DELUXE TRAIN JOURNEY FROM CAPE TO CAIRO
A Cultural tour of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan & Egypt

A land of diversity, Africa is steeped in history and culture and is made up of 54 separate countries. Mother Africa is a colorful and exhilarating continent of vast beauty. The isolation of the bush to the awe-inspiring game drives through some of the largest National parks in the world is an experience to cherish. There are many ways to crisscross this huge and beautiful continent, but nothing matches the experience on a private deluxe rail travel offering the splendors of the continent in the comfortable setting of your own cabin. The combination of deluxe accommodation in our private train, well known safari lodges, centrally located hotels and spectacular cruise ships, we cross in complete comfort and exciting ventures 7 countries in one continent. From our heritage in history dating back to the first civilizations to our heritage of wild life to our heritage in ecology from the green grasslands and the mountains and the deserts this certainly is a “Voyage sans frontiers” to recall for all times to come.
In this unique adventure we start from 33:48South and crossing the Equator to all the way 30:00North – a journey that is over 7189 Kms / 4467 miles / 3882 nautical miles. En route we also pass through Arusha, the exact centre between Cape Town and Cairo and see Mount Kilimanjaro which at 5895 meters / 19342 feet is the highest mountain in Africa. We also visit six World Heritage Sites at Victoria Falls, Stone Town in Zanzibar, with Ngorongoro & Serengeti in Tanzania, Abu Simbel and Pyramids in Egypt.
So follow the lines for a brief on the itinerary and join this journey of a lifetime.

Day 01: Arrive Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA
Upon arrival at Cape Town we are met and transferred to our hotel. Evening over a welcome dinner at the V & A Waterfront, we meet the other participants who are going to share in our excitement for the next 34 days.
Overnight: Cape Grace Hotel (3 nights) (D)

Day 02: Cape Winelands
Our African experience starts with a day tour of the famous Cape Winelands followed by lunch at a local wine estate. Afternoon visits include Franschhoek, Boschendal and Stellenbosch before returning to our hotel for dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 03: Cape Peninsula
Today we experience the magnificent sites of the world famous Cape Peninsula including Groot Constanta, Fish Hoek, Simonstown, Cape Point, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay and Kirstenbosch. Lunch in Cape Peninsula and dinner at our hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 04: On Board
This morning we board the Rovos Rails’ opulent Pride of Africa train at Cape Town station and spend the day settling in. Our afternoon excursion is to a delightful Victorian village of Matjiesfontein before dinner on board in one of our two restaurant cars.
Overnight: on board (3 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 05: Kimberley
After arriving in Kimberley, we take in the Big Hole & Diamond Museum before taking a short trip on a traditional tram. Dinner on board the Pride of Africa. (B, L, D)

Day 06: Pretoria
We embark on a full day tour of the capital city of Pretoria, once known as the ‘city of roses’, where we get immersed in the rich and diverse culture of this historic town. (B, L, D)

Day 07: Kruger National Park
After arriving in Hoedspruit, we transfer for a full-board two night stay at the 5 star Thornybush or Kapama Game Lodge. This afternoon we get the first up-close taste of African wildlife on our afternoon game drive.
Overnight: Thornybush or Kapama Game Lodge (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 08: Kruger National Park
Another full day’s activities at the Game Reserve, including an afternoon game drive. All meals in the comforts of our Game Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 09: Kruger National Park / Border Crossing to ZIMBABWE
We set out early for a morning game drive, where we will, once again, get the opportunity to see first-hand the remarkable flora and fauna of this unique National Park. We rejoin the Pride of Africa for lunch and travel onwards, arriving at the Zimbabwean border this evening.
Overnight: on board (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 10: On Board
Cruising on our luxurious private train, with all it’s comfort, we enjoy the spectacular Zimbabwean scenery as we are also enriched by lectures on history of the different phases of Africa’s growth. Our African adventure starts making a lot of sense and gives us different aspects of the people and the continent.
(B, L, D)

