Namibia and the Pride of Africa

We fly from London Heathrow to Cape Town, arriving on Day 2. We take an orientation tour before transferring to the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel for 3 nights, situated overlooking the ocean. Later, we head out to make a cable car ascent of iconic Table Mountain, where we enjoy city views (weather permitting).

Today we travel to Cape Point, situated on the Cape of Good Hope where we ride the Flying Dutchman funicular railway up to a vantage point to admire the views. Later, we visit Boulders Bay, home to a colony of African penguins who can be seen here at close quarters. We then continue to Simon's Town, one of South Africa's oldest towns.

Day 4's excursion takes us to 2 of South Africa's finest and most famous wine producing areas, the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch Valleys. Here we sample some of the finest local wines during a premium tasting session at the family-owned Hout Bay Vineyard.

Cape Peninsula - Day 3

Discover the incredible surrounds of Cape Town on an unforgettable coastal excursion. Witness stunning panoramas at Cape Point, the most south-western corner of the continent where endless ocean views take your breath away. Continue to Boulders Beach to get up close and personal with the resident African penguin colony, a truly extraordinary experience.

Hout Bay Vineyards - Day 4

Enjoy a fascinating excursion through the breathtaking scenery of South Africa's wine Capelands, traversing the lush terrain of the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch Valleys. We pause for a premium wine tasting experience at Hout Bay Vineyards, a boutique family-owned winery, accompanied by delicious, tapas-style food pairings.

This morning, we take a flight from Cape Town to Walvis Bay, on Namibia's Skeleton Coast. Home to a variety of rare sea birds, Walvis Bay is a very important coastal wetland and busy port. On arrival, we transfer to Swakopmund, a seaside town characterised by fine examples of German colonial architecture. We spend tonight at the 4-Star Hansa Hotel.

On Day 6, we board our luxury train - the Pride of Africa. This truly elegant locomotive, in luxurious air-conditioned suites, takes us across the African plains in comfort and style, providing a 5-Star service. Tonight, we celebrate the beginning of our journey with a welcome dinner on board.

This morning we arrive in Otavi. Here, we leave the train and transfer to Mokuti Lodge, located at the gateway to the Etosha National Park. Etosha is one of the finest game reserves in Southern Africa, home to elephants, giraffes, rhinos, lions, and cheetahs. We take an afternoon game drive to try to spot some of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. After a second game drive early on Day 8, we return to Mokuti Lodge for breakfast. We re-board the train and continue to Windhoek, enjoying a relaxing evening on board as we travel.

On Day 9 we enjoy a tour of Windhoek, Namibia's lush, lively and modern capital city, which sits in the middle of the desert. We continue by flying to Sossusvlei, a huge salt and clay pan enclosed by giant sand dunes. This is Namibia's most famous landmark, and tonight we are treated to a desert drive before dinner. We stay at Sossusvlei Lodge overnight.

Etosha National Park

Etosha, meaning 'Great White Place', boasts one of the finest game reserves in Southern Africa, and is home to 4 of the mighty 'Big Five' game animals. We enjoy 2 game drives here, enjoying the magnificent wildlife viewing opportunities. Look out for giraffes nibbling at lush trees, zebra and wildebeest roaming the plains, and majestic lions lounging in the sun.

We begin the day with another excursion into the desert, giving us the chance to view Sossusvlei at its very best, when the colours are strong and constantly changing. Here, we have breakfast and get some superb photo opportunities of the dramatic landscapes before we fly back to Windhoek and re-join the train.

On Day 11, we visit Garas Park Rest Camp, a camping site set within stunning ancient landscapes, where we see the striking trees of Quivertree forest, before continuing to Fish River Canyon, one of the world's largest river valleys. At its widest point, the canyon is 21 miles across, and makes for a truly breathtaking sight. This evening the Pride of Africa journeys along the southern reaches of the Kalahari Basin, making its way towards the South African border.

We cross into South Africa on Day 12, stopping in Upington, an attractive town on the banks of the Orange River. We enjoy a guided tour before returning to the train. Our afternoon is spent on board, giving you the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy the passing scenery from the comfort of your private suite or the luxurious public areas of the train.

Today, we reach Kimberley, a city founded on diamonds. Here, we take a guided tour of the city and visit the 'Big Hole' mine museum - a re-created townscape and museum that houses a fascinating collection of artefacts from the diamond rush of the late 19th century. As we leave Kimberley, be sure to look out for the town's shallow lake where flamingos can often be seen.

Following a leisurely morning on Day 14, we arrive in Pretoria, the seat of South Africa's government. We are welcomed at the Rovos Rail Station in Capital Park, which serves as the Pride of Africa's headquarters. We disembark and transfer to our base for tonight, the 4-Star Courtyard Arcadia Hotel, paying a visit to the famous Voortrekker Monument en route.

Today is at leisure until we transfer to the airport for our overnight flight to London Heathrow, arriving on Day 16.