Victoria Falls, Cape Town and Botswana Safari

Our Southern African adventure begins at London Heathrow where we meet our Tour Manager and the rest of our small group of fellow travellers, before we board our overnight flight to Johannesburg and Victoria Falls.

After touch down in Johannesburg this morning we transfer to an internal flight to Victoria Falls Airport. On arrival we're taken by coach to our hotel, a fabulous location to start our holiday, right on the banks of the magnificent Zambezi River and just a couple of miles from the Victoria Falls rainforest.

We are greeted with a welcome drink and a traditional introduction to this mighty river - a wonderful sunset river cruise, with refreshments on board. From our boat we experience the magical African twilight and the burnished copper glow of the setting sun, watching out for wildlife including hippos and crocodiles in the water and elephants or other animals on the riverbank.

We are transferred back to our hotel where the evening is free to dine independently, either at our hotel or possibly in Victoria Falls town - a courtesy shuttle bus is provided until 9pm. The hotel's open air Amulonga Restaurant overlooks the river and offers a delicious variety of international favourites and African traditional food. Each night guests are treated to the rhythms and music of African dancers and musicians.

After breakfast at our lodge this morning we enjoy another unforgettable experience, on a morning tour of the breathtaking Victoria Falls on Zimbabwe's border with Zambia. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known as 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' (Smoke that Thunders), and these impressive waterfalls plunge dramatically into a chasm and down a series of basalt gorges to create an incredible iridescent mist that can be seen, and felt, from miles away. The effect is simply exhilarating.

After our Victoria Falls visit, the afternoon is free to enjoy our stunning surroundings and the facilities of our lodge. Relax on your private balcony, or settle down on a comfortable sun lounger next to the swimming pool, with views over the Zambezi. This evening, we enjoy a Boma farewell dinner, a traditional African meal served outdoors. Along with delicious barbecued food and a variety of game meat, we enjoy African drumming, dancers and a Sangoma, a respected 'witchdoctor' and storyteller. After dinner we are transferred back to our hotel.

This morning we leave the wilderness of the Zambezi behind and travel by road to Kasane, in the Chobe District of Botswana. A first-class safari destination, Botswana features many lush floodplains and unspoilt natural forest, and is a paradise for wildlife lovers. In around 90 minutes we reach our destination - a safari resort on the banks of the mighty Chobe River, surrounded by the vast grasslands of Chobe National Park.

After time to settle in and enjoy lunch on our own at the hotel, we are taken on another memorable excursion into the amazing Chobe National Park. We embark on a scenic sunset cruise along the Chobe River, a popular watering spot for elephants, giraffe, antelope and buffalo. Along the shoreline we are likely to see some of these animals cooling off or drinking at the water's edge. There's also an abundance of birdlife along the Chobe River, including sacred ibis, the African fish eagle, crimson-breasted shrike, and the elusive kingfisher.

We are transferred back to our hotel where you are free to dine independently, in the restaurant which overlooks the river.

Early this morning we head out into the wild surroundings of Chobe National Park in 4x4 vehicles on a 3-hour game drive, hoping to see some of its fantastic wildlife. Known as the 'Land of Giants', Chobe National Park is home to the largest surviving elephant population in the world, and from our special safari vehicles we could spot the majestic creatures strolling through the plains or bathing in the river. We may be lucky to spot a majestic lion lounging in the shade during the day, and we may see herds of buffalo, giraffe or zebra crossing the plains.

We are driven back to our lodge at the end of our morning safari, and the rest of the day is at leisure. You may like to try one of the African dishes on the menu at our hotel for lunch and dinner. Between meals, you could relax at the pool or make the most of the hotel spa facilities.

We enjoy a final breakfast in our Botswana safari lodge before a short transfer to Kasane Airport for a flight to Johannesburg. Here we are met by a local guide and transferred directly to our hotel in Pretoria, a journey of around an hour, a handsome city which is South Africa's administrative capital.

Arriving late afternoon, we are greeted with a welcome drink (non-alcoholic). Our hotel is centrally situated and you are free to explore the local area. The city's impressive Union Buildings are nearby, home to the South African government and presidential offices, designed by Sir Herbert Baker. Although the building is not open to the public, the garden features a nine metres tall statue of Nelson Mandela, who was inaugurated here in 1994. The Pretoria Art Museum is nearby and the Eastwood Shopping Centre (with restaurants and shops) is just a short walk away. Tonight you are free to dine at a place of your choice and besides local dining options you could choose to eat at the hotel's Oasis Restaurant.

This morning we transfer to Pretoria's Capital Park, the private station for Rovos Rail passengers, where there's time to relax or look around the railway museum before boarding the opulent Pride of Africa for a two-night journey to Kwa-Zulu Natal.

As we travel across this magnificent country we relax in luxurious, air-conditioned Pullman cabins, enjoying 5-Star service and our first lunch aboard this wonderful train. All meals and drinks are included, and expertly prepared onboard in the elegant dining cars by an enthusiastic team of chefs, as are our meals during off-train excursions. We continue travelling eastwards towards the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, while enjoying a delicious dinner in the dining cars.

Early this morning, before breakfast, we view wildlife on a drive in the Nambiti Reserve, a private Big Five bush retreat set in vast bushveld with incredible biodiversity including savannah, grasslands and tall acacia trees. Breakfast is served back on board, then - a little later - we enjoy brunch in the dining cars as we continue our journey.

