A Luxury Rail Journey Through Africa
Trip highlights
- Experiencing true luxury on the famous Rovos Rail train
- Sampling the incredible food scene of Cape Town
- Unforgettable safaris in Sabi Sands
- Discovering the thundering Victoria Falls
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Private transfers
- Private tours and experiences
- Expert safari guides on shared game drives Sabi Sands
- Full support from your travel designer and concierge
- Help with restaurant recommendations and reservations
- Days 1–4 Cape Town
- Days 4–6 The Winelands
- Days 6–9 Sabi Sands
- Days 9–10 Pretoria
- Days 10–13 Rovos Rail
- Days 13–15 Victoria Falls
- Days 1–4 Cape Town
- Days 4–6 The Winelands
- Days 6–9 Sabi Sands
- Days 9–10 Pretoria
- Days 10–13 Rovos Rail
- Days 13–15 Victoria Falls
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Three nights of exclusive adventures in Cape Town
Spend your time relaxing and exploring the cosmopolitan capital of Cape Town. Explore the beguiling scenery of Cape Point and Table Mountain and experience the city’s delicious gourmet cuisine and a fascinating history. You will have our top recommendations for activities, restaurants and shopping so that you can make the most of your time here. If you would like us to organise your time here with a privately-guided tour, according your interests, we can do so.
Where you could stay
Cape Town
Highlights
- 11 rooms, two suites, two villas
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Spa
- Restaurant
- Contemporary art gallery
- Sommelier-led wine tastings
Overview
Ellerman House is a class act throughout. It feels very much like your own home but with top class service befitting a five-star hotel. Perched in one of the most spectacular and privileged settings in Cape Town overlooking Bantry Bay, it is the epitome of comfort and class with a relaxed, elegant style. Decoration is colonial, with a nod to the contemporary and recently refurbished to provide thoroughly modern comforts.
Where Ellerman House excels above others is the excellent house staff, who in these grand surrounds create such a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Taking a (complimentary) evening cocktail from the lounge and strolling out onto the peaceful gardens overlooking the sea for sunset is the perfect end to a day in Cape Town as one feels both special and relaxing.
There are just 11 rooms, two suites and two private contemporary villas. Communal areas include a spacious lounge, large garden area (with outdoor pool) and a huge spa. There is an open kitchen you are invited to visit, a pantry that you can raid as well as the complimentary evening cocktails.
A particular feature of the property is its private art collection. This is simply outstanding, one of the best in South Africa with works from African masters inside the main building and then, underneath is a contemporary gallery. For anyone interested in art this will add an extra element to their stay.
Guests are also able to book Sleep Rooms at Ellerman House. A concept created by wellness expert Harry Jameson, each of the 13 rooms at the property can be converted into wellness rooms specially designed to optimise both sleep and recovery.
→ Find out moreCape Town
Overview
Located in the popular V&A waterfront, the One&Only is the most contemporary of Cape Town’s top hotels. As one might expect from the top luxury resort specialists, the service is excellent.
The very spacious rooms and suites (107) have an elegant style, fabrics and textiles taking an African influence with rich colourful hues. The main hotel area sits around a lagoon in which an island has been created. This is where the outdoor pool, jacuzzis and spa are located, to give more of a ‘resort’ style feel to the hotel. Special Island suites are also available here. Inside the hotel itself there are large communal areas including a vast lobby and bar area as well as restaurants from South African celebrity Chef Reuben Rifell and Nobu.
The resort also has a particularly good kids club, which they can be left in comfortably for the day as the adults go out exploring.
→ Find out moreCape Town
Highlights
- 112 spacious and elegantly appointed rooms
- Every rooms features views to the harbour, Table Mountain or the marina
- Indulge with delicious South African dishes in the Heirloom restaurant
- Relax with a tailored treatment at the Fairmount spa
- Take part in a whiskey tasting in the Bascule bar
Overview
Situated in the heart of the V&A Waterfront, the Cape Grace is one of Cape Town’s most famous luxury hotels in a location perfect for enjoying the restaurants, boutiques and entertainment of this upmarket area. The hotel also has a strong focus on contributing to community upliftment and has various measures in place to improve their water and energy consumption.
Reflecting its location, the décor has a nautical theme and is full of local detail, with antiques and maps adorning the hallways. In a playful touch, sumptuous chandeliers are adorned with unusual items (such as crockery and kitchenware in the Restaurant area). The 112 rooms and suites are spacious, comfortable and elegantly decorated, offering views out to Table Mountain, Signal Hill or the Marina.
