CAPE TO CAIRO 2014 - Rovos Rail...the story of diamonds. The romantic associations of diamonds, De Beers, Cecil John Rhodes and the Cape-to-Cairo railway are all centred on Kimberley.

CAPE TO CAIRO 2014

PROPOSED ITINERARIES

HOTELS READING LIST

COUNTRIES AT A GLANCE GENERAL INFORMATION

Updated 16 September 2012

Cape to Cairo Itinerary 2014 Rovos Rail 1

THE CAPE TO CAIRO ITINERARY ● 17 JANUARY - 13 FEBRUARY 2014 DAY 1 FRIDAY 17 JANUARY 19h00 19h30

Arrive at Cape Town and transfer to The Cape Grace Hotel at the V & A Waterfront. Join your fellow travellers for a welcome reception in the Library at the Cape Grace Hotel. Dinner at the Signal Restaurant, Cape Grace Hotel. Overnight at the hotel. Cape Town, internationally known for the majestic beauty of Table Mountain, is the ‘Mother City ‘of South Africa being the site of the first European landings and settlement in Southern Africa. The subtle interplay of sea and mountain, which characterises the Cape of Good Hope, moved intrepid explorer Sir Francis Drake to call it ‘the fairest Cape in all the circumferences of the globe.’ It is here, beneath the 1 000 metre high sandstone face of Table Mountain, that Jan van Riebeeck dropped anchor on 6 April 1652. He established a refreshment station for the Dutch East India Company to replenish the ships en-route to and from the spice islands of the East Indies (Indonesia and Malaya). Before Van Riebeeck landed others had long lived in the blue shadow of the mountain. They were the Khoikoi pastoralists with flocks of fat-tailed sheep and the San Hunters who lived off game animals. These ancient remains of Mankind’s Stone Age childhood were innocent onlookers who by 1713 had been all but decimated by the Great Smallpox Epidemic. After 1702 black tribes were encountered for the first time about 700kms east of Cape Town around the Great Fish River, by eastward migrating white farmers - a meeting of two divergent cultures the consequences of which are still unfolding today.

DAY 2 SATURDAY 18 JANUARY

09h00 Depart for Groot Constantia for wine tasting and a visit to Table Mountain (weather permitting). Enjoy lunch en route. Dinner at Baia Restaurant located a short distance from the hotel in the V&A Waterfront. Guests to meet in the hotel foyer at 19h30. The main feature of Table Mountain is a level plateau approximately 3 kilometres from side to side, surrounded by steep cliffs. The plateau is flanked by Devil's Peak to the east and by Lion's Head to the west and forms a dramatic backdrop to Cape Town and Table Bay harbour, and together with Signal Hill form the natural amphitheatre of the City Bowl. The highest point on Table Mountain is towards the eastern end of the plateau and is marked by Maclear's Beacon, and is marked by a stone cairn built in 1865 by Sir Thomas Maclear for his trigonometrical survey. It is 1 086 metres above sea level, about 19 metres higher than the cable station at the western end of the plateau. The Cableway was first built almost 79 years ago. On 4 October 1929 the Cableway opened its doors to its first visitors. To date the Cableway has transported more than 18 million passengers to the summit.


THE CAPE TO CAIRO ITINERARY ● 17 JANUARY - 13 FEBRUARY 2014 DAY 3 SUNDAY 19 JANUARY 08h30 19h30

Depart for full a day tour of the Cape Peninsula. Dinner and overnight at the Cape Grace Hotel. Visit Rhodes Memorial and the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens during the morning. The tour then heads for False Bay and the African Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach. Enjoy lunch at an excellent seafood restaurant, The Black Marlin, after which the tour enters the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve (8 500 ha). Seven species of antelope including the Eland, Bontebok and Cape Mountain Zebra are to be found here. Travel down to Cape Point, the most South Westerly point of Africa (18 degrees east latitude and 34 degrees south longitude). In the late afternoon return via the Ou Kaapse Weg, a most scenic route, and then along the Atlantic Seaboard back to the City.

DAY 4 MONDAY 20 JANUARY 08h00 09h30 11h00 13h00 15h00 17h45 19h00 19h30

Please ensure luggage is ready for collection by the hotel porters. Transfer to Rovos Rail’s lounge at Cape Town Station. The train departs from Platform 23 Cape Town Station. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining other guests in the midway Lounge car or the Observation carriage at the rear of the train. Lunch will be served in the dining car/s. We pass through Worcester on the way to the village of Matjiesfontein. At 15h30 we reach the first of three tunnels which take us through the Hex River Pass. The third tunnel is 13.5kms long so please be careful if you are walking through the train. If you are in your suite you may wish to turn on a light. Guests may disembark at Matjiesfontein for a stroll through this quaint and historic little village. Of special interest is the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages to the right of the Hotel. (For refreshments we recommend the pub in the Lord Milner Hotel). We depart Matjiesfontein. Dinner will be served in the dining car/s. The Karoo, being both high and exceptionally dry, offered solace to Victorian sufferers of Tuberculosis (Consumption). An official of the Cape Government Railways, James Logan, arrived in Matjiesfontein in 1890 to recuperate from chest complaints. He found his transfer to the Karoo so beneficial he decided to settle in the area. He bought a farm, named it Tweedside, planted trees and wheat, built a fine house, sank boreholes and gradually acquired considerable land holdings. Major Buist, a descendant of Logan’s, still lives here. The Laird Logan set up a small refreshment hotel for the hungry and thirsty travellers of the Cape Government Railways (CGR).


THE CAPE TO CAIRO ITINERARY ● 17 JANUARY - 13 FEBRUARY 2014 DAY 5 TUESDAY 21 JANUARY 07h00 12h30 14h30 16h00 16h10 19h30

Breakfast will be served in the dining car/s until 10h00. Lunch is served in the dining car/s. The train arrives in Kimberley. Here we disembark and proceed by coach for a tour of the city, the “Big Hole” and the Mine Museum. Rejoin the train at Kimberley station. Ten minutes after departing Kimberley there is a shallow lake on the left hand side facing forward. On most occasions there are spectacular flocks of Flamingos (approx. 23 000). Dinner will be served in the dining car/s as we pass through Bloemhof and Leeudoringstad en route to Klerksdorp. Kimberley is one of South Africa’s best-kept secrets. Somewhat off the beaten track, towards the arid northwest of the country, it does not receive the high volume of tourist traffic, which its history and commercial importance would presume. The story of Kimberley is the story of diamonds. The romantic associations of diamonds, De Beers, Cecil John Rhodes and the Cape-to-Cairo railway are all centred on Kimberley. Although diamonds had been discovered near Hopetown in 1867, it was the discovery of a diamond ‘pipe’ where the Big Hole now yawns, in 1871, which triggered the Diamond Rush. Kimberley’s first name was New Rush to distinguish it from the ‘old’ rush at Colesberg Kopje.

DAY 6 WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY 07h00 12h00

Breakfast will be served in the dining cars until 10h00. The train continues the journey towards Pretoria passing through Krugersdorp, Johannesburg and Germiston. Arrive at journey’s end, the gracious Rovos Rail station in Capital Park Pretoria. Enjoy a light lunch and a tour of Pretoria. Transfer to the Sheraton Hotel in Pretoria. Dinner and overnight. Rovos Rail has its private station situated in Capital Park in Pretoria. This was once the bustling hub of steam locomotion in the old Transvaal. Officially opened in 1943, Capital Park, with its locomotive sheds and marshalling yard played a vital roll in the rail network around Pretoria before falling into disuse. Now the home of Rovos Rail, it boasts a small railway museum in addition to its other comprehensive facilities and will, with the addition of semaphore signals and a footbridge, recreate the atmosphere of a fully-fledged railway system.

DAY 7 THURSDAY 23 JANUARY 10h00 13h00 19h30

The Pride of Africa departs from Rovos Rail’s private station in Pretoria. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the midway Lounge car or Observation carriage at the rear of the train. Lunch is served in the dining car, which are located near the central part of the train. A gong is sounded before each meal. After traversing the Magaliesberg Range dinner is served as the train heads westwards to Mafikeng for border formalities.

DAY 8 FRIDAY 24 JANUARY 07h00 13h00 17h00 19h30

Breakfast is served in the dining car until 10h00 as we travel northwards through Mahalapye and Serule en route to Francistown. Lunch is served as the train heads towards the Zimbabwe border. Border formalities take place in Plumtree. Dinner is served in the dining car/s.


THE CAPE TO CAIRO ITINERARY ● 17 JANUARY - 13 FEBRUARY 2014 DAY 09 SATURDAY 25 JANUARY 07h00 13h00 17h00

Breakfast is served in the dining car. The train passes through the Hwange Game Reserve en route to Dete along one of the longest straight stretches of railway line in the world – 114kms. Lunch is served as the train heads towards the Zambezi River. Occasional sightings of wild animals can occur from the train. Arrive at the Victoria Falls where your Rovos Rail journey ends. Take the short walk to the Victoria Falls Hotel for dinner and overnight. Dinner today and breakfast, lunch and dinner tomorrow are taken in either the Jungle Junction or the Stanley Room. These meals are included in the overall journey price. All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages consumed off the Train are for your own account. Any meals taken in other venues are also for your own account. The little station of Victoria Falls (913m) was first reached by railway in June 1904. Old colonial buildings, bougainvillea and palm trees against the backdrop of the Victoria Falls Hotel form a charming oasis of soft sweetness after the rugged dryness of the landscape. The Victoria Falls is one of Nature's great revelations on a par with the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest and an erupting volcano. It is believed that there have existed no less than seven different 'Victoria Falls' over the past two million years. These cascades correspond to the lower gorges of the Zambezi. The present falls is wearing from Devil's Cataract northwards, eroding the softer material behind the present basalt base of the falls. When eventually all the soft matter has been removed, the Victoria Falls will move back, a fresh gorge will yawn and where the falls are now will become a new site for tourists.

DAY 10 SUNDAY 26 JANUARY 16h00 19h30

Day at leisure in the Victoria Falls. Activities at the Victoria Falls: The following activities are for your own account and may be arranged beforehand on the train or at the Victoria Falls Hotel. 1) Tour of the Falls 2) Helicopter or Fixed-wing Flight over the Falls 3) Elephant Back Safaris 4) A Walk with the Lions 5) White-water Rafting & Bungi-jumping Breakfast, lunch and dinner today are taken in either the Jungle Junction or the Stanley Room. These meals are included in the overall journey price. All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are for your own account. Any meals taken in other venues are also for your own account. Please be ready in the hotel foyer for the bus to take you to the Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River. Please bring along warm clothing. Light snacks and drinks are included in your cruise. Dinner will be available at the buffet at the Jungle Junction or the Livingstone Room. Seating will be at tables reserved for Rovos Rail guests.


THE CAPE TO CAIRO ITINERARY ● 17 JANUARY - 13 FEBRUARY 2014 DAY 11 MONDAY 27 JANUARY 08h00 12h00 14h00

After breakfast join your dedicated aircraft for the 3 hour flight to Zanzibar. After customs and immigration formalities transfer to the Zanzibar Serena Hotel for lunch. Depart on a guided tour of Stone Town. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. The Stone Town tour starts at the main city market which was opened in 1904 and sells tropical fruits, vegetables, spices and fresh fish from the island. The next stop will be at the Anglican Church of Christ, which was built by Bishop Steere in 1873 on the site of the old slave market. Next to the church visit the slave chambers, tiny rooms in which the slaves were kept before being auctioned. From here continue to the Sultans Palace Museum and House of Wonders as well as the Old Fort. Continue to The Africa house, formerly an English Club, and come to Tippu Tip house, home of the notorious slave trader. Other sites include the Museum of Natural History and the Peach Memorial Museum. The tour ends with a walk through the narrow streets of the town discovering exotic bazaars, antique and curio shops.

