South Africa & Victoria Falls

Arrive in Cape Town, a breathtaking harbor city where old and new converge in history, architecture, cultural pursuits and the essence of its people, all overlooked by towering, flattopped Table Mountain, set on a peninsula of rocky heights and lush valleys. An A&K representative transfers you to your luxurious hotel, ideally located on the waterfront in the heart of the city.

Ascend to the top of Table Mountain via cable car, as you Ride Like a Local to walk the summit and take in an inspiring, 360-degree panorama of the city and bay. Proceed to the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, formerly known as the Malay Quarter, to stroll cobblestone streets amid charming multicolored buildings and spice shops. Listen as your expert guide explains the rich local history and sample some Cape Malay food as you go. Then, view other historical landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope, St. George’s Cathedral and the Company Gardens. This afternoon, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities: Visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, followed by wine tasting at a vineyard in the Constantia Winelands. e-Bike Cape Town’s Sea Point Promenade, stopping to view art installations along the way. Explore Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned, now an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tonight, gather for a welcome dinner.

Discover Cape Point, the scenic promontory at the southwestern tip of the continent. Journey past the “bikini beaches” at the base of the towering Twelve Apostles Mountain Range, along bucolic 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 bontebok and chacma baboon. Ride the “Flying Dutchman” funicular to the great pinnacle at blustery Cape Point, which presides over treacherous reefs and sandy beaches. At Boulders Beach, visit its colony of endangered African penguin; accustomed to humans, they provide endless photo opportunities. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure, perhaps exploring the city’s harbor front or dining in one of Cape Town’s world-class restaurants.

Fly to a privately owned, wildlife-rich game reserve that shares an open boundary with the renowned Kruger National Park, an area offering the very finest game-viewing safari experience. This afternoon, settle into your elegant accommodations, and then set off in search of the Big Five — elephant, lion, rhino, Cape buffalo and leopard — and other wildlife. To enhance your game-viewing experience, each game drive is led by two safari professionals: a driver-guide, trained to safely maneuver you up close to South Africa’s iconic wild residents as well as brief you on any given species’ characteristics, and a tracker, an expert at identifying animals, who follows their signs and predicts where they are likely to be found.

Begin two days of immersion in your private game reserve, embarking on game drives in open safari vehicles for optimal viewing and exploring on early morning game walks with your ranger. In between safari activities, participate in an A&K Chef’s Table culinary experience, sampling traditional South African cuisine. This region of Africa is noted for its high density of wildlife, which often appear just steps in front of you.

Head out for another full day of exploration that includes morning and afternoon game drives, learning fascinating details about the flora and fauna as well as basic tracking skills. At dusk, stop for a Scenic Sundowner, and then search for nocturnal animals. Return to your lodge for dinner.

Today, fly to Livingstone, Zambia, and then transfer to your hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Settle in and enjoy some time at leisure. This evening, set out on a cruise on the Zambezi River. View hippo, crocodile and exotic birdlife. Observe how, after an unforgettable African sunset, a magical charm settles over the river. The lanterns are lit and a delicious dinner is served on board. The raucous sounds of hippo calling, make for an unusual backdrop to this truly African experience.

Begin with a guided walk of breathtaking Victoria Falls, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, and explore the surrounding rainforest. See rainbows and clouds of spray as the mile-wide Upper Zambezi plummets into the Lower Zambezi. Experience an interactive animal adventure, when you privately visit an elephant sanctuary near Victoria falls to meet the gentle giants living there. View the elephant up close in the bush, and watch them eat and socialize, during an unforgettable hands-on encounter led by a naturalist. Return to the hotel for some time at leisure. Tonight, before your farewell dinner, enjoy hearing from a special guest speaker who shares tales of celebrated explorer David Livingstone — an A&K-exclusive experience.

Fly to Johannesburg, where you enjoy access to the Premier Lounge before boarding your flight home.