For dining, savour South African dishes at the Cape Grace’s restaurant Heirloom, where the unhurried spirit and bountiful terroir of South Africa is celebrated. The Bascule bar draws on the city’s contemporary speakeasy culture, offering an immersive journey into the essence of the Cape with whiskey tastings and carefully crafted cocktails.
The hotel also features a heated pool and outdoor deck, along with a spa on the top floor. Immerse yourself in the serene ambience of the stylish treatment rooms, unwind in the sauna and refresh your senses in the salt room. You can walk straight out into the waterfront area here making it a perennial favourite.
→ Find out moreCape Town
Overview
The Grand Dame, heritage property of Cape Town, the Mount Nelson comes with bags of history and is perhaps the most famous hotel in the city. It’s set in large grounds and is made up of a number of different smaller buildings. Most rooms have been refurbished with a contemporary refresh, adding comfort and modern touches to the historic décor. The bar and restaurant have had a similar treatment making them a popular place to visit for Capetonians (a great sign for any hotel restaurant, particularly in the fickle and competitive Cape Town restaurant scene).
From their vermiculture project and on-site beehives, to their use of locally produced organic vegetables, the hotel puts a strong emphasis on having a positive impact on the environment and local community.
Rooms are very comfortable and spacious and are located in several buildings dotted throughout the large property and gardens. This makes it stand apart from other larger hotels in Cape Town as in this most outdoor of cities it’s great to have large, green gardens to take a stroll through and outdoor pools (and for the more active, there are also tennis courts).
Though The Mount Nelson is very much a location in itself, the large grounds sit just a short stroll away from downtown and also the Kloof Street Area, which is famous among locals for excellent new restaurants and boutiques. Afternoon Tea at the Nelson (or Nellie as it is affectionately known) is a Cape Town institution and well worth trying.
→ Find out moreCape Town
Highlights
- Design by local artisans
- Holistic spa
- Two beautifully tiled pools
- Seasonal produce & local wines
- Private dining on request
Overview
This historic hotel in colourful Cape Town has just 19 rooms, offering an intimate escape from the neighbourhood’s buzzy streets. It’s all about local artisans here, with artworks, crafts and striking pieces of furniture that create a bold but beautiful maximalist aesthetic. Expect emerald greens and distinctive printed wallpapers, accented with gold trimmings.
The property is perfectly placed for exploring the restaurants and bars on popular Kloof Street, or for getting outdoors and atop Table Mountain, where views of the city are truly awe-inspiring. There’s plenty of pleasure to be found inside the hotel, too, though, with two prettily tiled swimming pools and a handful of loungers that invite you to laze around in the sun for at least a few hours.
Food here is served in Upper Union, where a carefully curated menu offers seasonal produce by way of small plates and larger dishes, and the cocktails are a highlight for locals and visitors alike.
→ Find out moreThe impact of your stay:
- Built in the early 1800s and declared a national monument in 1984, Cape Cadogan underwent a thoughtful restoration to become a stylish city hotel. Retaining the original features, it stands as an iconic symbol of Cape Town, serving as a reminder of the city’s history and cultural heritage.
- Revenue from Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel supports the More Community Foundation, with a strong emphasis on vital education in the local area. In the Cape Town region, they’ve funded the Injongo Educare Centre, catering to children from the Mfuleni area and providing an after-school care programme for children from neighbouring schools.
- With every stay, a sustainability levy is directed to the More Community Foundation, which aids in overseeing their sustainability initiatives. These efforts include the elimination of single-use plastics, the establishment of effective recycling systems, and the monthly generation of a sustainability report. This report captures all relevant data and serves as a workshop tool to continuously enhance their environmental impact and reduce their carbon footprint.
Explore the city
Half day privately guided exploration of Cape Town
Your tour is entirely private and at your own pace picking out the attractions which interest you. Typically highlights include, the Houses of Parliament, the Castle, this is South Africa’s oldest building, the lively Green Market Square with its daily market, the Company Gardens and of course Table Mountain which will give you spectacular views over the city and Peninsula.
Get the cable car up Table Mountain
Take a short cable car ride up to Table Mountain and enjoy the spectacular views from the top.
Visit the Bo-Kaap
Enjoy a walk through the Bo-Kaap, traditionally home to the Cape Malay community, with its brightly coloured houses and cobbled streets.
Leave the city for a day of glorious nature
Full Day Cape Point & Peninsula Tour
Take one of the most scenic journeys in the world in this wonderful, full day private tour. Your guide will collect you from your hotel in the morning and bring you out through the coastal suburbs. The trip is entirely private, so you can take things at your own pace though typically you’ll make stops to see the highlights.