DAY 12 TUESDAY 28 JANUARY 08h30 14h00

After breakfast depart for guided Island Spice Tour with lunch en route. Transfer to the airport for the 40 minute flight to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Board vehicle for 2½ hour drive via Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Lodge. Afternoon at leisure to relax and enjoy the serene atmosphere on the coffee farm. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. Zanzibar, also known as the “Island of Spices”, evokes a romantic past embalmed in the aroma of cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and lemon grass. The tour winds through a profusion of greenery in the countryside with an opportunity to smell and taste a variety of mouth-watering tropical seasonal fruits including jackfruit, pineapple, green coconut and many others. Also see the Iodine plant, henna bush, ylang-ylang, the lipstick tree, cocoa and coffee trees. Visit the Kidichi Persian Baths built in 1850 by Seyyid Said Bin Sultan for his Persian wife, Princess Sheherezade, granddaughter of the Shah of Persia. Also included is a visit to the ruins of the Maruhubi Palace, built by the third Sultan of Zanzibar, Seyyid Barghash, for his 99 concubines. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located between the Serengeti and Lake Manyara. It is home to the famous volcanic Ngorongoro crater which is the largest unbroken caldera in the world. The crater (610 metres deep and 260 km squared) is a microcosm of East African scenery and game and is usually visited the way to the Serengeti from Arusha. Scenic grandeur and stunning views are the hallmark of this wonder of the world.

DAY 13 WEDNESDAY 29 JANUARY

After breakfast enjoy a game drive excursion with a picnic lunch on the floor of the crater. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. There are 25 000 larger animals within the crater itself, mostly Zebra and wildebeest. However, this is undoubtedly the best place to see black rhino in Tanzania as well as prides of lion that include the magnificent black-maned males. There are lots of colourful flamingos and a variety of other water birds around the soda lake on the crater floor. More than 100 species of bird not found in the Serengeti have been found in the crater. Other game: leopard, cheetah, hyena, elephants, warthog, impala, buffalo, hartebeest, eland and lots of other members of the antelope family as well as smaller mammals of sorts.


THE CAPE TO CAIRO ITINERARY ● 17 JANUARY - 13 FEBRUARY 2014 DAY 14 THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 07h30 12h00

After breakfast depart the lodge for Masek tented camp in the Ndutu area. Arrive at the camp for lunch. Afternoon game drive followed by dinner and overnight in the camp. The Serengeti region encompasses the Serengeti National Park itself, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Maswa Game Reserve, the Loliondo, Grumeti and Ikorongo Controlled Areas and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Over 90 000 tourists visit the Park each year. Two World Heritage Sites and two Biosphere Reserves have been established within the 30 000-km² regions.

DAY 15 FRIDAY 31 JANUARY 08h30 16h00

After breakfast enjoy a game drive into Serengeti followed by lunch. Afternoon game drive followed by dinner and overnight in camp.

DAY 16 SATURDAY 01 FEBRUARY 07h00 10h00 11h00 20h00

Transfer to airstrip for a domestic flight to Kilimanjaro airport. After immigration and customs formalities we depart on flight to Entebbe, Uganda. On arrival in Entebbe the passengers will be split into two groups. Group 1 will visit the chimpanzees on Ngamba Island and Group 2 will enjoy an excursion to Jinja, source of the Nile. Each group will enjoy lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at the Lake Victoria Serena Resort. The Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is about a 1 hour speedboat ride from Entebbe, or alternatively about 1-2 hours by Ssese canoe. This 100 acre beautifully forested island provides a safe haven for over 30 orphaned chimps that are now free to roam their island thanks to project leaders Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) and other concerned organisations that raised funds for the project. It offers a unique opportunity for close viewing (restricted to 25 visitors) of chimpanzees in their natural environment. Pre-arranged supplementary feeding times (morning and afternoon) brings the chimpanzees to within metres of the raised walkway specially designed for easy viewing.

DAY 17 SUNDAY 02 FEBRUARY 08h00 The two groups of passengers exchange excursions today with Group 2 visiting the

chimpanzees on Mgamba Island with Group 1 enjoying the excursion to Jinja, source of the Nile. Dinner and overnight at the Lake Victoria Serena. With its source at Jinja, 80kms from Kampala, this mighty river flows from Lake Victoria on its great journey all the way through Sudan and Egypt to thw Mediterranean. The Nile is the longest river in the world. The river has its sources in Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Burundi. It is recorded as starting with the Kyaka River in Burundi which flows into Lake Victoria. It is 6 671 km long and has a surface area of a total of 3 350 000 km² (5 times the size of France). The discharge is calculated to be 3, 1 million litres per second.


THE CAPE TO CAIRO ITINERARY ● 17 JANUARY - 13 FEBRUARY 2014 DAY 18 MONDAY 03 FEBRUARY 08h00 12h00

Enjoy an early breakfast at the Lake Victoria Serena Resort. Transfer to Entebbe airport for your flight to Khartoum, Sudan. Transfer to Corinthia Hotel, Khartoum. Enjoy an afternoon visit to the Omdurman Old Quarter & Market Place. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. PLEASE NOTE: ALCOHOL IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE SUDAN AND IS NOT SERVED OR SOLD ANYWHERE INCLUDING THE HOTELS. Personal baggage, including computers, is routinely searched on arrival to and departure from Sudan. The authorities will seize material deemed objectionable, such as alcohol or pornography, and may detain or arrest the traveller. Omdurman city is situated on the White Nile opposite Khartoum. It is the largest city and chief commercial centre of Sudan and part of a tri-city metropolitan area (with Khartoum and Khartoum North) that forms the country's industrial and cultural heart. Industries include leather tanning and furniture and pottery making. In 1884 the Mahdi Muhammad Ahmad made his military headquarters at the village of Omdurman. After the Mahdist forces destroyed Khartoum (1885), the Mahdi's successor, Khalifa Addallah, made Omdurman his capital, and the city grew rapidly as the site of the Mahdi's tomb. The battle of Karari, which took place (1898) near Omdurman, marked the defeat of the Mahdist state in Sudan by the Anglo-Egyptian army of Lord Kitchener. Although most of the city was destroyed after the battle, the Mahdi's tomb has been restored and embellished. The Khalifa's former residence is now a museum.

DAY 19 TUESDAY 04 FEBRUARY 09h00

After breakfast you have the option of a full day tour to Naqa and Musawwarat es Sufra (a packed lunch will be provided) or a half day tour of Khartoum with lunch at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in the hotel. The sites of Meroe, Naqa and Musawwarat es-Sufra, located in the Nile province of Sudan were the heartland of the Kush Kingdom from the 8th Century B.C to the 4th Century AD. Otherwise known as ‘The Island of Meroe’ because of its position at the confluence of Blue Nile, the White Nile and the Atbara River, Meroe, the principle Urban Centre of the rulers of the Meroitic civilization provides stunning examples of urban ruins, burial chambers and pyramids. The pyramidal field is also known as the most extensive in the world. There are many unsolved and unexplored aspects to the site including hieroglyphics which are as yet indecipherable, ancient water management systems and reservoirs (hafirs) and extensive evidence of early industrial activity such as iron working. In addition, there is evidence of the fusion of artistic and architectural influences from Greco-roman as well as Egyptian and African styles.

DAY 20 WEDNESDAY 05 FEBRUARY 08h00 11h40

After breakfast transfer to airport for 1 hour 40 min flight to Abu Simbel, Egypt. On arrival in Abu Simbel visit to the Abu Simbel temple. Board the Kasr Ibrim for your Lake Nasser cruise with lunch, the afternoon, dinner and overnight on board. It is here that Ramses II, the most powerful and longest-ruling Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, ordered two temples to be carved from the limestone mountains at Abu Simbel, one for himself and the other for his wife Nefertari. In modern times the waters that would rise with the completion of the High Dam threatened the two temples of Abu Simbel. A campaign to save them was organized by UNESCO. The plan was to cut the temples into blocks, raise them piece-by-piece, and reassemble them in their new position on the banks of Lake Nasser, a massive undertaking that took two years to complete.


THE CAPE TO CAIRO ITINERARY ● 17 JANUARY - 13 FEBRUARY 2014 DAY 21 THURSDAY 06 FEBRUARY

08h00 12h30

Breakfast is served while sailing to Kasr Ibrim. A lecture with details of Kasr Ibrim is conducted on the sun deck as entrance to the site is not permitted. Lunch is served while sailing to Amada. Afternoon visits to the temples of Amada and Derr as well as the Tomb of Penout. Sail to Wadi el Seboua in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight on board. The area of Kasr Ibrim is located 235kms to the south of Aswan. The area is built on a high hillock overlooking the Nile opposite the Aniba village. In ancient Egypt the area was known as PER-MIT, which became PREMIS during the Greco-Roman times and then Ibrim during the Arab times. The area is full of monuments that date back many centuries, including tombs of the Nubian rulers who ruled during the New Kingdom times (Thutmosis III). The citadel played an important role throughout ancient Egyptian history and later. During the Christian area, a church was built and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The area has yielded many artefacts which are now on display in the Nubian museum. The Amada Temple in Nubia, though small, nevertheless contains some important historical inscriptions and is also significant as the oldest of the Lake Nasser temples. This temple is located about 180 kilometres south of the High Dam, and was dedicated to the important New Kingdom gods, Amun-Re and Re-Horakhty. It was originally built on the orders of Tuthmosis III and his son, Amenhotep II during Egypt's New Kingdom 18th Dynasty. The Temple of Derr, like many others in Nubia, was dismantled in 1964 in order to save it from the waters of Lake Nasser. It was moved to a new location close to that of the temple of Amada from its original site on the Nile's east bank a few miles to the south. This is another example of Ramesses II’s rock hewn temples, built during about the 30th year of his reign to celebrate his Sed festival. This temple is similar in many respects to his other speos style monuments in Nubia, including Abu Simbel. The ancient Egyptians named it "Temple of Ramses-in-the-House-of-Re". Penout was a governor of Lower Nubia during the reign of Ramses IV (12th century BC). He was probably Nubian as in the Egyptian tradition people were buried in the land where they were born. The rock cut tomb is decorated with wall paintings depicting scenes of Penout’s life. Unfortunately many were damaged when peoples tried to steal some of these decorations.


THE CAPE TO CAIRO ITINERARY ● 17 JANUARY - 13 FEBRUARY 2014 DAY 22 FRIDAY 07 FEBRUARY

Enjoy a morning visit to Wadi El Seboua and the temples of Dakka and Maharraqa. After lunch on board the Kasr Ibrim will sail for Aswan. Dinner and overnight on board. Wadi El Seboua was built by Setau, Viceroy of Kush (Nubia) in honour of Rames II in the latter part of his reign and is dedicated to Amun and Ra. The temple consists of the surviving sets of pylons and the rock cut part of the temple. The interior has many fine reliefs and there are 2 colossi of Ramses, one upright, one fallen. Two are believed to have been lost in the sands of time. The name Wadi el-Seboua means Valley of the Lions in Arabic, on account of the sphinxes guarding the temple. The Temple of Dakka was begun by the Meroitic king, Arkamani, in the 3rd century BC. The construction was continued by Egyptian kings of the Ptolemaic dynasty. It is dedicated to the god of wisdom, Thoth. There are two sanctuaries in the temple. It is quite similar the temple of Wadi El to Seboua, but lacks the front court of statues. Its pylon is in near perfect condition and at 12 metres high can be climbed. The temple was relocated from its original location 40 km further north. The Temple of Maharraqa was relocated 50 km as the waters of Lake Nasser began to rise in the 1960's. This small temple dates back to Greco-Roman times, and it assumed that it was dedicated to Serapis. The temple appears to have never been finished, is modest in size and lacks decoration it is still unique in one respect, having the only spiral staircase of any the Egyptian temple.

DAY 23 SATURDAY 08 FEBRUARY 08h00 19h30

Disembark the ship after breakfast and transfer by road to Luxor. A packed lunch will be provided. En route visit the Edfu Temple. On arrival in Luxor visit the Karnak Temple. Dinner and overnight at the Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa. In the New Kingdom, Amun-Ra was worshipped as the most important state god, and the immense wealth of Thebes was spent embellishing and building temples in his honour. The most famous and magnificent of these is the Temple of Karnak, where 13 centuries of successive Pharaohs have contributed to over 100 acres of majestic pylons, hypostyle halls, and sacred temples. The scale of Karnak surpasses every other temple complex in the entire ancient world. The Temple of Edfu is an ancient Egyptian temple located on the west bank of the Nile in the city of Edfu which was known in Greco-Roman times as Apollonopolis Magna, after the chief god Horus-Apollo. It is one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. The temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus, was built in the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BCE. The inscriptions on its walls provide important information on language, myth and religion during the Greco-Roman period in ancient Egypt. In particular, the Temple's inscribed building texts "provide details [both] of its construction, and also preserve information about the mythical interpretation of this and all other temples as the Island of Creation. There are also "important scenes and inscriptions of the Sacred Drama which related the age-old conflict between Horus and Seth."


