South Africa, Zambia, and the Kruger Shalati

After meeting your Tour Manager and group at London Heathrow, we fly to Johannesburg, arriving on Day 2 and boarding an internal flight to Cape Town, and our base for the next 2 nights. This evening, we head to a local restaurant to delve into the sounds, rhythms, and tastes of South Africa. We learn about the traditional djembe drum during a private drumming session before sitting down to a 14-course feast. South African cuisine is diverse and delicious, with the hearty, farm-style food of early Africana settlers brought to life with Malay and Indian spices.

Today we visit Bo-Kaap. Perched above the city, this eccentric neighbourhood is also known as the Malay Quarter and is a treasure trove of culture and heritage, with its rainbow-hued houses and distinctive cuisine. We uncover its secrets on a 'cooking safari', with a stroll through the historic centre, a visit to the Bo-Kaap Museum, and a cooking workshop after which we enjoy eating the fruits of our labour. After lunch, we visit Table Mountain (weather permitting), which on a clear day, boasts spectacular views across the city, waterfront, and Cape Peninsula. We continue to the Shimansky Jewellery Showroom. Here, we are given a fascinating insight into South Africa's diamond heritage and have the opportunity to polish diamonds ourselves before ending our day with a delicious wine, whiskey, or gin tasting.

We spend Day 4 immersing ourselves in one of South Africa's most famous exports, exploring the beautiful winelands which surround the capital. First, we visit Franschhoek Valley, where we board the charming wine tram. This is a unique way to soak up the verdant surroundings of one of Africa's most renowned wine regions and we pause twice on our journey to sample some world-class wines. We continue to Stellenbosch where we enjoy lunch at a local wine estate, followed by a tasting of locally produced wines.

Leaving South Africa's capital today, we fly to Skukuza in Kruger National Park. Here, we check into our unique hotel for 2 nights, the Kruger Shalati 'Train on the Bridge', the world's first elevated train-hotel. Occupying a permanent position on the historic Selati Bridge overlooking the Sabie River, the hotel boasts unparalleled views across Kruger National Park and it is possible to see wildlife including elephants, hippos, and crocodiles bathing in the waters below.

This afternoon we embark on a game drive in Kruger National Park, one of the world's largest and most celebrated game reserves. With an incredible range of rare wildlife to be spotted here, including the fabled 'Big 5' - lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and cape buffalo - a safari through these awe-inspiring landscapes is a truly unforgettable experience.

Day 6 presents further opportunity for wildlife-spotting, as we enjoy a morning and afternoon game drive through the bush plains, savannah, and tropical forests that make up the park. The rest of the day is at leisure to soak up the unique luxury of our suspended train-hotel.

Today, we bid farewell to Kruger and transfer to Mpumalanga airport for our flight to Zambia. Our hotel here is the 5-Star Royal Livingstone Hotel, close to the mighty Victoria Falls - the magnificent waterfall that straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. This evening, we set sail on a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River, giving us the chance to admire the majestic African sunset as it casts a golden glow across the beautiful waters.

We explore 'the smoke that thunders' today on a tour which takes us to the best vantage points surrounding Victoria Falls, including 'Knife Edge Bridge', boasting breathtaking views across the main gorge. We continue to nearby Livingstone Museum, the oldest museum in Zambia, for a fascinating insight into local history before joining the Royal Livingstone Express. On board this restored steam train, we step back in time to a romantic era of rail travel, enjoying a fine dining experience like no other. Travelling through the stunning surrounds of the Zambezi Valley in opulent Pullman-style coaches, we are treated to dinner, accompanied by delicious local wines.

You are at leisure today to soak up the beautiful surroundings of our hotel. This evening, we experience an important part of African bush culture with a farewell Boma dinner, sitting down to traditional Zimbabwean cuisine before taking in some lively entertainment. On Day 10, we transfer to the airport for our overnight flight back to London Heathrow, via Johannesburg, arriving on Day 11.