Tracks of Africa

With breathtaking natural wonders, beautiful coastal towns and cities, and abundant wildlife, Southern Africa is bountiful in its treasures. On this 17-day adventure, we’ll photograph spectacular scenery along the Garden Route, take high tea in Cape Town (with Table Mountain as a backdrop), and travel in sumptuous style on board a restored vintage train, taking in views of winelands, mountains and plateaux along the way. Journeying north, we’ll spot hippos wallowing in Botswana’s Chobe River and feel nature’s full force at Victoria Falls.

Day 1 UK - In flight

Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2 Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth

We arrive into Johannesburg and connect with our onward South African Airways flight to Port Elizabeth. On arrival we transfer to The Boardwalk Hotel and Spa on a bed and breakfast basis. Located next to the Nelson Mandela Bay beachfront, your hotel is the perfect place to relax before embarking on this incredible journey.

Day 3 Knysna

This morning we head west to Tsitsikamma National Park, a protected area on the Garden Route and a coastal reserve well known for its indigenous forests and dramatic coastline. We stop at Storms River for an included lunch. Later we continue to Knysna, located in the heart of the Garden Route. We stay in this popular town at the Rex Hotel for two nights, including breakfast and dinner.

Day 4 Knysna

Today we take a boat across the lagoon to Featherbed Nature Reserve, for magnificent views across Knysna Heads. We return to Knysna later, where the remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy our hotel. Please note: At time of print, Featherbed Nature Reserve is closed due to forest fires in 2017. If we are unable to visit during your holiday, we will include an unforgettable experience aboard a paddle cruiser on Knysna Lagoon, home to many varieties of fish and birds. A buffet lunch is served on board including oysters and a glass sparkling wine.

Day 5 Knysna - Arniston

Heading west, we drive to Arniston, a pretty fishing and holiday village close to Cape Aghulas. The area, characterised by its lime-washed and thatched houses, remains unspoilt and has been declared a national monument. Our hotel this evening is The Arniston, with included breakfast and dinner; its seafront location affords wonderful views of the Indian Ocean.

Day 6 Arniston - Cape Town

This morning, we continue to Cape Aghulas; the southern-most point of Africa and the official dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Continue on to Hermanus, where we have free time and where whales may be seen from the shore during the months of July to November (not guaranteed). After lunch, we drive along the dramatically scenic and rugged coastal road to Cape Town. Here we stay for the next three nights at the Table Bay Hotel or Southern Sun The Cullinan Hotel, on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 7 Cape Town

Today we set out for a tour of this world-famous city that has a backdrop of Table Mountain and flanked by Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and Devil’s Peak. We take an exhilarating trip by cable car to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting). A wonderful high tea is included today, at the prestigious Mount Nelson hotel, located in the heart of Cape Town, with Table Mountain as its backdrop.

Day 8 Cape Town

A full day at leisure to enjoy Cape Town or the surrounding area. Take an optional excursion to view the dramatic scenery at Cape Point; a nature reserve within Table Mountain National Park. Alternatively walk around the famous botanical gardens of Kirstenbosch nestled at the foot of Table Mountain.

Day 9 Rovos Rail (Matjiesfontein)

This morning we embark on our two-night journey on-board Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa - the most luxurious train in the world. Enjoy fine cuisine with wine pairing at lunch and dinner in the elegant dining car, serving the most sumptuous meals with all alcoholic and soft drinks included. Rediscover the golden age of travel as you meander through picturesque countryside with vast panoramas, scenic winelands and spectacular mountain ranges to the grasslands of the gold-rich Highveld plateau. Enjoy high tea in the Observation Car and prior to dinner disembark to enjoy a walk around the authentically preserved Victorian village of Matjiesfontein.

Day 10 Rovos Rail (Kimberley)

After a leisurely breakfast and delicious lunch, we continue through stunning scenery to Kimberley where we disembark and take a tour of this famous gold mining city visiting the Diamond Mining Museum and extraordinary Big Hole. High tea is served in the Observation Car after we depart Kimberley, and later a wonderful dinner on our last night on the Pride of Africa.

Day 11 Pretoria - Sandton

After our final breakfast in the dining car, we travel through the goldfields of the Witwatersrand to our journey’s end at the gracious colonial-style Rovos Rail Station at Capital Park, Pretoria. Transfer to The Maslow Hotel, Sandton for an overnight stay on bed and breakfast basis. The hotel is close to Johannesburg’s premier shopping area.

Day 12 Johannesburg - Livingstone - Chobe National Park

Today we transfer to Johannesburg Airport for our flight to Livingstone where we transfer by road to the Zambezi River; crossing into Botswana by boat to Kasane, gateway to the Chobe National Park. Continue to Chobe Bush Lodge or similar for the next two nights including breakfast and dinner.

Day 13 Chobe National Park

Our morning starts with an exhilarating game drive by open sided 4x4 vehicles optimising your viewing experience. Late afternoon we embark on a sunset cruise along the Chobe River spotting an array of wildlife that come to the river at sundown; many rare and endemic birds co-exist with migratory species and an abundance of water birds, including the majestic fish eagle.

Day 14 Chobe - Livingstone (Victoria Falls)

Transfer by road to Livingstone and check in at the Royal Livingstone Hotel or David Livingstone Safari Lodge and Spa for a two night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. This afternoon we enjoy a cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, from where we enjoy a refreshing drink in the warm African sun observing the wildlife of the Zambezi. Magical!

Day 15 Livingstone

Following an introductory talk on David Livingstone, today is the wonderful finale to the tour - a visit to the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls. Nothing can prepare you for the excitement and anticipation you will feel as you step closer to the viewing areas and admire the beautiful sight that so entranced Livingstone all those years ago.

Day 16 Livingstone - In flight

Today we depart for Livingstone Airport for your return flight to the UK.

Day 17 UK

Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.