Sponsored by AmaWaterways
The 28-passenger, all-suite Zambezi Queen glides down the Chobe River while surrounded by banks of abundant wildlife. This AmaWaterways vessel offers a front-row seat to elephants bathing, hippos surfacing, and buffalo grazing alongside countless birds and smaller creatures. From your spacious private balcony, you’ll witness nature’s daily drama unfold just metres from your hub of modern elegance. Patches of fine dining break up the day, while luxurious amenities such as an onboard spa and a sun-deck plunge pool symbolise the good life. As they say, welcome to Africa, and your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do it with depth.
An itinerary of river safaris, game drives, wine tastings and cultural encounters is lifted by not only pre- and post-excursions that bring you close to Africa in intimate and meaningful ways, but overnight stays in some of the continent’s most unique luxury lodges and boutique hotels.
Whether it’s the 9-day Discover Africa trip or the longer 16-night Golden Trails of Africa epic, you can opt to spend some time unlocking another African treasure with time spent exploring Rwanda and the Volcanoes National Park. The longer trip also features an optional extension in Cape Town, where you can spend more time searching for the city’s many cultural treasures.
Either way, you’re bathing in the restorative embrace of nature and will inhale the best Africa has to offer when travelling with AmaWaterways.
A Boutique Ship With An Inspiring View
The eco-friendly Zambezi Queen is perfect for river safaris, focused heavily on the environment at all times with big floor-to-ceiling windows installed on all sides of the ship, from the guest suites to the inviting public spaces. With a capacity of just 28 guests and 22 local staff, you’ll never be left disappointed with your perspective of the outside world. Don’t miss a single wildlife sighting from your spacious Balcony Suite, where private balconies are wide and spacious, so you’ve got a great perspective of the riverbanks all to yourself.
This ship uses a special water jet propulsion system in tandem with fuel-efficient and low-emission generators and a solar heating system. Ensuring that no harm is caused to the environment while still offering a luxurious experience without compromise is a great part of the appeal. You’ll still have access to top-tier amenities like an air-conditioned dining room on the 3rd level, framed by unobstructed views and elevated by simple, produce-forward dishes like butternut and macadamia soup, and fillet of beet served with bordelaise sauce. With matching wine pairings included in the cost of your cruise, alongside beer, local spirits and soft drinks, AmaWaterways represents incredible value for anyone wanting to discover more of this soul-stirring continent.
Beyond the Big Five
AmaWaterways’ 9-night cruise and land package across Africa is the perfect balance between brevity and a bigger perspective on this endless continent. Spend the first few days uncovering the many secrets of Cape Town. South Africa’s most visually impactful city. Spend a full day navigating this picturesque coastline before another full day exploring the land. Will you scale Table Mountain before threading the wine regions of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, or are you focused on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Robben Island before watching the colourful Bo Kaap neighbourhood unfold?
After transferring to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, you’ll board the Zambezi Queen for the ultimate river safari. The ship’s luxurious amenities are there to help you break up the full day of wildlife spotting, while the following morning shifts you over to Chobe National Park for an intimate game drive. After you’ve hit your wildlife quota, you’ll spend a day in a traditional African village before heading off on a boat safari or fishing expedition. The tail-end of this itinerary has you exploring the natural beauty of Victoria Falls, where life slows down with a romantic sunset cruise, and the day wraps up with live local entertainment at the hotel.
A Journey Unlike Any Other
The 16-night Golden Trails of Africa fits in rugged adventures and those more intimate, culturally-rich moments that help build a bigger picture of this great land. Start with an overnight stay in Johannesburg before boarding the Zambezi Queen in Kasane, Botswana. For four nights, you’ll glide down the Chobe River with a mix of river and land safaris before enjoying some time in the magnificent Victoria Falls.
After spending some time in Johannesburg, a connecting flight from Nairobi flings you into the action of a Tanzania safari. From the comfort of your luxury lodge, you’ll get to take in Tanzania’s dramatic landscape from the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater to the sprawling Serengeti. Will you bear witness to the Great Migration of the Wildebeest? The best thing about this momentous journey is how unpredictable it is, opening you up to some of the wildest and most dynamic parts of Africa and leaving the rest to the whims of nature. With luxurious lodgings, fine dining and wine tastings to hold it all together, there’s no better way to see more of Africa than with AmaWaterways.
Luxury in Every Moment
With a 28-guest capacity, the Zambezi Queen places great emphasis on intimacy. You’re never missing out on the best wildlife sightings, the journey feels communal, and there’s more space to find privacy when you need it. These itineraries have been designed with an understanding of the value that you can only get from a small group adventure. With expert guides who live and breathe these locations, this journey unfolds seamlessly as you discover Africa’s most exciting destinations.
AmaWaterways has just released 2027 sailings for both itineraries, and Early Booking Rewards apply. To make a booking, head to amawaterways.au.
