Cairo to the Cape
A journey by private aircraft, river vessel and private train from Cairo to Cape Town
28 nights from £15995
An epic journey from the north to the south of Africa, a private safari without equal. You will travel through Egypt, the Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa aboard a privately chartered jet and the luxurious Pride of Africa, regarded by many as the most luxurious train in the world.
Few continents can equal Africa for sheer diversity. On your four week luxurious expedition you will explore Egypt’s wonders, enjoy a three night cruise on Lake Nassar, see the magnificent Temple of Abu Simbel, visit Khartoum and then travel on to Uganda. Here you visit the source of the Nile before flying to Tanzania to explore Ngorongoro Crater and two days of safari in the vast Serengeti. From the amazing wildlife of the Serengeti Plains we fly to exotic Zanzibar for two nights of relaxation before continuing to one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, Victoria Falls, which can be viewed from both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides.
Here at Victoria Falls you will leave our private aircraft and embark on the Pride of Africa for the remaining journey to Cape Town. Particularly atmospheric will be the three day journey from Victoria Falls to Pretoria as you travel past game reserves and vast swathes of primeval African landscapes where Baobab trees dress eerie landscapes against a stunning sunset. After an overnight stay in Pretoria you head for the Cape, stopping at Kimberley and the Victorian village of Matjiesfontein. Our African adventure will end with a three night stay in incomparable Cape Town.
This is a journey that our Victorian forefathers could only dream of, the opportunity to travel from the Nile to the South Atlantic through the very heart of Africa. In spite of all her regional difficulties, Africa still captures the imagination, like no other continent. Its varied cultures and peoples, its extraordinary wildlife and perhaps most of all, the majesty of its landscapes cast a life long spell on all who visit.
Itinerary
Day 1 - LONDON TO CAIRO.
Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive and transfer to the Four Seasons First Residence Hotel for a two night stay.
Day 2 -
Drive to Giza, where the pyramids of Chephren and Cheops rise from the desert alongside the Great Sphinx. Visit some of the tombs of the nobles and the wooden boat of Cheops. Afternoon visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities where the Pharaohs’ reign of 3000 years is brought to life, culminating in the golden hoard of King Tutankhamun. Tonight there will be a Welcome Dinner.
Day 3 - CAIRO & LUXOR.
Morning drive to Saqqara to see the step pyramid of King Zoser and on to Memphis to see the sphinx and statue of Ramesses II. This afternoon depart Cairo by your private aircraft to Luxor and transfer to the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa for a two night stay.
Day 4 - LUXOR.
A full day in Luxor today. See the tombs of the Pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the Valley of the Queens and the Colossi of Memnon.
Day 5 - LUXOR TO ASWAN.
Depart this morning by road to Aswan and en route at Kom Ombo, visit the striking Ptolemaic Temple overlooking the Nile. On arrival in Aswan, board the luxurious Kasr Ibrim for your three night Lake Nassar cruise. After lunch onboard, visit the Kalabsha temple, Beit El Wali and the kiosk of Kertassi.
Day 6 - CRUISING.
Enjoy a day onboard as you cruise to Wadi El Seboua, passing the Tropic of Capricorn.
Day 7 - WADI EL SEBOUA.
Morning visit to Wadi El Seboua, the temple of Dakka and the temple of Meharakka. Return to the vessel for lunch and cruise to Amada. Here we will visit the temples of Amada and Derr as well as the tomb of Penout.
Day 8 - ABU SIMBEL TO KHARTOUM.
Morning visit to the citadel of Kasr Ibrim. After lunch, disembark and visit the Temples of Abu Simbel. See the reconstructed rock-hewn Temple of Ramesses and the smaller temple of his queen, Nefertari. Later, transfer to Abu Simbel Airport and rejoin your private jet for a short flight to Khartoum for a two night stay at the Burj Al Fateh Hotel.
Day 9 - MEROE.
After breakfast, enjoy a day tour to Meroe with lunch en route.
Day 10 - KHARTOUM TO ENTEBBE.
Morning departure by private jet to Uganda and the city of Entebbe on the shore of Lake Victoria. This afternoon visit the island of Ngamba to meet the orphaned chimpanzees. Stay two nights at the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel in Entebbe. There is also an optional two night gorilla tracking experience available in Rwanda and Uganda. Please ask for details.
Day 11 - JINJA.
