Quintessential Southern Africa: From Victoria Falls to Cape Town

The adventure starts when a Rovos Rail representative meets you at the OR Tambo International airport. They take you safely from the airport to Pretoria station and onto the train for your train trip north. Travel over the escarpment from highveld to lowveld, where vegetation is lush and tropical — perfect for growing bananas, papaya and avocados. Before changing again. Umbrella thorn tree thickets can be sparse and almost monotone in the winter months, green and dense in the summer. The changing vistas are perfectly paired with fine food and wine and the very best in South African gasvryheid (Directly translated from Afrikaans this would read “guest freedom” in English- hospitality).

Cross the Tropic of Capricorn and Limpopo River through Boabab country to Mpopoma. Allow the train to work its magic, letting relaxation seep in through the changing views and new friends made. Your wood-paneled sleeper coach is up to half a carriage long and refurbished to mint condition. The suite offering facilities of the highest standard. In this, the finest of three accommodation types, you have your own private lounge area and en-suite bathroom complete with Victorian bath. As well as the service from your dedicated host available at all times.

Between Gwaai and Dete, travel along one of the world's longest straight railway lines – 114 km – near the border of Hwange National Park. Stop off for a while to experience this wild country on the back of an open-air game-drive vehicle. Your first, but not your last game drive. Shared with other excited train companions who wanted to see the first of the big five in this 14,651 square km park. The park is mostly flat, but there are good hardwood forests of mukwa and Zimbabwean teak.

Today you’ll arrive at the incomparable Victoria Falls where the train journey ends and the wildlife adventure truly begins. Your hotel host will meet you at the station and ensure a seamless transition into your villa at Old Drift Lodge. A magnificent sanctuary on the banks of the Zambezi River, in the Zambezi National Park. The intimacy of only 14 suites, means personalized service. Relishing delicious meals at The Lookout Café, situated above the spectacular chasm of the Batoka Gorge. Your included activities include fascinating morning and afternoon game drives, and river safaris. Nature walks, learning about the art of tracking and the intricate details of the bush. Not forgetting the guided tour through the lush rainforest to revel in the beauty of the magical Victoria Falls.

Today you explore more, get more brave and take that bucket list plunge into Devil’s Pools on the edge of the falls. Try your hand at tiger fishing, one of the most ferocious (and bony) fish. If you don't like adrenaline, go to The Elephant Cafe for a great meal and a close encounter with orphaned and hand-bred elephants. It's the best restaurant in Zambia. And the bonus, is that you get to tick off another Southern African Country, just because of the lunch over the river.

As the shadows start to stretch long, indulge in the sunset booze cruise. Almost always picture-perfect with elephant crossings in the distance or crocodiles doing their daily dance with resident hippos.

Day 6–11: Okavango Delta

Wake up on morning six with fresh excitement as the next destination looms. Your private guide will drive you out of the Victoria Falls town towards Botswana, through the border and on to Kasane. Here you’ll board your first charter flight to Xaranna Delta Camp for a magical perspective on this floodland. Enjoy twice-daily game drives that set off early in the morning or late in the afternoon in the company of local guides and trackers who know and understand and share wisdom about the bush and attempt to get all your sighting goals met. You’re encouraged to seek out more than the Big Five (although thrilling to see, always) but also the little things. When you walk in the bush, you have a chance to see many natural wonders with your experienced safari guide. Tread in the tracks of Delta wildlife, breathe in the scent of crushed wild grass and feel your senses come alive.

After three nights in a luxury tent complete with private sala, pool and stocked mini bar, you’ll fly to Chitabe Airstrip. Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge is your home for the final three nights. It's on the golden grassy flood plains on the border of Moremi Reserve in a private concession. This means there will be a minimum number of game-drive vehicles, and you will have another very special, close encounter with the bush.

Both lodges are on permanent waterways, so there is a lot of game activity all year round. You can tag and release fish and watch game from the mokoro (dugout canoe), which is a local way to get around. When your time is done, you’ll fly to Maun International airport for a commercial flight of under 3 hours to Cape Town.

Day 12–14: Cape Town

From here, you’ll trade the grasslands of Botswana for the fynbos biomes of the Western Cape. The diversity within this portion of Sub-Saharan Africa is staggering!

Once your hotel representative collects you from Cape Town International airport, you’ll make your way to Chapman’s Peak Drive for a front-row seat (or bed) on the ocean frontage at the foot of the Twelve Apostles. The famous Table Mountain in your backyard. Eight suites at Tintswalo face the ocean. They have wood-burning fireplaces and wooden decks to make them feel more private, luxurious and comfortable in all weather conditions. Which in Cape Town may be all four seasons in one day. This hotel is a luxurious experience with private views of the rugged coastline from pool deck-net-beds.

You can enjoy your cocktail of the day and canapes on the pool deck. The room rate includes a bottle of wine and a delicious breakfast. There's a chance to be guided through a curated selection of activities from the hotel. Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch botanical gardens, Constantia’s wine route, The V&A Waterfront, Horse riding in Noordhoek. Boat trips to Robben Island or from Hout Bay harbor to Seal Island. Visit the vibrant Bo Kaap and learn about the Malay influences on Cape Town’s food and culture. Or take a short trip to Cape Point, to see the oceans meeting and visit the penguins at Boulders Beach. Your days will be as full as you choose them to be. You may want to get super active, by choosing to hike up or down “the” mountain or both (or neither and take the cableway), join up with guided Kayaking and SUP paddle boarding or snorkeling in the kelp forest to experience the underwater marine world of False Bay with the Shark Warrior guides.

If this all sounds too much, just watch the world go by from your private deck, or from the heated infinity pool. You might even see a whale or two right from your hotel room. The choice is yours. The hotel's restaurant serves lunch and dinner. It's very good, so staying at the hotel is a great choice. The choice is yours.

Day 15 & 16: Franschhoek

This trip ends on a high note in the famed winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. You’re spoilt for choice on where to stay, eat and drink fine wine. My choice is a boutique hotel, La Residence, within walking distance from the gorgeous little town of Franschhoek, to eat, drink and shop to your heart's content. Jump on the wine tram and spend the next two days sampling from the huge variety of different wine farms in the area. All within the most picturesque of settings.

If budget is of no concern, then stay at the owner's villa at Delaire Graff in Helshoogte, Stellenbosch. Bespoke interiors, private cellar stocked with the finest. Be treated to private dining by your private chef. Relax in your private pool and jacuzzi and absorb the curated surroundings by the studio of David Collins. ($20,690 per night)