Hout Bay and Chapman Peak Drive
Leaving the suburbs of Cape Town the road winds through Hout Bay and up over Chapmans peak for truly stunning views of the coastline. If we’re lucky we may even see Southern Right Whales in the waters off-shore from June-November.
Cape of Good Hope
Explore the rocky coastline and unique Cape Fynbos vegetation which is home to unique bird-life such as African Black Oystercatchers and Cape Sugarbirds amongst others. Climb to the famous Cape Point Lighthouse to capture the magical vistas of False Bay, and stop at the south western most point of Africa – the fabled Cape of Good Hope.
Simon’s Town & Boulders Beach
We will visit Boulders Beach for a visit to see African Penguins in their natural habitat. Next drive through the historical naval village of Simonstown and over yet another spectacular mountain pass; Boyes Drive, where you will take in views of the quaint fishing harbour at Kalk Bay as well as the seaside villages of St James and Muizenberg.
Make it mine
In the city
Outside the city
Company Gardens
Enjoy a stroll through the Company Gardens – a large public park and botanical garden set in the heart of Cape Town. It is the oldest garden in the country and has its origins in Jan van Riebeeck’s vegetable garden which he grew to feed the original colony as early as 1652.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
As we return to the city (time allowing) you have the opportunity to visit these magnificent gardens set on the slopes of Table Mountain before returning to your hotel in the city.
Two nights in South Africa's Winelands
Enjoy the serenely beautiful countryside of the Winelands. You have our top recommendations for activities, vineyards and restaurants so that you can make the most of your time here. If you would like us to organise a variety of privately-guided tours, according to your interests, we can do so.
Where you could stay
The Winelands
Overview
Surrounded by vineyards and gardens and just minutes from the village of Franschhoek is Leeu Estates, a boutique hotel, winery and wellness spa. Set within 68 hectares between the Dassenberg mountains and Franschhoek River, it offers guests the opportunity to enjoy stunning natural beauty in total luxury.
Each room is individually styled and upholstered in natural linens giving a relaxed yet sophisticated feel. The luxury en-suite bathrooms have marble floors with underfloor heating and some feature a freestanding bath tub. You’ll enjoy your beautiful surroundings from the moment you wake up, with windows that look out over the gardens and orchard.
Located within the Manor House is The Dining Room, where uncomplicated dishes let the locally produced ingredients shine though. In the warmer months, choose to dine al fresco and enjoy soaking up the sun from the garden terrace.
For when you want to simply relax and unwind, The Reading Room is an intimate space with a fireplace, opening onto a veranda with views of the gardens, vineyards and Franschhoek Valley. There is plenty of reading material and enough board games to keep you occupied, but if you do fancy engaging in something more active then make a beeline for the gym, pool and spa.
→ Find out moreThe Winelands
Overview
One of the most famous hotels in South Africa, La Residence is a truly opulent and stately base from which to explore the wine region. From the moment one enters the grand hall at the entrance, it is obvious that you have entered a very special place. Works of art and antiques from all over the world adorn the lavish interiors.
Set close to the pretty town of Franschhoek on a backdrop of rolling hills, the hotel sits in thirty acres of working farm with immaculately manicured gardens, vineyards and orchards. There are eleven suites set in the main building, each very individual from the other and themed around a colour, with an eclectic but cohesive mix of antiques and art lending both character and opulence to each of the rooms.
Further down the hill are the newly constructed villas. These have a slightly more contemporary feel, with brighter colours and are also very suitable for families as they range from two to four bedrooms each. The villas also share a separate pool area and a communal open kitchen and dining area, encouraging a more informal mingling of guests in this part of the property.
→ Find out moreThe Winelands
Overview
Set on one of the oldest Cape Dutch Farms in the wine region, Babylonstoren is a 200-hectare working fruit farm with an exclusive hotel and restaurant set amongst the vineyards orchards and beautiful kitchen gardens. This is a beautiful and relaxing sanctuary, effortlessly blending its colonial, pastoral past with modern contemporary design.
There are 14 cottages spread out through the grounds, a spacious blend of restored Cape-Dutch architecture and sophisticated modern touches. This is modern design at its very best with a deft lightness of touch giving a feeling of space and modernity whilst remaining very true to the historic style of the buildings. It’s no surprise therefore that Karen Roos (former editor of Elle Decoration) is one of the owners.
Guests can enjoy the outdoor pool area, restaurant, eight-acre kitchen garden, spa and gym. The farm is also to be explored, walking through the 200 hectares of land or perhaps taking a canoe out on the farm dam.
