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FINAL PLACES REMAIN FOR 31 AUG 2024 DEPARTURE
NEW RELEASE DEPARTS 02 SEP 2025
The ultimate way to discover Africa is, of course, by private jet. Only in this way can we admire Egypt’s treasured collection of ancient artefacts, before flying directly to see the assembled herbivore herds of the Maasai Mara. Further south, we stand before the imposing, thundering Victoria Falls. No more than 58 guests will obtain rare glimpses of Africa’s icons with effortless ease and comfort.
Your luxury Africa experience begins in Johannesburg, where you’ll check into a five-star hotel before flying to Livingstone to discover the mighty Victoria Falls. Explore the falls’ many tiers during a walking tour and set sail on a sunset river safari on board the Lady Livingstone.
Spend three nights at Pilanesberg National Park at the Ivory Tree Game Lodge, enjoying daily game drives in search of Africa’s big five*. In Pretoria, join Rovos Rail for the three-night journey to Cape Town, relishing Off Train Experiences at stunning locations. Arriving in Cape Town, you’ll be met with a four-night hotel stay, a tour of the Cape Peninsula, and a 14-dish “taste safari” farewell dinner.
Fly by Business Class Private Jet
Travelling in comfort and style by business class private jet, our journey links remote destinations on a bespoke flight path. We take advantage of expedited customs and private terminals where available. Our Boeing 737-700 aircraft features a business-class configuration for just 58 guests.
Everything Has Been Considered & Included
Along with all dining and drinks, your journey includes stays in some of Africa’s finest accommodation and enriching experiences in each destination. You will also be accompanied at every stage by an expert Tour Manager and Tour Doctor.
Admire The Treasures of Ancient Egypt
Following an in-depth look at the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, we journey to the Valley of the Kings, where we look upon the tomb of Tutankhamun. Nearby, admire Nefertari’s tomb, then savour an exclusive dinner in front of the Temple of Ramses III.
Search for the Big Five in the Maasai Mara
Lions, elephants, rhino, buffalo, leopards. Mighty and majestic, these megafauna all roam the plains of the Maasai Mara. Our September departure is deliberately timed to offer us our best chance of seeing them all, as well as herds of wildebeest migrating from the nearby Serengeti.
Greeted by Gorillas in Rwanda
Observe members of the endangered mountain gorilla species from mere metres away. Social in behaviour and devoted parents, gorillas are fiercely protective of their young. In Volcanoes National Park, we come face to face with these glorious primates—on their terms of course.
Behold Victoria Falls – on Land or From the Air
Set out on a walk through breathtaking rainforest, arriving at the base of Victoria Falls. Witness torrents of water gushing over the precipice, as an ethereal mist ascends. For an even greater and more thrilling overview, climb aboard a helicopter.
The Romance of Rovos Rail
Join the Pride of Africa at Rovos Rail’s private station in Pretoria, spending three nights on board the privately chartered train as we make our way to Cape Town, rolling through goldfields and semi-arid deserts. Enjoy meals in the elegant dining car, then retire to your comfortable compartment.
The St Regis, Cairo
The St Regis Cairo is a mosaic of refined elegance, with arched doorways, vaulted ceilings and rooftop gardens all playing homage to traditional Arabic architecture. Our Astor Rooms have been tastefully decorated and are enhanced by mesmerising views of the storied River Nile.
Rovos Rail
Crossing Africa’s most iconic landscapes in elegant style, this wonderful train and its beautifully restored carriages travel between Pretoria and Cape Town, the wide deserts of Namibia and the powerful tumbling morass of Victoria Falls, the vast plains of the Great Karoo and the battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal.
During the journey you’ll enjoy excursions, game drives and guided tours by historians to further illuminate your journey, as well as bush lunches and suppers under a million-tog duvet of African stars. The fleet of locomotives is rich in history, with even the oldest and smallest engine, called Tiffany, still seeing occasional use. Each carriage, cabin, kitchen car and locomotive has been painstakingly restored, and Rovos Rail now operate four trains across its fabulous choice of journeys.
