18 days

We Visit:

South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt

Costs:

from £11,895 (details below)

Departure Dates

9 September 10*; 

23 September 10; 

8 September 11; 

22 September 11

* denotes departed trips

Trip Summary:

• Private Train &
  Private flights within Africa 
• Stunning city of Cape Town
• Luxurious Rovos Rail
• Breathtaking Victoria Falls
• Chobe Game Reserve
• Exotic spice island of Zanzibar
• Wildlife migration in Masai Mara Game Reserve
• Valley of the Kings in Luxor
• Cairo and the mighty pyramids
• Nile cruise and Sun City Options

Africa is an incredibly diverse continent boasting the world’s most prolific wildlife, great waterfalls, the Nile River, spectacular mountains and ancient cultures. The Captain’s Choice Tour follows the route of the railway planned (but never completed) by the British, from Cape Town to Cairo. Enjoy the stunning scenery of Cape Town and Table Mountain; luxurious Rovos Rail to Pretoria; breathtaking Victoria Falls; Chobe Game Reserve; the exotic spice island of Zanzibar with its slave market and Arab heritage; plus the incredible wildlife migration in Masai Mara Game Reserve. We also visit Egypt including the Valley of the Kings in Luxor; the Nile River; bustling Cairo; plus the mighty pyramids and Sphinx. Our tour includes exclusive personalised transport; from Cape Town to Pretoria we travel aboard the world’s most luxurious train – Rovos Rail, then fly to Victoria Falls in our privately chartered aircraft. We also enjoy exclusive private charter flights from Chobe National Park to Zanzibar, Zanzibar to Masai Mara National Park and within Kenya. These private flights through Africa save us hassles, delays, indirect routing and are a major benefit for our time within Africa. Extend your tour with a cruise on the Nile River, from Luxor to Aswan. The Captain’s Choice Tour from Cape Town to Cairo is renowned as the easiest and most luxurious way to experience Africa.

Day 1

Depart the UK

Thursday

We join our evening flight to Cape Town.

Day 2

Cape Town (South Africa)

Friday

Arrive this morning and transfer to the deluxe Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town, one of the world;s great cities. The rest of the day is free to relax and settle in after your flight.

You may like to explore the shops and cafes of the restored Victoria and Alfred Waterfront District. Lunch at the Hotel.

This afternoon relax at your hote; or visit the District Six Museum for an insight into South Africa's apartheid history. This evening we get together for a Welcome Reception and Dinner at our hotel.

Day 3

Cape Town

Saturday

This morning we will ride the famous cable car up Table Mountain for one of the world’s most stunning views. We then visit the Cape Winelands and the lovely old university town of Stellenbosch, which abounds in Cape-Dutch style architecture. We enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at a top vineyard. We return to Cape Town mid afternoon with time for shopping and further exploration. We enjoy dinner at one of Cape Town’s finest restaurants in the Constantia Valley. As with all group dinners wine, beer and soft drink are included with dinner this evening.

Day 4

Cape Town

Sunday

This morning we take a ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 19 years. We see the former President’s cell and tour the jail on this eerie prison island. The trip back to Cape Town offers magnificent views of the city and Table Mountain. This afternoon we tour Cape Peninsula, travelling via the scenic villages of Muizenberg, Fish Hoek and Simonstown. We stop to view a penguin colony enroute. We ride the funicular to the top of Cape Point for the spectacular view over the Cape of Good Hope. After a breathtaking scenic coastal drive we return to our hotel.

Tonight is a dine-around evening, choose to dine with your Tour Manager or independently at one of a selection of restaurants on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

Day 5

Join 'Rovos Rail'

Monday

This morning we join the most luxurious train in the world for our overland trip to Pretoria. The golden age of luxury train travel has been renewed in the heart of the African bush. The train features beautifully decorated sleeping cars together with observation, dining and lounge cars; splendidly refurbished in the style of the period but with an eye for modern comfort. We have two nights onboard in spacious cabins, combining the opulence of pre-war travel with subtle modern innovations. The coaches have been lovingly restored to their former glory with attention to fine detail and are the last word in comfort and style. Use of traditional furnishings and period decor, with exquisite craftsmanship evident in the fine wood panelling, has ensured that the atmosphere of elegance and grandeur is maintained. Each cabin has an ensuite bathroom and lounge area occupying approximately 11sqm. Meals are served in the ornate dining cars with complimentary fine South African wines and other beverages throughout the journey. We enjoy lunch and afternoon tea as we travel north through Cape Province. The railway follows a route with diverse scenery and several spectacular highlights including the Hex River Pass and the snow capped mountains around Worcester. Late this afternoon we spend a few hours at the quaint village of Matjiesfontein, a place that has been restored to its former Victorian glory. After departure a formal dinner is served and enjoyed amid the charming Victorian atmosphere of the dining car, complimented by excellent South African wines.

Day 6

'Rovos Rail'

Tuesday

Breakfast is served as we pass through Perdevleis and Houtkraal and continue across the great Karoo to the diamond centre of Kimberley. We stop to visit the ‘big hole’ and Mining Museum. Enjoy a drink in the observation or lounge car before our second formal dinner. Perhaps complete the day with a nightcap in the lounge car.

Day 7

'Rovos Rail' - Pretoria - Victoria Falls (Zambia)

Wednesday

A steam locomotive powers the last part of our journey to Pretoria. Here we take a short drive to join our aircraft for our private charter flight to Livingstone, on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. We are staying at the opulent Royal Livingstone Hotel beside the Falls.

An optional helicopter flight over the Falls is available (additional cost).

