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Rivers & Rails Itinerary
Friday, October 23 - CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Arrival transfer and hotel
Check-in
Welcome Reception
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.
(Welcome Reception Included)
Saturday, October 24 - CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Full-day Cape of Good Hope Tour and lunch in a local restaurant with drinks
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. Make a 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.
(Breakfast and Lunch Included)
Sunday, October 25 - CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Cableway up Table Mountain and scenic drive through the Cape Winelands with tastings and lunch
OR Robben Island guided tour with lunch in a local restaurant and cableway up Table Mountain.
Take a cableway up to Table Mountain, followed by a trip to the Cape Winelands, where you'll visit two of its best vineyards, concluding with wine tasting. A delicious lunch will be included along the way. Or choose to explore another side of Cape Town at the 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, then visit the colorful historic Bo Kaap neighborhood before boarding the cableway to Table Mountain's summit.
(Breakfast and Lunch included)
Monday, October 26 - CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA / ZAMBEZI QUEEN
Morning flight to Victoria Falls; transfer to the Namibian border
Embarkation
Welcome Cocktail Dinner
In the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Victoria Falls. Here, you will be transferred to the Chobe River, which 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 and enjoy a mid-afternoon snack. In the evening, be treated to a Welcome Cocktail Reception and Dinner.
(Breakfast and Dinner Included)
Tuesday, October 27 - ZAMBEZI QUEEN
Chobe River safaris by boat
Embark on an exhilarating morning boat safari to explore the diverse game viewing opportunities along the Chobe River. Afterward, 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. Enjoy time in the splash pool or catch up with your favorite book. Later in the day, revel in a panoramic view with another thrilling boat safari.
(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included)
Wednesday, October 28 - 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. Look for elephants, giraffes, zebras, sables, warthogs, and cape buffaloes. For lunch, sit under the trees and savor a delicious picnic.
(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included)
Thursday, October 29 - ZAMBEZI QUEEN
Morning visit to a local African village
Afternoon safari by boat, OR Bird Watching, OR Fishing
African-themed dinner
Begin your day with an unforgettable visit to a traditional African village to experience the local culture firsthand. Spend time with the children of the town as well as its elders and learn about their day-to-day lives. After lunch on board, you can choose between a safari boat, bird watching, or fishing. Spend your last evening aboard with a festive African-themed dinner hosted by your crew - complete with singing and dancing. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included)
Friday, October 30 - ZAMBEZI QUEEN / VICTORIA FALLS
DISEMBARKATION
Transfer to Victoria Falls
Sunset cocktail reception aboard a vintage steam train, followed by dinner
Enjoy a morning cruise during breakfast and be on the lookout for wildlife. Afterward, transfer to the legendary Victoria Falls, one of the world's greatest natural wonders. Spend the afternoon exploring the town or experience one of the many activities offered at your hotel. Later this afternoon, join a cocktail reception followed by dinner aboard a vintage steam train, making your way to the Victoria Falls Bridge to watch the sunset over the falls.
(Breakfast and Dinner Included)
Saturday, October 31 - VICTORIA FALLS
Guided tour of Victoria Falls
Free Afternoon
Zambezi River sundowner cruise with drinks and tapas
A local guide will take you to 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 games while enjoying a delicious mix of tapas with drinks, followed by a special dinner with live local entertainment at the hotel.
(Breakfast and Dinner Included)
Sunday, November 1 - VICTORIA FALLS / ROVOS RAIL
Town of Victoria Falls tour with lunch
Embark on the Rovos Rail luxury train
Travel by rail to Hwange Game Reserve
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.
(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included)
Monday, November 2 - ROVOS RAIL
Morning safari in Hwange Game Reserve
Continue your journey south
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 the deluxe suite.
(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included)
Tuesday, November 3 - ROVOS RAIL
Cross the Limpopo River and onward into South Africa.
Cross the Tropic of Capricorn
Travel through baobab tree country and cross the Limpopo River before entering South Africa in the town of Musina for border formalities. Cross the Tropic of Capricorn and continue your journey south through Warmbaths (Bela-Bela) and onto Pyramid.
(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included)
Wednesday, November 4 - PRETORIA/JOHANNESBURG
World Heritage Site - the Cradle of Humankind
Continue south
On arrival in Pretoria later this morning, head northwest to the World Heritage Site, the Cradle of Humankind. The area is home to the largest concentration of human ancestral remains found anywhere in the world. Onsite, explore the Sterkfontein Caves during an underground tour, where you will learn how human life evolved and adapted here over the past three million years. Afterward, head south to Johannesburg. Spend the night at the lovely Fairlawns Boutique Hotel with its Spa and pool, nestled in a parklike setting. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.
(Breakfast Included)
Thursday, November 5 - EXPLORE JOHANNESBURG
Johannesburg to Soweta
Head to the township of Soweto and take a fascinating tour of the area, which boasts a rich history spanning colonialism, apartheid, and the transition to democracy. See an in-depth perspective as you explore Soweto's unique neighborhoods, the center of the uprising against the apartheid state. Witness the unforgettable and emotional Hector Pieterson Memorial, walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, and visit the Mandela House located on Vilakazi Street; along the way, enjoy a special lunch.
(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included)
Friday, November 6 - JOHANNESBURG/KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA
Kruger National Park Extension (An additional $4650)
Fly to the Greater Kruger National Park in the morning, where you'll be transferred to your luxurious game lodge. This region is one of the world's most spectacular game nature reserves, which you'll discover on your late afternoon game drive in search of the country's "Big Five" and other native wildlife. Spend your first night and every night, if you wish, gathering with fellow travelers, sharing stories of the adventures, or simply gazing up at the stunning star-filled African sky. Depending on the time of the year, you will spend three nights at the five-star Tintswalo Pridelands Luxury Tented Camp, known for its attention to detail, food, and equally spectacular wildlife viewing.
(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included)
Saturday, November 7 - KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA
Kruger National Park extension
The early morning is the perfect time to go on safari as the wildlife is at its most prolific. Your open-air vehicle provides the ideal way to explore your private game reserve, located just a stone's throw from the game-rich Kruger National Park. The rest of the morning can be spent enjoying the facilities at your lodge. Later in the day, you'll go on another game drive deep into the bush, where you may encounter South Africa's top predators: cheetahs, hyenas, and lions.
(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included)
Sunday, November 8 - KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA
Kruger National Park extension
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking wilderness of Tintswal Pridelands with two exhilarating game drives today, offering unparalleled opportunities to witness Africa's magnificent wildlife in their natural habitat. Between these thrilling safari experiences, you'll have ample leisure time to relax and unwind at our luxurious tented camp, where comfort meets adventure. Enjoy the serenity of the surrounding landscape, perhaps relaxing on your private deck, capturing stunning photographs, or simply soaking in the incredible sounds and sights of the African bush.
(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included)
Monday, November 9 - KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA/JOHANNESBURG
Kruger National Park & Fly to Johannesburg
Be treated to an early-morning game drive before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg for your connecting flight home or exted your journey with four nights in magical Rwanda.
(Breakfast Included)
Note: Please do not schedule your onward flight before 5:00 pm.