THE CAPE TO CAIRO ITINERARY ● 17 JANUARY - 12 FEBRUARY 2014 DAY 24 SUNDAY 09 FEBRUARY 08h00 19h30

After breakfast depart for a full day of sightseeing including excursions to the West Bank of Luxor. Dinner and overnight in the hotel. The Temple of Luxor was built over several centuries by Amenhopis III, Tutankhamen, Ramses II, and Alexander the Great. The temple is a graceful piece of architecture preceded by an avenue of sphinxes, containing impressive statuary of Ramses II, the Great Court of Ramses II, the colonnade and court of Amenophis III, the hypostyle hall, and the temple of Amun. The famous Valley of the Kings, where 62 Pharaohs are buried in rock-cut tombs, where they were adorned with gold and jewels and surrounded with treasures and replicas of all they would need in the afterlife. Frustrated by the pillage of earlier more visible tombs, they cut their tombs deep into the sandstone, away from the public view and separated from their mortuary temples. The famous tomb of the boy-king Tutankhamen was discovered here in 1922, with over 5,000 precious items inside. Although the mummy of the young king and his treasures now lie in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, visitors can still look inside the tomb itself and marvel at the wall-paintings and the stone sarcophagus in which King Tutankhamen’s golden mummy-case was laid. The Valley of the Queens is where royal wives and royal princes were buried. There are at least 75 tombs in the Valley of the Queens. They belonged to queens of the 19th and 20th dynasties and other members of the royal families, including princesses and the Ramessid princes. The highlight of the Valley of the Queens is the Tomb of Queen Nefertari. Long praised as the most beautifully decorated of all the tombs on the West Bank of Luxor, this masterpiece of Egyptian art was restored by the Egyptian Antiquities Authority and the Getty Conservation institute in the USA. Specialists worked for 6 years to clean the paintings and re-affix them to the plaster walls from where they had been flaking, and today it is hardly conceivable that such vibrant colours have actually not been retouched since they were first laid thousands of years ago. Rising out of the desert plain, in a series of terraces, the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut merges with the sheer limestone cliffs of the eastern face of the Theban Mountain as if nature herself had built this extraordinary monument. The partly rock-cut, partly free-standing structure is one of the finest monuments of ancient Egypt, although its original appearance, surrounded by myrrh trees, garden beds and approached by a grand sphinx-lined causeway, must have been even more spectacular. The massive pair of statues known as the Colossi of Memnon is all that remain of the temple of the hedonistic Amenophis III. Rising about 18 metres from the surrounding plain, the enthroned, faceless statues of Amenophis have kept a lonely vigil on the changing landscape around them for centuries, surviving the rising floodwaters of the Nile which gradually destroyed the temple buildings behind them. The magnificent Medinet Habu is a series of temples second only to Karnak in size and complexity, built by the Pharaoh Ramses III. Ramses, who ruled between 1182 and 1151 BC, built the Great Temple first and then settled numerous war prisoners around it. With its enclosing wall and massive storage magazines, the area grew into a city that maintained its population well into Coptic times, when it was known as Djeme. The many temples, enclosures, palaces and courtyards of Medinet Habu are carved with incredible reliefs. Ramses II built his fabulous mortuary temple on the site of Seti I's ruined temple. This great temple reportedly rivalled the wonders of the temple at Abu Simbel. However, Ramses built the temple too close to the Nile and the floodwaters took their toll; only a single colonnade remains of the First Courtyard. In front of the ruins is the base of the colossus of Ramses that once stood 17m high, and would have weighed more than 1,000 tons. The statue fell into the Second Courtyard and the head and torso remain there (the famous "Ozymandias" of Shelley's poem), but other broken pieces are in museums all over the world.


THE CAPE TO CAIRO ITINERARY ● 17 JANUARY - 12 FEBRUARY 2014 DAY 25 MONDAY 10 FEBRUARY

20h00

Morning at leisure with lunch at the hotel. After lunch transfer to Luxor Airport for the 1 hour and 15 min flight to Cairo. Transfer to the Four Seasons First Residence Hotel with views of both the Nile and the Great Pyramids. Dinner at leisure at the hotel. The Four Seasons First Residence Hotel is a gracious sanctuary on the west bank of the Nile. With impressive views of the Great Pyramids over the old-growth canopy of Cairo's ancient Zoological and Botanical Gardens, the Hotel is at the centre of the prestigious new First Residence apartments and shops.

DAY 26 TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 08h00

After breakfast visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities followed by lunch at Al Azhar Park. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight in the hotel. The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities is located in the heart of Cairo. This turn-of-the century museum has a pleasantly calm atmosphere once inside its formal gardens. To enter the museum is to take a tour through over 7,000 years of Egyptian history, starting from the Archaic Pre Dynastic Period to the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms. The museum houses the world's most important collection of Egyptian antiquities from 2700 BC to the 6th century AD. There are thousands of statues, jewels and artefacts from nearly every period of ancient Egypt. Admire the amazing treasures of the young king, Tutankhamen, including his famous mask made out of solid gold which is in a perfect state of preservation. There are 12 rooms filled with treasures from King Tutankhamen’s tomb, which was discovered in 1922 virtually untouched. A tour of the Museum can also include an optional visit to the Mummies Room, a specially-built area dedicated to the mummies of ancient Royal Kings and Queens, including the mummy of Ancient Egypt's greatest Pharaoh, Ramses II.


THE CAPE TO CAIRO ITINERARY ● 17 JANUARY - 13 FEBRUARY 2014 DAY 27 WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 08h00 20h00

After breakfast visit the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx with lunch en route. Afternoon tour of Saqqara and Memphis. Enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers at the Four Seasons Hotel. The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx are Egypt's most visited monuments, ranking among the world's greatest tourist attractions. The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the only surviving "Wonder of the Ancient World". For centuries the great pyramids have intrigued and puzzled visitors, and even in the 20th century it is difficult to stand before them and not be overwhelmed by their splendour. For 4½ millennia, surviving the rise and fall of great dynasties, and outlasting Egypt's many conquerors, they have shared the desert plateau of Giza with other monuments: smaller attendant pyramids, some for royal wives; rows of mastabas (rectangular mud-brick tombs with a flat roof and sloping sides), the tombs of 2nd and 5th dynasty princes and nobles; and the imposing figure of the enigmatic sphinx. Also located at the pyramids is the impressive Solar Boat Museum beside the Great Pyramid of Cheops, considered to be the single most important archaeological find in Egypt since the Tomb of Tutenkhamun. Discovered in a pit by the Great Pyramid in 1954, the entire boat was carefully reconstructed and placed in the museum you see today. The ancient city of Memphis and the necropolis of Sakkara are also not to be missed. At vast Sakkara, you will see the famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the first freestanding stone structure in the world. Your Egyptologist will guide you to some tombs belonging to the nobles of the past. They show the beauty and excellence of Ancient Egyptian art on their walls and give an insight into the daily life of Ancient Egypt. At the site of Memphis, you will see the ancient capital that once stood as a flourishing metropolis during the time of the Pharaohs. The place is thickly surrounded by lush palm groves and bushes, isolating the site of the old city from modern civilization.

DAY 28 WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY

10h00 After breakfast, transfer to Cairo airport for flight home.

Please note that we reserve the right to change the tour to other properties if required. Every effort will be made however to retain the itinerary as printed. Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed. Updated 16 Sept 2012 – please check with Alicia Taljaard for updates/itinerary changes [email protected] or tel: +27 – 12 – 315 8534

Cairo to Cape Itinerary 2014 Rovos Rail 1

THE CAIRO TO CAPE ITINERARY ● 04 FEBRUARY – 03 MARCH 2014 DAY 1 TUESDAY 4 FEBRUARY 19h30

Arrive Cairo and transfer to the Four Seasons First Residence Hotel in Cairo. Day at leisure with optional tours available. Welcome dinner and overnight in the hotel. The Four Seasons First Residence Hotel is a gracious sanctuary on the west bank of the Nile. With impressive views of the Great Pyramids over the old growth canopy of Cairo's ancient Zoological and Botanical Gardens, the Hotel is at the centre of the prestigious new First Residence apartments and shops.

DAY 2

WEDNESDAY 5 FEBRUARY

09h00 19h30

After breakfast enjoy full day tour of Cairo and surrounds. Visits include the Giza Pyramids the Sphinx, Saqqara and Memphis. The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx are Egypt's most visited monuments, ranking among the world's greatest tourist attractions. The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the only surviving "Wonder of the Ancient World". For centuries the great pyramids have intrigued and puzzled visitors, and even in the 20th century it is difficult to stand before them and not be overwhelmed by their splendour. For 4½ millennia, surviving the rise and fall of great dynasties, and outlasting Egypt's many conquerors, they have shared the desert plateau of Giza with other monuments: smaller attendant pyramids, some for royal wives; rows of mastabas (rectangular mud-brick tombs with a flat roof and sloping sides), the tombs of 2nd and 5th dynasty princes and nobles; and the imposing figure of the enigmatic sphinx. Also located at the pyramids is the impressive Solar Boat Museum beside the Great Pyramid of Cheops, considered to be the single most important archaeological find in Egypt since the Tomb of Tutenkhamun. Discovered in a pit by the Great Pyramid in 1954, the entire boat was carefully reconstructed and placed in the museum you see today. The ancient city of Memphis and the necropolis of Sakkara are also not to be missed. At vast Sakkara, you will see the famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the first freestanding stone structure in the world. Your Egyptologist will guide you to some tombs belonging to the nobles of the past. They show the beauty and excellence of Ancient Egyptian art on their walls and give an insight into the daily life of Ancient Egypt. At the site of Memphis, you will see the ancient capital that once stood as a flourishing metropolis during the time of the Pharaohs. The place is thickly surrounded by lush palm groves and bushes, isolating the site of the old city from modern civilization. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.


THE CAIRO TO CAPE ITINERARY ● 04 FEBRUARY – 03 MARCH 2014 DAY 3 THURSDAY 6 FEBRUARY 08h00 13h30 15h30 16h15 19h30

After breakfast depart for tour of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. After lunch transfer to Cairo airport for the one hour flight to Luxor. Afternoon visit to Karnak. Arrive in Luxor and transfer to the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa. Dinner and overnight in the hotel Morning visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities is located in the heart of Cairo. This turn-of-the century museum has a pleasantly calm atmosphere once inside its formal gardens. To enter the museum is to take a tour through over 7,000 years of Egyptian history, starting from the Archaic Pre Dynastic Period to the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms. The museum houses the world's most important collection of Egyptian antiquities from 2700 BC to the 6th century AD. There are thousands of statues, jewels and artefacts from nearly every period of ancient Egypt. Admire the amazing treasures of the young king, Tutankhamen, including his famous mask made out of solid gold which is in a perfect state of preservation. There are 12 rooms filled with treasures from King Tutankhamen’s tomb, which was discovered in 1922 virtually untouched. A tour of the Museum can also include an optional visit to the Mummies Room, a specially-built area dedicated to the mummies of ancient Royal Kings and Queens, including the mummy of Ancient Egypt's greatest Pharaoh, Ramses II.


THE CAIRO TO CAPE ITINERARY ● 04 FEBRUARY – 03 MARCH 2014 DAY 4

FRIDAY 7 FEBRUARY 09h00

13h00 19h30

Full day in Luxor with visits to the West Bank of Luxor including Valley of Kings, Valley of Queens, the Temple of Hatshepsut and photo stop at Colossi of Memnon. Lunch at the Hilton Hotel followed by an afternoon visit to the Luxor Temple. Dinner & overnight at hotel. The famous Valley of the Kings, where 62 Pharaohs are buried in rock-cut tombs, where they were adorned with gold and jewels and surrounded with treasures and replicas of all they would need in the afterlife. Frustrated by the pillage of earlier more visible tombs, they cut their tombs deep into the sandstone, away from the public view and separated from their mortuary temples. The famous tomb of the boy-king Tutankhamen was discovered here in 1922, with over 5 000 precious items inside. Although the mummy of the young king and his treasures now lie in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, visitors can still look inside the tomb itself and marvel at the wall-paintings and the stone sarcophagus in which King Tut's golden mummy-case was laid. The Valley of the Queens is where royal wives and royal princes were buried. There are at least 75 tombs in the Valley of the Queens. They belonged to queens of the 19th and 20th dynasties and other members of the royal families, including princesses and the Ramessid princes. The highlight of the Valley of the Queens is the Tomb of Queen Nefertari. Long praised as the most beautifully decorated of all the tombs on the West Bank of Luxor, this masterpiece of Egyptian art was restored by the Egyptian Antiquities Authority and the Getty Conservation institute in the USA. Specialists worked for 6 years to clean the paintings and re-affix them to the plaster walls from where they had been flaking, and today it is hardly conceivable that such vibrant colours have actually not been retouched since they were first laid thousands of years ago. Rising out of the desert plain, in a series of terraces, the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut merges with the sheer limestone cliffs of the eastern face of the Theban Mountain as if nature herself had built this extraordinary monument. The partly rock-cut, partly free-standing structure is one of the finest monuments of ancient Egypt, although its original appearance, surrounded by myrrh trees, garden beds and approached by a grand sphinx-lined causeway, must have been even more spectacular. The massive pair of statues known as the Colossi of Memnon is all that remain of the temple of the hedonistic Amenophis III. Rising about 18 metres from the surrounding plain, the enthroned, faceless statues of Amenophis have kept a lonely vigil on the changing landscape around them for centuries, surviving the rising floodwaters of the Nile which gradually destroyed the temple buildings behind them. The Temple of Luxor was built over several centuries by Amenhopis III, Tutankhamen, Ramses II and Alexander the Great. The temple is a graceful piece of architecture preceded by an avenue of sphinxes, containing impressive statuary of Ramses II, the Great Court of Ramses II, the colonnade and court of Amenophis III, the hypostyle hall and the temple of Amun.