→ Find out moreThe Winelands
Overview
The most contemporary luxury property in the wine region, Delaire sits on a privileged vantage point, perched on the hillside along the magnificent Helshoogte mountain range between Stellenbosch and Franschhoeck.
There are 16 individual lodgings, each very private, decorated in elegant neutral tones and modern art. Each boasts a separate lounge and bedroom as well as a large deck and private infinity pool.
At the centre of the property sits the large communal area, with a large pool, Jacuzzi and deck outdoors (from which one can enjoy spectacular views) as well as a peaceful interior decorated with a fantastic modern art collection. There is also an in-house cinema that screens documentaries and two restaurants, where the service is exemplary.
→ Find out moreThe Winelands
Overview
Set inside the peaceful, pretty town of Franschhoek, Le Quartier Français is a tranquil, luxurious base from which to explore the town and winelands beyond. This is by far the best hotel in town with a fantastic level of service and a relaxed, modest atmosphere that belies the level of comfort and attention to detail.
17 of the 21 rooms and suites are set around the central courtyard, with four others around a private garden.
The white exteriors contrast with the warm, colourful interiors of the rooms, all very comfortable and spacious. The hotel also has two excellent dining options which front onto the main high-street of Franschhoek. Guests can also enjoy a pleasant lounge area, herb garden and private cinema. The ‘La Petite Colombe’ restaurant is among the best in South Africa.
With the excellent service, comfort and cuisine one would expect, however, what elevates it above all, is the friendly personal aspect to the service here.
→ Find out moreDiscover the winelands
Full day privately guided tour of the Winelands
During this tour your private, expert guide will take you to see the stunning mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads. You will get to sample some of South Africa’s most exquisite wines and enjoy exploring the charming colonial towns and picturesque countryside.
Visit the culinary capital of Franschhoek
Take a journey through the beautiful scenery of Helshoogte Pass to visit the town of Franschhoek, founded by French Huguenots over 350 years ago, and widely regarded as the culinary capital of South Africa. Its beautiful setting and café lined streets will charm you and a wine tasting is included at one of the renowned estates here.
Make it mine
Chocolate and dessert
Wines and tasting
Wine, chocolate and desert tastings
Visit the charming colonial town of Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa, with canal-lined avenues, and magnificent examples of Cape Dutch architecture where you can do wine tasting, coupled with a chocolate tasting, if desired.
Explore Paarl and enjoy wine tastings
Paarl is located in the Winelands at the foot of a cluster of remarkable granite domes, a wonderful place to take in spectacular landscapes and enjoy a final wine tasting.
Three nights on safari in Sabi Sands
Enjoy days relaxing at your luxury lodge and exploring the world-famous Sabi Sands Reserve with morning and afternoon game drives. Depending on the lodge you’ve chosen, there are various other optional activities you can do such as walking safaris, attending nature lectures and for children there often dedicated tours just for them. Ask your travel designer for the full lowdown.
Where you could stay
Sabi Sands
Overview
With only three suites the very smart Pioneer Camp, like the Granite Suites, offers a highly personal service and safari experience. It’s also the most secluded of all the lodges at Londolozi Reserve thanks in part to a canopy of 500-year-old ebony trees. Then there are the wonderful views of the river.
Even though recently renovated this camp has still not forgone its name and initial purpose, so its design falls more in line with the classical era of the adventurer.
The overall feel is a sumptuously modern one but the use of old travelling chests, gramophones, nostalgic colonial antiques and more traditional-style furniture romantically reminds you of how safaris were first forged.
For families and small groups, the entire Pioneer Camp can be exclusively hired and its connecting sky walkways mean that the three suites can be turned into one bush home
→ Find out moreSabi Sands
Overview
This gorgeous lodge is situated in the southern part of the internationally famous Sabi Sand Reserve.
The ‘Big Five’ sightings are so frequent, it is not unusual to see lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino in a single game drive. Numerous nearby dams and a series of waterholes in front of the lodge attract many species, especially in the dry winter months when elephants are daily visitors.
There are seven suites – three executive and four luxury, all with their own private plunge pools. The executive suites feature canvas roofs for an authentic safari feel as well as large bathrooms with a free standing tub, double vanities, double shower and toilet as well as outdoor shower. There are glass doors that open onto covered patios where your private plunge pool faces waterholes in the bush.
The four luxury suites are nestled among indigenous trees that attract a variety of bird life. They have the same facilities as the larger suites in a more compact space.
There is also the two-bedroom Savana Suite where the bedrooms lie on either side of an inter-connecting lounge. Each bedroom has the same bathroom facilites and the luxury and exutive suites, while the living room features a cosy reading nook in front of the fireplace. The outdoor patio is perfect for candle-lit dinners or private pre-dinner cocktails. This suite is perfect for families or groups of friends.
