South Africa

1. The Cradle of Humankind: Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves

The Cradle of Humankind developments (the Maropeng Visitor Centre and Sterkfontein Caves) are a Blue IQ initiative. Our visit will start at Maropeng (Setswana for "returning to the place of origin"), the visitor centre at the Cradle of Humankind. An exciting 4-billion-year journey through the elemental forces - water and ice, air, fire and earth - is simulated on an underground lake.

One emerges at the beginning of the world after dipping through waterfalls and icebergs, into the eye of a storm, past erupting volcanoes and through the depths of the earth. The journey continues through an experience that highlights the history of our world and humankind as a species. Real fossils are also on display. We continue for a visit to the Sterkfontein Caves, 10 km away, most famous for the two world-renowned hominid finds, namely Mrs. Ples in 1947 and Little Foot in 1997.

Since excavations at the site first began, hundreds of hominid fossils as well as stone tools have been found here. The excavation of Little Foot and other fossils is an ongoing process at this still active fossil dig. The scientific exhibition here includes lifelike models of hominids as well as specific finds such as Mrs. Ples, the Taung Child and Little Foot.

2. Lesedi Cultural Village

We visit this multi-cultural African Village set among pristine Bushveld and rocky hills. Experience the culture of five of South Africa's major indigenous tribes: the Xhosa, the Zulu, the Pedi, the Basotho and the Ndebele. Lunch will be included.

Tshwane (Pretoria) and Soweto

We will spend the morning in Tshwane, previously known as Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. We visit the Union Buildings, housing the offices of the President and Ministers, designed by the famous colonial English architect, Sir Herbert Baker, and completed in 1913.

The buildings overlook the city towards the once fortified hills to the south. A grand bronze statue of "Oom Paul (Kruger)", the patriarch president of the ZAR or old Transvaal Republic, surrounded by his Boer fighters, dominates Church Square, central point of the city. Before leaving the capital behind, we visit the Voortrekker Monument that commemorates the "Great Trek" of the 1830s. In the afternoon we travel to Soweto to visit the Hector Petersen Memorial, named after one of the first students to be killed in the 1976 uprising against the Apartheid government.

Johannesburg and Soweto

Our day starts at the tranquil Brenthurst Gardens, the private property of the Oppenheimer family, where we will be taken on a guided tour through this very special haven of peace in the heart of the bustling "City of Gold". This is followed by a lunch break (guests' own account) in the suburb of Rosebank, where you can experience the multi-cultural "Rainbow Nation" in a modern, yet ethnocentric setting.

Rosebank shows you the mix of first and third world cultures and showcases arts and crafts from all over the African continent. In the afternoon, we travel to Soweto to experience the heartbeat of this township, comprising one million people and made famous by the Apartheid laws. We pass the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (the largest hospital in the Southern Hemisphere) and also drive past the only street in Africa that once housed two Nobel Peace Laureates, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela.

We visit the Hector Petersen Memorial, named after one of the first students to be killed in the 1976 uprising against the Apartheid government.

Tour through Swaziland

Guests will enter Swaziland by road from South Africa. This day in Swaziland will introduce you to everyday life in Africa's smallest kingdom. The Swazi Market is a hive of activity and displays a wide variety of skillfully crafted woodcarvings, colourful textiles and superb basketwork for which Swazis are renowned. The drive to Mpaka will afford majestic views of the Ezulwini Valley.

At the Beach

Guests are transferred to the ferry port for a ferry ride to a beach resort. On the beach, one can relax in the sun or go for a swim. Lunch (guests' own account) can be taken at a restaurant specialising in Indian Ocean cuisine with an emphasis on the freshest seafood dishes prepared in traditional African-Portuguese ways. Should you take a late afternoon stroll along the beach, you would be able to watch local fishermen net their catches.

Evening Activity:

Dinner will be enjoyed at a local seafood restaurant.

Tour of Maputo

Guests will get a good impression of the character of the city. A visit to the municipal market is followed by a stop at the old Fortaleza, which dates back to 1769. Other interesting city sites include the Catholic Cathedral, the Civic Centre, Louis Trichardt Trek Memorial, Samora Machel Statue, the Jardim Tunduru (Botanical Gardens) and the Iron House (Casa do Ferro).

The Polana Hotel, built in the 1920s, with its striking white exterior and stunning décor, is the best known landmark in the city. From the garden one can see Xefina Island. Next we visit an art gallery where furniture and sculptures are made out of old AK47 weapons.

The last stop is at the largest market in the Southern Hemisphere, which is also on the way to Costa do Sol. At Costa do Sol there is an opportunity to relax while having a cold drink. Lunch (guests' own account) to be enjoyed at either the Polana Hotel or at a restaurant in town.

Kruger National Park

The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that equals the best anywhere. Its 2 million hectares are unrivalled in diversity of life forms and the park is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques. The park is home to an impressive number of species, e.g. 336 species of trees, 49 species of fish, 34 species of amphibians, 114 species of reptiles, 507 species of birds and 147 species of mammals. Game drives will be conducted in our air-conditioned vehicles. (Full day; departure time depends on the season, as gates open and close with sunrise and sunset).

