Historian's Cape Town, Victoria Falls & Kenya

After jetting into Cape Town International Airport, you will be chauffeured through this cosmopolitan city to the Belmond Mount Nelson, a gracious hotel conveniently located near the city centre that has a history dating back more than a century.

The Belmond Mount Nelson has views of Table Mountain, and is within walking distance of the Company's Gardens, Greenmarket Square, and Long and Kloof Streets, both of which are abuzz with cafes, restaurants and quirky boutiques.

Unwind after your flight at the sun-splashed swimming pool or in the Librisa Spa before enjoying drinks and dinner in the Planet Bar and Restaurant.

Today you have a unique opportunity to understand South Africa's fascinating history by undertaking a full-day tour that starts off at District Six - the scene of notorious 'forced removals' during apartheid - before visiting some of Cape Town's colourful townships and the Cape Flats. If the weather allows, you will also take a ferry from the V&A Waterfront to Robben Island to visit Nelson Mandela's infamous cell.

Enjoy a complete change of focus as you spend the day in the historic Constantia Winelands, which are a scenic drive from the Cape Town city centre. With estates that date back centuries, very fine vintages and excellent restaurants, you experience some of the best the area has to offer.

On your final day in the Mother City, you can spend the day shopping at the lively V&A Waterfront, soaking up the sun next to the swimming pool, hiking up Table Mountain or even driving out to Cape Point and Boulders Beach, home to a thriving endangered African penguin colony.

Once again you will be chauffeured to Cape Town International Airport to catch your flight to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Waiting there will be your driver, who will take you The Saxon Boutique Hotel & Spa. One of the finest hotels in this vibrant and modern city, you can go shopping in very upscale Sandton and enjoy dinner at The Saxon's much-awarded flagship restaurant.

From Johannesburg your driver will take you to Pretoria to board the stately Rovos Rail train to Victoria Falls. For three nights, you will be cocooned in what is arguably the world's most luxurious rail service and pass through magnificent scenery on your way north through Zimbabwe. Your deluxe suite has an en suite bathroom with a private shower and picture windows. Spend your days enjoying short excursions at various stops along the way, relaxing with an iced drink in the open-air car, catching up on your napping or reading, or just wiling away the hours over a board game or two.

If you are lucky enough to be visiting when the Falls are in full flood, you will immediately understand why they are traditionally known as Mosi-au-Tunya or 'the smoke that thunders'. The spray and noise of thousands of gallons of water per second plunging down a sheer rock face nearly two kilometres wide is truly staggering. Your accommodation for two nights is the Victoria Falls Hotel on the Zimbabwean side of this natural wonder.

The area is known as Africa's adventure capital for the wide variety of exciting activities on offer. Take to the air in a microlight, tackle the Zambezi River's white waters and hold your breath as you bungee jump. In the evenings, a sunset cruise is the only way to toast the day before heading to dinner.

After two days of adventure, it is time for a change of pace. You will be driven across the border into Zambia to take off from Livingstone Airport for your trip to Nairobi. After landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be taken to Hemingways Nairobi, a luxurious hotel with enviable rooms and facilities. Your night here allows you to rest up for your safari in the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Angama Mara is one of the best and most modern lodges to be built in Kenya. Conceptualised to the highest environmental standards and slickest design ethos, each of the massive glass-fronted suites overlooks the escarpment, making for incredible views from your large private balcony. To explore the legendary Masai Mara, you will have an exclusive-use 4x4 with a private tracker and guide. In season, drive to the Mara River to see thousands of wildebeest negotiating their way across the muddy banks or get out your list to check off the 570 recorded bird species.

On one morning, will have an early wake-up call today so that you can experience one of Africa's quintessential experiences: a dawn hot-air balloon ride over the undulating Masai Mara. It is an enchanting experience to see the sun rise, hear the birds' chorus start up and witness plains game starting their day with elaborate greeting rituals and life-giving trips to the nearest watering hole.

Bid the Mara farewell and return by road transfer to Nairobi, where you check into The Giraffe Manor for your final night in Africa. This cosy hotel is most famous for its herd of habituated Rothschild's giraffes, which love to share treats over the breakfast table.
Depending on your schedule, you can venture out to see more of one of Africa's most exciting cities, taking in the Karen Blixen Museum, the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage or even a final game drive in Nairobi National Park.

For 17 days, you have been immersed in some of the continent's most iconic locations: Cape Town and its awe-inspiring sights of Robben Island, Table Mountain and the Constantia Winelands; the jaw-dropping excitement of Victoria Falls, the graciousness of Rovos Rail and the sheer bliss of the Masai Mara. It will be hard not to vow to return.