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From the Cape to the Falls
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From the Cape to the Falls
This is a different kind of trip to most of AmaWaterways‘ European sailings, pairing city-based touring in Cape Town with a proper river safari on the Chobe, followed by time in Victoria Falls itself. Four countries feature across the nine nights: South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, whose border the Chobe follows for part of its course. The first few days are hotel-based and largely on land, taking in Cape Town’s landmarks and history. The middle stretch moves onto the water aboard the Zambezi Queen for a genuine wildlife-focused river cruise, before the final days shift to Victoria Falls for a mix of guided sightseeing and free time.
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Cruise Line: AmaWaterways -
Ship: Zambezi Queen -
Duration: 10 Nights
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Departure: Mar - Nov
From the Cape to the Falls Cruise Prices
From the Cape to the Falls Gallery
From the Cape to the Falls Cruise Itinerary
Starting in Cape Town and ending in Johannesburg, the trip moves from city touring to river safari to Victoria Falls over nine nights, taking in the unique charm and culture of each stop along the way.
Day 1
Cape Town
Land in Cape Town and transfer to your hotel, with the rest of the day free to settle in before an evening welcome reception to meet your tour director and fellow travellers.
Day 2
Cape Town
Ride the cableway up Table Mountain for views over the city, then follow the coast road past the Twelve Apostles, Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak on the way to the Cape of Good Hope. A local lunch and a visit to the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach round out the day, with the evening left free.
Day 3
Cape Town
Visit Robben Island on a guided tour led by a former warden, learning about its history as a political prison, including Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment there, before returning to Cape Town for lunch and a visit to a nearby township, meeting local residents and artists along the way. In the evening, a wine tasting and dinner at a vineyard in the Constantia Valley closes out your time in Cape Town.
Day 4
Chobe River, Botswana
Fly to Victoria Falls, then transfer overland to the Chobe River, the waterway that marks the border between Botswana and Namibia, and board tender boats out to the Zambezi Queen. Depending on timing, activities on offer include a visit to a local village, an afternoon boat safari, birdwatching or fishing, before a welcome cocktail reception and dinner mark the start of the river safari portion of the trip.
Day 5
Chobe River, Botswana
Set out on a morning boat safari along the Chobe, one of Africa’s richest wildlife waterways, watching for elephants, hippos, buffalo and birdlife. The afternoon is free to relax on board, and a further boat safari at sunset offers another chance to see wildlife gathering along the banks.
Day 6
Chobe River, Botswana
A morning boat safari is followed by a visit to a local village, spending time with residents including children and elders to learn about community life and tradition. In the afternoon, choose between another safari, a guided birdwatching outing, or fishing, before a farewell African-themed dinner on board, complete with music and dancing from the crew.
Day 7
Chobe River, Botswana
Head out on a full-day 4×4 safari through Chobe National Park, an area known for one of the densest concentrations of wildlife anywhere in Africa, with a picnic lunch included. In the afternoon, disembark the Zambezi Queen and transfer to your hotel in Victoria Falls, followed by dinner with live entertainment.
Day 8
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Join a guided walking tour of Victoria Falls, learning about its history and the surrounding rainforest ecosystem, then spend the afternoon at leisure. In the evening, a private sunset cruise along the Zambezi comes with drinks and tapas, followed by dinner back at your hotel.
Day 9
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Cross the Victoria Falls Bridge on foot to see the Zambian side of the falls and visit the historic town of Livingstone, then return to Zimbabwe for an afternoon at leisure. In the evening, a guided safari in search of black rhino and other nocturnal wildlife is followed by a three-course bush dinner.
Day 10
Johannesburg
After breakfast, transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your return flight to Johannesburg, where the trip ends, whether you’re heading home or extending your journey elsewhere.
FROM THE CAPE TO THE FALLS CRUISE SHIPS
FROM THE CAPE TO THE FALLS HIGHLIGHTS
Chobe River Cruise Deals
This is one of several African river journeys AmaWaterways offers, so it’s worth a look at the wider Africa range if the Chobe alone doesn’t cover everything you’re after.
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From the Cape to the Falls Cruise Review
From the Cape to the Falls FAQs
Do I need a visa for this trip?
Visas are required for travel to Africa on this itinerary, and requirements vary by nationality and by country, so it’s best to check directly with the relevant consulates for South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe well ahead of travel.
Is this trip one-way, and do I need separate flights for each leg?
It’s one-way overall, starting in Cape Town and ending in Johannesburg, but it isn’t a single continuous cruise. Flights between Cape Town and Victoria Falls, and again from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg, are built into the itinerary, so check-in and baggage allowances for those internal flights are worth confirming before you travel.
What currency should I bring for this trip?
You’re crossing several currencies here: South African rand, Botswana pula, and the US dollar, which is widely used and often preferred for tourist transactions in Zimbabwe. Small amounts of local cash are useful for tips and markets, but US dollars in small denominations tend to be the most broadly accepted option across all three countries.
Just how many elephants will I actually see on the Chobe River?
Realistically, quite a few. Chobe National Park is home to one of the largest elephant populations anywhere in Africa, with estimates commonly cited at over 50,000 animals, and during the dry season it’s genuinely common to see large herds gathering along the riverbanks to drink and bathe in a single afternoon.
How big are Victoria Falls, and where does the name Mosi-oa-Tunya come from?
Victoria Falls spans around 1,708 metres wide and drops about 108 metres, making it the largest single sheet of falling water in the world, even though it isn’t the tallest or widest waterfall on its own. Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “the smoke that thunders” in the local Lozi language, is the name used on the Zambian side, referring to the enormous spray thrown up by the falls, visible for miles depending on the season.
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