Specialized activities:

1. Open Vehicle Safari

Game drives are conducted in open safari vehicles, specifically designed to ensure safety as well as optimum game viewing. Guides have intimate knowledge of the fauna and flora. Breakfast will be enjoyed at one of the many picnic spots and lunch (guests' own account) at one of the rest camps in the park. Game viewing continues for the remainder of the afternoon.

2. Mountain Lodge

You will be taken to the mountain lodge in the late morning. Rhino, Elephant, Leopard and Buffalo populate the area. Two open vehicle game drives as well as lunch, dinner and breakfast are included. The next morning, after departure from the lodge, you will be able to explore the Kruger National Park (in our air-conditioned vehicle) before rejoining the train in Hazyview. (Bookings subject to availability)

3. Private Game Reserve

You will join the rest of the group for a morning game drive (in our air-conditioned vehicle) through the south of the Kruger National Park. Late morning (at around 11:00) you will be transferred to the luxury lodge, situated in a private game reserve on the banks of the Sabi River, where a lunch will await you. After a siesta, followed by coffee and cake, you will depart on a sunset safari, in search of the Big Five. Encounters with all spheres of the eco-system, from the smallest insect to the mighty African Elephant, are possible. After a sundowner drink in the bush you will return to the lodge, where a delightful dinner will await you. Early the next morning (just before sunrise) you will be woken to depart on an open vehicle game drive to experience the African fauna at its most active. A mouth-watering breakfast will round off your experience, before you will be taken to join the rest of the group in the Kruger Park. (Bookings subject to availability)

4. Shangana Cultural Village

Midway between the Blyde River Canyon and the southern Kruger National Park, the residents of the traditional villages of the Shangaan invite guests to share in their way of life. The picturesque villages are set in the shade of ancient trees in a reserve of forest and grassland. The Shangana Cultural Village has been created and built by local Shangaan people as a way of preserving a rich heritage and is an example of South Africa's great cultural diversity.

5. Local Pub in Town

A drink at a local pub could be an interesting evening experience.

Kruger National Park

The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that equals the best anywhere. Its 2 million hectares are unrivalled in diversity of life forms and the park is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques.

The park is home to an impressive number of species, e.g. 336 species of trees, 49 species of fish, 34 species of amphibians, 114 species of reptiles, 507 species of birds and 147 species of mammals. Game drives will be conducted in our air-conditioned vehicles. (Full day; departure time depends on the season, as gates open and close with sunrise and sunset)

Nelspruit

Nelspruit is considered the gateway to the Mpumalanga Province. With its sub-tropical climate and abundant sunshine the town forms an ideal base from where to explore. It is also the trading centre for the surrounding fruit growing area. The fertile soil and subtropical climate provide perfect conditions for the production of citrus and tropical fruits (mainly mango, banana, avocado, macadamia and pecan nuts).

The Lowveld Botanical Gardens just outside the town have a rare collection of plant species and the first man-made rain forest. The nearby Sudwala Caves, Dinosaur Park and cultural centre will expose your senses to primitive Africa.

Panorama Route

We visit the village of Pilgrim's Rest, a living museum and declared National Monument. Gold was discovered in this area in 1873, attracting 1500 diggers. Today, many of the restored miner's houses serve as shops. Further along the escarpment we find the great Blyde River Canyon, a gorge of 26 km long and 800 m deep, carved from the face of the escarpment. The Three Rondavels present an unforgettable view of three huge rock spirals rising out of the far wall of the canyon, looking like African huts. Bourke's Luck Potholes are strange deep cylindrical cavities formed by river erosion and floodwater. From the vantage point of God's Window we gaze across sweeps of the Lowveld, where subtle fragrances of the lower region rise to merge with the crisp winds of the Highveld.

Specialized activities:

Sunrise Balloon Experience

Early morning pick-up at Hazyview Station and transfer to the balloon launch site. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served on arrival, followed by a scenic balloon flight lasting about an hour. Cape sparkling wine will be served upon landing, followed by a breakfast at a country lodge and a transfer back to meet the rest of the group. (This activity is weather dependent)

Arts and Crafts

This area is home to many active artists and crafters. At a youth development centre unemployed youth have established their own paper factory, using recycled paper to produce various items such as notebooks, letterheads, envelopes, book covers and various other items. This is followed by a visit to a textile factory. Here the local women design and screen-print cloth and make items like jackets, linen, tablecloths, curtains and many more.

They also sell pottery and woodcarvings. We visit one of the leading potters in the Limpopo Province. It is fascinating to see how they gather and prepare the clay from which they make beautiful pots. A lunch stop (guests' own account) is included, before we head back to the train, departing at around 14:00.

Largest Monument in Africa South of the Pyramids

We travel from Rutenga through attractive granite hill country to Great Zimbabwe. Situated on the south-eastern edge of the central plateau Great Zimbabwe is an impressive monument. It is the largest pre-colonial monument south of the Egyptian pyramids - a most celebrated achievement of the African people indeed.