→ Find out moreSabi Sands
Overview
Dulini’s privileged position on the banks of the Sand River makes viewing the wildlife that either wallows in it or lingering around it particularly good, especially so when it’s from your own private plunge pool.
Tucked into the western corner of the 65,000-hectare Sabi Sands reserve renowned for its superb volume and quality of game, especially leopard sightings, the Dulini River Lodge’s game drives (morning, afternoon and even night) are led by a team of expert rangers and Shangaan trackers. What’s more, with a maximum of six people per vehicle, the drives are pleasingly exclusive.
The six suites are all spacious with good views and are well-equipped with a modern but natural décor.
→ Find out moreThe Kruger
Overview
Tinga Lodge is a remote and beautiful camp situated on the bank of the Sabie River in a private concession of the Kruger, bordering the Lion Sands Reserve. Its grand, African design gives the lodge a feeling of spaciousness and true luxury, while its phenomenal location guarantees you a superior safari experience.
Accommodation is composed of nine luxury en suite rooms, in private spots overlooking the river. Each feature indoor and outdoor showers, separate lounge areas with minibars, private plunge pools and decks and 24 hour air-conditioning. The communal areas of the lodge are sophisticated and serene with a large open lounge and dining area complete with a fireplace, a central public pool and wooden decking.
Surrounded entirely by bush and sky, Tinga Lodge is one of only seven private concessions in the Kruger National Park and is a year-round safari destination. The Kruger National Park boasts the highest concentration of Black Rhino in the whole of South Africa, and the lodge offers both morning and evening game drives in open safari vehicles, bush walks and a whole host of other activities – such as nights out in the Tineyeleti Treehouse – to give you a safari experience like no other.
→ Find out moreSabi Sands
Overview
Harry Kirkman’s original 1920s homestead has been beautifully restored and now comprises 12 suites that look out over the bushveld. Perched on a ridge above the Sands River, guests can enjoy unspoiled views as they relax at this atmospheric and charming lodge.
Kirkman’s offers the perfect balance of old and new with all the amemities you would expect from a luxury lodge alongside plenty of touches that hark back to days gone by. Each suite comes with a private verandah from which to relax with a glass of wine or afternoon tea while soaking up the unique atmosphere of the African bush.
Curl up in front of the roaring fire in the sitting room, relax with a book in the library then sink into your claw-foot bathtub after a day of game drives. When you need to cool off, take refuge from the sun with a dip in the outdoor pool.
Nestled in the world-renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Kirkman’s Kamp shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park, and enjoys an abundantly rich local concentration of fauna, including the Big Five.
It is a particularly good spot to base your safari activities if you want to spot the most elusive of cats, the leopard. Strict vehicle limits at sightings ensure the exclusivity of your game viewing experience.
→ Find out moreSabi Sands
Overview
Sitting alongside the meandering Sands River, set amidst wild bush and enormous trees in the middle of South Africa’s ‘big cat country’, is Singita’s original Ebony Lodge. Unrivalled hospitality is blended with the heritage of an English county home to create a timeless and most welcoming safari experience.
The 12 suites, two which have two bedrooms and are perfect for families, all feature en-suite bathrooms and indoor-outdoor showers, private heated plunge pools and spacious game viewing decks.
Your suite has been decorated according to a black and white colour scheme in homage to the big ebony trees that surround the lodge and interiors are furnished with vintage campaign furniture from Luke Bailes’ (the founder of Singita) family collection, sepia photography, tribal print murals and imitation leopard and zebra-print fabrics. Interior walls have been replaced by canvas or glass to create a light and airy atmosphere and to capitalise on the amazing views outside, to beautiful effect in the bedroom where you’ll enjoy an uninterrupted view out onto the terrace.
The food here is exquisite yet unpretentious, fitting of the lodge’s homely feel, and is paired with an extensive range of handpicked South African wines. Free time at the lodge can be spent indulging in the Bush Spa, relaxing in the library, using the well-equipped gym or cooling down in the pool.
Of course the highlight here is the rich array of wildlife. Species such as leopard, lion, rhino, large herds of buffalo, elephant, reedbuck, hyena, hippopotamus, nyala, cheetah, wild dogs and many types of birds can be spotted on expertly guided day and night game drives, and thrilling walking safaris. Other activities such as stargazing will get Africa even further under your skin.
