Historian’s Cape Town, Victoria Falls & Kenya

After jetting into Cape Town International Airport, you will be chauffeured through this cosmopolitan city to the Belmond Mount Nelson, a gracious hotel conveniently located near the city centre that has a history dating back more than a century.

The Belmond Mount Nelson has views of Table Mountain, and is within walking distance of the Company’s Gardens, Greenmarket Square, and Long and Kloof Streets, both of which are abuzz with cafes, restaurants and quirky boutiques.

Unwind after your flight at the sun-splashed swimming pool or in the Librisa Spa before enjoying drinks and dinner in the Planet Bar and Restaurant.

Today you have a unique opportunity to understand South Africa’s fascinating history by undertaking a full-day tour that starts off at District Six – the scene of notorious ‘forced removals’ during apartheid – before visiting some of Cape Town’s colourful townships and the Cape Flats. If the weather allows, you will also take a ferry from the V&A Waterfront to Robben Island to visit Nelson Mandela’s infamous cell.

Enjoy a complete change of focus as you spend the day in the historic Constantia Winelands, which are a scenic drive from the Cape Town city centre. With estates that date back centuries, very fine vintages and excellent restaurants, you experience some of the best the area has to offer.

On your final day in the Mother City, you can spend the day shopping at the lively V&A Waterfront, soaking up the sun next to the swimming pool, hiking up Table Mountain or even driving out to Cape Point and Boulders Beach, home to a thriving endangered African penguin colony.

Once again you will be chauffeured to Cape Town International Airport to catch your flight to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Waiting there will be your driver, who will take you The Saxon Boutique Hotel & Spa. One of the finest hotels in this vibrant and modern city, you can go shopping in very upscale Sandton and enjoy dinner at The Saxon’s much-awarded flagship restaurant.

From Johannesburg your driver will take you to Pretoria to board the stately Rovos Rail train to Victoria Falls. For three nights, you will be cocooned in what is arguably the world’s most luxurious rail service and pass through magnificent scenery on your way north through Zimbabwe. Your deluxe suite has an en suite bathroom with a private shower and picture windows. Spend your days enjoying short excursions at various stops along the way, relaxing with an iced drink in the open-air car, catching up on your napping or reading, or just wiling away the hours over a board game or two.

If you are lucky enough to be visiting when the Falls are in full flood, you will immediately understand why they are traditionally known as Mosi-au-Tunya or ‘the smoke that thunders’. The spray and noise of thousands of gallons of water per second plunging down a sheer rock face nearly two kilometres wide is truly staggering. Your accommodation for two nights is the Victoria Falls Hotel on the Zimbabwean side of this natural wonder.

The area is known as Africa’s adventure capital for the wide variety of exciting activities on offer. Take to the air in a microlight, tackle the Zambezi River’s white waters and hold your breath as you bungee jump. In the evenings, a sunset cruise is the only way to toast the day before heading to dinner.

After two days of adventure, it is time for a change of pace. You will be driven across the border into Zambia to take off from Livingstone Airport for your trip to Nairobi. After landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be taken to Hemingways Nairobi, a luxurious hotel with enviable rooms and facilities. Your night here allows you to rest up for your safari in the Masai Mara National Reserve.