Enjoy an excursion to Jinja where you will visit the source of the Nile.
Day 12 - ENTEBBE TO NGORONGORO CRATER.
A short flight aboard our private jet will take us across the border to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Upon arrival you will travel by road via Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Farmhouse for a two night stay. Afternoon at leisure to relax and enjoy the serene atmosphere on the coffee farm.
Day 13 - NGORONGORO CRATER.
After breakfast, enjoy a game drive and explore the crater with its remarkable flora and fauna. You will take a picnic lunch on the floor of the crater.
Day 14 - SERENGETI.
This morning you will transfer to a mobile tented camp in the Ndutu area of the Serengeti for a two night stay. In the afternoon enjoy a game drive.
Day 15 - SERENGETI.
Today there will be two game drives, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. In between you can relax and enjoy the excellent facilities of the camp.
Day 16 - ZANZIBAR.
This morning we will take a domestic flight from the nearby airstrip to Kilimanjaro where we will then board our private aircraft for the short flight to Zanzibar, passing Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon arrival in Zanzibar, transfer to the Zanzibar Serena Hotel for a two night stay. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 17 - ZANZIBAR.
Morning tour of the island. After lunch, local guides will accompany us on a tour of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a marvellously atmospheric place where you will find Zanzibar’s oldest buildings.
Day 18 - ZANZIBAR TO VICTORIA FALLS.
Continuing our journey south aboard our private plane, you make for Zambia and the magnificent Victoria Falls. Cross into Zimbabwe and drive to the Victoria Falls Hotel, one of Africa’s most famous hotels, for a two night stay. Later, take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
Day 19 - VICTORIA FALLS.
A day at leisure to relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel and stunning location. Optional trips are available including a guided tour of Victoria Falls, ‘Flight of Angels’, river rafting or even a round of golf.
Days 20 & 21 - ONBOARD THE PRIDE OF AFRICA.
This morning you will board the Pride of Africa and settle into our beautifully appointed cabins. Enjoy the comfort of your cabin or the splendidly furnished public areas as we head for Pretoria.
Day 22 - PRETORIA.
The last leg of the journey as you approach Pretoria will be by steam, making our grand entrance into the gracious Capital Park Station. Leave the Pride of Africa here for a one night stay at the Sheraton Hotel.
Day 23 - PRETORIA.
After a city tour of Pretoria including the Voortrekker Monument, re-board the Pride of Africa and continue our journey towards Cape Town. Overnight onboard.
Day 24 - KIMBERLEY.
Spend the morning in Kimberley visiting the ‘Big Hole’ & Diamond Museum. Then continue aboard your private train across the Karoo. Overnight on board.
Day 25 - MATJIESFONTEIN & CAPE TOWN.
Stop this morning at the enchanting Victorian village of Matjiesfontein and then continue our last leg of the journey into Cape Town. Arrive in Cape Town in the afternoon and transfer to the luxurious Cape Grace Hotel for a three night stay. Dinner tonight will be in Cape Town’s renowned V&A Waterfront.
Day 26 - GROOT CONSTANTIA.
Full day excursion with lunch to Groot Constantia for wine tasting and a visit to Table Mountain (weather permitting).
Day 27 - CAPE PENINSULA.
Today, our tour will concentrate on the Cape Peninsula including visits to the beautiful Fish Hoek, Simonstown, Cape Point, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay and Kirstenbosch. Farewell Dinner at the hotel.
Day 28 - CAPE TOWN TO LONDON.
Day free until late afternoon transfer to Cape Town airport for the scheduled flight to London.
Day 29 - LONDON.
Morning arrival.
Pricing
Prices per person based on double occupancy
| 26th January to 23rd February 2010 | |
| CATEGORY | BROCHURE PRICE |
| Deluxe Suite | £15995 |
| Royal Suite | £16995 |
| Deluxe Single Occupancy | £18595 |
| Royal Single occupancy | £20495 |
Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel London/Cairo and Cape Town/London, travel by private jet as detailed, travel by light aircraft from Serengeti to Kilimanjaro, 20 nights hotel accommodation as detailed, 3 night cruise aboard the Kasr Ibrim, in a standard cabin, 4 nights aboard the Pride of Africa, full board throughout (except first day in Cairo which does not include lunch or dinner), excursions, transfers, taxes, alcoholic beverages on train and private aircraft, tour leaders, porterage.
