Victoria Falls, Cape Town & Botswana Safari

Your Southern African adventure begins this afternoon, where you meet the Tour Manager at our hotel on the banks of the magnificent Zambezi River, a short distance from the Victoria Falls rainforest.

After a welcome drink we enjoy a classic introduction to the Zambezi - a 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, possibly seeing wildlife such as hippos and crocodiles in the water, and elephants or other animals drinking at the riverbank.

We are transferred back to our hotel where your 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 inviting restaurant overlooks the river and offers a delicious variety of international favorites and traditional African food. Each night guests are treated to the rhythms and music of African dancers and musicians.

After breakfast at our lodge, we set out on another unforgettable experience, a morning tour of the outstanding Victoria Falls on Zimbabwe's border with Zambia. This UNESCO World Heritage site was first named 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' (The Smoke that Thunders) by the indigenous tribespeople of this region. These impressive falls plunge dramatically into a chasm through a series of basalt gorges, creating an 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 experience a Boma dinner, a traditional African meal served outdoors. Along with delicious, barbecued food and a variety of game meat, we are treated to a performance from African drummers, dancers and a 'Sangoma', a respected 'witch-doctor' and storyteller. After dinner we are transferred back to our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving the wilderness of the Zambezi behind this morning, we travel by road to Kasane, in the Chobe District of Botswana. A first-class safari destination, Botswana features many fertile floodplains and wild natural forest, so it's a paradise for wildlife lovers. We reach our destination in around 90 minutes - a safari lodge 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 independently at the lodge, 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, giraffes, antelopes and buffalos. 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. After a transfer back to our hotel you are free to dine independently, in the restaurant which overlooks the ever-changing river.

• Breakfast

Early this morning we head out in 4x4 vehicles into the wild oasis of Chobe National Park on a 3-hour game drive, hoping to encounter some of its fantastic wildlife. Every day in the African bush is an unpredictable experience, which adds to the excitement of our trip. However, Chobe is home to the largest surviving elephant population in the world, so we are likely to spot these majestic creatures strolling through the plains or bathing in the river. We may also be lucky to catch a glimpse of a majestic lion lounging in the shade after feasting on its prey, and could 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 your day is at leisure. You may like to try one of the African dishes on the menu at the hotel restaurant for lunch and dinner. It is possible to book activities at the hotel reception, such as fishing and bird watching. Alternatively, you could relax at the pool or make the most of the hotel spa facilities.

• Breakfast

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 to our hotel in Pretoria. This attractive city is the country's administrative capital, which flaunts avenues of flowering trees, in particular purple jacarandas which bloom in the spring, from around late September to November.

Arriving late afternoon at our hotel in one of Pretoria's popular central suburbs, the rest of the day and evening is at leisure to explore. Nearby, the city's impressive Union Buildings house the South African government and presidential offices, designed by Sir Herbert Baker. Although the building is not open to the public, the gardens feature a nine-meter-high statue of Nelson Mandela, who was inaugurated here in 1994. The Pretoria Art Museum and a shopping center with restaurants and shops are a short distance away. Tonight you are free to dine independently and, besides the option of eating locally, you could try the hotel's Oasis Restaurant.

• Breakfast

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 train for a two-night journey from Pretoria to Durban in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

As we cross the vast open landscapes of South Africa's 'Highveld' - a scenic inland plateau of over 1,500 meters above sea level, which extends to the mountainous Drakensberg region - we relax in air-conditioned Pullman cabins, enjoying five-star service and lunch aboard our luxurious train. All meals and drinks are included during our journey, expertly-prepared onboard in the elegant dining cars by an enthusiastic team of chefs, as are our meals during off-train excursions. We continue traveling eastwards towards the Drakensberg mountains and the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, while enjoying a delicious dinner in the dining cars.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Before breakfast, there's the chance to take a wildlife drive through the Nambiti Reserve, a private Big Five bush retreat 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 to Spionkop Lodge, named after Spionkop or 'Spy Hill' - one of the smaller mountains that make up South Africa's famous Drakensberg Range - where we can walk in the footsteps of previous eminent visitors, Britain's Winston Churchill and India's Mahatma Gandhi. Here we have a choice of joining a talk and tour of the historic Spionkop Battlefield, or taking a drive into the Spionkop Reserve, with the opportunity to spot a variety of wildlife.