On arrival at the town of Estcourt we are transferred by coach to visit Spionkop Lodge, named after Spionkop or 'Spy Hill' - one of the smaller mountains that make up South Africa's famous Drakensberg Range. In this tranquil setting we can walk in the footsteps of previous visitors, Churchill and Gandhi, before enjoying lunch at the lodge. We then have a choice of a trip to the historic battlefield of Spionkop, or a game drive in the Spionkop Reserve, with the opportunity to spot a variety of wild animals. On our return to Spionkop Lodge we enjoy sundowners while looking out across the magnificent Spionkop dam, followed by a traditional South African dinner at the lodge restaurant. At the end of the evening we are transferred back to our train for our final night on board.

Breakfast is served in the dining cars of our train this morning as we continue travelling to the coastal city of Durban. Enroute we stop close to the picturesque town of Howick, to visit the unique ceramic collection at the Ardmore Ceramics Gallery. We return to our train for lunch on board then, reaching the end of our journey, we say farewell to the Pride of Africa train as we arrive in Durban at 4pm.

In Durban we are transferred by coach to our central hotel. After a welcome drink (non-alcoholic) on arrival, you are at leisure to get to know the city of Durban. You are free this evening, maybe to sample local cuisine at one of the city's many restaurants, or to dine at the hotel.

We have an early check out this morning to catch our internal flight to Port Elizabeth. Our hotel provides us with a breakfast pack for our journey. On arrival in Port Elizabeth we are transferred by coach to Knysna, taking a city orientation tour of Port Elizabeth on the way.

We continue along South Africa's picturesque Garden Route with stops in Jeffreys Bay, an internationally-renowned surfing spot. We arrive in the scenic resort of Plettenberg Bay at lunchtime where we stop for lunch. Our journey continues with a visit to a local wine estate, where we enjoy a private wine tasting. We arrive in the coastal town of Knysna in the afternoon and after a welcome drink we are free to explore this characterful town and choose a restaurant for dinner.

Our day begins with a boat trip on Knysna Lagoon. We transfer to the Knysna waterfront for a ferry service to Featherbed Nature Reserve. We cruise the calm, emerald waters to Knysna Heads, which flank the narrow channel between the lagoon and the ocean beyond. At the wonderful Featherbed Nature Reserve, we disembark for a nature walk, where a specialist guide tells us about the history, fauna and flora of the area. We enjoy a delicious lunch beneath a canopy of beautiful Milkwood trees before our return to Knysna, where the rest of the day is free to discover the town's scenic charms.

Our hotel is close to Knysna's beautiful waterfront and the town centre. At the quayside and across the water at Thesen Island you'll find a good choice of eating places, from casual cafés to stylish fish restaurants. The town itself offers pubs, a fusion food restaurant and a pizzeria.

After breakfast we set off by coach to Cape Town, first following the scenic coastal route which passes the Knysna lagoons. We head inland, passing the Outeniqua Mountains, for a lunch stop in the semi-arid town of Oudtshoorn, famous for its ostrich population. We encounter these fascinating birds on a guided tour of an ostrich farm, where we also enjoy a barbecue (braai) lunch.

Our journey continues towards Cape Town, where we arrive in the early evening and check into our city centre hotel for three nights. After settling in, you are at leisure to familiarise yourself with the buzzing city of Cape Town. Our hotel is perfectly situated in the historic suburb of Gardens, at the foot of Table Mountain and close to the city centre. The V&A Waterfront is a 15 minute taxi drive away. Within close walking distance is Kloof Street which has a number of popular restaurants. Alternatively, our hotel offers a restaurant.

This morning we are taken on an orientation tour of the city by coach. We pass historic sites including the City Hall, the Cape Town Parliament, Company's Gardens, the Castle of Good Hope, and the colourful Bo-Kaap (Malay Quarter).

We then take a cable car to the top of Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain, enjoying panoramic city views and free time at the summit. Here you can walk among beautiful Cape 'fynbos', and spot animals such as the rock rabbit or the Table Mountain ghost frog. There is a café and coffee shop at the top and you're free to have lunch here.

The rest of the day is yours in this spectacular city. You could take the ferry to Robben Island, where President Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Nature lovers can enjoy the magnificent Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, on the south east slopes of Table Mountain. At the V&A Waterfront, there are many shops, an arts and craft market and the National Maritime Museum. When it comes to dining out, in Cape Town you are spoilt for choice.

We set off by coach this morning for a full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula, discovering the breathtaking coastal beauty of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, and travelling along Chapman's Peak scenic coastal road.

At Cape Point we take a short trip on the Flying Dutchman funicular railway, through dense greenery to just below the lighthouse at the top, where we can look out across the Atlantic Ocean, the waters of False Bay, and the stunning Cape Peninsula coastline.

We then travel along False Bay, to Simon's Town - South Africa's Naval base where you are free to look around the museum and find lunch in a local café or restaurant. We continue to Boulders Bay, a pristine beach which is home to a friendly colony of African penguins. The penguins nest in the dunes and waddle down to swim in the sea, often gathering in family groups to sun on the rocks. Wander along the boardwalk between the dunes to see these lovely creatures in their natural habitat. We are transferred back to our hotel in Cape Town and the final night of our holiday is free to relax and dine at leisure.

After a final leisurely breakfast at our hotel, we are transferred to Cape Town Airport where we join an afternoon flight to Johannesburg. After some time in transit at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, we board our overnight flight back to London Heathrow.

We land in London Heathrow early this morning, where you may have a connecting flight. It's time to say goodbye to your co-travellers and Tour Manager and make your way home. While Southern Africa is now thousands of miles away, you are sure to hold onto the many experiences of your wonderful African holiday - from unforgettable sunset river cruises along mighty rivers and the stunning Victoria Falls, to our journey on the luxurious Pride of Africa and the gorgeous coastal region of the Cape.