Begin your sensational adventure with three days in sophisticated Cape Town, first established as a supply station for ships transporting spices from Asia to Europe and now known as South Africa’s “Mother City.” You’ll be warmly welcomed and transferred to your waterfront luxury hotel with the iconic Table Mountain as your backdrop. Your evening is at your leisure to enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The Table Bay Hotel.
Cape Town
Spend the day taking in spectacular ocean vistas and quaint villages on today’s exploration of “The Fairest Cape,” the rugged tip of the Cape Peninsula. Drive by the glamorous Millionaires Paradise en route to the charming working harbor of Hout Bay, where there may be time for a Seal Island cruise. Keep your camera on hand to photograph the rocky seascapes and wildlife as you wind along the coast and explore the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. View the endearing penguins at Boulders Beach, before returning to the city, via the naval port of Simon’s Town. (BL) The Table Bay Hotel
Cape Town
Begin your city tour with a ride on the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for sweeping views of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean. Continue to the 17th-century castle and Company Gardens, for an early history of the Cape. Drive past the Parliament Buildings, City Hall and the old Slave Lodge. Stroll through the cobblestoned streets of the colorful Malay Quarter before visiting a diamond workshop to learn about “color, clarity and cut.” Tonight, enjoy true South African cuisine and hospitality as you dine with a Capetonian couple in their lovely home. (BD) The Table Bay Hotel
Cape Town / Livingstone, Zambia
Take flight to Livingstone to experience Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Settle into your luxurious resort on the Zambezi River. Tonight, be swept away by the romance of Africa as you soak up the views of the river from your lodge. (B) The Royal Livingstone Hotel
Livingstone
Grab your camera gear and bush attire for today’s day trip safari. Botswana’s Chobe National Park, is famous for its numerous elephant and prolific game. Begin with a wildlife-viewing cruise on the Chobe River where you’ll spot large flocks of birds, big pods of hippos and enormous crocodiles along the banks. Later, enjoy lunch on shore and hop aboard an open safari vehicle for an afternoon game drive into the park. Your expert ranger will track herds of buffalo, elephant, zebra, wildebeest and impala as well as lion, hyena and leopard. (BL) The Royal Livingstone Hotel
Livingstone
The views of magnificent Victoria Falls, the world’s largest curtain of falling water, are even more sensational when viewed from a short helicopter flight. Take in the vast Zambezi River as it spreads out and crashes down, squeezing down the funnel of gorges. Afterwards, join your guide to walk along the misty forest trails and select vantage points for those priceless photos of the falls. This afternoon, board a riverboat for a sundowner cruise up the Zambezi River. Enjoy libations in the exclusive Captain’s Cabin as you watch for game on the banks. (B) The Royal Livingstone Hotel
Livingstone / Nairobi, Kenya
Savor your last morning overlooking the Zambezi before flying off to Nairobi, the safari capital of East Africa. Settle into your luxury boutique hotel. (B) Hemingways Nairobi
Nairobi / Masai Mara
Begin your safari with a short flight to the fabulous Masai Mara, Kenya’s premier game viewing destination. Your tented camp is just a short drive from the Mara River where more than a million wildebeest and zebra make their annual perilous migration. Meet your expert rangers and take off on an afternoon game drive across the conservancy’s tree-flecked grasslands, dotted with herds of plains game, large numbers of elephant and a wide variety of other birds and game. Return to your camp for sundowners and a sumptuous dinner prepared by your gracious Maasai hosts. (BLD) Mara Bushtops
Masai Mara
Awaken with the animals and a steaming cup of coffee as you join your morning game drive. Look out for the black-maned lion, leopard and cheetah that may be still feasting on the night’s hunt. Explore the bends of the traversing Mara River where the dense population of hippos and crocodiles spread out in their favorite feeding grounds. Relax by the infinity pool after lunch until your evening game drive, or take a walking safari to learn about the plants, insects and animal tracks. Tonight, tip your head back and be mesmerized by the star-studded African sky and the mysterious calls of the nocturnal wildlife. (BLD) Mara Bushtops
Masai Mara
Choose from a variety of daytime wildlife-viewing activities with your expert rangers. Perhaps arrange for an optional sunrise hot air balloon ride to spot wildlife from a bird’s-eye view. Enjoy your luxurious lodging — soak in the cool blue waters of the private camp pool. As the sun melts over the horizon, join your keen-eyed ranger for a game drive spotlighting nocturnal animals, such as lion, leopard, the African hare and the banded mongoose. For your farewell dinner, select from a choice of sumptuous dishes while the wildlife provides natural entertainment. (BLD) Mara Bushtops
Masai Mara / Depart
Wrap up your safari with a final game drive and unforgettable moments in the bush. Fly back to Nairobi where a dayroom has been reserved for your use. Explore, shop or relax until your evening transfer to the airport for your onward arrangements. (B)
