African River Cruises
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10 best river cruises through Africa
Compiled by
NadineAfrica travel expert at TourRadar
- Southern Africa aboard the Zimbabwean Dream: travel to the ends of the earth (port-to-port cruise)
- Southern Africa aboard the African Dream: travel to the ends of the earth with extended stay at the Cape Peninsula (port-to-port cruise)
- 15 Days Ancient Egypt & Lake Nasser Cruise
- 5 Days – 4 Nights Nile Cruise 5* From Cairo by Flight
- 7 Days Of Wonder In Egypt (Domestic Flight Included)
- 5 Days 4 Nights Cruise from Luxor to Aswan
- River Nile Cruise For 4 Nights From Luxor to Aswan (Opt. Balloon & Abu Simbel)
- Luxury Nile cruise Luxor & Aswan for 7 nights includes tours
- Splendors of Egypt & the Nile (2025) (Cairo to Cairo, 2025)
- From Luxor 5 Days 4 Nights Nile Cruise WITH GUIDED TOURS + FREE GIFT TOUR "ABU SIMBEL TEMPLE"
Southern Africa aboard the Zimbabwean Dream: travel to the ends of the earth (port-to-port cruise)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Accommodation was superb. Well organised with a program packed with interesting educational opportunities.”
Jeanette, traveled in August
Three nights of luxury await aboard the boutique Zimbabwean Dream on Lake Kariba's unique landscape. Private balcony views, gourmet dining, and intimate water safaris enhance your stay. Luxury lodge accommodations and scenic flights between destinations ensure ultimate comfort.
Duration 9 days Destinations South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From $12,006
22% Off- NZ$9,361You save $2,645
Sail Lake Kariba's 200km expanse aboard African Dream ship, weaving through hidden inlets and drowned forests. Float down Chobe River's channels to Sedudu Island, relish sunset boat safaris, and savor Zambezi River dining near Victoria Falls.
Duration 13 days Destinations South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From $17,809
15% Off- NZ$15,164You save $2,645
15 Days Ancient Egypt & Lake Nasser Cruise
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We've traveled out of the country for many years and this trip went smoother than any of them.”
Jessica, traveled in October
The legendary Nile awaits aboard premium vessels like Movenpick Prince Abbas. Ancient temples from Luxor to Abu Simbel unfold before you, with traditional felucca sailing around Kitchener Island. Guides rated 4.9 (50+ reviews) lead comprehensive shore excursions to UNESCO sites.
Duration 15 days Destinations Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Philae, Agilkia Island, Kitchener Island, Abu Simbel, CairoSee all destinations Age Range 6 to 80 year olds Operator Vacations to go travel From
15% Off- NZ$10,062
5 Days – 4 Nights Nile Cruise 5* From Cairo by Flight
76 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Our cabin was spacious and kept clean daily. Food selection was great and boat staff were very helpful.”
Arash, traveled in April
Sail Africa's mighty Nile aboard a 5-star cruise ship from Luxor to Aswan. Ancient temples and monuments await while you enjoy full-board dining and evening entertainment. Abu Simbel excursion offered as an option.
Duration 5 days Destinations Cairo, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Esna, Giza, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, Aswan, Elephantine IslandSee all destinations Age Range 3 to 88 year olds Operator Holiday In Egypt From $2,178
50% Off- NZ$1,089You save $1,089
7 Days Of Wonder In Egypt (Domestic Flight Included)
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The combination of the Cruise, lying on the sun deck and riding along the nile with the cultural trips to great temples and monuments was nice!”
Hannah, traveled in February
The legendary river unfolds aboard 5-star ship visiting ancient temples. Sail from Luxor to Aswan exploring Karnak, Edfu, and Philae sanctuaries. Egyptologists share historical insights while passing traditional feluccas and riverbank ruins.
Duration 7 days Destinations Cairo, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Operator Itaca Holiday From
50% Off- NZ$1,551
5 Days 4 Nights Cruise from Luxor to Aswan
16 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Arranged the Nile Cruise for us from Aswan to Luxor with a guide and all activities before and after.”
