17 Day AmaWaterways River Cruise from Johannesburg to Arusha 2026

Day 1 Johannesburg

After landing, an AmaWaterways Representative will greet you and assist with your transfer to the Fairlawns Hotel in Johannesburg. Settle in and enjoy some time to relax before your journey begins.

Day 2 Chobe River

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Kasane, Botswana. After landing, continue to the Chobe River where tender boats take you across to the Zambezi Queen.

Day 3 Chobe River

Watch the nature around you come alive on an exciting morning safari by boat along the Chobe River, one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich waterways. Keep an eye out for elephants, hippos, buffalo, and a wide range of birdlife as you glide through this remarkable ecosystem.

Day 4 Chobe River

Set out on a full-day safari through Chobe National Park in open-top 4x4 vehicles. This region is known for having one of Africa’s densest concentrations of wildlife, offering opportunities to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, sable, warthogs, and Cape buffalo. Keep watch for prides of lions, hyenas, and (on rare occasions) cheetahs. Enjoy a picnic lunch under the trees before continuing your journey through the park’s diverse landscapes.

Day 5 Chobe River

Begin the day with an enriching visit to a local African village for a first-hand look at daily life along the Chobe River. Spend time with community members, including children and village elders, and learn about local traditions and culture.

Day 6 Victoria Falls

Start the day with a peaceful morning cruise as you enjoy breakfast and keep watch for wildlife along the riverbanks.

Day 7 Victoria Falls

Join your guide for a walking tour of Victoria Falls, learning about its history and the rich plant and animal life that thrives in the surrounding rainforest.

Day 8 Victoria Falls

Enjoy a relaxed morning and breakfast at your hotel. Afterwards, transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your return flight to Johannesburg.

Day 9 Johannesburg

Take a meaningful tour through Johannesburg and Soweto. Then, walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela with a visit to the Mandela House, and gain deeper insight into the city’s history, culture, and resilience. Enjoy a township lunch before continuing your exploration of the area, guided by experts who bring local stories and history to life.

Day 10 Johannesburg

Transfer to the Johannesburg Airport and board your flight to Kilimanjaro, where you’ll be met on arrival by an AmaWaterways Representative.

Day 11 Arusha

Journey from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, known for its ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds. Begin your Tanzania adventure with an exciting safari drive through the park.

Day 12 Tarangire

Experience Tarangire up close with a guided morning bushwalk led by a lodge naturalist. Learn about local flora and fauna as you explore the landscape on foot

Day 13 Ngorongoro

Begin the day with a visit to a nearby village, offering a look at daily life and cultural traditions in the region.  Continue to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive through this diverse landscape, known for tree-climbing lions, giraffes, cheetahs, monkeys, impalas, and baboons. Enjoy a picnic en route.

Day 14 Ngorongoro

 Set out on a full-day exploration of Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife regions. Once a giant volcano, this massive caldera shelters an astonishing concentration of wildlife, with some 25,000 large mammals roaming its plains, lakes, and forests. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor before continuing your game viewing.

Day 15 Serengeti

Fly from Ngorongoro to the Serengeti, one of Africa’s most iconic national parks. Check in to your lodge for the night and enjoy lunch.

Day 16 Serengeti

Explore the vast Serengeti on a morning safari in an open safari cruiser. Your guides will search for the area’s diverse wildlife, which may include elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and countless grazing species. After lunch, continue your search for wildlife on an afternoon game drive. While the exact location of the Great Migration is never guaranteed, your camp is positioned to give you the best possible chance of witnessing this extraordinary natural event.

Day 17 Arusha

Wake up early for a final safari drive in the Serengeti and savor your last moments in this iconic national park. Enjoy breakfast at the lodge.