THE CAIRO TO CAPE ITINERARY ● 04 FEBRUARY – 03 MARCH 2014 DAY 5 SATURDAY 8 FEBRUARY 08h00 12h30 19h30

Depart from Luxor by road to Aswan and visit Kom Ombo Temple en route. Board the Kasr Ibrim for your Lake Nassar cruise and enjoy lunch on board. Disembark after lunch and visit to Kalabsha temple, Beit El Wali and the Kiosk of Kertassi. Return to the ship for afternoon tea which is served in the lounge. Dinner & overnight on board. Kom Ombo Temple: Dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek, the temple stands at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank. Kalabsha Temple originally built at Kalabsha (Talmis) was moved to its present location at New Kalabsha (Chellal) in 1970, together with other monuments from Nubia, including the Kiosk of Qertassi (Kertassi). Reachable by taxi or by boat, depending on the water level, the sandstone edifice was built by the Roman Emperor Octavius Augustus (30 to 14 BC) and dedicated to the fertility and Nubian Solar deity known as Mandulis (Merwel who was the Nubian counterpart of Horus). It is the largest free-standing temple of Egyptian Nubia and the design of Kalabsha Temple is classical for the Ptolemaic period with pylons, courtyard, hypostyle hall and a three-room sanctuary. However, the Pylon is offset, which creates a trapezoid in the courtyard beyond. It was built on the site of an earlier structure built by Ptolemy IX as evidenced by a chapel. There is also a small chapel and gate on Elephantine Island from Kalabsha, and a gate built by Augustus which was given to the Agyptisches Museum in West Berlin. Nearby Beit el-Wali represents another of Ramesses II’s Nubian monuments dedicated principally to Amun, together with other gods. Carved from the sandstone hillside it is probably unique as the smallest of its gender. This temple was originally located in a remote area from any towns. It was built probably for show rather than public worship, and the conducting of temple services to small congregations and appears to have been only occasionally maintained, or minimally observed. Though the temple was altered during the Christian era the brightly painted reliefs in the inner part of the temple are well preserved. In fact, this temple is sometimes also referred to as "the house of the holy man", because it was also once used as a hermit's dwelling. The Kiosk of Kertassi lies to the south of the Kalabsha temple and was also moved with the temple of Kalabsha to its current location. The building of this kiosk goes back to the Greco-Roman era. Two Hathor-capped columns flank the entrance. The rest are an architrave with four columns; two connected with the other two with a crossbeam. The capitals of the columns contain fine carvings of date palms and grape vines. The monument is so romantic and inspiring. Maxime du Camp (1822-1894), a French author and photographer described the elegancy of the kiosk in his book The Nile, Egypt and Nubia in 1850: “On a conical hill which dominates the Nile and the desert, a small sanctuary of Hathor raises its elegant ruins. In these regions full with cyclopean constructions, one is surprised to find a spindly and delicate temple."

DAY 6 SUNDAY 9 FEBRUARY While sailing to Wadi El Seboua enjoy breakfast with a cocktail when passing the Tropic of

Cancer. Lunch, dinner and overnight on board. Wadi El Seboua was built by Setau, Viceroy of Kush (Nubia) in honour of Rames II in the latter part of his reign and is dedicated to Amun and Ra. The temple consists of the surviving sets of pylons and the rock cut part of the temple. The interior has many fine reliefs and there are 2 colossi of Ramses, one upright, one fallen. Two are believed to have been lost in the sands of time. The name Wadi el-Seboua means Valley of the Lions in Arabic, on account of the sphinxes guarding the temple.


THE CAIRO TO CAPE ITINERARY ● 04 FEBRUARY – 03 MARCH 2014 DAY 7 MONDAY 10 FEBRUARY Breakfast on board followed by a morning visit to Wadi El Seboua, the Temple of Dakka

and Temple of Maharraqa. Lunch on board while sailing to Amada. Visit the temples of Amada and Derr as well as the Tomb of Penout. Dinner and overnight on board. The Temple of Dakka was begun by the Meroitic king, Arkamani, in the 3rd century BC. The construction was continued by Egyptian kings of the Ptolemaic dynasty. It is dedicated to the god of wisdom, Thoth. There are two sanctuaries in the temple. It is quite similar the temple of Wadi El to Seboua, but lacks the front court of statues. Its pylon is in near perfect condition and at 12 metres high can be climbed. The temple was relocated from its original location 40 km further north. The Temple of Maharraqa was relocated 50 km as the waters of Lake Nasser began to rise in the 1960's. This small temple dates back to Greco-Roman times, and it assumed that it was dedicated to Serapis. The temple appears to have never been finished, is modest in size and lacks decoration it is still unique in one respect, having the only spiral staircase of any the Egyptian temple. The Amada Temple in Nubia, though small, nevertheless contains some important historical inscriptions and is also significant as the oldest of the Lake Nasser temples. This temple is located about 180 kilometres south of the High Dam, and was dedicated to the important New Kingdom gods, Amun-Re and Re-Horakhty. It was originally built on the orders of Tuthmosis III and his son, Amenhotep II during Egypt's New Kingdom 18th Dynasty. The Temple of Derr, like many others in Nubia, was dismantled in 1964 in order to save it from the waters of Lake Nasser. It was moved to a new location close to that of the temple of Amada from its original site on the Nile's east bank a few miles to the south. This is another example of Ramesses II’s rock hewn temples, built during about the 30th year of his reign to celebrate his Sed festival. This temple is similar in many respects to his other speos style monuments in Nubia, including Abu Simbel. The ancient Egyptians named it "Temple of Ramses-in-the-House-of-Re". Penout was a governor of Lower Nubia during the reign of Ramses IV (12th century BC). He was probably Nubian as in the Egyptian tradition people were buried in the land where they were born. The rock cut tomb is decorated with wall paintings depicting scenes of Penout’s life. Unfortunately many were damaged when peoples tried to steal some of these decorations.


THE CAIRO TO CAPE ITINERARY ● 04 FEBRUARY – 03 MARCH 2014 DAY 8 TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 16h00 17h10

Morning visit to the citadel of Kasr Ibrim. Tour conducted from ship’s deck as entrance to the site is not permitted. Arrive at Abu Simbel and disembark the Kasr Ibrim for a visit to the Abu Simbel temples. Depart Abu Simbel for 1 hour 40 minute flight to Khartoum, Sudan. Arrive in Khartoum and transfer to the Corinthia Hotel Khartoum for dinner and overnight. The area of Kasr Ibrim is located 235kms to the south of Aswan. The area is built on a high hillock overlooking the Nile opposite the Aniba village. In ancient Egypt the area was known as PER-MIT, which became PREMIS during the Greco-Roman times and then Ibrim during the Arab times. The area is full of monuments that date back many centuries, including tombs of the Nubian rulers who ruled during the New Kingdom times (Thutmosis III). The citadel played an important role throughout ancient Egyptian history and later. During the Christian area, a church was built and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The area has yielded many artefacts which are now on display in the Nubian museum. It is here in Abu Simbel that Ramses II, the most powerful and longest-ruling Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, ordered two temples to be carved from the limestone mountains at Abu Simbel, one for himself and the other for his wife Nefertari. In modern times the waters that would rise with the completion of the High Dam threatened the two temples of Abu Simbel. A campaign to save them was organized by UNESCO. The plan was to cut the temples into blocks, raise them piece-by-piece, and reassemble them in their new position on the banks of Lake Nasser, a massive undertaking that took two years to complete. PLEASE NOTE: ALCOHOL IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE SUDAN AND IS NOT SERVED OR SOLD ANYWHERE INCLUDING THE HOTELS. Personal baggage, including computers, is routinely searched on arrival to and departure from Sudan. The authorities will seize material deemed objectionable, such as alcohol or pornography, and may detain or arrest the traveller.

DAY 9


09h00 After breakfast enjoy a day tour to Naga and Musawwarat es-Sufra with lunch en route. Dinner & overnight at hotel. The sites of Naqa and Musawwarat es-Sufra, located in the Nile province of Sudan were the heartland of the Kush Kingdom from the 8th Century B.C to the 4th Century AD. Otherwise known as ‘The Island of Meroe’ because of its position at the confluence of Blue Nile, the White Nile and the Atbara River, Meroe, the principle Urban Centre of the rulers of the Meroitic civilization provides stunning examples of urban ruins, burial chambers and pyramids. The pyramidal field is also known as the most extensive in the world. There are many unsolved and unexplored aspects to the site including hieroglyphics which are as yet indecipherable, ancient water management systems and reservoirs (hafirs) and extensive evidence of early industrial activity such as iron working. In addition, there is evidence of the fusion of artistic and architectural influences from Greco-roman as well as Egyptian and African styles.


THE CAIRO TO CAPE ITINERARY ● 04 FEBRUARY – 03 MARCH 2014 DAY 10

THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY

07h30 11h30 13h30 19h30

Transfer to Khartoum Airport for your flight to Entebbe, Uganda. Arrive Entebbe and transfer to the Boat Harbour. Afternoon visit to Ngamba Island and its orphaned chimpanzees. A traditional picnic lunch will be provided. Dinner & overnight at the Lake Victoria Serena Resort. The Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is about a 1 hour speedboat ride from Entebbe, or alternatively about 1-2 hours by Ssese canoe. This 100 acre beautifully forested island provides a safe haven for over 30 orphaned chimps that are now free to roam their island thanks to project leaders Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) and other concerned organisations that raised funds for the project. It offers a unique opportunity for close viewing (restricted to 25 visitors) of chimpanzees in their natural environment. Pre-arranged supplementary feeding times (morning and afternoon) brings the chimpanzees to within metres of the raised walkway specially designed for easy viewing.

DAY 11

FRIDAY 14 FEBRUARY

08h00 19h30

After breakfast depart hotel for Jinja (short domestic flight from Entebbe). Visit to Jinja, the source of the Nile, and have lunch at the Jinja Nile Resort. Return to the Lake Victoria Serena Resort for dinner and overnight. With its source at Jinja, 80kms from Kampala, this mighty river flows from Lake Victoria on its great journey all the way through Sudan and Egypt to the Mediterranean. The Nile is the longest river in the world. The river has its sources in Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Burundi. It is recorded as starting with the Kyaka River in Burundi which flows into Lake Victoria. It is 6 671 km long and has a surface area of a total of 3 350 000 km² (5 times the size of France). The discharge is calculated to be 3, 1 million litres per second.

DAY 12 SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 08h00 09h00 19h30

After immigration and customs formalities we depart Entebbe airport for 1 hour 10 min flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Board vehicles for 2 ½ hour drive via Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Lodge. Afternoon at leisure to relax and enjoy the serene atmosphere on the coffee farm. Dinner and overnight at lodge. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located between the Serengeti and Lake Manyara. It is home to the famous volcanic Ngorongoro crater which is the largest unbroken caldera in the world. The crater (610 metres deep and 260 km squared) is a microcosm of East African scenery and game and is usually visited the way to the Serengeti from Arusha. Scenic grandeur and stunning views are the hallmark of this wonder of the world. All the lodges are built high on the crater rim and afford amazing views over and into the crater - the perfect setting for a well-deserved sun-downer.