Day 11: Victoria Falls
Upon arrival at this World Heritage Site, we are transferred to the Victoria Falls Hotel, a favourite with royalty, celebrities and statesmen. From here we embark on a sunset cruise of the immense Zambezi River, followed by the ‘African Spectacular Show’. We return to our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Overnight: Victoria Falls Hotel (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 12: Victoria Falls (optional)/ Livingstone, ZAMBIA
Today we have a choice from a variety of activities at this beautiful location including helicopter rides, a guided tour of Victoria Falls, river rafting, bungee jumping and/or a visit to a local craft market. Rejoining the Pride of Africa train, we travel on to Livingstone where we go through the Zambian border formalities.
Overnight: on board (5 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 13: On Board
As we journey past the bustling Zambian capital, Lusaka, we will have a chance to relax and enjoy our private Pride of Africa train, with the option of morning and afternoon lectures. All meals are served on board. (B, L, D)

Day 14: Kundalila Falls
After arriving in Kanona, we wnjoy an outdoor picnic brunch at the glorious Kundalila Falls. Dinner is on board the train. (B, L, D)

Day 15: Border Crossing to TANZANIA
Today we arrive at Nakonde / Tunduma for Zambian / Tanzanian border formalities. All meals are served on the train and guests can take part in our lecture series this morning and afternoon. (B, L, D)

Day 16: On Board
This morning we arrive at Makambako, where we descend the spectacular pass to Mlimba. Guests can join our morning lectures or relax, making the most of the facilities on the Pride of Africa. All meals served on boar (B, L, D)

Day 17: Dar es Salaam / Zanzibar (Flight)
Reaching Dar es Salaam, we board Rovos Rail’s private DC-9 aircraft (or similar) for the 20 minute luxury air voyage to Zanzibar. On arrival, we are warmly received and transferred to the Zanzibar Serena Hotel for an overnight stay. Afternoon tour of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the cultural heart of Zanzibar, followed by dinner at hotel.
Overnight: Zanzibar Serena Hotel (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 18: Spice Island
Today we take a tour of this famous Spice Island. The tour will showcase the beauty of the coral islands of Zanzibar. We have lunch en route and an afternoon at leisure followed by dinner and overnight at our hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 19: Zanzibar / Arusha (Flight) / Ngorongoro
This morning we re-board our luxury aircraft for the 1.5 hour flight to Arusha, near Mount Kilimanjaro. We then drive for 2.5 hours via Lake Manyara in the Rift Valley to the Ngorongoro Serena crater lodge. Here we have opportunity to relax for the afternoon, enjoying the magnificent views of the crater.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Crater Lodge (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 20: Ngorongoro
After breakfast we go on a fascinating game drive, followed by lunch at the base of the crater.
(B, L, D)

Day 21: Ngorongoro / Serengeti (Flight)
Breakfast is taken at the lodge, and then we are transferred by air to the luxury Serengeti camp where we have lunch before an afternoon game drive at the world famous “Serengeti shall not die”. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Overnight: Serengeti Camp (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 22: Serengeti
Full day of viewing animals in their natural habitat by taking a private morning and afternoon game drives, taking in the wonders of wild Africa in the Serengeti. All meals at Serengeti camp with an overnight sta.
(B, L, D)

Day 23: Serengeti / Lake Victoria / Entebbe, UGANDA (Flight)
This morning we drive for 2 hours across the African plains to Mwanza on Lake Victoria. After immigration and customs procedures, we take a 1 hour flight to Entebbe, Uganda. On arrival, we are transferred to the luxurious Imperial Resort Beach Hotel where we have lunch. Afternoon visit to the island of Ngama to meet the orphaned chimpanzees. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Overnight: Imperial Resort Beach Hotel (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 24: Jinja, Lake Victoria
Today we visit Jinja, the source of the Nile, which is a 2.5 hour drive from Entebbe. En route we take the Mabira Forest Walk before lunch at the Jinja Nile Resort (B, L, D)

Day 25: Jinja / Khartoum, SUDAN (Flight)
After breakfast we take a 3 hour flight to Khartoum, Sudan, where we are warmly received and transferred to the Borg Alfatih Hotel. We have an afternoon visit to Bait Al-Khalifa museum followed by dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Overnight: Borg Alfatih Hotel (2 nights). (B, L, D)