Life on board Rovos Rail
Travelling on board a Rovos Rail service is like stepping back in time, while keeping the most comfortable technological additions of the 21st century with you.
Carriages
Each train is generally made up of a club lounge, an observation car with vast windows and an open-air platform for enjoying the views, two dining cars and 36 spacious cabin suites, with further upgraded accommodation available. The stunning Edwardian-era carriages have been painstakingly restored to showcase their elegant period details, while adding all the modern comforts that today’s travellers desire on cross-continental journeys. Put simply, it feels like stepping back into a bygone era, but with discreet luxury touches.
Even more beautiful are the pre-1940s dining cars, which were also restored into service with the addition of button-trimmed leather seats, wooden marquetry and other added embellishments. When the train was expanded from 42 to 72 guests, the addition of a lounge car provided a convivial space to come together and share stories of the day’s adventures over fine beverages. Today, the lounge cars still have comfortable wingback chairs and deep sofas for prime afternoon snoozing, and a small gift shop. Some of the train windows can be opened to let in the sights, sounds and smells of Africa in.
Rovos Rail
Rovos Rail
Rovos Rail
Rovos Rail
Meals
All meals on board are served over one sitting in the dining cars; it’s a sociable time of the day when all the guests come together to celebrate the diversity of dining across the continent, sampling delicious cuisine complemented by fine South African wines. A fleet of experienced chefs is tasked with creating innovative and beautifully presented meals for the maximum of 72 guests on board, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients including speciality game.
Breakfast is a leisurely affair and served until 10am, with lunch at 1pm, afternoon tea served in the late afternoon and your formal dinner service at 7.30pm. The bar service runs until 1am, but you might want to get an early night if you’re taking a game drive the following day. What’s certain on board Rovos Rail journeys is that you’ll never go hungry. That, and that every lunch and dinner service is announced with the sounding of a gong.
Rovos Rail Meals
Rovos Rail Meals
Rovos Rail Meals
Rovos Rail Meals
Your Itinerary:
DAY
01
Cairo (Egypt)
Check into The St. Regis Cairo, our elegant residence, for the first two nights of our epic journey. This afternoon, we embark a flotilla of feluccas and cruise the Nile while enjoying a sunset drink. We then adjourn to a privileged position overlooking the Pyramids of Giza, where we observe the beginning of our grand adventure during a Welcome Dinner.
DAY
02
Cairo
Travel far back in time this morning, as we pay homage to the Pyramids of Giza. We venture into the Pyramid of Khafre, traversing narrow passageways to the burial chamber. We are also 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. After taking some time to relax this afternoon, we make our way to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation for a private visit, escorted by a leading lecturer in the field of Egyptology. An abundance of choice is on the menu tonight; select from several of Cairo’s fine-dining establishments, or perhaps enjoy the offerings of one of our hotel’s four restaurants.
DAY
03
Luxor
This morning, we join our business class private jet for the first time and make the short journey south to Luxor. From here, we head straight to a local restaurant for lunch. At the entrance to the Valley of the Kings, the colonnaded glory of Hatshepsut’s Temple steals our attention. We then venture underground, walking in the footsteps of priests and attendants, now long gone, who set Tutankhamun in his tomb. From here, we travel a short distance to the Valley of the Queens, in search of its most lavish tomb, that of Nefertari. In 2024, the visit to Nefertari’s tomb will be replaced with visits to the tombs of Ramses V and VI.
In 2024, the Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor welcomes us. In 2025, our Nile River views are enjoyed from the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa. We then prepare for a most opulent evening. As the sun sets, we are driven across the river to the Temple of Ramses III, at Medinet Habu. Reserved exclusively for us, this will be a dining event unlike any other. The 3000-year-old walls, pylons and gates light up, creating a most electric atmosphere. With cocktails in hand, we listen intently as our professional Egyptologist leads us past soaring halls and elaborately carved columns, before we are seated for dinner facing the temple entrance.
