12-Nights Southern Africa Safari and Rail Adventure - Small Group Journeys from $17,995

1 Arrive Cape Town, South Africa

Touchdown in Cape Town, a cosmopolitan city perched at the southwestern tip of Africa that is a vibrant tapestry of life, culture and diversity. Trendy restaurants, bars and design studios imbue the atmosphere with a hip, creative vibe, all overlooked by Table Mountain.

Make your way to the top of Table Mountain via cable car to take in an inspiring panorama of the city. Proceed to the colorful and distinctive Bo-Kaap neighborhood for a walking tour. After lunch, view other historical landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope, St. George’s Cathedral and the District Six Museum. Take in the richness of the Constantia Winelands, nestled below Table Mountain, with a visit to Constantia Glen. Tour their cellar and vineyards with a winemaker followed by a tasting. A captivating storyteller then shares inspiring stories of the region over a drink before your welcome dinner.

Cape Point unfurls around you as you 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. At Boulders Beach, visit its raucous colony of endangered African penguins. Take some free time to explore on your own.

Recapture the romance of a bygone era as you board the wood-paneled coaches of the luxurious Rovos Rail. Depart Cape Town Station as you settle into your suite and eat lunch on board. Wind through mountains and rolling green hills of the Cape Winelands as the sun sets, and sip South African vintages as the stunning scenery scrolls by.

This morning, stop for a charming look at Matjiesfontein, an authentically preserved Victorian village. Roll on to the Great Karoo, admiring its arid beauty.

Arrive in Kimberley to tour the Diamond Mine Museum and view the large, hand-dug excavation site. Proceed into the grasslands of gold-rich Highveld landscape.

Disembark and visit the Nelson Mandela Foundation for an after-hours tour and a talk hosted by a foundation member. Continue to your hotel near Johannesburg, a vital hub for finance with a dynamic arts scene that also witnessed pivotal historic events.

Fly to the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Check into your hotel on the Zambezi River, very near the famous falls. Before dinner, hear from a special guest speaker who shares tales of celebrated Scottish explorer and missionary David Livingstone on an A&K-exclusive experience.

Set out on a guided walking tour of breathtaking Victoria Falls, and then enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.

• Walk the Victoria Falls Bridge, an engineering marvel spanning the Zambezi River, for stunning views of the waterfalls and gorge.
• Meet with a Member of the Monde Community for a tour of a local homestead and visit their community school, supported by A&K Philanthropy.
• Join the Take Action Trust for an interactive canine anti-poaching demonstration.

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. 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.

Enjoy morning and afternoon game viewing, starting with an early morning safari in Chobe National Park to see wild animals at their most active, arriving ahead of most visitors thanks to your lodge’s ideal location. Explore along the Chobe River as your guide interprets the bush signs and tracks resident wildlife such as wild dogs and leopards.

Fly to the Okavango Delta via Kasane Airport and arrive at amazing Chief’s Camp in the vast Moremi Game Reserve. Often called the “Predator Capital of Africa,” this reserve is home to only a handful of camps, which makes for a unique and highly prized gameviewing experience, free of crowds. Observe how the lush delta draws remarkable birds and wildlife on a late-afternoon game drive capped by a refreshing cocktail.

Rise early for a game drive on the reserve where the game viewing is magnificent. Afternoon activities include a chef-led experience offering you a taste of traditional local cuisine. 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 or a glimpse of a leopard emerging from the dense foliage. Gather for a special farewell dinner.

Fly to Johannesburg via Maun, where you enjoy access to the Premier Lounge, compliments of A&K, before your departing flight.