Day 26: Khartoum
This morning we visit the Sudanese National Museum of Ethnography and the National Museum of Sudan and the afternoon is spent at leisure. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 27: Khartoum / Abu Simbel / Aswan, EGYPT (Flight)
We are transferred to Khartoum airport for the 1.5 hour flight to Abu Simbel, Egypt. Here we take in the temples of Ramses II and his wife, Nefertari before returning to the airport for the short flight to Aswan. We arrive at the Old Cataract Hotel, where guests have the afternoon to settle in before dinner and an overnight stay.
Overnight: Old Cataract Hotel, Aswan (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 28: Nile Cruise / Aswan
Boarding the Nile Cruiser, we have lunch on board as we begin our adventure on the world’s longest river. Afternoon tour of the islands of Aswan on a felucca sailing vessel, passing by the Botanical Gardens. Afternoon tea and dinner served on board.
Overnight: Nile Cruiser (4 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 29: Nile Cruise
After a breakfast buffet on board we have morning visits to the Temple of Philac on Agilika Island, the Unfinished Obelisk at the Ancient Granite Quarries and the Aswan High Dam. Lunch is served on board as we sail on to Kom Ombo where we visit the Temple of Sobek. Afternoon tea is served on board as we sail on to Edfu. This evening we enjoy our ‘Egyptian Night’ dinner including a Galabeyya party where we join guests on board the ship getting local flair of clothing and dancing and viewing a show on board the ship as we sail to Edfu. (B, L, D)

Day 30: Nile Cruise
Breakfast buffet on board, followed by a visit to the Temple of Horus at Edfu. Lunch on board as we sail to Esna for a visit to the Temple of Khnum. We enjoy afternoon tea as we sail at sunset to Luxor. Dinner and overnight on board in Luxor. (B, L, D)

Day 31: Nile Cruise
After breakfast on board we have a morning visit to the West Bank of Luxor, including the world-famous Valley of Kings, Valley of Queens, the Temple of Hatshepsut as well as a photo-stop at the impressive Colossi of Memnon. Lunch is on board, followed by visits to the East Bank of Luxor to see Karnak and Luxor Temples. Tonight we have a farewell gala dinner on board before our final night on the Nile. (B, L, D)

Day 32: Luxor / Cairo (Flight)
We depart from Luxor airport for the 1 hour flight to Cairo, where we are warmly received and transferred to the Four Seasons First Residence Hotel for lunch, with views of both the Nile and the Great Pyramids. Afternoon visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities before dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Overnight: Four Seasons First Residence Hotel (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 33: Giza Pyramids
Today we have a morning tour of the spectacular Giza Pyramids and Sphinx. After lunch, we take an afternoon tour of the pyramids at Saqqara and Memphis. This evening we celebrate with a farewell dinner before the final night in the hote (B, L, D)

Day 34: Departure
After an exhilarating and unique Deluxe African Safari – from the southern tip of African continent to the pyramids in the northern tip we bid farewell to the many friends we will have made in the last 34 days and are transferred to the airport for our departure flight back home. (B)

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Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures Jan 30

Inclusions

Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Airfares within Africa (as per the itinerary) International airfares Meal Plan as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Border/Departure/Airport taxes Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes Visa fees Alcoholic beverages during meal times Travel Insurances All transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary, with the exception of Day 12 Tips/Gratuities to Drivers & Guides Services of local English speaking driver/guide Check for current inoculations / vaccinations (especially yellow Fever, malaria) / visa requirements. Porterage and entrance fees to museums and sites   Game fees for safaris included in the tour itinerary   Fresh linen, towels, toiletries whilst in train

Tour Price

We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.

2008 Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement Heritage Class US $ 30925 • CA $ 30925 US $ 7215 • CA $ 7215 * Royal Suite add $ 6185 per suite

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour

Canada - West Coast CA $ 1900 USA - West Coast US $ 1400 Canada - East Coast CA $ 1800 USA - East Coast US $ 1400

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 64 and a maximum of 116 participants.

Notes

Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.