→ Find out moreSabi Sands
Overview
Award winning Selati Camp calls on the nostalgic romance and opulence of the colonial era. Eight thatched suites are surely sculpted with all classical charm and dressed with the traditional trimmings of antique travelling chests, oil lanterns, mahogany and rattan furniture, vintage pieces and Persian rugs. The historical railway theme extends throughout the lodge and creates a charming and authentic home in wilderness.
Selati has a close bond with the local community and has set up a multifunctional educational centre and a sports initiative which funds more than a dozen teams at nearby schools.
Each air-conditioned suite boasts a gorgeous en-suite bathroom and private alfresco shower nestled in the trees. In the communal areas you can lounge by the swimming pool, or relax on the wooden viewing decks and watch wildlife drinking at the nearby waterhole. The Ivory Presidential Suite is a favourite with a private terrace, plunge pool and its own homely fireplace.
There’s a lovely little outdoor boma for dinner under the stars lit by lanterns after a day out on safari in Sabi Sabi Reserve. On colder evenings the world-class meals are served in the dining room that resembles a very cozy farmhouse kitchen.
→ Find out moreSabi Sands
Highlights
- Suites with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that offer panoramic views of the river or bush
- Access to 45,000 acres of wilderness, renowned for frequent wildlife sightings
- Stylish bar offering freshly pressed juices, artisanal espressos and expertly crafted cocktails
- Extensive outdoor spaces with a stone fireplace for al fresco dining under the stars or relaxing by the fire
- Wine boutique offering a world-class selection of fine South African wines
Overview
Set along the boulder-strewn banks of the Sand River, Boulders Lodge harmonises effortlessly with its surroundings, designed to reflect the light, colours and textures of the African wilderness. Each of the twelve suites features interiors that open onto expansive wooden decks, offering uninterrupted views of the Sand River or the bush. The expansive glass-fronted suites create a seamless transition between the indoors and the wilderness outside. Inside, handcrafted furnishings made from fossilised tree stumps, solid stone and wrought iron are softened by luxurious details such as natural flax linens and cloud-like cotton towels.
The lodge offers access to 45,000 acres of wilderness within the renowned Singita Sabi Sands Reserve. This area is famed for its abundant wildlife and frequent leopard sightings, making game drives and bush walks an exceptional part of the experience. Led by expert guides, these excursions offer encounters with Africa’s rich animal and birdlife.
The communal spaces at Boulders Lodge are equally inviting. The Copper Bar, a warm and intimate setting, serves freshly pressed juices, artisanal espressos and expertly crafted cocktails, providing the perfect spot to gather after a day of adventure. The lodge’s extensive outdoor dining and lounge areas, complete with a stone fireplace, offer further opportunities for relaxation, while the on-site wellness and fitness centre provide spaces for rejuvenation. Additional amenities include a main swimming pool set within the lodge’s lush grounds, a boutique and gallery offering curated African art and design pieces and a premier wine boutique showcasing a selection of fine South African wines.
→ Find out moreOvernight in Pretoria
Located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, this handsome city is one of South Africa’s three capital cities. Pretoria is made up of grand buildings, large, leafy green suburbs and wide, tree-lined streets. Pretoria melds 19th century Dutch, German and British Colonial Architecture with modern, Postmodern, Neomodern, and Art Deco architecture and its landmarks and monuments help tell the story of the city’s long and involved history.
Where you could stay
Pretoria
Overview
From entering the tall rustic gates of this luxurious private estate, you will feel yourself stepping back into the 16th century. Castello Di Monte guest house encompasses true elegant Tuscan style with modern amenities situated within a picturesque African setting.
Set in the leafy suburbs of Waterkloof ridge and spanning over 3500 square metres, the guest house is surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens. Offering spectacular, panoramic views obstructed only by mature olive trees and fragrant lavender bushes.
The dramatic granite staircase, chandeliers, elegant artwork and the antique style furniture add to the extravagance of this guest house. Stay in one of the 9 spacious rooms and submerge into the deep soaking bathtubs before retiring to your 4-poster bed.
Relish in Castello’s tranquil ambiance, which is within close proximity to the city and other various activities on offer.
→ Find out moreA 3 night, 4 day luxury train journey from Pretoria to Victoria Falls
Board Rovos Rail and begin your journey trundling through Southern Africa’s epic landscapes in all the romantic refinement of the Edwardian era and five-star luxury of today to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Your luxury train
Pretoria
Overview
Travel through South Africa’s epic landscapes in the romantic refinement of the Edwardian era and five-star luxury of today.
