Victoria Falls, Cape Town and Botswana Safari

Our adventure begins in London Heathrow, as we board our overnight flight to Cape Town, in South Africa.

We arrive in Cape Town, South Africa's cosmopolitan capital and the perfect starting point for our holiday. Set beneath the shadow of imposing Table Mountain, Cape Town is an eclectic blend of modern and traditional, with a distinctly 'cool' urban edge. The city epitomises a country that is constantly looking forward. We enjoy a welcome drink at our hotel and some free time to settle in to our new surroundings.

We're introduced to Cape Town on a guided tour. We travel to the summit of iconic Table Mountain by cable car, where we take in outstanding views across the city. The rest of your afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. Surrounded by pristine beaches and verdant vineyards, Cape Town is known as a cultural hotspot, and from cafés and bars to boutique shops and art galleries, there's plenty here to discover.

We head to South Africa's southwest promontory for a tour of the Cape Peninsula, discovering the breathtaking coastal beauty of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, travelling along Chapman's Peak scenic coastal road. We enjoy a journey on the Flying Dutchman funicular railway, which carries us up a steep incline through dense greenery to the upper lighthouse, with stunning views across the Western Cape on the way. Later, we visit Boulders Beach, a pretty swimming bay that's home to a colony of African penguins. The population is estimated between 2,000 and 3,000, and it's possible to get up close to the penguins as they swim in the glistening waters and waddle along the sands.

After breakfast, we begin our journey along the colourful Garden Route. Named for the remarkable natural beauty of the lush scenery it cuts through, this famous stretch of coastline runs between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, at the southernmost tip of Africa. We arrive in Oudtshoorn, a town famed for its ostrich population. We encounter the fascinating birds on a guided tour of an ostrich farm, following a delicious barbecue lunch. Continuing through the leafy surroundings of the Garden Route, we arrive in Knysna, set on the beautiful and rugged Paradise Coast, where we stay for two nights.

We being our day with a boat trip on Knysna Lagoon. We cruise the calm, emerald waters to Knysna Heads, which flank the narrow channel between the lagoon and the ocean beyond. At Featherbed Nature Reserve, we disembark for a nature walk, with a specialist guide on hand to teach us about the history, fauna and flora of the area. We settle down for a delicious lunch beneath a canopy of beautiful Milkwood trees before our return to Knysna, where there's time to discover the town's scenic charms.

We travel along the final stretch of the verdant Garden Route today on our way to Port Elizabeth. Enroute, we pause at Plettenburg Bay. Popularly known as Plett, Plettenburg Bay is a stunning area of pristine, sandy beaches and crystal waters. We visit a nearby vineyard where we're treated to a tasting of local wines. Arriving in Port Elizabeth, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before we board our internal flight to Durban, where we spend the night.

We enjoy a highlight of our holiday today as we begin our iconic journey to Pretoria. We board the Pride of Africa, one of the most luxurious trains in the world, for an unforgettable two-night adventure through South Africa. We pause our journey after lunch to visit the famous ceramic collection at the Ardmore Ceramics Gallery, before settling in this evening for a journey through some of South Africa's most diverse and beautiful landscapes.

We disembark this morning to visit Spionkop Lodge, where we have a choice of two excursions. You may like to embark on an escorted tour of the historic battlefield itself, the site of a futile battle in 1900 between Boer forces and British troops. Alternatively, enjoy a game drive in the 11,000-acre Spionkop Reserve, with the opportunity to spot a variety of wild animals. Our next excursion is to Nambiti Reserve, a private retreat home to the magnificent 'Big Five'. We embark on an incredible game drive across the savannah and grasslands here.

We continue our journey northwest across the expansive Highveld grasslands before arriving in Pretoria, the seat of South Africa's government and one of South Africa's three capital cities. Our journey ends at the Rovos Rail Station, and we transfer to our hotel for the night.

We transfer to Johannesburg, where we board our flight to Kasane, in the Chobe District of Botswana. A first-class safari destination, Botswana is filled with beautiful natural landscapes and is a paradise for wildlife lovers. We transfer to our hotel on the banks of the mighty Chobe River, surrounded by the vast grasslands of Chobe National Park. Later in the afternoon, we embark upon a scenic sunset river cruise. Keep your eyes out for the wonderful array of birds it's possible to spot along the river, including yellow-billed storks and giant kingfisher.

We head out into the wild surroundings of Chobe National Park on a morning game drive, hoping to see the incredible array of animals that make their home here. 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. It's often possible to spot a majestic lion lounging in the shade during the day, as well as herds of buffalo and zebra crossing the plains.

Leaving the wild surroundings of Chobe National Park behind, we cross the border into Zimbabwe. We check into our hotel for the next two nights, located in a peaceful spot on the shores of the Zambezi River, close to iconic Victoria Falls. This evening, we're treated to a cruise along the Zambezi River, experiencing the incomparable African sunset as it casts its golden glow across the waters.

We experience something extraordinary today as we visit the breathtaking Victoria Falls. Known as 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' ('the smoke that thunders'), these impressive waterfalls span the Zambia-Zimbabwe border, plunging dramatically into a chasm and down a series of basalt gorges to create an iridescent mist that can be seen, and felt, from miles away. This evening, we enjoy a Boma farewell dinner, a traditional outdoor meal and part of African bush culture, which combines delicious food with cultural entertainment.

Our holiday draws to a close today, and we transfer to Livingstone airport. Flying via Johannesburg, we begin our journey back to London Heathrow.

Our flight arrives back in London, where your tour concludes.