locals, the waterfall is better known as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" or "The Smoke that Thunders", attracting visitors from all over the globe to behold its magnificent cascades and the hair-raising view as the mist rises above the gorge.

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)

VICTORIA FALLS – ROVOS RAIL. Enjoy a leisurely morning before touring the town of Victoria Falls and being treated to a home-hosted lunch. Later in the day, head to the Victoria Falls colonial-era rail station where you’ll board the Rovos Rail. (B,L,D)

Rovos Rail is a luxury train service in South Africa, renowned for offering an exquisite travel experience across the country’s stunning landscapes. Often referred to as the "most luxurious train in the world," Rovos Rail combines vintage elegance with modern comforts, featuring beautifully appointed cabins, gourmet dining, and impeccable service. The train journeys traverse iconic routes, including the scenic Garden Route and the historic journey from Pretoria to Cape Town, allowing passengers to witness the diverse beauty of South Africa’s countryside, mountains, and wildlife. Onboard, guests can enjoy leisurely meals and a selection of fine wines while soaking in the panoramic views. With its commitment to providing an unforgettable travel experience, Rovos Rail is a unique way to explore South Africa's rich heritage and breathtaking scenery in style and comfort.

ROVOS RAIL. Start the morning with a safari to the Hwange Game Reserve, Zimbabwe’s largest national park, boasting a tremendous selection of wildlife with over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 different birds. The elephants of Hwange are world famous and the park’s elephant population is one of the largest in the world. After your safari, return to the train for a lovely brunch as you travel through the vast landscapes of central Zimbabwe on the way to the border town of Beitbridge. Take in the southern African landscape from the lounge, observation cars or your deluxe suite. (B,L,D)

ROVOS RAIL. Stop in the village of Gwanda with time to stroll. Travel through baobab tree country and cross the Limpopo River and enter South Africa in the town of Musina for border formalities. (B,LD)

ROVOS RAIL. Cross the Tropic of Capricorn and then visit the Polokwane Nature Reservehome to more than 20 species of wildlife including the white rhino. Continue your journey south through Warmbaths (Bela-Bela) and onto Pyramid. (B,L,D)

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – JOHANNESBURG. Disembark the train in Pretoria where you will be transferred to the airport in Johannesburg for your onward flight home or extend your trip with four nights in Rwanda. (B)
Note: Please do not schedule your onward flight before 4:00 p.m.

Often referred to as Joburg or Jozi, Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and acts as the cultural and economic hub of the country. Characterised by vibrant energy, Johannesburg offers a unique blend of cultures and experiences, featuring a modern skyline, bustling street markets, and historical sights such as Constitution Hill. Though Johannesburg has suffered challenges in its history, it has continued to take shape as a dynamic metropolis offering an amalgamation of art, history and urban exploration for its residents and visitors.

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Situated on the 3rd level, the dining room offers unobstructed views on three sides. Experience delectable dishes such as butternut and macadamia soup and fillet of beef with bordelaise sauce paired with the perfect wine.

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With such a magnificent array of wildlife, the birdlife is notable too with over 400 species to spot keen birders will be in their element.

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Make sure to use the astronomical telescope situated on the fore deck to explore the African night-time sky. With no lights for miles around, the stargazing is spectacular.

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Botswana’s Chobe is a destination in itself for those looking to experience the thrill of wildlife up close. Capture that sense of adventure with a water-based game drive by tender boat, allowing you to explore nature at its best! Water-based game viewing on smaller boats enables close-up viewing in an environment where the animals do not feel threatened.

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Experience the gentle nature of rural Africa along the banks of the Chobe by visiting a local village on the Namibian side of the river. Here you can interact with the locals and browse their selection of handmade crafts.

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During season, Tiger and Bream fishing are offered with tackle and bait as well as a stocked cool box to help ensure the wait is worth it.

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With panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the boat, everywhere you go you can take advantage of magnificent wildlife viewing.

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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.

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

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Stateroom features include:

• In-room temperature control and fan
• Deluxe hotel-style bedding and oversized king beds (can also be configured as two single beds)
• Spacious en-suite bathrooms
• Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, toiletries, bathrobes and slippers
• Floor-to-ceiling windows, sliding glass doors and sliding shutters for privacy and protection from the sun
• Outside balcony
• Complimentary Wi-Fi and electronic safe
• Complimentary bottled water replenished daily

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Stateroom features include:

• In-room temperature control and fan
• Deluxe hotel-style bedding and oversized king beds (can also be configured as two single beds)
• Spacious en-suite bathrooms
• Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, toiletries, bathrobes and slippers
• Floor-to-ceiling windows, sliding glass doors and sliding shutters for privacy and protection from the sun
• Outside balcony
• Complimentary Wi-Fi and electronic safe
• Complimentary bottled water replenished daily

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Stateroom features include:

• In-room temperature control and fan
• Deluxe hotel-style bedding and oversized king beds (can also be configured as two single beds)
• Spacious en-suite bathrooms
• Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, toiletries, bathrobes and slippers
• Floor-to-ceiling windows, sliding glass doors and sliding shutters for privacy and protection from the sun
• Outside balcony
• Complimentary Wi-Fi and electronic safe
• Complimentary bottled water replenished daily