THE CAIRO TO CAPE ITINERARY ● 04 FEBRUARY – 03 MARCH 2014 DAY 13 SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY 19h30

After breakfast enjoy a game drive excursion with a picnic lunch on the floor of the crater. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. There are 25 000 larger animals within the crater itself, mostly Zebra and wildebeest. However, this is undoubtedly the best place to see black rhino in Tanzania as well as prides of lion that include the magnificent black-maned males. There are lots of colourful flamingos and a variety of other water birds around the soda lake on the crater floor. More than 100 species of bird not found in the Serengeti have been found in the crater. Other game: leopard, cheetah, hyena, elephants, warthog, impala, buffalo, hartebeest, eland and lots of other members of the antelope family as well as smaller mammals of sorts.

DAY 14 MONDAY 17 FEBRUARY 07h30 12h00

After breakfast depart the lodge for Masek mobile tented camp in the Ndutu area. Arrive at the camp for lunch. Afternoon game drive followed by dinner and overnight in the camp. The Serengeti region encompasses the Serengeti National Park itself, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Maswa Game Reserve, the Loliondo, Grumeti and Ikorongo Controlled Areas and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Over 90 000 tourists visit the Park each year. Two World Heritage Sites and two Biosphere Reserves have been established within the 30 000-km² regions.

DAY 15 TUESDAY 18 FEBRUARY

Breakfast in camp. Morning & afternoon game drives in the Serengeti.

Lunch, dinner & overnight at the camp. There are 25 000 larger animals within the crater itself, mostly Zebra and wildebeest. However, this is undoubtedly the best place to see black rhino in Tanzania as well as prides of lion that include the magnificent black-maned males. There are lots of colourful flamingos and a variety of other water birds around the soda lake on the crater floor. More than 100 species of bird not found in the Serengeti have been found in the crater. Other game: leopard, cheetah, hyena, elephants, warthog, impala, buffalo, hartebeest, eland and lots of other members of the antelope family as well as smaller mammals of sorts.

DAY 16 WEDNESDAY 19 FEBRUARY 08h30 11h30 12h10 15h00

Transfer to airstrip for domestic flight to Kilimanjaro airport. Board aircraft for 1 hour flight to Zanzibar flying past Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Arrive Zanzibar and transfer to Zanzibar Serena Hotel for lunch. Afternoon tour of historical Stone Town. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. In the heart of the legendary Stone Town of Zanzibar stands the Zanzibar Serena Inn, a member of Small Luxury Hotels. Two historic seafront buildings have been masterfully restored to their original splendour to create this property. The 51 air-conditioned guest rooms have an en suite shower, hair dryer, television, a fully stocked mini bar, as well as direct dial telephone. The hotel offers a full service lounge and bar with one main restaurant, where the team of chefs create superb meals and, as with most coastal venues, seafood is a specialty and an absolute must on the menu. The Hotel also boasts a swimming pool, coffee shop, curio shop, and business centre. With Stone Town’s rich cultural heritage, the Serena is able to offer a variety of optional daytrips including round the island tours in native sailing dhows, scuba diving and snorkelling.


THE CAIRO TO CAPE ITINERARY ● 04 FEBRUARY – 03 MARCH 2014 DAY 17 THURSDAY 20 FEBRUARY 08h00 09h00

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Depart on a guided Island Spice tour followed by lunch and afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight in the hotel. Zanzibar, also known as the “Island of Spices”, evokes a romantic past embalmed in the aroma of cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and lemon grass. The tour winds through a profusion of greenery with an opportunity to smell and taste a variety of mouth-watering tropical seasonal fruits including jackfruit, pineapple, green coconut and many others. Also see the iodine plant, henna bush, ylang-ylang, the lipstick tree, cocoa and coffee trees. Visit the Kidichi Persian Baths built in 1850 by Seyyid Said Bin Sultan for his Persian wife, Princess Sheherezade, granddaughter of the Shah of Persia. Also included is a visit to the ruins of the Maruhubi Palace, built by the third Sultan of Zanzibar, Seyyid Barghash, for his 99 concubines. The tour starts at the main city market which was opened in 1904 and sells tropical fruits, vegetables, spices and fresh fish from the island. The next stop will be at the Anglican Church of Christ, which was built by Bishop Steere in 1873 on the site of the old slave market. Next to the church visit the slave chambers, tiny rooms in which the slaves were kept before being auctioned. From here continue to the Sultans Palace Museum and House of Wonders as well as the Old Fort. Continue to The Africa house, formerly an English Club, and come to Tippu Tip house, home of the notorious slave trader. Other sites include the Museum of Natural History and the Peach Memorial Museum. The tour ends with a walk through the narrow streets of the town discovering exotic bazaars, antique and curio shops. Return to the Serena Inn for dinner and overnight.

DAY 18


12h00 16h00 19h30

Transfer to Zanzibar airport for the 3 hour flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Arrive in the Victoria Falls. Transfer to the Victoria Falls Hotel for lunch. Please be ready in the hotel foyer for the bus to take you to the Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River. Please bring along warm clothing. Light snacks and drinks are included in your cruise. Lunch and dinner today, breakfast, lunch and dinner tomorrow and breakfast the following day are taken in either the Jungle Junction or the Livingstone Room. These meals are included in the overall journey price. All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages consumed off the Train are for your own account. Any meals taken in other venues are also for your own account. Dinner will be available at the buffet at the Jungle Junction or the Livingstone Room. Seating will be at tables reserved for Rovos Rail guests. The little station of Victoria Falls (913m) was first reached by railway in June 1904. Old colonial buildings, bougainvillea and palm trees against the backdrop of the Victoria Falls Hotel form a charming oasis of soft sweetness after the rugged dryness of the landscape. The Victoria Falls is one of Nature's great revelations on a par with the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest and an erupting volcano. It is believed that there have existed no less than seven different 'Victoria Falls' over the past two million years. These cascades correspond to the lower gorges of the Zambezi. The present falls is wearing from Devil's Cataract northwards, eroding the softer material behind the present basalt base of the falls. When eventually all the soft matter has been removed, the Victoria Falls will move back, a fresh gorge will yawn and where the falls are now will become a new site for tourists. Although just over a mile long (1.7km) the Falls are broken up by various small islands, including Livingstone Island. At their deepest, the Falls are 108ms deep at Rainbow Falls. Although the usual tour of the Victoria Falls National Park is recommended from the south or Zimbabwe-side of the Falls, the finest view along the gorge is to be had from the north side or Zambian-side.


THE CAIRO TO CAPE ITINERARY ● 04 FEBRUARY – 03 MARCH 2014 DAY 19 SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY Day at leisure in Victoria Falls. Optional activities available at the Victoria Falls include:

Tour of the Victoria Falls Park ‘ Flight of the Angels ’ (helicopter flight) Fixed Wing Aircraft White-water Rafting Bungi-Jumping Visit to Livingstone Museum (Zambia) Independent tour of both sides of the Falls Golf at the Elephant Hills Hotel Golf Course.

DAY 20 SUNDAY 23 FEBRUARY

09h00 10h00 13h00 19h30

Transfer to the Victoria Falls Station. Depart on Rovos Rail from Victoria Falls Station. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the midway Lounge car or Observation carriage at the rear of the train. Lunch is served in the dining car/s. After leaving Dete the train travels along one of the longest stretches of straight railway line in the world (114kms) - the stretch from Dete to Gwaai along the eastern edge of the Hwange National Park. Dinner is served as we pass Sawmills and bypass Bulawayo.

DAY 21

MONDAY 24 FEBRUARY

07h00 13h00 17h00 19h30

Breakfast is served in the dining car/s until 10h00. Lunch is served as the train heads towards the Zimbabwe border. Border formalities take place in Plumtree. Dinner is served in the dining car/s.

DAY 22 TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 13h00 17h00

Breakfast is served in the dining car/s until 10h00. Lunch is served in the dining car/s. Arrive at journey’s end, the gracious Rovos Rail station in Pretoria. Transfer to the Sheraton Hotel in Pretoria. Dinner and overnight. Rovos Rail has its private station situated in Capital Park in Pretoria. This was once the bustling hub of steam locomotion in the old Transvaal. Officially opened in 1943, Capital Park, with its locomotive sheds and marshalling yard played a vital roll in the rail network around Pretoria before falling into disuse. Now the home of Rovos Rail, it boasts a small railway museum in addition to its other comprehensive facilities and will, with the addition of semaphore signals and a footbridge, recreate the atmosphere of a fully-fledged railway system. The gracious colonial style railway station serves as the new departure or arrival point for all train journeys except the Garden Route

DAY 23


09h00 15h00 19h30

City tour of Pretoria followed by a light lunch and sightseeing walk of the Rovos depot. The Pride of Africa departs Rovos Rail’s Station in Capital Park. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the midway Lounge car or Observation carriage at the rear of the train. Dinner is served in the dining car/s.


THE CAIRO TO CAPE ITINERARY ● 04 FEBRUARY – 03 MARCH 2014 DAY 24 THURSDAY 27 FEBRUARY 07h00 09h30 09h45 12h30 13h00 19h30

Breakfast is served in the dining car/s until 09h45. Ten minutes before arriving in Kimberley there is a shallow lake on the right hand side facing forward. On most occasions there are spectacular flocks of Flamingos (approx. 23 000). Arrive in Kimberley. Guests disembark and proceed by coach for a tour of the city, the “Big Hole “and the Mine Museum. Depart Kimberley. Lunch is served in the dining car/s. Dinner will be served in the dining car/s. Kimberley is one of South Africa’s best-kept secrets. Somewhat off the beaten track, towards the arid northwest of the country, it does not receive the high volume of tourist traffic, which its history and commercial importance would presume. The story of Kimberley is the story of diamonds. The romantic associations of diamonds, De Beers, Cecil John Rhodes and the Cape-to-Cairo railway are all centred on Kimberley. Although diamonds had been discovered near Hopetown in 1867, it was the discovery of a diamond ‘pipe’ where the Big Hole now yawns, in 1871, which triggered the Diamond Rush. Kimberley’s first name was New Rush to distinguish it from the ‘old’ rush at Colesberg Kopje.

DAY 25


08h25 10h30 12h00 13h00 18h00

There is an opportunity to disembark the Train at Whitehill siding and walk or jog the 5 kilometres into Matjiesfontein. The Train Manager or a member of staff will accompany you. Comfortable walking or running shoes are essential. The train arrives at Matjiesfontein where you will have a chance to stroll through this historic settlement. Of special interest is the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages to the right of the Hotel. Breakfast will be served in the dining car/s between 07h00 and 10h00. We depart Matjiesfontein passing through Tweedside and Touws River. At 12h00 we reach the first of four tunnels which take us through the Hex River Pass. The second tunnel is 13.5kms/8.4miles long so please be careful if you are walking through the train. If you are in your suite you may wish to turn on a light. Lunch will be served as we pass through the Hex River Valley and the town of Worcester. Arrive at Platform 24 Cape Town Station where our train journey ends. Transfer to the Cape Grace Hotel on the V & A Waterfront. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. The Karoo, being both high and exceptionally dry, offered solace to Victorian sufferers of Tuberculosis (Consumption). An official of the Cape Government Railways, James Logan, arrived in Matjiesfontein in 1890 to recuperate from chest complaints. He found his transfer to the Karoo so beneficial he decided to settle in the area. He bought a farm, named it Tweedside, planted trees and wheat, built a fine house, sank boreholes and gradually acquired considerable land holdings. Major Buist, a descendant of Logan’s, still lives here. The Laird Logan set up a small refreshment hotel for the hungry and thirsty travellers of the Cape Government Railways (CGR). Cape Town, internationally known for the majestic beauty of Table Mountain, is the ‘Mother City ‘of South Africa being the site of the first European landings and settlement in Southern Africa. The subtle interplay of sea and mountain, which characterises the Cape of Good Hope, moved intrepid explorer Sir Francis Drake to call it ‘the fairest Cape in all the circumferences of the globe.’ It is here, beneath the 1 000 metre high sandstone face of Table Mountain, that Jan van Riebeeck dropped anchor on 6 April 1652. He established a refreshment station for the Dutch East India Company to replenish the ships en-route to and from the spice islands of the East Indies (Indonesia and Malaya). Before Van Riebeeck landed others had long lived in the blue shadow of the mountain. They were the Khoikoi pastoralists with flocks of fat-tailed sheep and the San Hunters who lived off game animals. These ancient remains of Mankind’s Stone Age childhood were innocent onlookers who by 1713 had been all but decimated by the Great Smallpox Epidemic. After 1702 black tribes were encountered for the first time about 700kms east of Cape Town around the Great Fish River, by eastward migrating white farmers - a meeting of two divergent cultures the consequences of which are still unfolding today.


