Itinerary Highlights
    • Travelling by air and rail from South Africa to the Victoria Falls, via Gandhi's home in Johannesburg




    • Luxury travel aboard the Rovos Rail train; the charming and exceptional selection of hotels




    • Private guided tour of Cape Town with a local, Mandela's Johannesburg, lunch at Satyagraha House, private tour of Victoria Falls: all in the itinerary




    • Smartphone app with useful addresses, on-site Concierge, all our usual additional services


Contact one of our specialists + 44 (0) 20 3958 6120

A Grand Adventure in South Africa

Cape Town is an excellent introduction to South Africa, and a must for anybody visiting this diverse country. Your trip begins here with three days of exploring to really get a feel for the creative, dynamic and intriguing city, before you head towards the verdant Cape of Good Hope at the tip of the Cape Peninsula. Next stop is the contrasting city of Johannesburg in the north of the country with its rich history and culture, where you’ll catch your Rovos Rail luxury train and journey north to Zimbabwe and the incredible Victoria Falls.

Rovos Rail

Rovos Rail trains exude luxury in every aspect. From the lavish interiors of lush fabrics and polished food to the impeccable service and sensational food, every second of your journey is to be enjoyed and relished.
Indulge in gourmet gastronomy in a refined dining car as you pass by breathtaking African landscapes, spotting numerous wildlife species as you go.

Your Trip

This trip will show you the highlights of South Africa and Zimbabwe, all in opulent luxury. From a distinguished hotel in Cape Town to a boutique residence in Zimbabwe, every part of your trip is tailor-made to suit you and your tastes but always with luxury in mind. A highlight of the trip comes in Johannesburg, where you’ll have the opportunity to visit the amazing Satyagraha House, the previous home of Mahatma Gandhi which is now both a guest house and museum. This historic house is where he lived from 1908 to 1909 and where he developed his philosophy of passive resistance which was the foundation for his work as an activist. In addition to your lavish train journey, all other travel will be in total comfort as you’re transferred via an air-conditioned car with a private driver. The experiences on your trip are second to none, whether it’s the tour of the cities or wildlife experience spotting the Big Five in the bush, all with expert private guides throughout.

Route

Everything is 100% tailored to you
DAY 1

Flight to Cape Town (South Africa)

After being welcomed at the airport and receiving assistance with formalities and collecting your baggage, you will be transferred to your hotel. Your accommodation for three nights is located in the Gardens area, in a beautiful historic house. The Georgian-style ground floor dates from the early 19th century, while the upper floor subscribes to a more Edwardian aesthetic. Spotlessly stylish, it's a seriously elegant address. Classic comfort and modern entertainment seamlessly blend in both the guest rooms and common areas. In the kitchen, the chef combines South African cuisine with international influences, creating a delicious combination of dishes. In the traditionally British garden, there is a relaxing pool, and bikes can be hired from the house, making it easy for guests to get around and explore the surrounding area.

DAY 2

Cape Town

A private guided tour of Cape Town with a local should be at the top of your South Africa bucket list. Spend the day with a local who knows the city inside out. Nothing is pre-planned, talk about what you'd like to see and your shared interests, and a route will start to materialise – that's planning done the South African way. It's an exciting way to tap into the city's rhythms and to experience it from the inside, not just as a passing tourist, but as a true local, as well as an opportunity to pick up some first-hand tips for the rest of your trip.

DAY 3

Cape Town

At the tip of Cape Town's rocky peninsula lies the Cape of Good Hope, one of the area's main attractions. A common misconception is that it's the point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, but this is actually further east, at Cape Agulhas. The peninsula is protected as a designated national park, with scenic Chapman's Peak Drive running along its west coast. Fynbos, a type of vegetation characteristic of the region, covers the soil, and a wide variety of birds take advantage of the area's flowers, including the graceful Cape sugarbird and southern double-collared sunbird. Common elands and blesboks are also often spotted. On the coast at False Bay, walkways at Boulders Beach allow visitors to approach the colony of African penguins without disturbing them. From June to November, southern right whales also frequent the bay, among other marine mammals. A private guide will accompany you throughout the day.

DAY 4

Cape Town - Johannesburg

Transfer to the airport and fly to Johannesburg. Stay overnight at Satyagraha House, which is located in the suburb of Orchards and is the house where Gandhi lived between 1908 and 1911 is now a museum dedicated to him. It is also a guesthouse based around the principles that inspired the future Mahatma's famous philosophy. The bright and simple rooms here (two of which face directly into the museum area) are comfortable without being extravagant, while the vegetarian cuisine on offer is tasty and fortifying. This historic Kraal designed by Hermann Kallenbach and the contemporary building by Rocco Bosman each pay tribute to the spirit of openness and peace that inspired one of the great political and humanitarian minds of the 20th century.