On our return to the lodge, we enjoy traditional sundowners overlooking the magnificent dam. At the end of the evening, we are driven back to our train for a traditional South African dinner onboard.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast is served in the dining cars this morning as we continue traveling 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, as the scenery becomes more subtropical and the sea is within sight, we reach the end of our journey, Durban.

On arrival in Durban we are transferred to our central hotel, set on the Golden Mile, close to the main city beaches. After checking in, you are at leisure to get to know the city of Durban. This evening you are free to dine independently, maybe to sample local cuisine at one of the restaurants along the Golden Mile, which offer cuisine ranging from South African specialties, seafood and steak to Mediterranean fare, or to dine at the hotel which serves a variety of dishes from all over the world.

• Breakfast, Lunch

With 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. After landing in Port Elizabeth (whose name was changed to Gqeberha in 2021, to reflect the city's Xhosa heritage) we are transferred by coach for a scenic journey to the coastal town of Knysna, traveling along South Africa's picturesque Garden Route.

Enroute to Knysna we stop just outside the city of Gqueberha for a short safari drive at the Nyosi Wildlife Reserve - home to a number of elephants, cheetahs and buffalos, as well as a variety of birdlife - before lunch with a view, and a tasting of local wines. We reach the coastal town of Knysna this afternoon and check in to our hotel near the waterfront. You are free to explore this characterful town with breathtaking sea views, and may wish to book a table at a sea-facing restaurant for dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Our day begins with a boat trip on Knysna Lagoon. We transfer to the Knysna waterfront for a ferry service to the wonderful 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 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 lunch beneath a canopy of Milkwood trees before returning to Knysna, where the rest of the day is free to discover the charms of this relaxed town.

Our hotel is close to Knysna's beautiful waterfront and the town center. Knysna is famous for its oysters and, 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 where you can enjoy a leisurely meal while watching yachts and small boats come and go.

• Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast we set off by coach to Cape Town, first following the scenic coastal route which passes the Knysna lagoons. We head inland, surrounded by 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 experience a typical South African braai (barbecue) lunch.

Our journey continues towards Cape Town, where we arrive in the early evening and check into our city center hotel for three nights. After settling in, you are at leisure to familiarize yourself with the buzzing city of Cape Town. Our hotel is perfectly situated in the City Bowl, at the foot of Table Mountain and close to the city center. The V&A Waterfront is a 10-minute taxi drive away. Within close walking distance is Bree Street which is one of Cape Town's most popular places to eat, with an exciting choice of restaurants. Alternatively, our hotel offers a restaurant.

• Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we are taken on a city orientation tour of Cape Town by coach. Our tour takes in sites including the City Hall, the Cape Town Parliament, Company's Gardens, the Castle of Good Hope, and the colorful Bo-Kaap (Malay Quarter). Next, we 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 rare Table Mountain ghost frog. There is a café 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, or spend the afternoon in the amazing Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, on the slopes of Table Mountain. The V&A Waterfront is another favorite Capetonian hang-out, where you'll find many shops, restaurants, an arts and craft market and the National Maritime Museum. When you're ready for dinner, Cape Town offers an inspiring choice of places to eat.

• Breakfast

Today we take a full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula, discovering the breathtaking coastal beauty of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and the 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.

Our coach takes us 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, 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. It's possible to wander along the boardwalk between the dunes to see these lovely creatures in their natural habitat. We transfer back to our hotel in Cape Town where our final night in this beautiful city is at leisure.

• Breakfast

This outstanding Southern African vacation has taken us from the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Victoria Falls to magnificent wildlife reserves in Botswana and South Africa. After a luxurious rail journey from Pretoria, we visited the coastal city of Durban, drove along South Africa's famous Garden Route to picturesque Knysna and discovered the iconic sights and scenery of Cape Town.

After a leisurely breakfast this morning, we are transferred to Cape Town Airport where you are free to continue your journey home.

• Breakfast