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African Wonders &
the Skeleton Coast
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African Wonders & the Skeleton Coast River Cruise
This is one of AmaWaterways’ most ambitious itineraries: enjoy 15 nights that open with a Chobe River safari aboard the Zambezi Queen, take in Victoria Falls, head deep into Namibia for the towering dunes of Sossusvlei, and discover the Skeleton Coast at Swakopmund and the wildlife-rich plains of Etosha National Park before finishing in Windhoek.
4.85
from
71 reviews
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Cruise Line: AmaWaterways -
Ship: Zambezi Queen -
Duration: 17 Nights
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Departure: Mar - Nov
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African Wonders & the Skeleton Coast Itinerary
Enjoy a river safari, Victoria Falls, the best of Namibia’s landscapes, and plenty of leisure time as you discover the best of all this iconic river has to offer.
Day 1
Johannesburg, South Africa
Arrive in Johannesburg, where an AmaWaterways representative will meet you and help with the transfer to the Fairlawns Hotel. The evening is yours to rest, dine at the hotel or explore nearby at your own pace.
Day 2
Chobe River, Botswana
Fly to Kasane, then transfer to the Chobe River, where tender boats carry you across to the Zambezi Queen. After settling into your stateroom and an afternoon at leisure, the evening brings a welcome cocktail reception and dinner to mark the start of the river safari.
Day 3
Chobe River, Botswana
A morning boat safari gets you out on one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich waterways, keeping watch for elephants, hippos, buffalo and birdlife. After lunch back on board, the afternoon is free for the sun deck or splash pool, before a second, evening boat safari when the light softens and wildlife gathers along the banks.
Day 4
Chobe River, Botswana
Another morning boat safari is followed by a visit to a local African village, spending time with community members and learning about local traditions. The afternoon offers a further boat safari, guided bird watching or fishing, and the day ends with a festive African-themed dinner on board, complete with singing and dancing.
Day 5
Chobe National Park to Victoria Falls
A full day in Chobe National Park by open-top 4×4 brings you into one of Africa’s densest concentrations of wildlife, from elephants and giraffes to prides of lions and, on rare occasions, cheetahs, with a picnic lunch under the trees. Disembark the Zambezi Queen and transfer to Victoria Falls, then settle into your hotel before a special dinner with live local entertainment.
Day 6
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
A guided walking tour covers the history of Victoria Falls along with the plant and animal life of the surrounding rainforest. After a free afternoon, the evening brings a private sunset cruise along the Zambezi, with drinks and tapas as wildlife appears along the water’s edge, followed by a special dinner back at the hotel.
Day 7
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
A guided walk across the Victoria Falls Bridge takes you into Zambia to see the falls from a different angle and visit the historic town of Livingstone, before a relaxed afternoon back in Zimbabwe. In the evening, a safari in search of the elusive Black Rhino and other nocturnal animals is followed by a three-course bush dinner in a protected wildlife area.
Day 8
Windhoek, Namibia
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, where the German colonial period still shows in the architecture, street names and cuisine. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel, with dinner alongside your local guide as they brief you on the days ahead.
Day 9
Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia
After a relaxed breakfast, the journey continues to the NamibRand Nature Reserve, one of the largest reserves in Southern Africa, established in the 1980s when Albi Bruckner brought together several livestock farms into a single protected wilderness. Check into Namib Lodge, with its desert and red dune views, before a sundowner game drive and dinner.
Day 10
Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia
A sunrise excursion takes you to Namib-Naukluft National Park to see some of the tallest freestanding sand dunes in the world while the light is still soft. The afternoon is free, or you can join a guided activity such as biking, a scenic drive or a desert walk, before dinner back at the lodge.
Day 11
Swakopmund, Namibia
The drive northwest passes through more of Namib-Naukluft National Park, taking in the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons, before reaching the Atlantic coast at Walvis Bay, once a whaling station and an 18th-century stopover on the sea route between South Africa and the Netherlands. From there it’s on to Swakopmund for a two-night stay, with free time to explore the town before dinner at one of its well-known seafood restaurants.
Day 12
Swakopmund, Namibia
A catamaran cruise heads out to explore marine life off the coast, with seals and dolphins a regular sight and Southern Right or Humpback whales possible depending on the season. The afternoon is free, with your guide on hand for suggestions, before dinner at the lodge or in town.
Day 13
Etosha National Park, Namibia
After breakfast, fly from Swakopmund to Etosha, arriving at a secluded lodge overlooking the savannah. If time allows, an afternoon safari in Etosha National Park brings the chance to spot elephants, lions, springbok, zebras and the elusive Black Rhino, with lunch included.
Day 14
Etosha National Park, Namibia
A morning game drive heads deeper into Etosha in search of more of its wildlife and birdlife. After lunch, choose between free time at the lodge, an afternoon game drive, or a full-day safari option with a picnic lunch included.
Day 15
Etosha National Park to Windhoek, Namibia
The drive east stops in Outjo to visit the Himba Living Museum, an opportunity to spend time with the Himba, an Indigenous semi-nomadic people who maintain their ancestors’ traditions, including the distinctive red ochre paste worn on their hair and skin. The journey continues on to Windhoek, ending with a farewell dinner alongside your local guide.
Day 16
Windhoek, Namibia
Transfer to Windhoek Airport for your onward flight home, with checkout at your hotel by noon.
AFRICAN WONDERS & THE SKELETON COAST SHIPS
AFRICAN WONDERS & THE SKELETON COAST HIGHLIGHTS
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African Wonders & the Skeleton Coast Cruise Review
African Wonders & the Skeleton Coast FAQs
Do I need a visa for this trip?
Yes, visas are required for travel to Africa, and requirements vary by country and can change, so it’s worth checking with the relevant consulate for South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia well ahead of travel. This itinerary crosses several borders, including a day trip into Zambia from Victoria Falls, so it’s worth confirming exactly which entries and exits your visa needs to cover.
What are Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, and why visit at sunrise?
They’re two areas within Namib-Naukluft National Park surrounded by some of the tallest freestanding sand dunes in the world. The excursion is timed for sunrise so you see the dunes while the light is still soft.
What's the difference between the Chobe River boat safaris and the 4x4 safari in Chobe National Park?
The boat safaris on days 3 and 4 are calm, on-water outings from the Zambezi Queen, well suited to spotting elephants, hippos and birdlife along the riverbanks. The 4×4 safari on day 5 covers Chobe National Park by land instead, over more ground and with a wider range of wildlife, including lions and the occasional cheetah, alongside the usual elephants and buffalo.
What might I see on the Swakopmund catamaran cruise?
The cruise heads out from Swakopmund into the Atlantic to look for marine life along Namibia’s coast. Seals and dolphins are a regular sight, and depending on the time of year, Southern Right or Humpback whales may also be around, so it’s worth asking your guide what’s been spotted recently before you set out.
What currency will I need across South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia?
It varies by country, so it’s worth carrying some cash for different legs of the trip. South Africa uses the rand, and Botswana the pula. Zimbabwe operates a multi-currency system, with US dollars widely used in tourism, particularly around Victoria Falls, so it’s worth bringing some clean, undamaged US-dollar notes. Namibia uses the Namibian dollar, fixed at parity with the South African rand, and the rand is also legal tender there, so leftover cash from the start of the trip can still be useful.
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