The Pride of Africa – Dar es Salaam to Cape Town

Our holiday begins with an overnight flight from London Heathrow via Dubai to Tanzania's multicultural city of Dar es Salaam, set on a natural harbour of the Indian Ocean. Tanzania's first capital began as a coastal fishing village whose name 'Dar es Salaam' translates to 'home of peace'. Now the city is the largest in East Africa - a lively hub of culture, tourism and entertainment - a popular starting point for visitors to the UNESCO-listed Selous Game Reserve, the first stop on our tour.

Landing in Tanzania's coastal city of Dar es Salaam this afternoon, we are transferred to our 5-star hotel, the Dar es Salaam Serena. Set in tranquil gardens, nestled in the heart of the city centre, the hotel is close to a golf course, the sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean, and some typical East African markets.

With an afternoon at leisure you are free to get to know the city and its Swahili culture - a unique blend of African, Arab and Indian influences. To experience local life, you could visit the vibrant Kariakoo market, with its colourful stalls of traditional goods, from carved ornaments to brightly-patterned fabrics. An alternative shopping experience is the premier Slipway Shopping Centre on the waterfront, where - if you are looking for a special gift - a store sells Tanzanite, a brilliant blue or violet-hued semi-precious stone which is unique to Tanzania. The fish market on the waterfront is another lively place to visit. Among the city's diverse buildings are the Masjid Maamur Mosque in the city, and St Joseph's Cathedral on the harbourfront. We regroup at our hotel for a sundowner drink before dinner.

After breakfast we are transferred to Tazara station where we board our sumptuous train, the Pride of Africa, starting our epic rail journey across the African continent, travelling through five unique countries.

After settling into our luxurious Pullman carriages, we speed away from Dar es Salaam and travel south through Tanzania across the vast savannah of the Selous Game Reserve. You may like to join fellow travellers in the lounge car or observation car which will be at the front of the train for the first 72 hours of our journey, an aspect that rail enthusiasts and wildlife lovers enjoy.

Lunch is served in the dining cars as we travel through Tanzania's fertile plains, dissected by the mighty Rufiji River and a network of lakes. As we dine or relax in the observation car, we may spot elephants, hippos and buffalo. Afternoon tea is served each day and a formal dinner is produced from fresh local ingredients by an expert team of on-board chefs. Dinner is accompanied by a selection of fine South African wines.

After a scenic early breakfast in the Pride of Africa's dining cars, we head out into the timeless landscapes of the Selous Game Reserve on a safari drive. This important reserve is one of Africa's largest protected wilderness areas, and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Among other species, the reserve is home to elephant, black rhino, cheetah, giraffe, hippo and crocodile - naturally we hope to spot some of these animals on our morning game drive.

After our safari experience we return to the train for lunch and continue our journey towards the sub-tropical jungle terrain of the Udzungwa Mountains. Our train takes a spectacular route here, following the dramatic switchbacks, viaducts and tunnels of the escarpment. Dinner is served as our train continues towards the town of Mlimba in the hilly Morogoro region of south-central Tanzania.

We enjoy a leisurely breakfast aboard our plush train this morning, as we travel through the grasslands and forests of the Southern Highlands region, an area of mountains and plateaus which extend southwards into Malawi, before arriving in the traditional town of Makambako. There may be time to explore the town at your own pace, possibly to visit the large traditional market.

Back on board the Pride of Africa, lunch is served in the dining cars as we pass baobab forests during our ascent into the spectacular Rift Valley, between Africa's two of Great Rift Valley lakes, enroute to Tanzania's border with Zambia. Tea is served in the observation cars as we continue west through these ancient landscapes. Dinner is served in the dining cars once again, along with fine wines from South Africa. This evening we turn our watches back by an hour as we approach 'Zambia Time'.