Tala, traveled in December
The mighty Nile flows from Temple of Karnak to Aswan's High Dam on this 5-star cruise. Wander through Valley of the Kings, Temple of Horus, and Philae Temple while enjoying luxury dining and entertainment. Expert guides bring each historic site to life.
Duration 5 days Destinations Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Operator Ancient Egypt Tours From $1,341
8% Off- NZ$1,234You save $107
River Nile Cruise For 4 Nights From Luxor to Aswan (Opt. Balloon & Abu Simbel)
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Visiting Egypt is definitely worth it. I will remember this trip for life.”
Jenny, traveled in July
Sail Africa's iconic Nile aboard a 5-star cruise ship from Luxor to Aswan. UNESCO sites including Valley of Kings and Karnak Temple complex await your discovery. Optional sunrise balloon rides and Abu Simbel excursions enhance this 4-night voyage rated 4.4 (50+ reviews).
Duration 5 days Destinations Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operator Egypt Best Holidays From
8% Off- NZ$1,006
Luxury Nile cruise Luxor & Aswan for 7 nights includes tours
40 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very nicely planned and organized tour. Staff been so friendly and easy to access.”
Simin, traveled in December
Luxurious 23m² staterooms with Egyptian cotton linens await on the legendary river. UNESCO sites like Karnak Temples and Valley of the Kings feature prominently. Optional Abu Simbel excursion complements included tours with expert guides.
Duration 8 days Destinations Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator Truly Egypt Tours From $2,649
50% Off- NZ$1,325You save $1,324
Luxury awaits aboard the S.S. Sphinx on Africa's legendary Nile, visiting ancient temples and UNESCO sites. Traditional felucca sailing, Valley of the Kings exploration, and sunset tea at Aswan's historic Old Cataract Hotel create unforgettable memories.
Duration 12 days Destinations Cairo, Luxor, Dendera, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Edfu Age Range 16 to 100 year olds Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $12,199
20% Off- NZ$9,759You save $2,439
From Luxor 5 Days 4 Nights Nile Cruise WITH GUIDED TOURS + FREE GIFT TOUR "ABU SIMBEL TEMPLE"
28 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Totally everything we need to do was in this itinerary. Totally loved this cruise with its stuff.”
Moka, traveled in July
The historic waterway stretches from Luxor to Aswan. UNESCO sites including Karnak Temple and Abu Simbel await discovery. 5-star cruise includes expert guides, traditional meals, and cultural entertainment, earning 4.8/5 from 30+ reviews.
Duration 5 days Destinations Luxor, Aswan Age Range 18 to 80 year olds Operator Egyptology Travel From
20% Off- NZ$922
River Cruises in Africa Reviews
- Southern Africa aboard the Zimbabwean Dream: travel to the ends of the earth (port-to-port cruise)
Our 9 day CroisiEurope tour from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls was excellent. Well organised with a program packed with interesting educational opportunities along with the varied safari drives. Accommodation was superb. Although most fellow tourists will be French speaking the guides were all English speaking enabling us to learn much about their country's culture and history. Downloading the Google English/French translator app helped greatly. Not a cheap holiday but well worth the money.