Not Included: Travel insurance, gratuities, optional excursions in Victoria Falls, optional gorilla tracking experience in Uganda/Rwanda, airport taxes, visas.
Flight Details: Prices to upgrade to Business Class on the scheduled flights London to Cairo and Cape Town to London will be available in February 2009.
Flight Credit: If you wish to make your own international flight arrangements, a credit of £475 per person applies.
NB: Itinerary subject to change. Please note that travel through Zimbabwe may be subject to change at short notice depending on current conditions.
Kasr Ibrim
The three nights spent cruising Lake Nassar will be onboard the luxurious Kasr Ibrim, named after the ancient citadel on Lake Nassar, the only Nubian monument that still exists in its original location. Launched in 1997, the ship is spacious yet intimate with just 55 cabins and 10 suites. All cabins and suites have an ensuite bathroom with bath and shower (suites have a Jacuzzi bath), outside views and ample storage space. The suites all have a private balcony. The elegant public areas include a beautifully appointed lounge/piano bar, a spacious restaurant, fitness room with sauna and steam room and on deck you will find a shaded area with deck furniture, bar, pool and Jacuzzi.
Please note that the price for the Cairo to the Cape itinerary includes a standard cabin, however you may upgrade to a suite at a supplement. Prices available on request.
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Cairo to Cape Hotels
Hotels used during these epic journeys will be of the highest standard, providing the very best of African hospitality. The exception will be the two nights spent at the Serengeti camp on the Cairo to the Cape itinerary which will be a semi-luxury mobile tented camp.
Pride of Africa
Since its establishment in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world class travel experiences. Step aboard the wood panelled coaches and enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows. Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a bygone era, when privileged travellers experienced the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant fashion. The train carries a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites.
The sleeper coaches contain the most spacious train suites in the world, offering every modern convenience and comfort. The epitome of luxury, with handsome wood panelling and period Edwardian features, the air-conditioned suites accommodate two people offering the option of twin or spacious double beds. All are equipped with a writing surface and, for valuables, a personal safe. There is also a bar fridge filled with beverages of the passengers’ choice and room service is available 24 hours a day. In the en suite bathrooms original fittings combine with the modern technology of hot showers, hair dryers and shaver sockets. The Royal Suites, each of which take up half a carriage, are spacious and elegant, measuring 16 sq metres in size. Each has its own private lounge area and full bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower. The Deluxe suites (11 sq metres) have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower. The Pullman Suite is 7 sq metres and includes the identical bathroom to that of the Deluxe suites. Sleeping arrangements are twin bunks or a double bed which converts into a comfortable sofa during the day.
The Pride of Africa has two 42-seater dining cars to accommodate the maximum complement of 72 passengers in total comfort at one sitting. On board there is also a nonsmoking Observation Car at the rear of the train, while the coach next to it contains a small smoking lounge. A unique feature of the Observation Car is the enlarged windows and open-air balcony. At the centre of the train there is, when numbers dictate, a non-smoking Lounge Car, which houses the Gift Shop. In maintaining the spirit of travel of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets onboard.
THE RESTAURANT CAR
An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for ensuring that guests? every culinary need is catered for. There is an accent on fresh local ingredients and traditional dishes such as game are a speciality. All meals are served in one sitting in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the Dining Cars. Many passengers enjoy the formality of fine china, crisp linen and silver and dress accordingly. Dress is more casual during the day.
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THE SUITES
The rebuilt sleeper coaches contain the most spacious train suites in the world, offering every modern convenience and comfort. The epitome of luxury, with handsome wood panelling and period Edwardian features, the air-conditioned suites accommodate two people offering the option of twin or spacious double beds with en-suite bathrooms with shower. There is a bar fridge filled with beverages of your choice and room service is available 24 hours a day. The Deluxe suites (11 sq metres/118 sq feet) also accommodate two passengers in twin or double beds and have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower. The Royal suites, occupying half a carriage (16 sq metres/172 sq ft), each have their own private lounge area and bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower.
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Rovos Air
For sections of our journey between Cairo and Victoria Falls, we will use Rovos Rail's illustrious private aircraft. The aircraft has a business class configuration on board and is crewed by a captain, first officer, flight engineer and two flight attendants. Onboard service is of a high standard, complemented by the facilities of a comprehensive galley.
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