When in Johannesburg, discovering the city Mandela lived in is a must. Pass through Soweto, a township known for its role in the anti-apartheid struggle, now full of positive energy. See the Hector Pieterson Memorial here, in memory of a black schoolboy killed by the police in 1976 – the photo that Sam Nzima took of the event is as emblematic as that of the napalm girl Nick Ut took in Vietnam. Visit the Apartheid Museum. Enjoy a vegetarian lunch at Satyagraha House and feel Gandhi's spirit in the air. In the evening, listen to jazz over dinner at the Marabi Club in the basement of one of the city's hot spots – Hallmark House in Maboneng.

DAY 5

Johannesburg - Pretoria - Rovos Rail

Transfer to Pretoria train station and board the Rovos Rail for three nights. The line climbs north to Limpopo, passing by Bela-Bela (previously known as Warmbaths), Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg) and Louis Trichardt. The route also cuts through the Tropic of Capricorn and winds between the heights of the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve and the Wolkberg mountain range. Between Messina and Beitbridge, get your first glimpse of Zimbabwe through your panoramic window or from the train's observation car, both designed to allow passengers to get the most out of their journey and the spectacular views on offer.

DAY 6

Rovos Rail

Head for Bulawayo, via Rutenga and Somabhula. Stay overnight in Mpopoma, a western suburb of Bulawayo. The landscapes crossed on the journey are typical of southern Africa, and a continuation of those in South Africa. Make the most of the facilities on board, particularly the restaurant and bar. Bulawayo is still home to numerous buildings from the Rhodesian era, bordering its straight streets, while the region's pastureland has allowed for the development of an important livestock breeding industry.

DAY 7

Rovos Rail

The road to Victoria Falls is long and straight. Along the way, cross through the Hwange National Park and stop off for a safari. The rangers here are excellent at what they do and will safely guide you around the park to spot the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos. Other animals that can be seen roaming there include leopards, giraffes, warthogs, wildebeest and African wild dogs. This is the original Africa: isolated and wild.

DAY 8

Rovos Rail - Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Stay overnight in a private reserve south-west of the falls. The accommodation has an indoor/outdoor vibe inspired by classic safari style, with the addition of clever design touches for a cosy feel. The rooms and common spaces are equally comfortable and well-appointed. A beautiful blend of European and African cuisine is served to guests in the dining room, on the terrace, in the flower-filled garden or by the pool. The service on offer to guests here most certainly lives up to its impressive surroundings. In the late afternoon as the animals gather for a drink, head out for a safari in the reserve.

A must-do while in Zimbabwe is exploring Victoria Falls with a private guide. The Zambezi River is home to one of the most majestic sights in the world: Victoria Falls. While the Main Falls drop a heavy white curtain into the void, the Devil's Falls are narrow and gushing, and Horseshoe Falls and Rainbow Falls tumble from the highest points. Narrow gorges intensify the effect of the water to create a truly incredible spectacle. The area's humidity means the flora surrounding the falls is abundant, with African mahogany trees, ebony trees, ivory palms and wild date palms dotted around the mopane tree-covered savannah. Walkways have been designed to give visitors spectacular close-up views.

DAYS 9 & 10

Victoria Falls - return flight

Begin your final day with a breakfast cruise on the Zambezi. Beautifully built on a shaded platform with a double hull and discreet engine, the Kalunda is like a floating table. Once on board, take a seat and set sail along the banks, marvelling at the animals over a cup of tea and delicious breakfast.

Then transfer to the airport for your return flight home via Johannesburg, which will land the following day.

A Rough Idea of Price

Dependent on season, accommodation and activities
The estimated cost for this trip starts from £6,110 to £7,855 per person. The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost varies according to several factors, which include the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £7,055 per person.
  • Flights with a scheduled airline
  • Airline taxes and fuel surcharge
  • Welcome and assistance on arrival at Cape Town Airport
  • Private transfers
  • All our usual additional services are included, such as fast-track airport services and Our local Concierge service
  • Three-night stay in Cape Town in a double room with breakfast
  • Tour of Cape Town with a local private guide; a day sightseeing around the peninsula with a private guide
  • Overnight stay in Johannesburg in a double room with breakfast
  • Vegetarian lunch at Satyagraha House; Mandela's Johannesburg tour with a private guide; jazz dinner at the Marabi Club
  • Three-night stay on the Rovos Rail train in the Pullman Suite, full board
  • Safari during the train journey
  • Overnight stay at Victoria Falls in a double suite, half board
  • Visit to the falls with a private guide; safari; private breakfast cruise on the Zambezi
  • An international Wi-Fi router
  • Our local Concierge service
A few of the benefits of travelling with us
Get in touch
Our experts have the inside track on the destinations they sell and will tailor-make a holiday to your unique requirements.
Contact one of our South Africa specialists