DAY
04
Luxor, Maasai Mara (Kenya)
Our travels bring us momentarily to Luxor Temple. Dedicated to the gods Amun, Mut and Khonsu, the temple once figured in the ancient, annual Opet Festival. The statues of the three gods were originally carried here from the nearby Temple of Karnak. At mid-morning, we rejoin our private jet for the flight to Nairobi. We while away the hours aboard our jet sampling gourmet delights and fine wines. Touching down in the Kenyan capital, we transfer to a light aircraft for the brief flight to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. From here you will be transferred to the lavish Angama Mara. This evening, dine on fresh, local produce at your luxury lodge.
DAY
05
Maasai Mara
Start the day by floating over the Maasai Mara in a hot-air balloon, greeting herds of wildebeest as they graze on the dewy grass below. After breakfast, enjoyed with a glass of bubbles, we climb aboard jeeps to go off in search of the Big Five. In addition to the abundance of lions, elephants, rhino and buffalo, as well as the more elusive leopard, there are also great waves of wildebeest and zebra to be spotted. Following a break in proceedings for lunch back at our lodge, we return to our game drive, making the most of the daylight, as we seek to check off as many of Africa’s majestic creatures as we can. As the sun begins to slowly sink, we toast this glorious day while overlooking the expansive reserve of the Maasai Mara. Back at our lodge, sample local cuisine in an awe-inspiring setting.
DAY
06
Maasai Mara
We rise early to again meet the animals on their own turf. No two days along the Maasai Mara are ever exactly the same and the ensuing hours promise to deliver yet more spontaneous action. Duelling zebras, socialising baboons, hyenas seeking to steal a cheetah’s kill—any, or all, of these may feature today. After returning to camp for breakfast, we pay a visit to a traditional Maasai village. Immerse yourself in daily Maasai life as our hosts lead us to a deeper understanding of their culture. We refuel once more back at our lodge before returning to the plains aboard our jeeps. If we are lucky, news may spread of wildebeest preparing to cross the river. This evening, we prepare for a migration of our own, as we bid farewell to the Maasai Mara during a bush barbecue Farewell Dinner.
DAY
07
Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)
After breakfast, we make the most of our surroundings as we take one last game drive on our way to the nearby airstrip. From here, a light aircraft returns us to Nairobi, where we meet back up with our private jet. Enjoy a light lunch on board, as we then make our way to the Rwandan capital Kigali. The final leg of today’s travels sees a fleet of waiting helicopters taking us swiftly to Ruhengeri in the north of the country. At the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorillas Fund, we’re 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 our three lodges: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, The Bishop’s House or Virunga Inn Resort & Spa.
DAY
08
Volcanoes National Park
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. The gorillas will only meet us on their terms, so we must trek through thick vegetation and several steep inclines in order to reach them. Just eight visitor permits are allocated to each gorilla group on any given day and visits with the gorillas are restricted to one hour. We observe them quietly as they play, groom, rest and feed. Elated from our rare experience, we return to our lodge for a late lunch. Relax this afternoon, absorbing the ambience of the jungle from the comfort of our 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. Dine upon the delicious creations of our lodge’s chefs this evening as you enjoy a final night in Volcanoes National Park.
DAY
09
Livingstone (Zambia)
We depart Volcanoes National Park this morning, taking the road back to Kigali Airport. Our waiting jet then makes the southbound journey to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Lunch is enjoyed on board and we arrive mid-afternoon. From here, we make our way to our hotel. Enjoy sundowners on the grounds of our accommodation, before dining within its restaurant.
DAY
10
Livingstone
Following breakfast, we set out for a closer look at Victoria Falls. On our approach, we are treated to the sight of furious spray as it rises majestically above the trees. We are then led on a walk through some of the most picturesque sections of the rainforest, and on to the base of the falls. On the Zimbabwe side of the falls, we stop for lunch at the Lookout Café.
