Southern Africa Safari & Rail Adventure - A Luxury Small Group Journey (2023)

Arrive in Cape Town and transfer to one of the country’s most famous hotels, set at the foot of Table Mountain.

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town

Ascend Table Mountain via cable car to take in an inspiring panorama of the city. Proceed to the colourful and distinctive Bo-Kaap neighbourhood for a walking tour. After lunch, discover the Castle of Good Hope, built by the Dutch East India Company. Learn its colonial history, and then continue to the District Six Museum, which chronicles Cape Town’s apartheid past in a poignant yet ultimately uplifting way. Receive an overview of key historical role players, including Nelson Mandela. Tonight, savour a relaxing welcome dinner.

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town | Meals: BLD

Discover Cape Point, the scenic promontory at the southwestern tip of the continent. Journey past the “bikini beaches” at the base of the towering Twelve Apostles Mountain Range, along Hout Bay with its bustling fishing harbor and over the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive. Explore the stunning Cape Peninsula and Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, home to rare bonteboks and chacma baboons. Ride the “Flying Dutchman” funicular to the great pinnacle at blustery Cape Point, which presides over treacherous reefs and sandy beaches. At Boulders Beach, visit its colony of endangered African penguins; accustomed to humans, they provide endless photo opportunities. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure, perhaps exploring the city’s harbor front or dining in one of Cape Town’s world-class restaurants.

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town | Meals: BL

Today, take in the richness of the Constantia Winelands, nestled below Table Mountain, starting with a visit to Constantia Glen for a tour of their cellar guided by the winemaker. Enjoy a wine tasting followed by a farm-to-table lunch. Afterward, recapture the romance of a bygone era as you board the wood-panelled coaches of the luxurious Rovos Rail. Depart Cape Town Station as you settle into your suite. Wind through mountains, rolling green hills of the Cape Winelands as the sun sets, and sip South African vintages as the stunning scenery scrolls by.

Rovos Rail | Meals: BLD

This morning, arrive in Matjiesfontein, an authentically preserved Victorian village. Roll on to the Great Karoo, a vast semi-desert region that was once an inland sea, observing its arid beauty from the observation car at the rear of the train. The next day, in Kimberley, tour the Diamond Mine Museum and take the opportunity to see one of the world’s largest hand-dug excavation sites. Continue through the grasslands of gold-rich Highveld, marvelling at the changing landscapes.

Rovos Rail | Meals: BLD

After breakfast, arrive at Pretoria Station, where you bid farewell to Rovos Rail. Travel to Soweto, a township just southwest of Johannesburg, for a driving tour that takes in key highlights, such as Vilikazi Street — the only street in the world that has been home to two Nobel prize winners, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu — and the Hector Peterson Museum. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to your hotel in the suburbs of Johannesburg for an evening at leisure, resting or enjoying the amenities of your accommodations.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa | Meals: BL

Fly to Victoria Falls, where you transfer to your new luxury hotel set on the banks of the Zambezi River, very near Victoria Falls. This evening, before dinner, enjoy hearing from a special guest speaker who shares tales of celebrated Scottish explorer and missionary David Livingstone on an A&K-exclusive experience.

The Palm River Hotel | Meals: BD

Set out on a guided walking tour of breathtaking Victoria Falls, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Afterward, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.

• Learn About Traditional Zimbabwean Cuisine and enjoy a cooking demonstration at a local restaurant.
• Privately Tour the Ndau Collection Studio to meet the artisans who design their opulent jewellery.
• Privately Bike the Area, cycling the town of Victoria Falls and stopping at scenic viewpoints along the way.

Later, drive to your safari lodge, the only one located inside Botswana’s world-renowned Chobe National Park, and settle into your spacious, river-facing accommodations. This afternoon, set out on a Chobe River safari, watching as elephants line the water’s edge, hippos congregate in lagoons and predators come down to quench their thirst. Return to the lodge for dinner.

Chobe Game Lodge | Meals: BLD

Today, embark on morning and afternoon game drives, starting with an early morning safari, arriving ahead of most visitors, thanks to your lodge’s ideal location, to see predators at their most active. Explore along the Chobe River as your experienced guide interprets the bush signs and tracks in search of the resident wildlife. Watch for elephants, huge herds of buffalo and plenty of predators such as lions, wild dogs and even leopards.

Chobe Game Lodge | Meals: BLD

Fly to the Okavango Delta via Kasane Airport. Arrive at your amazing Sanctuary Chief ’s Camp in the Mombo Concession of the vast Moremi Game Reserve. Often called the “Predator Capital of the World,” this reserve is home to only a handful of camps, which makes for a unique and highly prized game-viewing experience, free of crowds. Observe how the lush delta draws remarkable birds and wildlife, including the Big Five, on a late-afternoon game drive capped by a refreshing Scenic Sundowner.

Sanctuary Chief's Camp | Meals: BLD

Rise early for a game drive on the reserve, where the game viewing is magnificent. Activities include a seasonal opportunity to Ride Like a Local, gliding on the delta in a mokoro (dugout canoe), as well as a Chef ’s Table experience offering you a taste of traditional local cuisine. Later, set out on another safari with your expert guide, whose well-honed tracking skills may lead you off the beaten trail for an up-close look at a cheetah with a fresh kill, a glimpse of a leopard emerging from dense foliage or an encounter with a rhino grazing on lush Okavango grasses. Tonight, gather for a special farewell dinner.

Sanctuary Chief's Camp | Meals: BLD

Fly to Johannesburg via Maun, where you connect with your international flight home. Enjoy access to the Premier Lounge before your departure, compliments of A&K.

Meals: B

Internal air included: Johannesburg/Victoria Falls; Kasane/Okavango Delta/Maun/Johannesburg
Minimum age is 10 years.
Each guest on this journey will receive an A&K Safari Duffel.
First group event: welcome briefing at 8:00 a.m. on Day 3.
Last group event: airport arrival at 3:30 p.m. on Day 13.
Departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 guests.

Please note: Table Mountain may be unavailable due to weather conditions or maintenance reasons. In such an instance, alternative sightseeing will be provided.

Included with every Luxury Small Group Journey

• English-Speaking Resident Tour Director and Local Guides
• Hand-Selected Luxury Accommodations
• Airport Meet and Greet with Private Transfers
• Travelling Bell Boy Luggage Handling
• Breakfast in Bed on Select Days
• Full Breakfast Daily; Select Lunches and Dinners
• Your Choice of Activity on Design Your Day
• Traveller’s Valet Laundry Service
• Internet Access
• Entrance Fees, Taxes and All Gratuities Except Resident Tour Director
• 24/7 A&K On-Call Support
• Guaranteed Departures with Just Two Guests

Talk to one of our expert Journey Designers or your travel agent about booking this tour as a private journey for your own small group with family or friends. Or, if you would prefer to travel privately, find out more about creating the perfect bespoke tailor-made journey based on this itinerary.