- 15 Days Ancient Egypt & Lake Nasser Cruise
On our Egypt Tour and Nile Cruise we had an extremely wonderful time. The representatives, guides, and drivers your company provided were extremely professional and courteous at all times. The information you provided about Egypt upon arrival was extremely helpful, especially the extra activities and tipping information. When touring in a foreign country one of the most difficult things to know is how much to tip each individual you deal with. The information about walking around the streets was extremely helpful also. We tried to learn a few Arabic words but our foreign language skills are minimal at best. The two guides you provided had a real love for Egypt and it's history. This was evident anytime they spoke with us about the sites we visited. We learned alot about Egypt present and past from these two gentlemen. The guides also provided a lot of good information about places to buy some good quality gifts. They were very flexible, able to change the schedule on the fly to make sure we saw and did everything we were scheduled to do and at the same time help us with any extra activities we wanted to do. The sites were beautiful, the camel ride was fun, and the Nile cruise was very relaxing. We really enjoyed our time in Egypt, met many interesting people and would very much like to visit again as there are still a lot of things to see and learn. Thanks again for a wonderful time, you all were the best. Thank You, Bobby and Debra Carroll
- 5 Days – 4 Nights Nile Cruise 5* From Cairo by Flight
Just do it. Alaa was a brilliant tour guide offering small group ( just 3 of us) personalised, high quality guide through Egypt. His in-depth knowledge which he delivered in excellent English - gave us insight into the history of this amazing country. His courteous manner and ability to cater to all our requests and changing plans was most appreciated.
What our customers ask about African River Cruises
What are the best times of year to take a Nile River cruise in Africa?
The Nile River cruise season peaks from October to April when Egypt's weather is most favorable for sightseeing. During September and October travelers find fewer crowds and better rates while December through February brings comfortable daytime temperatures averaging 25°C (77°F). A TourRadar traveler noted: "Our February cruise had perfect weather for exploring temples and enjoying the sundeck making every moment memorable." Most experienced travelers avoid June through August when Upper Egypt temperatures regularly exceed 40°C (104°F).
What are the main destinations and highlights visited on Africa river cruises?
The classic Nile River route connects Luxor and Aswan taking passengers to key archaeological treasures including the Valley of the Kings Karnak Temple and the temples of Luxor Edfu and Philae. Many routes offer Abu Simbel as an add-on excursion. A TourRadar traveler shared "The highlights were Abu Simbel—absolutely breathtaking. The hot air balloon ride over Luxor was magical offering stunning views of ancient temples" from their trip with Egypt Tours Club.
How much do African river cruises typically cost?
The price range for Nile River voyages spans from basic to ultra-luxury experiences. A 4-night journey starts at 550 USD while deluxe 7-night cruises reach 1850 USD. Premium experiences like AmaWaterways' South African cruise command 16280 USD for 17 days. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Our 5-star Nile cruise including Abu Simbel was excellent value at 920 USD for 7 nights with all meals and guided tours included."
What wildlife can I expect to see on African river cruises?
Each river offers distinct wildlife encounters. The Zambezi River draws elephants hippos and crocodiles while Chobe River cruises showcase large herds of elephants and buffalo. Nile cruises emphasize historical sites though water birds and occasional crocodiles make appearances. A TourRadar traveler on the Zambezi Queen reported: "The morning wildlife viewing from the boat was incredible - we saw entire herds of elephants coming to drink at the river's edge."
How long are typical Africa river cruise itineraries?
Nile River journeys commonly run 4-8 days with many travelers choosing 4-night trips between Luxor and Aswan. Extended programs like Uniworld's 12-day "Splendors of Egypt & the Nile" blend river cruising with land exploration. Statistics show 5-day itineraries are most popular with one TourRadar traveler commenting "The 5-day cruise was perfect to see all the major sites along the Nile."
What types of cultural experiences are available on Africa river cruises?
These river voyages connect travelers with local life through visits to Nubian villages traditional markets and archaeological wonders. Evening entertainment features belly dancing and regional music while vessels like the Zimbabwean Dream stop at authentic villages on Impalila Island. A TourRadar traveler observed: "Our guide Hassan made both sightseeing visits in Aswan & Luxor so enjoyable and aroused curiosity with his knowledge of local culture."
What are the typical cabin options available on Africa river cruises?
Nile River ships provide accommodations ranging from standard rooms to premium suites. The S.S. Sphinx offers four room categories from deluxe cabins to royal suites each with river views. Ships like the Princess Sarah feature 5-star rooms with private balconies. According to a TourRadar traveler "The Nile cruise was memorable with stunning landscapes and a tranquil Nile view from our room" during their 5-day Luxor to Aswan journey.
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