This afternoon, Your World experiences grant us 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.
This evening, enjoy the delicious seasonal dishes prepared by the chefs at our hotel.
DAY
11
Pretoria (South Africa), Embark Rovos Rail
After breakfast, we bid farewell to the falls, embarking our private jet for our final flight. On arrival in Pretoria, we head to Rovos Rail’s private station, where we board the Pride of Africa. Our stylish, privately chartered train departs the station, heading in a southerly direction. Soon, we’re rolling through the goldfields of the Witwatersrand en route to Johannesburg. In a charming nod to traditions past, a gong heralds lunch and we make our way to our train’s elegant dining car. We continue in a south-westerly direction, on our way to Klerksdorp, enjoying dinner on board, before retiring to our comfortable accommodation.
DAY
12
Kimberley
Shortly after lunch, we arrive in Kimberley, the place responsible for sparking the modern diamond trade. Once a featureless hill, the discovery of diamonds in 1866 drew a rush of speculators. When mining ended in 1914, what remained was one of the largest craters ever dug by hand. It is now called the Big Hole, and we pause here to marvel at its sheer scale. This very mine was also where De Beers founded and built its empire. As is custom, the gong sounds for dinner.
DAY
13
Matjiesfontein
Enjoy breakfast in the dining car, before our train enters the Karoo, a vast semi-desert. If we are lucky, wildebeest and antelope will be out. On the Karoo’s fringe sits Matjiesfontein, a Victorian town where time stands still. See the Pink Church, the Lord Milner Hotel and admire the town’s collection of vintage cars as you pass by. We then visit the local museums for a glimpse of what life was like here at the turn of the 20th century. As we resume our rail journey, enjoy tea in the observation car, its floor-to-ceiling windows and open-air balcony allowing us to capture the full grandeur of Africa’s landscapes. We soon enter a succession of four tunnels, the first of which is 13.5km long. During this time, we turn our attention to our train’s considered amenities. Spectacular scenes ensue as we descend an escarpment toward Worcester.
DAY
14
Cape Town
This morning, our train passes through the Hex River Valley. We soon arrive in Cape Town, where our rail journey concludes. Beginning our discovery of Cape Town, we head to the city’s iconic Table Mountain. More than 260 million years old, Table Mountain was formed before the Andes, Alps and Himalayas. Ponder this as we ride to the summit by cable car. Following lunch, we check into the Cape Grace, our luxurious waterfront hotel.
Spend the afternoon relaxing and making use of our hotel’s facilities, step out onto the V&A Waterfront, or perhaps choose one of the following Your World experiences:
— Witness a variety of architectural styles, as well as some more sobering relics of South Africa’s past, during a walking tour. Visit the Slave Lodge and the Company’s Garden. At the South African National Gallery, be confronted by striking and sometimes uncomfortable works of art, most notably the Butcher Boys installation.
— One of the world’s most impressive gardens, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden invites you to explore its expansive grounds. Then venture along the Constantia Wine Route. At Groot Constantia Wine Farm, enjoy a tasting at South Africa’s oldest wine estate.
Choose where to dine this evening, with many gastronomic delights on offer in some of the city’s finest restaurants.
DAY
15
Cape Town
Set out on an in-depth discovery of the Cape of Good Hope today. We wind our way along Chapman’s Peak Drive, with no fewer than 144 bends along the scenic coastline. At Cape Point Nature Reserve, we 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. Following our exploration along the promontory, we congregate at Harbour House on Kalk Bay. Here, floor-to-ceiling windows frame a scene of coastal cliffs and white water breaking upon the nearby rocks. Naturally, seafood is the star of the menu.
This evening, a gala Farewell Dinner awaits us 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
Our monumental journey has reached its end. We take in the stunning views of the V&A Waterfront for a final time and bid farewell to our fellow guests and hosts, before a private car transfer takes us to the airport.