Dinner is at our delightful hotel this evening.

Day 8

Victoria Falls - Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Thursday

We take a walking tour around the edge of the thundering Victoria Falls for magnificent views of this natural wonder and cross a bridge to an island in the middle of the falls. This afternoon we travel to Chobe National Park in Botswana. We stay beside the Chobe River at Mowana Safari Lodge for two nights. Enjoy a game viewing cruise late this afternoon. Chobe is renowned for the sight of elephants and hippos drinking and bathing in the river.

Day 9

Chobe National Park

Friday

Take an early morning game drive in Chobe National Park by open 4WD vehicle. Chobe abounds in a rich variety of African wildlife, including a large elephant herd. We return to the lodge for a relaxing day.

Later today choose from an afternoon game drive; or take a late afternoon game viewing cruise.

Day 10

Chobe National Park - Zanzibar (Tanzania)

Saturday

This morning we transfer to the airport for our private charter flight across Africa to Zanzibar, a legendary tropical spice island. Zanzibar has a fascinating history and a unique romantic atmosphere. The harbour is still filled with the trading dhows of the former Omani rulers. The influence of Portuguese, Persian, Indian and Arabian cultures is evident in the architecture. The Serena Inn provides excellent accommodation on this remote island.

Day 11

Zanzibar

Sunday

Enjoy relaxing in our lovely island hotel before joining a walking tour around Zanzibar’s Stone Town, where the Arabs built whitewashed stone houses with wooden balconies and ornate doors. We visit the Arab Fort, the former Sultan’s Palace and the great Beit el Ajaib (House of Wonders). We will hear about the huge slave market, the site of which is now the Anglican Cathedral. We have time for shopping in the bustling narrow streets before returning to our hotel for lunch.

This afternoon continue to explore the island and visit one of its exotic spice farms; or enjoy some free time to further explore Stone Town.

Late this afternoon enjoy a sunset Dhow cruise before dinner at our hotel.

Day 12

Zanzibar - Masai Mara National Park (Kenya)

Monday

After a relaxing morning we fly across Tanzania, hopefully viewing Mt Kilimanjaro enroute to Masai Mara National Park. The airstrip is a short drive from our unique tented accommodation, Sarova Mara Game Camp, in the heart of prime viewing country in one of Africa’s greatest game reserves that forms part of the Serengeti ecosystem. Tonight you will be lulled to sleep by the distant sounds of African wildlife.

Day 13

Masai Mara National Park

Tuesday

On our game drive today you may be treated with the sights of prides of lion, cheetah stalking their prey, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and hippo cavorting in the Mara River. We also hope to see the spectacular wildebeest and zebra migration from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti. Dinner features Kenyan specialities and Masai dancers.

Day 14

Masai Mara - Cairo (Egypt)

Wednesday

Enjoy another opportunity to experience the wildlife and landscapes of the Mara. This afternoon we fly by private aircraft to Nairobi to join our scheduled flight to Cairo. (We can arrange for you to fly home from Nairobi if you do not wish to visit Egypt.) Arriving late this evening we are driven to Cairo’s finest hotel, the Four Seasons Nile Plaza.

Day 15

Cairo

Thursday

Today is sure to be a highlight as we visit two of the world’s great sights – the mighty Pyramids of Giza and the illustrious Sphinx. We enjoy lunch overlooking the Sphinx. We return to our luxurious hotel for a relaxing afternoon.

This evening choose from a selection of our hotel’s restaurants for dinner.

Day 16

Cairo

Friday

This morning we visit the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel and tour Cairo before a lunch cruise on the Nile River.

This afternoon choose from a visit to the Egyptian Bazaar; or enjoy the facilities of our luxurious hotel.

Early this evening we return to the Pyramids and Sphinx for a spectacular Sound & Light show. After the show we come together for our Farewell Dinner.

Day 17

Cairo - Luxor

Saturday

Early morning flight to Luxor. We visit both sides of the Nile including the Valley of the Kings, site of the tomb of Tutankhamen, Hatshepsut’s Funerary Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. We also visit the Luxor and Karnak Temples. Nile cruise guests join their cruiser this afternoon, other guests enjoy dinner and overnight at the Nile Palace Hotel.

Day 18

Depart Egypt

Sunday

We return by air to Cairo this morning and connect with our return flight to the UK.

 

Nile Cruise Post Tour Option
Extend your visit to Egypt with our four night Nile Cruise including fascinating Luxor, Edfu and Aswan. All meals and sightseeing are included aboard the ship.

Day 17: Saturday
Cairo – Luxor
Fly to Luxor and visit the West Bank including the Valley of the Kings, site of Tutankhamen’s Tomb, Hatshepsut’s Funerary Temple and Colossi of Memnon. Join our luxurious Movenpick river cruiser.

Day 18: Sunday
Luxor – Edfu
Visit the enigmatic Karnak and Luxor Temples before cruising to Edfu.

Day 19: Monday
Edfu – Aswan
Visit the Temple of Horus and sail to Kom Ombo. We reach Aswan this evening.

Day 20: Tuesday
Aswan
Visit the High Dam and Temple of Philae. This afternoon sail around Kitchener’s Island and Aga Khan Mausoleum. Farewell Dinner with entertainment this evening.

Day 21: Wednesday
Depart Egypt
Disembark the ship and fly to Cairo to connect with flights home.

Arrive in Australia on Thursday, Day 22.

 

Sun City Pre Tour Option
Depart Australia early and enjoy a two night stay at the legendary Palace of the Lost City, at Sun City, as well as an additional night at the Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town. For Details please CLICK HERE.

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