Breakfast is served in the dining cars this morning as we descend through the striking valleys of the Mbeya Mountains before crossing the border into Zambia. Continuing into Zambia's Northern Province, after lunch we take an afternoon excursion to the stunning Chisimba Falls, a series of three waterfalls. Here, the Luombe River tumbles over a succession of rapids cut into the deep valley, offering a beautiful sight, and a great photo opportunity. It is possible to walk down to the rock pools at the base of the falls, or view them from lookout points.

According to local Bemba tradition, a nature spirit lives in a cave behind the falls, so the site is considered sacred and treated with reverence. The Bemba people are believed to have arrived in Zambia during the 17th century and, well before this period, there is evidence of Iron Age settlements in the area surrounding the falls. We rejoin the Pride of Africa and settle down for another sumptuous dinner as we continue our journey.

Today we spend a relaxed day soaking up the luxury of the Pride of Africa train as views of Zambia roll by our windows. Between meals, you could visit the lounge car and listen as our onboard historian gives informative lectures about a fascinating range of subjects. Or simply sit back in the observation car and admire the landscapes as we make our way through untamed Zambian bushland and across a region of quaint mining towns known as 'the Copperbelt'.

After lunch in the dining cars we arrive in Kapiri Mposhi, a town on the Great North Road and a significant railway station in Zambia's Central Province. The station is the western terminus of the Tazara railway where our train is turned. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and observation cars then, later, dinner is served in the dining cars.

We have another free day on board today, luxuriating in the passing views as we make our way further across Zambia. The train travels through Lusaka, Zambia's tree-lined capital and largest city, and one of the fastest developing cities in southern Africa. After breakfast, we cross the striking Kafue Railway Bridge, a 427-metre-long steel girder bridge, built in 1906 to carry Zambia's Livingstone to Lusaka railway line over the immense and powerful Kafue River. During the rainy season the river flows strongly and this is a scenic spot to photograph.

Lunch is served in the dining cars as we continue travelling south, towards Zimbabwe. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. This evening we enjoy another delicious dinner aboard the Pride of Africa.

A highlight of our holiday awaits today as we arrive at the Zambian town of Livingstone, close to the border with Zimbabwe. We cross the Victoria Falls Bridge that spans a gorge across the incredible falls, and forms the border between the two countries. The indigenous name for the falls is Mosi-oa-Tunya, which translates as the beautiful phrase, 'the smoke that thunders'.

We disembark the train and walk across to Edwardian 5-Star hotel, the Victoria Falls Hotel, which overlooks the Zambezi River. After checking in, lunch is served in the hotel's outdoor restaurant. There's time to relax and enjoy the excellent facilities including the swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre.

Later we take a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, a magical experience when day quickly changes to night and animals along the riverbank become more active. From our boat we soak up the magical hues of the African sunset and the breathtaking beauty of the river, maybe catching a glimpse of the resident crocodiles. Back on land, we enjoy dinner in the hotel's formal Livingstone Room.

Today is free to relax at our hotel, maybe to unwind in the verdant gardens, enjoy a refreshing dip in the outdoor swimming pool and - almost certainly - to check out the Victoria Falls, a staggering two kilometres wide - whose tremendous roar we can hear from our hotel. There is a pathway from our hotel to these spectacular UNESCO-listed waterfalls, whose iridescent mist can be seen and felt as you approach.

If you're feeling adventurous, you could even admire this stunning sight from the unique vantage point of a helicopter (payable locally). Lunch is served in the outdoor restaurant, Jungle Junction. This afternoon we walk the short distance to reboard our fabulous train before departing the Victoria Falls. Dinner is served on board as we travel south overnight, towards the historic Zimbabwean city of Bulawayo.

During breakfast this morning we approach the Zimbabwean border at Plumtree and cross to Francistown in Botswana. You are free to relax on board, as we continue through Botswana towards the Kalahari Basin. The Kalahari Desert extends across most of Botswana, parts of Namibia, and South Africa. It is not a true desert as it does experience some rain - instead, the region is defined as part desert, part plateau.

