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Itinerary
Day programme:
ARRIVE IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA. After being greeted at the airport by an AmaWaterways Representative, transfer to the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa in the desirable Sandton neighborhood. The hotel’s extensive gardens have captured the spirit, grace and elegance of a bygone era.
Day programme:
KASANE, BOTSWANA – ZAMBEZI QUEEN – EMBARKATION. Fly to Kasane, Botswana where you’ll be transferred to the Chobe River. Tender boats will take you to the Zambezi Queen moored on the Namibia side of the river. Settle into your stateroom and in the evening, enjoy a Welcome Cocktail Reception and Dinner. (B,D)
Day programme:
ZAMBEZI QUEEN. Embark on an exhilarating morning boat safari exploring the Chobe River’s diverse game. Afterwards, return to the Zambezi Queen for lunch. Later in the day, enjoy another thrilling boat safari. (B,L,D)
Day programme:
ZAMBEZI QUEEN. Join a full-day safari of Chobe National Park in open-top 4×4 vehicles. Be on the lookout for elephants, giraffes, zebras, sables, warthogs and cape buffalo. For lunch, take a seat under the trees and savor a delicious picnic. (B,L,D)
Day programme:
ZAMBEZI QUEEN. Start the day off with an unforgettable visit to a typical African village to experience the local culture. Spend time with the village children as well as its elders. After lunch on board, you can go on a boat safari, bird watch or fish. Enjoy a festive African- themed dinner hosted by your crew—complete with music and dancing. (B,L,D)
Day programme:
ZAMBEZI QUEEN – DISEMBARKATION. Disembark your cruise in Kasane. (B)
Day programme:
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)
Day programme:
VICTORIA FALLS – JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA. After breakfast, you’ll be taken to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. Transfer to the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel with its parklike setting and wonderful Spa. (B)
Day programme:
JOHANNESBURG. Take a fascinating tour of Johannesburg and its rich history from colonialism to apartheid, and finally democracy. Get an in-depth look at Soweto’s unique neighborhoods, the center of the uprising against the apartheid state. Walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, visiting the Mandela House located on Vilakazi Street and along the way enjoy a township lunch. Before dinner, gather with a local expert for an informative discussion and afterwards enjoy a multi-course dinner. (B,L,D)
Day programme:
JOHANNESBURG – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA. 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 day’s adventures or simply gazing up at the stunning star-filled African sky. (B,L,D)
Day programme:
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA. The early morning is the perfect time to go on safari as the wildlife is prolific. Your open-air vehicle provides the perfect 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. (B,L,D)
Day programme:
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA. Go on two exhilarating game drives today, as well as enjoy ample leisure time at your game lodge. (B,L,D)
Day programme:
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA – 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 extend your journey with four nights in magical Rwanda. (B) Note: Please do not schedule your onward flight before 4:30 p.m.
Ship features
Category MS
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
Category SA
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
Category SB
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
Main Restaurant
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.
Bird Watching
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.
Star Gazing
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.
Water Based Tours - Game Drives
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.
Tours
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.
Fishing
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.
Lounge & Bar
With panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the boat, everywhere you go you can take advantage of magnificent wildlife viewing.
Pool Deck
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.
Plunge Pool
Take a cooling dip and feel refreshed while watching the passing scenery and wildlife upon the Chobe River.
Age Restriction
Effective immediately, AmaWaterways will only be welcoming guests fully vaccinated against Covid-19 on board its ships. This vaccination requirement also applies to accompanied minors. Guests affected by this decision should contact their travel advisor for options to reschedule their river cruise.
On our programs in Europe and Southeast Asia, children under the age of 4 years old are not permitted on board and children 4-7 years old are not recommended. On our Africa safaris program, due to safety precautions, there is a minimum age limit of 12 years old, unless otherwise agreed upon by AmaWaterways. All guests under the age of 18 are to be in a stateroom with an adult, and must remain supervised at all times, as their safety is the responsibility of the accompanying adult(s). Children between the ages of 4 and 10 at the time of embarkation may share a stateroom with 2 adults provided the child is able to share the bed with the adults – no additional bed will be provided. Select ships offer a limited number of staterooms with a fold-out sofa for a triple occupant; we would be happy to guide you through these options when available. A triple occupancy rate will apply for the child sharing the stateroom; pricing can be provided upon request. Please be aware that balcony staterooms of any kind may be unsafe for small children if left unsupervised. AmaWaterways does not provide child-specific programs or child-minding facilities. Please reach out to us if you have any further questions regarding our child policy.
As of March 3, 2022, children 5 and older at time of sailing are still required to be vaccinated however, children that are not yet eligible for the vaccine are able to come onboard if they can provide a negative PCT test taken within 72 hours of embarkation.
Dress Code
Dress is casual aboard the Zambezi Queen. They suggest you bring along the following:
- Lightweight trousers and long sleeved tops
- T-shirts and shorts
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunscreen, mosquito repellant and camera
- raincoat and hat
Smoking Policy
Smoking is forbidden on all internal areas on the Zambezi Queen. Smoking is only permitted on the outside area of the entertainment deck.
Dietary Requirements
Please advise your Travel Agent or call us directly to advise if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies prior to embarkation. In most cases, we will do our best to accommodate special dietary requests and food allergies, but with one exception: Kosher. This diet has specific rules regarding food and its preparation and the shipboard environment does have limitations that prevent us from being able to adequately cater to this dietary need. Please note, though we can provide options to accommodate food allergies and sensitivities, we cannot guarantee there will not be any cross-contamination.
Disabled Facilities
Reasonable efforts are made to accommodate the special needs of disabled cruise participants, but no responsibility will be undertaken for any denial of services by carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other independent suppliers. Tour buses are not equipped with wheelchair ramps and cabin doors are not wide enough to allow access by standard wheelchairs.
Wheelchairs and walkers cannot be carried on tour buses, due to space limitations. Wheelchair passengers should be aware of these limitations. For safety reasons, passengers in wheelchairs cannot be carried on ramps in ports where the ship is at anchor. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour member for walking, getting on/off tour busses and other transportation vehicles, or other personal needs. A qualified travel companion must accompany travellers who need assistance.
Medical Facilities
We do not employ doctors or nurses on board the Zambezi Queen. In the event medical assistance is needed, appropriate medical facilities will be contacted. Note that response time can vary.
Internet and Wi-Fi Access
Free Wi Fi is available but may be limited and sporadic during certain times of the day due to the ships isolated location.
Laundry
Laundry services are available on board for a fee. Price lists are available in your stateroom. Please note that clothes cannot be dry cleaned on board.
Excursions
Africa Cruise & Land Safari: All excursions are included.
Upper Deck
- Dining Room
- Lounge & Bar
- Pool Deck
Middle Deck
- Category SB Staterooms
- Category SA Staterooms
- Master Suites
Lower Deck
- Cruise Manager’s Desk
- Gift Shop
- Boarding Area
- Master Suites
- Category SA Staterooms
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