Your tour will start with one night in DAR ES SALAAM, the capital city of Tanzania. You will receive a very warm, friendly welcome at The Oyster Bay *****, only five minutes from the city centre. Here comfort and hospitality are paramount and you will be able to relax in perfect surroundings before commencing your epic journey through Africa. Accommodation is in lavish Ocean View suites decorated in contemporary African design.

The following morning you will be transferred to Tazara Station where you will step aboard the world renowned Rovos Train - 'The Pride of Africa'.

With its fine wood panelled coaches, world class luxurious suites, superb cuisine and ultimate personal service, you are sure to recapture the romance and ambience of a by-gone era. Travelling through the magnificent continent of Africa on this truly unique, magical train will be an experience never to be forgotten.

Life on board is simple, elegant and stylish with the emphasis on ensuring that guests' needs are looked after and catered for in every possible way. While on board there will be a number of interesting lectures to attend.

You will stay in air-conditioned Deluxe Suites which are spacious and offer modern convenience and comfort. They have twin/double bed, en suite bath/shower room and lounge. All have personal safe, bar, fridge filled with our own choice of beverages and 24 hour room service is available.

Travelling in the spirit of a former era there are no radios or televisions. An enthusiastic team of chefs will provide you with delicious meals served in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the Dining Cars where you can enjoy the formality of fine china, crisp linen and silver. During the day dress is smart/casual and then attire is more formal in the evening when jacket and tie is a minimum requirement.

Leaving Dar Es Salaam you will travel south across Tanzania and through the Selous Game Reserve, the largest game park in Africa which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 due to the diversity of its wildlife and undisturbed nature. The railway line passes through typical African savannah with the chance to observe game such as elephants, lions, buffalo, zebra and antelope species from the train.

Passing through Mbeya, a gold mining town in the 1920s and administered by the British until 1961, the area around this large urban settlement has been described as the 'Scotland of Africa'.

Mbeya is situated at an altitude of 1700m and sprawls through a narrow highland valley surrounded by high mountains. Travelling towards the Zambian border the railway negotiates tunnels, switchbacks and viaducts as it winds and twists slowly down the side of the escarpment from where there are spectacular views of the Rift Valley cutting its way southwards.

The Republic of Zambia is a land locked country and its territory forms part of the great high plateau of south and east Africa. Gently rolling countryside is interspersed with hill and mountain ranges, small escarpments, deep valleys and dissected with river valleys. There are large swamp areas and numerous waterfalls.

In Zambia you will take an excursion to the Kundalila Falls. Kundalila means 'cooing dove', and this is one of Zambia's most beautiful waterfalls. Set in an area of scenic meadows and forests on the edge of the Muchinga escarpment, the clear stream here drops 80m into a crystal pool below.

Your journey will take you south through the capital Lusaka before arriving at Livingstone and the border into Zimbabwe crossing the mightyZambezi River on the way.

You will disembark and stay for one night at the Victoria Falls Hotel *****. This famous, luxurious hotel overlooking the magnificent falls is set in lush tropical gardens and here you will experience the romance of days gone by with colonial style accommodation, excellent facilities and first class service.

While here you will take a Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River and will have the opportunity of taking part in the many activities including of course a visit to the World Heritage Site, the Victoria Falls. This truly amazing spectacle should not be missed.

Back on the Rovos Train you head towards Bulawayo and finally to the border of South Africa. Crossing into South Africa you will then stay for 2 nights at TAU GAME LODGE*****, a private game reserve in the renowned vast Kruger National Park area. Home to prolific bird and animal life, games drives are included here. Continuing southwards you will make two more stops before your final destination of Cape Town.

Pretoria is referred to as 'the Jacaranda City' for all the purple blossomed trees, which line its thoroughfare. It is an elegant, quiet city and has a long, involved and fascinating history - first as the capital of the independent Boer Republic of the Transvaal and then as one of the three capitals of South Africa. A city tour is included and lunch will also be arranged.

From Pretoria you will continue to the diamond town of Kimberley passing by a shallow lake where on most occasions spectacular flocks of flamingos can be seen.

One of South Africa's best kept secrets, the history of Kimberley is strongly linked with associations of diamonds. A tour of the town is included and also a visit to the 'Big Hole' where in 1871 a diamond 'pipe' was discovered which triggered the infamous Diamond Rush.

You will also visit the Mine Museum which houses the first recorded diamond discovery and shows how the industry was industrialised, transformed and mechanised in the late 19th century. A ride through Kimberley in a historic tram will be taken, subject to time and weather.

Your journey will continue through the south western reaches of South Africa's high, exceptionally dry area of the Great Karoo until you arrive in Matjiesfontein. Here you will have the chance to leisurely stroll through this historic settlement visiting the museum and also a collection of historic cars and railway carriages.

Departing Matjiesfontein passing through Tweedside and Touws River you will reach the first of four tunnels which take you through the HEX RIVER PASS and on to the town of Worcester lying at the southern entrance of the valley.

Your courageous journey traversing across Africa finally ends in the international city of Cape Town, renowned for its outstanding waterfront location and stunning backdrop of the majestic, awe-inspiring Table Mountain.

You will disembark at Cape Town Station and you will be met and transferred to the gracious Mount Nelson Hotel ***** for a stay of 2 nights on a bed & breakfast basis. Here you will have time to relax in the very special ambience of this unique hotel and reflect on all your wonderful experiences over the past 14 days.

There are many excellent high quality restaurants in Cape Town, around the waterfront area, or in Camps Bay, offering a huge choice of high quality international and South African specialities including locally caught fish and seafood.

A city tour is included giving you the opportunity to see the main sights and take in the atmosphere of this vibrant city.