AmaWaterways Golden Trails of East Africa: 16 Nights

Golden Trails of East Africa at a glance

Golden Trails of East Africa is a 16-night AmaWaterways river cruise on the Chobe, from Johannesburg to Arusha, on Zambezi Queen. There are 77 departures between November 2026 and November 2028, from A$29,213 per person twin share in a Balcony stateroom, cruise only, with port charges and gratuities included.

Africa's most celebrated wildlife corridors run through this journey across the continent's golden landscapes. From Botswana's Chobe River safari and Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls to Tanzania's great northern parks, Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, the route follows Africa's greatest natural trails.

See dates and fares

Golden Trails of East Africa facts
Length	16 nights
River	Chobe
Starts and ends	Johannesburg to Arusha
Countries	South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania
Ship	Zambezi Queen
Departures	77, 15 Nov 2026 to 27 Nov 2028
From	A$29,213 pp, Balcony

Itinerary and fares from AmaWaterways, checked 2 November at 7:29am.

Golden Trails of East Africa day by day

Day	Where	The day
1	Johannesburg, South Africa	Arrive in Johannesburg
2	Johannesburg, South Africa	Begin Your Cruise on the Zambezi Queen
3	Chobe River, Namibia	View Wildlife on a Boat Safari
4	Chobe River, Namibia	Take a Full-Day Safari in Chobe National Park
5	Chobe River, Namibia	Experience Life & Wildlife Along the Chobe
6	Chobe River, Namibia	Transfer to Victoria Falls
7	Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe	Experience Victoria Falls and The Zambezi
8	Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe	Depart Victoria Falls and Return to Jo’burg
9	Johannesburg, South Africa	Tour Johannesburg and Soweto
10	Johannesburg, South Africa	Fly to Kilimanjaro and Arrive in Arusha
11	Arusha, Tanzania	Tarangire Safari and Arrival at Treetops
12	Tarangire, Tanzania	Safari and Sunset Drive in Tarangire
13	Tarangire, Tanzania	Lake Manyara and Arrival in Ngorongoro
14	Ngorongoro, Tanzania	Explore Ngorongoro Crater
15	Ngorongoro, Tanzania	“Big 5” Game Drive in the Serengeti
16	Serengeti, Tanzania	More Safaris in the Serengeti
17	Serengeti, Tanzania	Final Safari and Return to Arusha

As published by AmaWaterways. Excursions and timings can change with river levels and local conditions.

Golden Trails of East Africa dates and fares

Every departure we list, with the lowest fare in each stateroom type, per person for two sharing, in Australian dollars, cruise only, with port charges and gratuities included, as listed by AmaWaterways on 2 November at 7:29am. Press Quote on a date and a specialist confirms what is open and the price for two before you pay.

2026

Departs	Ship	Window	Balcony	Suite	Quote
15 Nov 2026Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$31,589	Sold out
22 Nov 2026Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$31,139	Sold out

2027

Departs	Ship	Window	Balcony	Suite
28 Feb 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$30,106	Sold out
7 Mar 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$31,144	Sold out
14 Mar 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$31,514	Sold out
21 Mar 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$30,713	Sold out
28 Mar 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$30,713	Sold out
4 Apr 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$31,000	Sold out
11 Apr 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,302	Sold out
18 Apr 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,878	Sold out
25 Apr 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$32,007	Sold out
2 May 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,590	Sold out
9 May 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$34,454	Sold out
16 May 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,878	Sold out
23 May 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,878	Sold out
30 May 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,816	Sold out
6 June 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$34,967	Sold out
14 June 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$32,727	Sold out
20 June 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$35,317	Sold out
27 June 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$34,741	Sold out
4 July 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,878	Sold out
11 July 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,302	Sold out
18 July 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,878	Sold out
25 July 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$34,166	Sold out
1 Aug 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,015	Sold out
8 Aug 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$35,605	Sold out
15 Aug 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$35,029	Sold out
22 Aug 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$35,605	Sold out
29 Aug 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$34,166	Sold out
5 Sept 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,816	Sold out
12 Sept 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$35,605	Sold out
19 Sept 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$34,022	Sold out
26 Sept 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$35,605	Sold out
3 Oct 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$32,583	Sold out
10 Oct 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$32,439	Sold out
17 Oct 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$32,583	Sold out
24 Oct 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,672	Sold out
31 Oct 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$31,432	Sold out
7 Nov 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$30,650	Sold out
14 Nov 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$29,213	Sold out
21 Nov 2027Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$29,675	Sold out