THE CAIRO TO CAPE ITINERARY ● 04 FEBRUARY – 03 MARCH 2014 DAY 26 SATURDAY 01 MARCH 09h00 19h30

Depart for Groot Constantia for wine tasting and a visit to Table Mountain (weather permitting). Enjoy lunch en route. Dinner at Baia and overnight at Cape Grace Hotel. The main feature of Table Mountain is a level plateau approximately 3 kilometres from side to side, surrounded by steep cliffs. The plateau is flanked by Devil's Peak to the east and by Lion's Head to the west and forms a dramatic backdrop to Cape Town and Table Bay harbour, and together with Signal Hill form the natural amphitheatre of the City Bowl. The highest point on Table Mountain is towards the eastern end of the plateau and is marked by Maclear's Beacon, and is marked by a stone cairn built in 1865 by Sir Thomas Maclear for his trigonometrical survey. It is 1 086 metres above sea level, about 19 metres higher than the cable station at the western end of the plateau. The Cableway was first built almost 79 years ago. On 4 October 1929 the Cableway opened its doors to its first visitors. To date the Cableway has transported more than 18 million passengers to the summit.

DAY 27 SUNDAY 02 MARCH 08h30 Depart for full a day tour of the Cape Peninsula. Visit Rhodes Memorial and the world

famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens during the morning. The tour then heads for False Bay and the African Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach. Enjoy lunch at an excellent seafood restaurant, The Black Marlin, after which the tour enters the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve (8 500 ha). Seven species of antelope including the Eland, Bontebok and Cape Mountain Zebra are to be found here. Travel down to Cape Point, the most South Westerly point of Africa (18 degrees east latitude and 34 degrees south longitude). In the late afternoon return via the Ou Kaapse Weg, a most scenic route, and then along the Atlantic Seaboard back to the City. Dinner and overnight at the Cape Grace Hotel.

DAY 28 MONDAY 03 MARCH

After breakfast transfer to Cape Town International Airport for flight home.

Please note that we reserve the right to change the tour to other properties if required. Every effort will be made however to retain the itinerary as printed. Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed Updated 16 Sept 2012 – please check with Alicia Taljaard for updates/itinerary changes [email protected] or tel: +27 – 12 – 315 8534

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CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA THE CAPE GRACE HOTEL West Quay Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront Waterfront 8002 Cape Town South Africa Tel: (+27 – 21) 410 7100 Fax: (+27 – 21) 419 7622 Email: [email protected] Website: www.capegrace.com

General Description With a classically inspired exterior and graceful elegance within, the Cape Grace offers the ultimate experience for discerning travellers. Set on its own private quay on Cape Town’s vibrant Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, the hotel is a destination in itself. Cape Grace’s charm lies in its intimate atmosphere, stylish décor and personalised hospitality. You will find the staff warm and flexible with a spirit of unrivalled generosity. Cape Grace is centrally located with quick and easy access to the airport, city centre and popular tourist destinations Service & amenities The Cape Grace offers a variety of superior services and facilities for both leisure and business guests. Experience the award winning contemporary cuisine at ‘Signal’ where mouth-watering flavour combinations and inspired wine pairings entice all who dine there. By day Café Bascule is a lively coffee destination and by night, Bascule Bar is the perfect place to ease into the evening, whisky in hand. Excellent in house conferencing and communication facilities ensure that business matters run smoothly and efficiently. And for sheer indulgence, African-inspired treatments relax and rejuvenate at the top floor Spa. Services include: Multilingual Guest Liaison/Travel Desk and Information Service 24-hour Room Service Gym facilities include: - In room gym equipment on request - Heated outdoor swimming pool - Complimentary transfers and access to the nearby Virgin Active health club which includes a 25m indoor heated swimming pool, squash courts, tennis courts and a wide variety of aerobics classes Laundry, dry-cleaning and valet services Complimentary daily Cape history presentation and wine tasting Gift Shop Rooms Each of the 122 guestrooms and suites features a carefully chosen selection of fine furniture; luxurious fabrics and attention to detail that create an immediate sense of place. Double-glazed French doors open to scenic views of the international yacht marina, Table Mountain or the buzzing Waterfront harbour. All rooms include a thoughtful variety of delightful details designed to make guests feel at home. From fragrant fresh flower arrangements to the tasty in-room deli snacks and scented bath and body products. Elegantly styled and generously proportioned, each of our guestrooms is a warm and inviting space in which to relax and enjoy your stay in Cape Town. Standard features of the luxury rooms include fresh flowers, Charlotte Rhys bath and body products, Velour robes and slippers, fully stocked mini bar and mini deli snacks, complimentary tea and coffee tray with morning fresh milk delivery, select satellite TV channels and radio stations, international plug points, fax / modem line and high speed internet access, private room safe, separate bath, shower and toilet as well as an iron and ironing board.

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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA ROVOS RAIL Paul Kruger Street North Capital Park Station Pretoria Tel: (+27 – 12) 315 8242 Fax: (+27 – 12) 323 0843 Email:[email protected] Website: www.rovos.com

General Description 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 - classics remodelled and refurbished to mint condition - 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 trains - which may be hauled by steam, diesel or electric locomotives at various stages of the journey - carry a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites. Pride of place in the Rovos stable goes to the historic and newly rebuilt Capital Park Station and locomotive yard, which is the heart and new headquarters of this private railway company. Service & amenities An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for overseeing the very important task of ensuring guests every need is catered for, while considerable thought and meticulous planning goes into making up the menus. Unlike many of the great trains of the world, travellers are on board the trains for several days at a time, requiring a much wider selection of meals. There's an accent on fresh local ingredients, and traditional dishes such as game are a specialty. Every morning there's a full breakfast with dishes cooked to order. A selection of cold meats, croissants, pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurts, cereals and preserves make up a tempting breakfast buffet. For lunch and dinner there is a starter and a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian dishes, followed by a tempting dessert and are complemented by a selection of excellent South African wines. All meals are served in one sitting only in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the Dining Cars. Many of the passengers aboard the Pride of Africa enjoy the formality of fine china, crisp linen and silver, and dress accordingly. During the day dress is more casual, with cool, comfortable clothes and hats recommended for the excursions, especially in the game reserves where it can be very hot. The Observation Car seats 32 passengers and is positioned at the rear of the train. At the centre of the train we have, when numbers dictate, a non-smoking Lounge Car, which seats 26 passengers in comfort. A new Club Lounge has been added for guests who wish to enjoy a cigar. In maintaining the spirit of travel of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets onboard. Additional facilities include limited laundry service as well as an on-board souvenir shop. Rooms 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 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 plugs. The Deluxe suites (11 sq metres/118 sq feet) also accommodate two passengers in either twin or double beds and have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower. Available on request are the Royal Suites, each of which take up half a carriage, are spacious and elegant, measuring 16 sq metres in size (172 sq ft). Each has its own private lounge area and full bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower.

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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA THE SHERATON HOTEL & TOWERS, PRETORIA 643 Corners of Church and Wessels Streets Pretoria 0007 South Africa Tel: (+27 – 12) 429 9999 Fax: (+27 – 12) 429 9300 Website: www.sheratonpretoria.com

General Description Welcome to the Sheraton Pretoria Hotel, situated within the heart of South Africa's dazzling capital city. With sweeping views that command all of Pretoria, exquisite marble flooring, and custom-designed furnishings, our hotel exemplifies beauty and service excellence in the Jacaranda City. Step out of our doors and into a world of authentic South African culture, art, architecture, and design. We are mere steps away from the Union Buildings and its magnificent gardens. Perfectly situated within the core of this beautiful city, our hotel is within the immediate vicinity of more than 100 embassies, the SA Reserve Bank, and most government ministries, not to mention a host of tourist hot spots. Engage with our local people and share in their way of life, their customs, and their remarkable traditions. Service & amenities As part of our unconditional commitment to service excellence, we offer such great services as wireless Internet access, 24-hour room service, a gymnasium, meeting facilities, and a transport and safari desk. We also add an extra touch of convenience to your stay with our chauffeur driving service, foreign exchange service, travel agency, secured underground parking, in-house gift shop, and superb banqueting facilities. A business centre is at the guest’s disposal as well as a heated outdoor pool. Rooms The 175 standard guest rooms, all fully air conditioned, have features such as alarm clock, cable channels & radio, writing desk, mini bar, in room safe, telephone. Non smoking rooms are available on request.

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VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL 2 Mallet Drive Victoria Falls Zimbabwe Tel: (+263 – 13) 44751 Fax: (+263 – 13) 44762 Email: [email protected] Website: www.victoriafallshotel.com

General Description For almost 100 years, visiting members of Royal families, international and local statesmen, and celebrities worldwide, have preferred to stay at The Victoria Falls Hotel, where they are assured of privacy and care. An atmosphere steeped in history, combining the charm of the old with the comfort and convenience of today. It is one hotel that can truly claim to be unique. Established in 1904, The Victoria Falls Hotel is set in The Victoria Falls National Park with a private path to the Victoria Falls. The elegant lounges offer serenity and seclusion. The corridors reflect all the past glories of the Empire and the suites and rooms are superbly furnished in Edwardian-style. The Courtyard entrance to the hotel overlooks lily ponds, lush flowering shrubs and palm trees. Service & amenities Traditional high tea is served every afternoon on the Terrace, with spectacular views of the Victoria Falls Bridge down the Batoka Gorge with the spray rising from The Falls. Guests can also enjoy one of the hotel's famous Livingstone cocktails or a gin and tonic whilst listening to the mighty roar of the Falls. To cool off, guests can enjoy the splendour of the glorious Edwardian swimming pool set among beautiful landscaped gardens, overlooking the famous Victoria Falls Bridge with panoramic views. There are two all-weather, floodlit tennis courts on site. A full range of other sports is available nearby, including an 18-hole, championship golf course at Elephant Hills Intercontinental (5 minutes drive from The Victoria Falls Hotel), Casino located at the Kingdom Hotel (5 minutes walk from The Victoria Falls Hotel); white water rafting; bungee jumping; canoeing; micro-lighting; game walks and drives; elephant back safaris; helicopter flights over the Falls and cruises on the Zambezi. Further facilities include same day laundry service, disabled accommodation, hair salon, beauty therapist offering massage and a variety of other pampering beauty treatments, doctor on call, library and reading rooms, foreign exchange facilities, business centre for photocopying/facsimile and telex, E-Lounge for access to the Internet, 2 Curio Shops - one specialising in colonial memorabilia The courtyard entrance to the hotel was completed in 1915 and is magnificently reflected in the lily ponds. Picturesque, with flowering shrubs, bright cottage flowers, palms and stately mango trees, the courtyard has many tranquil and shady places in which to relax. Rooms Standard twin or double rooms. The rooms are decorated in a manner that recaptures the comfortable charm of a bygone age, with colonial prints, four-poster and canopied beds, antique furniture and well-chosen artefacts. Modern facilities and amenities mingle well with the old-fashioned ambience, including such 21st century travellers' necessities as personal safes, mini-bars, bathrobes, digital satellite television and even umbrellas for the convenience of guests visiting the Rain Forest surrounding the Falls. Furthermore, complimentary early morning tea / coffee are available additionally to 24 hour room service.

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TANZANIA, ZANZIBAR ZANZIBAR SERENA INN HOTEL PO Box 4151 Zanzibar Tel: (+255 – 24 - 2) 233 587 Fax: (+255 – 24 - 2) 233 018 Email: [email protected] Website: www.serenahotels.com

General Description Idyllically situated on the sea front of ancient Stone Town, washed by the aquamarine waters of the Zanzibar channel, redolent of the scent of cloves and flanked by an exotic mélange of sultan’s palaces, Portuguese forts, ancient dhow harbours, dark slave markets, and bright bazaars, the Zanzibar Serena Inn is a haven of tranquillity and opulence amongst the bustle of Zanzibar. Faithfully restored and lavishly embellished with a jackdaw collection of antique clocks, crystal chandeliers, fretwork screens, carved staircases, Persian rugs and brass-studded doors, the interior design concept is a fusion of authenticity and opulence that reflects the very essence of Zanzibar. Service & amenities Luxury swimming pool and sun-deck; Extensively stocked Boutique, Gift shop and News Stand; Internet connectivity, secretarial services and a wide range of board games plus a full library of books on Africa; Express check in and out, porter and concierge services and 24-hour Forex facilities. The hotel is within walking distance to Stone Town and sights of interest. Constructed so that the waves lap to within inches of its open windows and the lateen-sailed dhows pass within metres of its tables, the Baharia Restaurant features lazily whirring fans, a jewel-glass atrium, mangrove-pole ceiling, fretwork screens, Omani carvings, Persian rugs and bright Swahili artefacts. Rooms 51 Standard twin/double rooms. Each room is cool, white and constructed to the traditional design of a Swahili house, which is dependant upon the length of the mangrove poles that make up its ceilings. Adorned with arched niches, antique plates and brass lamps and featuring traditionally carved furniture, cool-ceramics, intricate fretwork, draped beds and louver doors giving onto wrought-iron balconies overlooking the Persian-bath pool and azure bay beyond, each room reflects a blend of essential Zanzibar and world-class elegance. All rooms are air-conditioned and include a private balcony as well as satellite TV, mosquito nets, mini-bar, in-room safe, telephone, bathroom with tub/shower, hair-dryer, full housekeeping services (concierge and porter services, laundry, valet, 24-hour room service, babysitting on request, children’s menus and dining options and shoeshine) plus full medical back-up.

