13 DAYS RIVERS AND RAILS OF AFRICA

3 NIGHTS CAPE TOWN, 4-NIGHT SAFARI CRUISE, 2 NIGHTS VICTORIA FALLS, 3 NIGHTS ROVOS RAIL

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 into South Africa.

River-Cruise Itinerary

Day 1 — Capetown

Arrival transfer and hotel check-in. Welcome Reception with drinks and tapas.

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 — Capetown

Full-day Cape tour, Chapman Peak Drive, Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point, Lunch in local restaurant with drinks.

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 1488 by the Portuguese in their attempt to establish trade in the Far East and still a significant landmark for sailors today. Also visit Boulders Beach, home to thousands of African Penguins. Lunch today is fine dining with drinks overlooking False Bay. (B,L).

Day 3 — Capetown

Cableway up Table Mountain, Choose a scenic drive through Cape Winelands; Visit two wineries with wine tastings; Lunch in local restaurant with drinks OR Robben Island guided tour; Lunch in local restaurant; Exploration of Cape Town’s diverse neighborhoods.

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 Paarl valleys. Visit two renowned vineyards and sample their wines. A sumptuous regional lunch will be included along the way. Or you can choose to board a ferry to Robben Island, once used as a prison for many political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela. Your tour will be led by a former inmate before returning back to Cape Town. After lunch, board the cableway to the summit of Table Mountain followed by a drive through some of the city’s diverse neighborhoods. (B,L)

Day 4 — Capetown, Kasane, Zambezi Queen

Morning flight to Kasane, Botswana, Transfer to the Namibia side of the Chobe River, Welcome Cocktail & Dinner. EMBARKATION.

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

Day 5 — Zambezi Queen

Morning Chobe River safari by boat, Afternoon cruise of the southern channels of the Chobe River.

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 river safari aboard a special double decker barge which will allow you to venture into the southern channels. This excursion will offer you an unusual viewpoint to observe hippos and elephants in their natural habitat (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Zambezi Queen

Full day safari of Chobe National Park by open top 4x4 vehicle with picnic lunch

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 and cape buffalo. Prides of lions, hyenas and (more rarely) cheetahs, are normally visible along the way. Lunch will be a delicious picnic served up under the trees. (B,L,D)

Day 7 — Zambezi Queen

Morning visit to local African village, Afternoon safari by boat or birdwatching or fishing, African themed 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 lunch on board, you can choose your afternoon activity including an afternoon safari by boat, bird watching or fishing. Tonight your crew hosts an African-themed dinner complete with singing and dancing. (B,L,D)

Day 8 — Zambezi Queen, Victoria Falls

DISEMBARKATION. Hotel check-in. Cocktail reception followed by 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 travel back in time aboard a historic steam train and jaunt onto the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge. The sweeping views are unforgettable and with five-star service you’ll enjoy cocktails and appetizers along the way. Dinner follows at the hotel. (B,D)

Day 9 — Victoria Falls

Guided tour of Victoria Falls, Free afternoon, Zambezi Sundowner Cruise with tapas.

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 for a little shopping or perhaps take an optional outing. Tonight, embark on a private and festive Sundowner cruise complete with drinks and tapas, along with music. (B)

Day 10 — Victoria Falls, Rovos Rail.

Town of Victoria Falls tour with lunch, Embark the Rovos Rail luxury train, Travel by rail to Hwange Game Reserve, Dinner served en route to Kennedy Siding.

Enjoy a leisurely morning and then tour the local neighborhoods of the town of Victoria Falls. Along the way, stop for a home hosted lunch and learn about the day-to-day lives of the town’s residents. 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. (B,L,D).

Day 11 — Rovos Rail

Morning Hwange safari, then south through Zimbabwe

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 South Africa. Delectable dinner selections are served on board for you to savor tonight. (B,L,D)

Day 12 — Rovos Rail

Cross into the Tropic of Capricorn, Pass through Baobab tree country.

Enter South Africa, your final country during this voyage. Lunch will be served in the dining car as the train travels through baobab tree country, ancient trees that appear to have been uprooted, and put back into the ground upside down. Enjoy your last afternoon on the train as you prepare for your final dinner on board. (B,L,D)

Day 13 — Rovos Rail, Johannesburg

Arrive in Pretoria mid-morning, Transfer to Johannesburg Airport, Return flight home

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. (B)