One can stroll amongst the ruins of an ancient city built by the Rozwi people and discover how they lived and how they mined gold and silver, which were ultimately taken out of Africa by Arabic and Portuguese traders. Magical fables such as the story of King Solomon's Mines find their origins here. This tour is followed by lunch at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel (guests' own account), before rejoining the train.

Matobo Hills and an Art Gallery

Matobo means "bald headed ones" and aptly describes the dramatic hills and granite rocks of this area. Highlights include a visit to the burial place of Cecil John Rhodes, who gave his name to Rhodesia, as Zimbabwe was previously known, and an inspection of a Bushman cave. There will be time for lunch (guests' own account) before joining a tour of the Natural History Museum, which is one of the best of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Lastly, we take a drive through the city and visit an Art Gallery.

Matobo Hills and the Railway Museum

Matobo means "bald headed ones" and aptly describes the dramatic hills and granite rocks of this area. Highlights include a visit to the burial place of Cecil John Rhodes, who gave his name to Rhodesia, as Zimbabwe was previously known, and an inspection of a Bushman cave. There will be time for lunch (guests' own account) before joining a tour of the Natural History Museum, which is one of the best of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Lastly, we take a drive through the city and visit the Railway Museum.

Specialized activities:

1. Chipangali
A visit to this famous wildlife orphanage gives insight into the plight of some of the wild animals.

Hwange National Park

Zimbabwe's premier National Park is known for its Lion population. Situated in the north-western corner of Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park is the nation's largest wildlife area and contains a variety of animals and bird species. Covering 1 462 000 hectares, Hwange is roughly the same size as Belgium. An early morning game drive in the park is followed by breakfast at the Sikumi Tree Lodge.

After a morning of game viewing, lunch (guests' own account) will be at the Hwange Safari Lodge. There will be an opportunity to relax at the pool for a while before we resume our game viewing later in the afternoon. (Full day; departure time depends on the gate opening times)

Across the Falls and into Livingstone

Guests will cross the Zambezi River over the famous Railroad Bridge. Our first stop is on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls before continuing to the town of Livingstone, named after David Livingstone, the Scottish visionary, who had an insatiable appetite for exploration and a desire to open Africa to the world.

The existence of the Falls had of course been known to local tribespeople. Livingstone, upon hearing stories about "Mosi oa Tunya" (the smoke that thunders), arranged to be taken there by dugout canoe. On November 16, 1855 he came to the northern end of what is now Livingstone Island and from there crawled to the edge of the precipice and beheld the spectacle of the waterfall for the first time. We visit the Livingstone Museum, before taking a walk through the Maramba market.

Specialized activities:

1. Lunchtime Boat Cruise

This spectacular lunchtime cruise on the Zambezi includes a buffet lunch and drinks.

Evening Activity:

An off-rail dinner is planned for this evening.

Chobe National Park

A 70-kilometre ride brings us to the Botswana border, where we cross into the famous Chobe Park. There is a great array of wildlife and the Chobe Elephants are well respected, as are the Hippos in the river. Highlights include a game drive in 4x4 vehicles and a river cruise. Lunch (guests' own account) will be taken at a waterfront lodge with a swimming pool.

The Victoria Falls

The Falls form the largest single "curtain" of falling water on earth measuring 1708 m wide. On average the curtain is 0.92 m deep. The spray plume can rise to 500 m and can be seen from as far as 70 km away. In full flood, over 550 million litres of water per minute cascade over the brink. Because the Falls are so wide, there are numerous safe vantage points provided, from where you will be able to get various views of the Falls and the roiling water as it crashes into the gorge and the constant plume of spray that maintains the Rain Forest.

The forest is an attraction on its own and many of the trees are marked to help identification. They include Fig, Mahogany, Date Palm, Milkwood and Ebony. The bird life is also prolific and species that may be seen include the colourful Sunbird and large Trumpeter Hornbill. The sound of the water can be heard from kilometres away and up close this muted 'thunder' becomes a roar. Craft and curio shops abound with enough variety for everyone to find something to take home as a souvenir

Specialized activities:

1. Flight of Angels

A highlight of any visit to Victoria Falls is a trip in a light aircraft or helicopter over the Falls. Enjoy a bird's eye view of one of the seven natural wonders of the world in all its magical splendour.

2. White Water River Rafting

Batoka Gorge provides one of the most intense sensory thrills imaginable. Its twenty-three white water rapids and striking scenery deep within the sheer black cliffs, afford the adrenaline junkie a wild roller coaster ride. The rapids are run in large rubber rafts, launched from just below the Falls.

3. Elephant Riding

Seated comfortably on the back of nature's true "King of the Beasts", guests can experience an age-old African tradition. Be witness to this mutually enriching and rewarding relationship between man and Elephant in a modern-day Africa.

4. Bungee Jumping from Livingstone Bridge

The bridge spans the gorge between Zambia and Zimbabwe and offers one of the world's highest bungee jumps (111 m). Challenge the limits of the mind and test the edge of fear by leaping off the impressive bridge, with the Falls behind and the mighty Zambezi below.