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TANZANIA, SERENGETI LUXURY MOBILE CAMP Nduti area – Serengeti Tel: (+255-787) 221 711

General Description This semi luxury mobile camp offers guests an unsurpassed Tanzanian wildlife experience with a touch of simple adventure. Travellers enjoy a Hemingway- style full service tented safari, which makes use of a private campsite in the Nduti area where the famous animal migration historically occurs. Service & amenities & tents information Large canvas tents with en suite flush toilet and bucket showers. Separate furnished dining tent with an in-house bar. On arrival in the camp guests are greeted by waiters with a welcome drink and depending on the weather hot or icy cool towels to wipe away the dust. Wine and cold beers await you at the dining tent or campfire. Excellent pre dinner snacks are served before dinner. Hot showers are available after informing the tent steward. Delicious meals are served in the dining tent. Clients can enjoy the sense of security and comfort of insect proof large walk in canvas safari tents, wooden beds (King size available on request) with mattresses, crisp cotton sheets and warm wool blankets

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ENTEBBE, UGANDA LAKE VICTORIA SERENA RESORT Lweza-Kigo Road Off Entebbe Road, Kampala, Uganda Tel: (+256) 417121000 Fax: (+256) 417121550 www.serenahotels.com/serenalakevictoria/default-en.html

General Description Styled to replicate the lines of a classically rustic Roman villa, which might just as easily stand amid the sunflowers of the Tuscan Hills, as on the shores of Africa's largest lake, Lake Victoria Serena Resort is the latest addition to the Serena East Africa Portfolio. Opened in October 2009, it will be complemented by the addition of a golf course, marina and luxury residential complex in 2010. Rising above white-terraced rose gardens, which descend through water cascades and fountains almost to the shores of Lake Victoria, this tranquil resort has been positioned so as to offer both a contrast and an extension to the 5-star profile of the flagship Kampala Serena Hotel, thus ensuring that the Serena portfolio embraces all aspects of Uganda's social and corporate life. A gracious terracotta and cream palace, the central citadel is encircled by broad café and cocktail terraces, where cushioned sofas invite relaxation. Above the marble reception, where a Roman fountain plays, white-arched galleries rise to a clear glass atrium, through which shafts of light illuminate the fountained courtyard below. Beyond the mosaic frescoes of the main restaurant, a clock tower rises above the pool-deck where colonnades of white arches offer the perfect frame for the hazy blue of the lake and the encircling green of the Lweza Hills. Widely spaced amongst the rose gardens, clusters of pastel-painted villas offer a choice of rooms and suites, all with panoramic lake views. Services & amenities Wide selection of rooms and suites: all with AC, satellite TV, WiFi and voice-mail The Citadel, all-day brasserie The Kigo, cocktail bar The Lake View Pool Terrace bar and café Panoramic terraces for private cocktails and social events The Maisha Mind Body and Spirit Spa Dedicated conference and social events floor VIP entrance, helipad, dedicated car park, full security Wide range of incentives options. Business Centre, travel desk, taxi and limousine service. Wedding planning service Gift Shop, news-stand and travel requisites kiosk.

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KHARTOUM CORINTHIA HOTEL KHARTOUM Nile Road Khartoum Sudan Tel: +249 – (0)187 - 155 555 Fax: +249 – (0) 187 – 555 666 Email: [email protected] Website: www.corinthia.com/en/Khartoum/home/

Welcome A sleek architectural masterpiece of steel and glass, the Corinthia Hotel Khartoum redefines the business hotel category, seamlessly combining form with function, high technology with unparalleled luxury and elegance with efficiency. Burj Al-Fateh complex sits on the meeting point of the Blue & White Nile River, and is in the centre of Khartoum’s commercial, business, and administrative districts. It stands as a highly visible statement of the country’s growing economic success. Set among landscaped gardens, ornamental mini-lakes and fountains, the Corinthia Hotel Khartoum is the ideal environment for the discerning corporate traveller. Yet, with its stunning architecture, stylish accommodation and thoughtful innovation, the hotel's appeal reaches far beyond the business world. Service & Amenities Offering the highest levels of personalized service in the most luxurious surroundings imaginable, our professionally trained team members will ensure that every little need is met. Designed to provide maximum comfort, complimented with excellent service levels to ensure your trip is restful, relaxed, and successful. When its time to wind down, nowhere instils a feeling of luxury, pampering and well-being better than the breathtakingly beautiful Sabratha Fitness Centre. Full facilities including gym & fitness, Moroccan Hamm am, massage rooms, hairdressers, squash courts, tennis courts, indoor pool and Jacuzzi, and of course the sauna rooms. Shopping The Commercial Complex is a shopping destination with three floors of high-end shopping fused with the trendiest of eateries. With more than 40 premium retail offerings and a food court, the Commercial Complex, located ideally adjacent to the Hotel building. At The Commercial Complex, you'll discover an unbeatable mix of department and specialty stores. Rooms All 230 rooms and suites offer panoramic views of Khartoum and the Nile River, the latest automation systems and sophisticated business facilities to meet the needs of today’s traveller. The uniquely shaped Executive Rooms feature a new interior with warm, modern and sleek furnishings appealing to contemporary trends along with in-room entertainment comprising of 32-inch LCD television screens. Be it an official business trip or a short holiday, Burj Al-Fateh Hotel offers a choice of rooms and suites to suit every style.

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LAKE NASSER, EGYPT M.S. KASR IBRIM Belle Epoque Travel Bureau 17, Tunis Street New Maadi Cairo Egypt Tel: (+20 – 2) 516 9649 Fax: (+ 20 – 2) 516 9646 Email: Email: [email protected] Website: www.kasribrim.com.eg

General Description The M.S. Kasr Ibrim was named after the ancient citadel on Lake Nasser, the only Nubian monument that still exists in its original location. The Kasr Ibrim citadel, standing on a high bluff overlooking the river valley, was adapted to suit the needs of its diverse occupants throughout the ages. Likewise, the M.S. Kasr Ibrim provides an epic setting for international travellers, while commemorating the citadel as an enduring link with Egypt's distant past. The Kasr Ibrim’s interiors blend whimsical art deco motifs with modern elegance and comfort. Relax in the ship's spacious lounge areas, its restaurant or bars. On deck you will find a shaded area, a mosaic-lined swimming pool and deckchairs to make the most of Lake Nasser’s glorious scenery. Kasr Ibrim's facilities also include a sauna, steam bath, exercise equipment, state-of-the-art water filtration systems, and is fully air-conditioned. Service is thoughtful and friendly; the cuisine is superb. Each day we anchor beside one of Lake Nasser's historic sites, where a launch will take you ashore to explore. Cabins M.S. Kasr Ibrim was launched in September 1997. The ship is 79 meters long, with just 55 cabins and 10 luxurious suites. The ship’s fifty-five spacious cabins measure 22.75m², each with an en-suite bathroom (bath, shower, washbasin, w.c. and hairdryer). There are seven 29m² junior suites; two 59m² Royal suites and one 140m² Imperial suite (all ten suites have bathrooms with Jacuzzi, shower, washbasin, w.c. and hairdryer).

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LUXOR, EGYPT HILTON LUXOR RESORT & SPA PO Box 13 New Karnak Egypt Tel: (+20 – 95) 237 4933 Fax: (+20 – 95) 237 6571 Website: www.hiltonworldresorts.com

General Description Luxor's most contemporary and luxurious spa resort has majestic views of the sacred river and experiences to enchant the most demanding of Pharaohs. You'll enjoy the warmest of welcomes and attentive, smiling service at this modern sanctuary, the ideal base from which to explore the area's fascinating history Facilities

Infinity pool over the Nile Thermal gardens Plunge pools Infrared cabin Vantage point views of The Valley of the Kings Ballroom for spectacular events World-class spa Nile-side treatment pavilions Spa Suites Riverfront gym with floor-to-ceiling windows Dieticians and personal trainers Beauty and hair salons

Rooms Our 236 rooms, including 24 deluxe rooms, 5 suites and 5 spa suites, are superbly appointed - the majority have private balconies with breathtaking views of the Nile and its Western Bank. Return to the tranquillity of your air-conditioned room each evening to continue your experience of blissful relaxation. Your destination is brought to life through modern, colonial-style interiors accented with authentic local details. Polished woods and rich fabrics set a reassuring standard of quality, with every contemporary comfort you'd expect from a world-class resort. Enjoy state-of-the-art A/C, high definition LCD TVs with satellite channels, DVD and radio with MP3 connection and marble bathrooms with walk-in showers. The Spa Ancient Egyptians believed you entered heaven only if your heart weighed less than a feather. Entering our heavenly Nayara Spa feels just as exclusive but infinitely easier. The Nayara Spa experience is a blend of ancient Egyptian beauty rituals and state-of-the-art spa science, designed to pamper you until you're floating on air with your mind, body and soul beautifully rebalanced. Through our holistic philosophy based on the 5 senses - touch, sight, hearing, taste and smell - we provide an exceptional and sustainable feeling of well-being. The name 'Nayara' is of Arabic origin and, loosely translated, means "Shining from Within - Inner Beauty - Wisdom", so surrender to the magical touch of our therapists while they reveal your inner god or goddess.

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EGYPT, CAIRO FOUR SEASONS HOTEL AT THE FIRST RESIDENCE 35 Giza Street Giza Cairo Egypt 12311 Tel: (+20 – 2) 573 1212 Fax: (+20 – 2) 568 1616 Website: www.fourseasons.com

General Description Welcome to Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence. A gracious sanctuary of Four Seasons hospitality and service, with impressive views of the Great Pyramids over the old-growth canopy of Cairo’s ancient Zoological and Botanical Gardens. The Hotel is at the centre of the First Residence apartments and shops on the west bank of the Nile. Services & amenities - Complimentary overnight shoeshine - Gift shop - Non smoking rooms - 100% Cotton oversized bath towels - CD Player in room - Fitness facilities & Pool & Sauna / Steam rooms / Spa services - Business centre Rooms Within a 20-storey tower, Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence offers 269 guest rooms, including 43 suites. Among the most spacious in the city, the comfortable accommodations take full advantage of the setting, overlooking a range of lovely vistas from the pyramids and the Nile to the pool, the Botanical Gardens and captivating city views. The soothing interiors feature soft gold, red and green tones and gilded, empire-style furnishings. Advanced in-room technology includes wired or wireless Internet access, dual-line telephones with voice mail and satellite television. Signature Four Seasons marble bathrooms include a deep soaking tub, large granite-topped vanity and separate glass-enclosed shower. The Spa The ancient Egyptians spent many hours pampering their bodies with oils and creams. Both men and women prized perfumes and cosmetics as a way of restoring vitality and good health. At the Spa and Wellness Centre, we have created a private space with your own personal sauna, whirlpool and shower. Enjoy the Nile view and experience the glamour of the pharaonic era with a massage using relaxing oils to ease away the stresses of the day. Discover the ultimate experience at the Spa and Wellness Centre. Egyptian philosophy regards beauty as a holistic concept, embracing both the inner and outer self. The Spa and Wellness Centre cares for the whole person, bringing together the physical and spiritual senses to promote a feeling of total health.