You cannot see such breath-taking terrains in as much high comfort and style as Rovos Rail travel. Now with a fleet of four trains restored to their 1920s and 1930s glamour, with mahogany panelling, white-cloth-and-crystal dining cars, silver service, observatory cars, and sumptuous lounges and elegant suites. There are several weekly to annual journeys across South Africa (some to Namibia and Zambia) from which to choose:
There is the iconic 4 day journey between Pretoria and Victoria Falls, one of ten Wonders of The Natural World. Journeying between Pretoria and Durban, with game drives in the Nambiti Conservancy and Spionkop Nature Reserve and an excursion to Ardmore Ceramics near Pietermaritzburg. The Golf Safari Train calls at some of South Africa’s most beautiful golf courses in between game viewing and sightseeing.
For some really extraordinary African locomotive adventures there are annual and tri-annual journeys from Cape Town to Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) for fourteen days (6100km) with off-train excursions along the way. There’s also the annual 3400km journey to Swakopmund in Namibia in May for nine days.
→ Find out moreYour journey across Africa
Your first day aboard Rovos Rail, day one
Your iconic journey starts as your train leaves Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria at 10am. Enjoy a superb lunch in the magnificent dining car as the train travels north through Warmbaths and Nylstroom. Dinner is served en route to Messina and Beitbridge for Zimbabwe border formalities.
Day two on Rovos Rail
Breakfast is served as the train travels towards Bulawayo via West Nicholson. Lunch is served in the dining cars, and you will enjoy tea in the lounge and observation cars in the afternoon. Dinner is served as you make your way to Mpopoma.
Day three, crossing the border into Zimbabwe
After breakfast and departing Mpopoma, the train travels along the eastern edge of Hwange National Park along one of Africa’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114km. Arrive at Kennedy Siding for a game drive at The Hide. Dinner is served in the dining car en route to Thompsons Junction for the overnight stop.
Your departure day, day four
Today your journey on board will come to an end after a delicious breakfast. Bid farewell to the train, crew and fellow travellers. Victoria Falls is calling as you depart for your chosen hotel and the chance to witness the cascading waterfalls.
Two exciting nights at Victoria Falls
The mighty Victoria Falls rank as one of the most spectacular sites in all of Africa. As the mighty Zambezi river crashes over sheer cliffs onto the rocks below it sprays a cloud of water high into the air. Enjoy a variety of activities in this area (as well as the falls themselves). Speak to your travel designer to find out which suits the best for you.
Where you could stay
Livingstone and Victoria Falls
Overview
Set on a quiet secluded spot some distance up the Zambezi river. Royal Chundu is a place to come and relax by the river. There are two lodges, the River Lodge of ten suites and the Island Lodge of four large villas. Located on a very quiet stretch of the Zambezi this lodge is extremely luxurious with an excellent spa facility and fine-dining in camp.
Activities here are a mix of river-based relaxation and adventure as well as visits to the Falls.
→ Find out moreVictoria Falls
Overview
A historic landmark and an attraction in itself, the ‘grand old lady of the Falls’ still packs as much colonial flair and character as she always has, and has long been one of the most magnificent places to stay here.
The stately Edwardian style building has been here since 1904 and still commands the atmospheric appeal of the age of adventurer, standing at the rendezvous point where many pioneers have chosen to meet over the last century.
Of course outfitted with the modern comforts and demands, the hotel has kept up with the times and all of its 176 well-equipped rooms are proof of this. Furthermore there are a phenomenal level of facilities here to spoil you right in the middle of untamed Africa, and their wonderfully manicured and tropical gardens are lovely to take a stroll around.
One of the best things about the Victoria Falls hotel is its position, being seated just ten minutes’ walk away from the cascades along one of the hotel’s private pathways. There is nothing quite like taking afternoon tea on the Stanley Terrace, listening to the muted roar of the falls, and a royal view of the rising mist from the ‘smoke that thunders’ and the silhouette of the Victoria Falls bridge that links Zimbabwe with Zambia.
If you choose to stay here, you’ll be following in many a royal family’s footsteps and those of many a famous figure, that aside you can’t fail to the feel the history and enduring elegance of this hotel.
→ Find out moreLivingstone and Victoria Falls
Highlights
- A choice of private cottages and houses
- Romantic floating dinners on the Zambezi
- A private valet throughout your stay
- On-site gym with river views
Overview
Set on the banks of the Zambezi in a secluded spot upstream from Victoria Falls, Tongabezi delivers luxury and tranquility in equal measure.
The five cottages and seven open-fronted houses that make up the camp have bags of personality and character. Some come with private wooden decks and plunge pools overlooking the river, others open-air clawfoot tubs inviting romantic evenings under the stars. The garden house, with a protected lawn and plunge pool, provides total privacy. Attention to detail is evident in everything from the elegantly canopied beds to carefully chosen artwork.