With a small population, Botswana is a largely rural country, with wide open plains stretching out into a vast semi-arid landscape, dotted with traditional villages. The country's main river is the replenishing Okavango, which flows into a delta in the northwest of Botswana, forming marshlands which are rich in wildlife. Our train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn on its route to Gaborone, Botswana's compact capital, then we travel alongside the South African border towards the Madikwe Game Reserve.

After breakfast, we cross the Botswana border into South Africa. Here we disembark the train and are transferred by coach to our 5-Star lodge in the nearby Madikwe Game Reserve. On arrival at our luxury lodge we are served lunch, then settle in to our beautiful surroundings for a two-night stay. Following afternoon tea we take our first drive into the game reserve, staying out until twilight when animals become more active so are more likely to be spotted.

Madikwe is a vast area of open bushveld and Kalahari thornveld with enormous volcanic intrusions, bordered by the Dwarsberg Mountains. The reserve hosts an incredible diversity of species, including the big 5 group of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo, which you are likely to see - the park also attracts around 300 different bird species, both resident and migrant. There is also a rare chance of seeing the highly-endangered African wild dog, known as the 'painted dog' as its rough brown coat features paintbrush-like streaks of black, white and tan. On our return to the lodge we have dinner together.

Awakening in the peaceful, natural surroundings of Madikwe, there is time for an early breakfast before we set off on a morning drive of around three hours, into this magnificent game reserve. Every day in the bush is unpredictable, and that's one of the reasons wildlife viewing is so exciting. After an absorbing morning with our local ranger, we return for lunch at the lodge.

There's time at leisure, followed by afternoon tea, before our next game drive in the hours before sunset. This is always a captivating time to be out in the bush, watching the movement of animals as they awaken from afternoon slumber. We may also see some activity along the Marico River, where some predators may be seen drinking before a night of hunting. We enjoy another dinner at our luxury lodge this evening.

On a final early morning game drive in Madikwe Game Reserve we may be looking out for any animals we haven't yet seen. If we are lucky, we could spot the rare African wild dog, recognisable by its large, bat-like ears and mottled coat. After our wildlife viewing experience, we transfer by coach to the town of Zeerust, where we reboard the Pride of Africa and continue our holiday into South Africa by rail.

We take our seats in the dining cars for lunch, shortly after our train sets off. More glorious scenery awaits ahead, as we ride into the distinctive landscape of the Magaliesberg, which - while modest in height - is the second oldest mountain range in the world, almost 100 times older than Mount Everest. Besides the surrounding mountains, the area is characterised by rocky outcrops, kloofs (small hills) and rivers, and we may spot sable antelope in the open bushveld. We savour the exceptional comfort, cuisine and fine wines aboard the train as our journey continues towards the city of Pretoria.

Early this morning we pass some of South Africa's goldmining fields, having breakfast onboard before arriving in the country's administrative capital, Pretoria. The city's Union Buildings are the seat of South Africa's government and home to the President.

We get to know Pretoria on a morning city tour followed by lunch in the gracious surroundings of the Rovos Railway Station. We are then given a walking tour of the station and locomotive workshops before reboarding our train. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and observation cars as we travel south and continue our journey towards the historic diamond mining town of Kimberley. We dine again this evening in the elegant dining cars.

Today, our train reaches Kimberley, the capital of South Africa's Northern Cape Province, best known for the diamonds which were discovered here in 1871. We tour the Kimberley Diamond Mine Museum, a recreated townscape and museum of many artifacts from the diamond rush, including jewellery and uncut diamonds. The hill where diamonds were mined was quickly over-mined and collapsed, then the space became known as the 'Big Hole' - this open basin is now so large that it can be seen from space.

Back aboard our train, lunch is served. Our journey continues into the Karoo, a vast semi-desert that was once an enormous inland sea. Over millions of years, volcanic matter was ground down and deposited as silt upon the seabed to form what geologists call the Karoo system. We can view this unusual landscape, punctuated by aloes and acacia trees, over afternoon tea. This evening we reconvene for another excellent dinner in the dining cars.

