Southern Africa Safari by Train

Cape Town lies between the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain, with colorful Bo-Kaap houses and sea breezes scented with salt and spices. Bustling markets and quiet beaches reflect its vibrant energy, while colonial architecture and Robben Island reveal a complex history. Nearby, vineyards offer a peaceful contrast.

Early morning offers ideal conditions for a ride on the iconic cable car to Table Mountain’s summit. Framed by clear blue skies, the panoramic views remain remarkable. A knowledgeable guide leads you to quieter viewpoints while sharing insights into the city’s layered history. From Greenmarket Square to Bo-Kaap, the day unfolds with local flavor, handcrafted goods and a hidden spot for gin and chocolate. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

The Cape Peninsula offers a blend of coastal charm, natural beauty and relaxed adventure. In Kalk Bay, brightly painted boats bob in the harbor while seals rest nearby and local galleries display regional art. Along the coast, penguins waddle among the boulders of Simon’s Town. Gentle hikes through Table Mountain National Park reveal sweeping views and sightings of zebras, baboons and bonteboks, leading to secluded beaches dotted with shipwrecks. A gourmet picnic in the wilderness provides a welcome escape. Later, Noordhoek Farm Village invites with fresh ice cream and rich coffee. As sunset approaches, Chapman’s Peak Drive offers panoramic views bathed in golden light. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Your journey shifts into timeless elegance aboard Worldway, where a deluxe suite welcomes you with old-world charm, rich wood paneling and passing scenery. Cape’s mountain ranges unfold outside your window as you relax in a fluffy white robe and watch the landscape shift. In the evening, dress smartly for your first four-course dinner in the elegant Victorian dining car, where expertly crafted dishes pair with fine South African wines. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Wake up in Matjiesfontein, a historic Victorian village where you can explore vintage cars and railway carriages. Your journey moves from the gold-rich Highveld to the vast, haunting expanse of the Great Karoo. An observation car with an open-air balcony offers stunning views of South Africa’s landscapes, often enhanced by an onboard historian. Social spaces such as the lounge car, gift shop and dining car provide elegant settings to connect with fellow passengers. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arrive in Kimberley — South Africa's diamond capital — known for its rich history and pioneering spirit. It was the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to install electric streetlights and opened Africa's first stock exchange. Your exploration begins at the Big Hole, a massive hand-dug mine covering eight football fields. As you tour the mine, your guide shares fascinating stories from the diamond rush of the 18th century. Afterward, reboard your train, continuing toward Klerksdorp and the vast grasslands of Highveld. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arrive in Pretoria, its graceful, historic architecture contrasting with an emerging cosmopolitan center, surrounded by prosperous leafy suburbs and wide streets lined with jacarandas. Continue to Johannesburg, a city shaped by its twin legacies of gold mining and struggle. Meals: Breakfast

Begin the next chapter of your journey in the Okavango Delta, a vast and untouched wilderness where winding waterways sustain rich floodplains and attract an impressive variety of wildlife. Upon arrival in Botswana, fly by light aircraft to your camp in the Khwai Private Reserve, an expansive landscape of river channels, woodlands and open grasslands. Settle into your treehouse room beneath the leadwood trees before setting out on a game drive, with opportunities to spot elephants, lions, leopards and wild dogs, followed by a sundowner in the bush. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rise to spot the early prowlers of the savanna, pausing for a steaming coffee in the bush. In the late afternoon, head out for your second game drive, where you can witness the changing light and spot wildlife in their natural habitat. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start the day with a mokoro excursion through the Khwai River (water level dependent), gliding through lush landscapes in search of birds and other wildlife. This afternoon, take a final game drive across the vast floodplains, keeping an eye out for wildlife you may have missed. As the sun sets, enjoy a scenic sundowner as you reflect on the pristine wilderness. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel by scenic helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta, taking in aerial views of shimmering floodplains dotted with buffalo, elephants, hippos and antelope. Touch down on North Island Okavango, a secluded private island offering nearly year-round water-based activities. Your tented camp overlooks a peaceful lagoon shaded by ebony trees and often visited by hippos. Evenings invite quiet moments on the deck, where the chorus of bell frogs and flickering fireflies set a tranquil tone. On cooler nights, gather by the fire pit for stargazing beneath the clear night sky. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Explore the Okavango Delta more on foot or by water. Start with a game drive through pristine wilderness in search of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, hippos and the elusive sitatunga antelope. Later, embark on a boat or mokoro safari through lily-filled channels, offering close-up views of the Delta's wildlife and wetland birds, perhaps the slaty egret, Pel’s fishing owl or African skimmer. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The day begins with a peaceful exploration of the Delta’s winding channels, where a silent glide reveals vibrant birdlife and dense vegetation. After a midday rest, choose to return to the water by engine boat or mokoro, deepening your connection to this tranquil landscape while watching for more wildlife along the banks. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Fly to Johannesburg via Maun, before boarding your departing flight. Meals: Breakfast