DAY 1: CAIRO, EGYPT
Check into the elegant residence, The St. Regis Cairo. This afternoon, embark a feluccas and cruise the Nile while enjoying a sunset drink. Adjourn to a privileged position overlooking the Pyramids of Giza, where you observe the beginning of the grand adventure during a Welcome Dinner.
Accommodation: St. Regis Cairo
DAY 2: CAIRO, EGYPT
Travel far back in time this morning, as you pay homage to the Pyramids of Giza. Best of all, you will be granted special access to the feet of the Sphinx. Savour further close-up views of the pyramids during lunch at the nearby Mena Palace Hotel.
Accommodation: St Regis Cairo
DAY 3: LUXOR, EGYPT
This morning, you will board the business class private jet for the first time and make the short journey south to Luxor. Today you’ll dine by the colonnaded glory of Hatshepsut’s Temple and venture underground. That night attend a dining event like no other that is purely reserved for you. The 3000-year-old walls, pylons and gates light up, creating a most electric atmosphere.
Accommodation: Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa
DAY 4: MAASAI MARA, KENYA
Here you will visit the Luxor Temple, located in the east bank of the Nile River. By mid-morning, you’ll board the private jet for the flight to Nairobi. Touching down in the Kenyan capital, you’ll be transfered to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. mn This evening, dine on fresh, local produce at your luxury lodge.
Accommodation: Angama Mara Lodge
DAY 5: MAASAI MARA
Start the day by floating over the Maasai Mara in a hot-air balloon, greeting herds of wildebeest then to breakfast, enjoyed with a glass of bubbles. Climb aboard jeeps to go off in search of the Big Five. Make the most of the afternoon on a game drive, as you seek to check off as many of Africa’s majestic creatures as you can.
Accommodation: Angama Mara Lodge
DAY 6: MAASAI MARA
Start the day gazing at zebras, socialising baboons, hyenas seeking to steal a cheetah’s kill—any, or all. After returning to camp for breakfast, you’ll visit a traditional Maasai village. Immerse yourself in daily Maasai life as your hosts lead you to a deeper understanding of their culture.
Accommodation: Angama Mara Lodge
DAY 7: VOLCANOE’S NATIONAL PARK, RWANDA
After breakfast, you’ll make the most of the surroundings as you take one last game drive on your way to the nearby airstrip. From here, a light aircraft returns you to Nairobi, where you meet back up with the private jet. You’ll make your way to the Rwandan capital Kigali, where helicopters will take you to Ruhengeri in the north of the country. Be welcomed with sunset cocktails, while having the opportunity to hear from a representative of the Gorilla Doctors, a mountain gorilla veterinary project. Afterwards, check in at one of the three lodges.
Accommodation: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, The Bishop’s House or Virunga Inn Resort & Spa.
DAY 8: VOLCANOE’S NATIONAL PARK, RWANDA
There are now only 10 groups of gorillas left in Volcanoes National Park. Being in a position to meet with them is among the rarest of privileges- yet one you may get. Relax this afternoon, absorbing the ambience of the jungle from the comfort of your opulent lodges. You also have the opportunity to pay a visit to one of the local communities to learn what it’s like to live within this extraordinary region.
Accommodation: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, The Bishop’s House or Virunga Inn Resort & Spa.
DAY 9: LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA
Today you depart Volcanoes National Park, taking the road back to Kigali Airport. Your waiting jet then makes the southbound journey to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Enjoy sundowners on the grounds of your accommodation, before dining within its restaurant.
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone
DAY 10: LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA
Following breakfast, you set out for a closer look at Victoria Falls. You’ll be led through some of the most picturesque sections of the rainforest, and on to the base of the falls.
This afternoon, Your World experiences grant you spectacular panoramas or local insights:
— Board a helicopter for bird’s-eye views of Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River and Batoka Gorge.
— Meet the local chief, who will show you around his village. Learn about daily village life and see how traditional huts are made here.
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone
DAY 11: PRETORIA, EMBARK ROVOS RAIL
Today you embark the private jet for a final flight. On arrival in Pretoria, head to Rovos Rail’s private station and board the Pride of Africa. This stylish, privately chartered train departs the station through the goldfields of the Witwatersrand en route to Johannesburg.
Accommodation: Pride of Africa
DAY 12: KIMBERLEY, SOUTH AFRICA
Arrive in Kimberley, South Africa, the place responsible for sparking the modern diamond trade. This very mine was where De Beers founded and built its empire. As is custom, the gong sounds for dinner.
DAY 13: MATJIESFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA
The train will enter Karoo, a vast semi-desert. If you’re lucky, wildebeest and antelope will be out. See the Pink Church in Matjiesfontein, the Lord Milner Hotel and admire the town’s collection of vintage cars as you pass by. You will resume the rail journey, enjoy tea in the observation car, as well as its floor-to-ceiling windows and open-air balcony allowing you to capture the full grandeur of Africa’s landscapes.
DAY 14: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
This morning, the train will pass through the Hex River Valley to soon arrive in Cape Town, where the rail journey concludes. Head to the city’s iconic Table Mountain.Spend the afternoon relaxing and making use of the hotel’s facilities, step out onto the V&A Waterfront, or perhaps choose one of the many Your World experiences. Choose where to dine this evening, with many gastronomic delights on offer in some of the city’s finest restaurants.
DAY 15: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Set out on an in-depth discovery of the Cape of Good Hope today. At Cape Point Nature Reserve, visit its lighthouse, arriving either aboard the Flying Dutchman Funicular or on foot. Cape Point boasts an abundance of natural wonders, among them breathtaking beaches, spectacular sandstone cliffs and grassy green hills. Enjoy a gala Farewell Dinner at the spectacular Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa; its brutalist concrete exterior belying the gems within. Begin with a private viewing of the museum’s most coveted pieces, then continue with a sumptuous dinner, looking out onto a 270-degree view of Cape Town.
DAY 16: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
This monumental journey has reached its end. Take in the stunning views of the V&A Waterfront for a final time before a private car transfer takes you to the airport.