During breakfast, our train reaches Matjiesfontein. This charming colonial village was founded in 1884 by a Scottish railwayman, later established itself as a fashionable health spa, and is now a National Monument. You are free to look around the village at your own pace, and visit historic buildings which attracted visitors such as Lord Randolph Churchill, Cecil John Rhodes, Rudyard Kipling, and South Africa's Olive Schreiner. Or visit the museum, which has a collection of historic cars and railway carriages to the right of the Lord Milner Hotel.

We return to the train for the final stretch of our epic journey through Africa. Over lunch we descend the dramatic escarpment of the Hex River Valley. Tonight is our final dinner, and you may like to mark the occasion by raising a glass with new friends, as we continue southwards overnight towards Cape Town.

This morning we disembark the Pride of Africa for the final time and are met by our Tour Manager. We are introduced to Cape Town on a guided tour and discover some of the city's best-loved attractions. Our tour includes a drive by the City Hall, Parliament, Company's Gardens, The Castle of Good Hope and into the colourful Bo-Kaap (Malay Quarter).

After lunch together in a local restaurant we ascend the impressive Table Mountain by cable car, where we enjoy splendid views across the sprawling city and azure ocean. At the top, you can wander among the beautiful Cape 'fynbos', which includes different types of coral-hued proteas, and spot animals such as the rock rabbit or Table Mountain Ghost Frog. After descending this iconic mountain, we transfer to our hotel, close to the vibrant Cape Town V&A Waterfront, where we spend the next three nights. This evening you are free to dine independently, and there are many enticing options down at the waterfront.

We are taken by coach into South Africa's most celebrated wine region today, the Stellenbosch Valley, where we visit a local vineyard for a wine tasting. We soak up incredible views across the verdant vineyards, surrounded by a striking range of mountains before a chance to sample some award-winning wines, accompanied by delicious food pairings.

After being transferred back to our hotel this afternoon, the rest of the day and evening is free to spend as you wish. Nature lovers may like to visit wonderful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, one of the seven most magnificent botanic gardens of the world. Extending across the south east slopes of Table Mountain, this spectacular nature reserve has several trails and a fabulous Tree Canopy Walk.

At the V&A Waterfront are many shops, a craft market and the National Maritime Museum. As for dining out, at both the waterfront and the city centre, you really are spoilt for choice.

After breakfast we enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, driving to the magnificent Cape of Good Hope, heading to Cape Point, at the most southwestern tip of the continent. Here, we take the Flying Dutchman funicular railway, where we can look out across the Atlantic Ocean, the waters of False Bay, and the stunning Cape Peninsula coastline.

Our tour continues along False Bay, to Simon's Town where we have lunch at a local restaurant, with free time to look around. We continue to Boulders Bay, a pristine beach which is home to a colony of African penguins. The penguins nest in the dunes and waddle down to swim in the sea, often gathering in family groups to sun on the rocks. Wander along the boardwalk between the dunes to see these lovely creatures in their natural habitat. This evening there is a good choice of restaurants at the V&A Waterfront, or maybe take a taxi to Bree Street, a popular Cape Town destination for fusion food, Cape Malay dishes, Mediterranean cuisine or Asian flavours.

This is the final day of our grand tour of Africa and it begins with a morning ferry ride to Robben Island across Table Bay for a guided tour of the notorious prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 27 years. Today, the site is UNESCO World Heritage listed. Back on the mainland, we are transferred from the hotel to Cape Town International Airport for our overnight flight home to London Heathrow.

Arriving into London Heathrow early this morning, we say goodbye to our Tour Manager, fellow travellers and new friends, before heading home. Images and memories of our grand tour of Africa are sure to be kept alive for many years to come - from the cultural melting pot of East Africa's Dar es Salaam, the vast wilderness of magnificent, untamed game reserves and the phenomenal Victoria Falls, to the stunning mountains, coastline, and spectacular winelands of the Cape. Besides these incredible images, you may also cherish memories of a magnificent journey on the Pride of Africa, the excellent onboard cuisine and outstanding levels of service.