Ultra Lux Cape Town, Kruger & Vic Falls

The journey begins with you settling back in a luxury sedan as you are driven from Cape Town International Airport to the V&A Waterfront and the Cape Grace, sitting regally at its heart. All the attractions and amenities of the Waterfront are within a few minutes of the hotel – the Robben Island Ferry terminal, countless restaurants and bars plus shops and boutiques of every description. You have a full-day Cape highlights guided tour to look forward to plus plenty of time left over to do as much as you’d like in and around the city. Traditional favourites Table Mountain and the beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton are just a short drive from the hotel as are more modern attractions such as the Biscuit Mill and Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.

A transfer from the Cape Grace to La Residence in Franschhoek changes the scenery; you leave behind the ocean and swop it for craggy mountains overlooking valley floors covered in vineyards – welcome to the Cape Winelands. Designed as a French country chateau, La Residence sits on a wine and olive estate and makes the perfect base from which to explore the area, an unrestrained foodie-heaven. A full-day Winelands tour is included in the itinerary, and you can choose between eating dinner at the guesthouse or trying any one of the cosy bistros and silver-plated restaurants in town. And if you feel like being pampered, La Residence has two in-house spa therapists and a range of soothing massages and treatments, including the unique Pinotage Body Polish.

A transfer back to Cape Town International Airport and a direct flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International starts the day, after which you are driven to Londolozi Private Granite Suites in the Londolozi Private Game Reserve. One of the smallest and most intimate accommodations in the reserve, this is a destination of tailored service and meticulous attention to detail. Morning and afternoon game drives in search of the heavyweight animals are the focus at Londolozi: it is a reserve famous for its Big 5 sightings, especially of leopard – the most elusive on the list. A private setting means you can also explore on foot with your guide and enjoy spot-lit evening drives too, your chance to see nocturnal creatures on the prowl. Back at camp, your elegant, clean-lined and air-conditioned suite comes with stunning wilderness views, including from its private plunge pool.

A flight from Kruger Mpumalanga Airport to Livingstone in Zambia whisks you across southern Africa in under two hours. You are met at the airport and transferred across the Zambezi River into Zimbabwe and Matetsi River Lodge, lying about an hour’s drive from Victoria Falls. A visit to the thundering waterfall awaits you, and since your accommodation sits on 15 kilometres (nine miles) of private Zambezi River frontage, you can also look forward to wildlife viewing and sunset boat cruises on the river in blissful exclusivity. Guided drives at Matetsi take you in search of big game – the area is renowned for its dry-season (about May to October) elephant and buffalo herds – as well as rarities such as wild dog and roan antelope. And the bird watching is ranked some of the best in Africa.

After breakfast at Matetsi you are transferred a short distance by vehicle to Victoria Falls International Airport (on the Zimbabwean side) where the tour ends and you begin your onward travel arrangements.