This is one of the most romantic places to stay in the area, the atmosphere inviting and hidden spots for relaxation plentiful. The lodge makes the most of its location away from the falls, providing a welcome haven after a day marvelling at the Zambezi’s majesty. The welcome is exceptional – and the team friendly and warm.
→ Find out moreThe impact of your stay:
- Tongabezi, a member of Green Safaris, is part of a small group dedicated to sustainable tourism in lesser-visited destinations in Zambia and Malawi. Their mission is to provide economic benefits while protecting Africa’s ecosystems, wildlife and communities. Conservation and community development are integral to their business, with each property supporting various upliftment projects addressing key social and environmental issues.
- Tongabezi addresses Zambia’s education challenges, including a shortage of teachers and infrastructure. They fund and support the Tujatane School, providing a holistic education to rural Zambian children. The school now educates over 280 students from preschool to grade 9, sponsoring some to high school and university. Tujatane alumni include professionals like pilots, doctors, nurses, lawyers, accountants and teachers who have returned to give back.
- Green Safaris founded the Mukuni Community Farm to counter biodiversity loss and environmental issues caused by industrial farming in Southern Africa. This organic project supplies fresh produce to local lodges and businesses while serving as a learning centre for sustainable agricultural practices. The goal is to create resilient food systems, address nutrition challenges, and contribute to a greener planet.
Livingstone and Victoria Falls
Overview
Set just a short walk away from the falls themselves on the banks of the Zambezi, one can admire the coil of steam and spray rising from the falls on the horizon.
The 173 rooms and suites are set in well manicured gardens along the banks of the river. This is one of just a few hotels from which the falls can be accessed on foot, making it ideal for those who want to be as close as possible. The hotel has been built in a colonial style, harking back to the days of it’s namesake, with grand dining and lounge areas as well as a large outdoor pool and riverside deck.
→ Find out moreLivingstone and Victoria Falls
Highlights
- 12 tented suites (including 3 family units)
- Infinity pool
- Spa
- Day and evening game drives in Mosi-oa Tunya National Park
- Fishing and river cruises
- Excursions to Victoria Falls
Overview
In the eastern sector of the Mosi Oa Tunya National Park and about 12 kilometres from Victoria Falls, Wilderness Toka Leya gets immediate and fantastic views over the Zambezi River, and taking advantage of these are its twelve tented rooms.
Each comes with a large decking area at the front leading out from large glass sliding doors, behind which is your large stylish open plan lounge area and bedroom.
The camp’s main area is situated on a large decking area, and underneath a canopy of trees right beside the main channel of the Zambezi River. Perfect for atmospheric campfires on the bank and spotting the resident wildlife.
Here there is also a very spacious open-plan lounge and dining room, set beneath an enormous canvas roof and with open sides to maximise the views. The wall at the back of the living area is a really great feature; it’s made of “log tiles”, which gives the room a very natural feel.
Each tent has its very own solar panel, water geyser and batteries in keeping with the camp’s aim to lessen its environmental footprint.
→ Find out moreThe impact of your stay:
- The Zambezi River, spanning over 2,500km, serves as a vital lifeline for Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, supporting a diverse range of flora and fauna. Nestled on its banks, Wilderness Toka Leya is a temporary structure constructed on raised wooden decks to minimise disruption to the surrounding nature. Committed to conservation, the lodge actively works on rehabilitating riverine woodland and implements energy-saving, recycling, and upcycling processes to reduce environmental impact.
- Toka Leya is part of the Wilderness portfolio, Jacada’s parent company and a purpose-driven enterprise focused on conservation projects across Africa. Your stay contributes to preserving and protecting over 2.3 million hectares of wilderness, with plans to expand to over 5 million hectares by 2030 in alignment with UN climate goals. In the Zambezi region alone, they currently conserve over 10,3230 hectares.
- Through their non-profit, Children in the Wilderness, they’ve conducted environmental education and literacy programs in the Zambezi area. This includes offering scholarships, providing school equipment, supporting nutrition programs, and conducting teacher training and community development projects for young people.
Witness the 'smoke that thunders'
A private tour to both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides of Victoria Falls
Witness the incredible waters of Victoria Falls from both the Zimbabwean and Zambian side. A knowledgeable guide will take you on an unforgettable experience of the falls, otherwise known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning the smoke that thunders. You’ll not only get wonderful views of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World but also learn a great deal of interesting facts about the geology, wildlife and history of Africa’s most famous landmark.