2028

Departs	Ship	Window	Balcony	Suite
6 Mar 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$30,107	Sold out
13 Mar 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$30,507	Sold out
20 Mar 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$30,507	Sold out
27 Mar 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$30,507	Sold out
3 Apr 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$30,794	Sold out
10 Apr 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$31,082	Sold out
17 Apr 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$31,082	Sold out
24 Apr 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$31,226	Sold out
1 May 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$31,370	Sold out
8 May 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$31,658	Sold out
22 May 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$32,809	Sold out
29 May 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,096	Sold out
5 June 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,672	Sold out
12 June 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,672	Sold out
26 June 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,672	Sold out
3 July 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,672	Sold out
10 July 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,672	Sold out
17 July 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,672	Sold out
24 July 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,960	Sold out
31 July 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,960	Sold out
7 Aug 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,960	Sold out
14 Aug 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,960	Sold out
21 Aug 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,960	Sold out
28 Aug 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,960	Sold out
4 Sept 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,960	Sold out
11 Sept 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$34,310	Sold out
25 Sept 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,672	Sold out
2 Oct 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,528	Sold out
9 Oct 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$33,384	Sold out
16 Oct 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$32,953	Sold out
23 Oct 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$31,226	Sold out
30 Oct 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$31,226	Sold out
6 Nov 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$30,794	Sold out
13 Nov 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$30,507	Sold out
20 Nov 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$30,219	Sold out
27 Nov 2028Johannesburg to Arusha	Zambezi Queen	Sold out	A$30,219	Sold out

Staterooms on Golden Trails of East Africa

The lowest fare in each stateroom type across the departures above, per person twin share. Each type has several categories by deck and size; we quote the one you prefer.

Window

The lowest deck (Piano Deck), with a fixed picture window
About 160 to 170 sq ft on the European ships, 205 sq ft on AmaMagna
The lowest fare on board, with the same dining and excursions as every stateroom

CurrentlySold outon every listed dateAsk us

Balcony

A French balcony, and on most ships a step-out balcony beside it: AmaWaterways’ twin balcony
From about 14 to 22 square metres, on the upper decks
Two twin beds or one larger bed, set up before you board

FromA$29,213ppA$58,426 for 2Choose a date

Suite

A larger sitting area and bathroom, from about 30 to 33 square metres
Twin balcony or a full outside balcony, depending on the ship
The top category on most ships; AmaMagna adds Grand Suites and an Owner’s Suite

CurrentlySold outon every listed dateAsk us

What’s included in your fare

AmaWaterways covers the dining, the guided excursions and the bikes. Drinks come with lunch and dinner and at the nightly cocktail hour, rather than all day.

All meals on board, including dinner at The Chef’s Table
Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
The Sip and Sail cocktail hour before dinner, in Europe
Guided shore excursions, most days with a choice of pace
Bicycles in Europe
Wi-Fi
A cruise manager with you throughout
Port charges and gratuities, on the fly and cruise fares sold in Australia

Available at an additional cost

Premium and imported wines, and drinks outside the included times
Some excursions on selected sailings
Flights, fuel surcharges and baggage fees
Airport transfers, unless you book your flights through AmaWaterways
Laundry, insurance, visas and vaccinations

More Chobe river cruises

Golden Trails of East Africa, answered

How much does the AmaWaterways Golden Trails of East Africa cruise cost?

From A$29,213 per person, twin share (A$58,426 for two), in a Balcony stateroom. Fares are in Australian dollars, cruise only, with port charges and gratuities included, as listed by AmaWaterways on 2 November at 7:29am. They differ by date, so the table of departures above has each one.

When does Golden Trails of East Africa sail?

77 times between 15 Nov 2026 and 27 Nov 2028: 2 departures in 2026, 39 departures in 2027, 36 departures in 2028.

Where does it start and finish?

It starts in Johannesburg and finishes in Arusha.

Which ship sails it?

Zambezi Queen. Every AmaWaterways ship is small, most carrying fewer than 200 guests, with twin-balcony staterooms above the Window category.

What is included in the fare?

All meals on board, with wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, guided excursions in most places you stop, Wi-Fi, port charges and gratuities. Flights, travel insurance, visas and premium drinks are extra.

How do I book Golden Trails of East Africa?

Choose a date in the table and press Quote, or send the form with any date. A AmaWaterways specialist replies with the staterooms open on your date and the price for two in Australian dollars, before you pay anything. Or call us on 1300 214 840.

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