Premium South Africa: Kruger & Victoria Falls

Touching down in Cape Town today, transfer independently to our scenic hotel, boasting an enviable location along the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Meeting the Tour Manager, enjoy a welcome drink and get to know your fellow travelers before some free time to unwind or explore the local surroundings. With direct access to the city's leading shops, restaurants and cultural attractions, our hotel is the perfect base from which to start our discovery of South Africa.

This evening, we enjoy our first dinner together in the hotel restaurant. Overlooking the harbor, it provides a wonderful setting as luxury yachts and boats create an ever-changing waterfront scene. Overnight Cape Town.

• Dinner

The iconic sights of Cape Town await today as we set out on a guided tour after breakfast.

Traveling by coach, we pass some of the city's notable landmarks, including City Hall, Parliament and the Castle of Good Hope, before exploring the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood, where brightly painted houses line the streets. We then ascend Table Mountain by cable car (weather permitting), enjoying spectacular panoramic views across the city and coastline. At the summit, there's time to follow trails, explore the unique flora and perhaps spot some of the mountain's wildlife, including rock hyraxes, a small mammal which resembles a large guinea pig.

Returning to the hotel later this afternoon, we enjoy dinner together in one of the hotel's restaurants. Overnight Cape Town.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we embark on a full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula, discovering its breathtaking coastal scenery as we travel along the spectacular Chapman's Peak Drive and through the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.

At Cape Point, we take a short journey aboard the Flying Dutchman funicular, traveling through lush greenery to just below the lighthouse. From here, admire sweeping views across the Atlantic Ocean, False Bay and the dramatic Cape Peninsula coastline. Continuing along the shores of False Bay, we reach Boulder's Beach, where a colony of African penguins can be seen nesting among the dunes, swimming in the sea and basking on the rocks. Afterward, we enjoy lunch at a local seafront seafood restaurant, where you can savor some flavors of the coast.

Returning to our hotel in Cape Town, there's time to unwind before we enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant along the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Overnight Cape Town.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we leave Cape Town and head to the airport for our flight to Skukuza, the gateway to Kruger National Park. On arrival, we transfer by coach to our unique hotel, where an unforgettable three-night stay awaits.

We check in to Kruger Shalati, also known as the 'train on the bridge', a five-star hotel unlike anywhere else in Africa. Our luxury carriage rooms are set within a historic train permanently stationed on the iconic Selati Bridge above the Sabie River, the hotel occupies the very spot where early visitors to Kruger National Park stayed in the 1920s. After lunch in the hotel restaurant, overlooking the bridge and river below, we set out on our first game drive into the park. Accompanied by a skilled local ranger, we explore the wilderness in search of its remarkable wildlife, with expert knowledge helping us spot even the most well-camouflaged animals.

Returning to Kruger Shalati, we enjoy dinner at the hotel, reflecting on our first taste of the incredible wilderness that surrounds us. Overnight Kruger.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The vast landscapes and spectacular wildlife of Kruger National Park await today as we embark on two game drives led by local rangers, with plenty of opportunities to seek out the Big Five in their natural habitat. As we explore the open savannah, keep watch for the park's remarkable variety of wildlife, from graceful antelope and playful monkeys to more elusive creatures such as genets, civets and warthogs.

After our morning game drive, we return to the hotel for lunch before heading back into the wilderness this afternoon. With a different time of day bringing new sights and sounds, there's always the possibility of another memorable wildlife encounter.

Returning to our hotel later this afternoon, enjoy some time to relax and freshen up before dinner in the hotel restaurant this evening. Overnight Kruger.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

With another full day to discover the wonders of Kruger National Park, we head out on morning and afternoon game drives in search of more unforgettable wildlife encounters. Each journey through the park offers something different, whether it's watching a herd of elephants move through the bush, seeing a pride of lions resting in the shade or spotting smaller animals hidden among the vegetation.

Between our game drives, return to our hotel for lunch before we venture out again this afternoon. As the safari unfolds, keep your eyes peeled for colorful birds perched in trees or flying across the sky. Kruger's plant life is also fascinating, with an array of trees, plants and flowers decorating the semi-arid terrain.

After another rewarding day of wildlife watching, return to the hotel for dinner and time to unwind. Overnight Kruger.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rising early for one final wildlife drive through Kruger National Park this morning, we enjoy one last opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of the African bush before transferring to Skukuza Airport for a flight to Johannesburg.

On arrival, we transfer to our hotel and check in. Known as the "City of Gold," Johannesburg is South Africa's largest city and a bustling center of culture and history, shaped by its fascinating gold-mining heritage.

There's time to relax at the hotel after our journey before we come together this evening for dinner. Overnight Johannesburg.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we fly to Livingstone in Zambia, the gateway to the magnificent Victoria Falls. On arrival, we transfer to our five-star hotel, where a memorable stay awaits in a spectacular setting.

The Royal Livingstone Hotel sits just steps from Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and offers a unique connection to the surrounding wilderness, with resident zebras and a giraffe roaming the grounds. Our rooms overlook the Zambezi River, setting the scene for this evening's experience.

As the sun begins to set, we board a boat for a tranquil river cruise, enjoying refreshments as the African landscape is bathed in a warm, golden light. Keep watch for wildlife along the riverbanks, with the possibility of spotting hippos and crocodiles in the water, or elephants coming to drink at the shore. As dusk falls over the Zambezi, we return to the hotel, with the unforgettable sights of our first evening in Zambia fresh in our minds. Overnight Victoria Falls.

• Breakfast

Today, we discover the majesty of Victoria Falls from both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides. Known by its original name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning "The Smoke That Thunders," the falls are a spectacular sight as the mighty Zambezi River plunges through a series of basalt gorges, sending clouds of mist high into the air. Experiencing this UNESCO World Heritage site from two different perspectives reveals the sheer scale and power of this natural wonder.

Returning to our hotel, the afternoon is free to relax and make the most of our spectacular surroundings. Perhaps take a refreshing dip in the riverfront pool overlooking the Zambezi, unwind with a spa treatment or simply relax on your private balcony.

This evening, a truly unforgettable experience awaits aboard the luxurious Royal Livingstone Express, a dedicated fine-dining train where the journey itself is part of the occasion. Step back into the golden age of rail travel as we journey through the African bush in beautifully restored vintage carriages toward the iconic Victoria Falls bridge. As the sun sets over the falls, enjoy a sumptuous five-course dinner accompanied by the romance and elegance of a bygone era of rail travel. Overnight Victoria Falls.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Throughout this unforgettable vacation, we have experienced the very best of South Africa, from searching for the Big Five across the vast wilderness of Kruger National Park to staying in the extraordinary "train on the bridge." We have marveled at the mighty Victoria Falls, traveled in vintage luxury aboard the Royal Livingstone Express and discovered the vibrant city of Cape Town, creating memories to treasure long after our journey ends.  

After our final breakfast this morning, we are transferred to Livingstone Airport for a flight to Johannesburg, where you are free to bid farewell to Africa and catch your connecting flight home.

• Breakfast