The above information was updated 16 September 2012 correct at time of printing. Our choice of hotels may change due to unforeseen circumstances. For updates please keep in touch with Alicia Taljaard at Rovos Rail Tel: +27 – 12 – 315 8534 or email: [email protected]

C A P E T O C A I R O R E A D I N G L I S T 2 0 1 4

Cape to Cairo by Kingsley Holgate First published in 2002 by Struik Publishers (a division of New Holland Publishing) ISBN 1 86872 694 0 The Cape to Cairo Railway & River Routes First published in Great Britain 2003 by Genta Publications ISBN 0 9544847 03 Dark Star Safaris by Paul Theroux Published by Penguin Books 2003 ISBN 0 140 281118 Out of Africa by Karen Blixen Published by Penguin Books ISBN 0 14 028261 0 National Geographic African Adventure Atlas ISBN 1 56695173 9 The Lunatic Express by Charles Miller Published by Macmillan Publishing Company (Jan 1971) EAN: 9780141391366 ISBN – 10: 0025849409 ISBN – 13: 978 – 0025849402 The Scramble for Africa by Thomas Pakenham Published by Avon Books (Dec 1992) ISBN – 10: 0380719991 ISBN – 13: 978-0380719990 Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie Published by Avon Books (Dec 1992) – but there are other publishers as well EAN: 9780007119325 ISBN – 10: 0380719991 ISBN – 13: 978-0380719990 The Covenant by James A. Michener Published by Mandarin (but various others I think as well) ISBN -10: 0749311614 ISBN – 13: 978-0749311612 Beyond the Miracle by Allister Sparks Published by University of Chicago Press (New Ed Edition out in Nov 07) ISBN – 10: 0226768597 ISBN – 13: 978-0226768595 The Triumph of the Sun by Wilbur Smith Published May 2006 / Courtney Series ISBN: 0641770901 Researched and written by: NICHOLAS SCHOFIELD ● THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - SPECIALISTS IN HISTORY TOURS OF AFRICA, P O Box 594, Irene 0062, Pretoria, South Africa Tel: (+ 27 – 12) 667 2833 ● E-mail: [email protected]

Updated 16 September 2012

Cape to Cairo Countries at a Glance updated 16 Sep 2012 Rovos Rail

S O U T H A F R I C A A T A G L A N C E

Capital Cities Pretoria (Administrative), Bloemfontein (Justice), Cape Town (Legislative) Climate In Johannesburg, the country's commercial capital, the weather is mild all year round, but can get cold at night. Durban, the biggest port, is hot and sometimes humid, a beach paradise. And in Cape Town, where travellers flock to admire one of the world's most spectacular settings, the weather is usually warm, though temperamental. The Cape has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and warm wet winters. The rest of the country has dry cool to cold winters with warm to hot summers with rain. If you're visiting from the northern hemisphere, just remember: when it's winter over there, it's summer over here and remember to bring sunglasses and sunscreen. Currency The currency of South Africa is the South African Rand and is divided up into 100 Cents. Money can be changed at the airport or most banks and hotels. Private exchange offices are also available throughout South Africa and you can also use your credit card to draw cash at most ATM’s. Please do not exchange currency with unauthorized dealers as it is forbidden by law. General Points of Interest Covered on the Journey

Cape Town Matjiesfontein Kimberley Pretoria

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

The Lord Milner Hotel The Big Hole The Union Buildings

Table Mountain & Rhodes Memorial

The Platform Museum The Diamond Mine Museum

The Voortrekker Monument

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Historic Cars and Railway Carriages

Cape of Good Hope & Groot Constantia

Language There are 11 officially recognised languages, most of them indigenous to South Africa. Around 40% of the population speak either isiZulu or isiXhosa. English is the language of the cities, of commerce and banking, of government, of road signs and official documents. Road signs and official forms are in English. The President makes his speeches in English. At any hotel, the receptionists, waiters and porters will speak English. Another major language is Afrikaans, a derivative of Dutch, which northern Europeans will find surprisingly easy to follow. Useful information South Africa is a big country which straddles 1.2-million square kilometres, as big as several European countries put together. To an American, maybe not - it's an eighth the size of the US. Still, it's more than a day's drive down the highway from Johannesburg in the north to Cape Town in the south (if you're driving sensibly), with the topography ranging across the spectrum from lush green valleys to semi-desert. There's more to Africa than lions. Johannesburg, a city of skyscrapers, sprawls wider than London or New York. The lights work, the water flows, there are multi-lane highways and - unfortunately - traffic jams. You can book into a Hilton or a Hyatt or a Holiday Inn and eat at cosmopolitan restaurants serving anything from sushi to burgers to crocodile steaks. Or you can lie back on a couch and choose from five analogue channels and over 50 digital TV channels. Useful phrases A robot is a traffic light, a bakkie is a pick-up truck and takkies are sneakers. A braai is barbeque and is lekker (very good). A bonsella is a gift, tip or bribe and Eish is used to express surprise, wonder, frustration or outrage. You may be offered a cup of Rooibos (Afrikaans for red bush, this popular South African tea made from the Cyclopia genistoides bush is gaining worldwide popularity for its health benefits). There are many, many more as South Africans tend to roll off sentences combining words from two or more of the eleven official languages!


Z I M B A B W E A T A G L A N C E

Capital City Harare Climate Although located in the tropics, temperate conditions prevail all year, as the climate is moderated by altitude and the inland position of the country. The hot and dry season is from August to October, and the rainy season from November to March. The best months to visit are April to May and August to September. Night-time temperatures can fall below freezing. There are three distinct seasons in the Victoria Falls area. November / December to April is warm and wet, with high humidity. Annual rains start in the middle of November but it is only in January that the headwaters hit Victoria Falls and the water levels climb. The peak of the annual flood usually hits the Falls around Easter time. Currency The currency of Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwe Dollar (ZWD). One Zimbabwe Dollar is divided into 100 cents. No credit cards should be used in Zimbabwe and all payments should be made in LOW denomination US Dollar notes. General Points of Interest Covered on the Journey ● Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls Language The official language is English and is widely spoken. The Shona and Ndebele dialects are the predominant indigenous languages. Useful information The quaint town of the Victoria Falls is just ten minutes from the Falls, and on the outskirts of the game-rich Zambezi National Park. It is a bustling hive of activity, with all the amenities necessary to act as a base for exploring the region. The markets sell soapstone and wooden carvings, woven baskets and brightly coloured cloth. When viewing the Falls, the use of an umbrella or raincoat is highly recommended! Other activities available are bungee jumping, flights over the Falls, white water rafting, sun-downer cruises, game viewing and elephant back safaris.


T A N Z A N I A & Z A N Z I B A R A T A G L A N C E

Capital City Located in the heartland of Tanzania, Dodoma is the new capital city. Zanzibar City with its famous Stone Town is the capital of Zanzibar. Climate The climate of Tanzania varies quite a bit, considering that its environment includes both the highest and the lowest points on the continent. While the narrow lowland coastal region is consistently hot and humid, the central regions of Tanzania are sufficiently elevated so as to offer much cooler temperatures with the Serengeti usually warm and dry. The weather in the Ngorongoro Crater is generally moderate; however it can be very cold between June and August whereas the weather from October to December is wonderful. The rainy seasons extend from November to early January and from March to May. In Zanzibar the heat of summer is seasonally often cooled by windy conditions, resulting in pleasant sea breezes, particularly on the North and East coasts. Being near to the equator, the islands are warm all year round, but officially, summer and winter peak in December and June respectively. Currency The Tanzanian shilling, denoted by TZS, is the official currency of Tanzania. The currency, which is divided into 100 cents, is also complemented by widespread use of the United States Dollar. Ideally USD in cash and small denominations is recommended. Credit cards are not widely accepted in Tanzania and there are not many ATM facilities. General Points of Interest Covered on the Journey Tanzania ● Dar es Salaam ● Ngorongoro Crater ● Serengeti Game Reserve Zanzibar ● Zanzibar City ● Stone Town ● Spice Tours Language Kiswahili (Swahili) and English are the official languages of Tanzania and Zanzibar. On the island Arabic is also spoken with Indian dialects and Italian often heard on the streets. Useful information Zanzibar: When in the villages or in Stone Town wearing beach wear would cause offence - loose-fitting, non-transparent clothing is advisable when in public. Zanzibari people are generally very warm, open and hospitable, and your respect for permission before taking photographs or filming local people is appreciated. Do not take photos or film at sensitive government sites including the State House, seaport, airport or military sites. If uncertain, it is always better to ask. Public consumption of alcohol is not permissible, except in hotels and tourist areas, bars and some restaurants. Unique to Tanzania is the tinga tinga artwork – bright painted pictures of exaggerated people and animals. Also available are ebony wood carvings, Masai antiques, colourful batiks and the brightly coloured khanga cloth, usually bought in pairs and worn by the Tanzanian woman to cover their clothes and carry their babies on their backs. The famous Tanzanite stone, found only at the foothills of Kilimanjaro, is generally available at souvenir shops and jewellers. Only buy from shops who will give you an official certificate of the purchase. Useful phrases Thank you - Asante sana Hello – mambo vipi (or Jambo) Good bye – Kwaheri Please – Ata fadhali


U G A N D A A T A G L A N C E

Capital City Kampala Climate Uganda has a typically tropical climate with little variation in temperature throughout the year. Distinctive wet and dry seasons characterize the climate of most of the country, except in the semi-arid north east. The dry season, generally from December to February and mid-June to mid-August, is the best time to visit. The two rainy seasons are from March to May, and September to November. In the south the rainiest month is April. The mountainous areas in western and eastern Uganda can be cold at night. Currency The Ugandan currency is the Uganda Shilling (USH). One Uganda shilling is subdivided into hundred parts and these are known as cents. For personal expenditure Travellers Cheques or cash are recommended. When using USD in cash, please note that only USD notes post the year 2000 (George Washington has a large head!) may be used. Bills should be in good condition and not stained or torn. Credit cards are accepted in selected hotels and ATM machines are available in Kampala. It is advisable to change to some local currency on arrival at the airport. General Points of Interest Covered on the Journey ● Entebbe ● Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary ● Jinja – the source of the Nile Language English is the official and is taught in grade schools and used in courts of law. The local dialects of Ganda or Luganda – are most widely spoken as well as Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili and Arabic. Useful information When in Uganda, we suggest you dress modestly. Cotton clothing will be most comfortable during the day. Taking photographs near military buildings or soldiers is not allowed, and before taking pictures of people it is polite to ask beforehand. We recommend that you do not drink tap water. Most hotels and restaurants provide previously boiled water or you can opt for several brands of mineral water. The word mzungu, meaning 'white person', is a favourite expression in Swahili all over East Africa. It originates from the early European explorers. It comes from the Kiswahili verb kuzunguka: 'to wander around aimlessly, like a mad person'. The Swahili word for a hangover kuzungu-zungu ('my head's going round and round') comes from the same root. Useful phrases (Luganda / Swahili) Thank you - Webale /Asante sana Hello – kikati / mambo vipi (or Jambo Good bye – Welaba / Kwaheri Please – Bambi / Ata fadhali


T H E S U D A N A T A G L A N C E

Capital City Khartoum Climate Although the Sudan lies within the tropics, the climate ranges from arid in the north to tropical wet-and-dry in the far southwest. From January to March the country is under the influence of dry north-easterly winds. There is practically no rainfall countrywide. Currency The Sudanese Dinar (SDD) is the official currency of the Sudan. One Sudanese dinar is divided into ten Sudanese pounds which are each further subdivided into 100 piastres. Credit cards and travellers’ cheques are not widely accepted in Khartoum. It is not possible to obtain cash against credit cards at banks. Ensure that you have sufficient hard currency, preferably US Dollars, to cover possible extra expenses. General Points of Interest Covered on the Journey ● Khartoum – Omdurman Old Quarter ● Meroe ● Blue and White Nile Language The official language in the Sudan is Arabic; however learning a few important phrases would be useful. English is spoken in Khartoum. Useful information Please check before taking photographs of anything other than official tourist and scenic sites. Please also respect the sites of religious interests by dressing appropriately. North Sudan is largely Muslim and operates Sharia Law and women should not wear revealing clothing, however non-Muslim women are not expected to wear a veil or cover their heads. Southern Sudan is largely Christian; however, expatriates are still expected to dress modestly. It will be useful to carry a small bottle of water, tissues and ‘wet wipes’ in your handbag. Due to the temperatures during the day it is advisable to keep well hydrated. Shopkeepers are very friendly and helpful. Many speak English, but if they don't one can manage with a few numbers in Arabic, hand gestures and a smile. It is a good idea to carry a sheet with the numbers in Arabic with you. Useful phrases Thank you – ‘Shok-ran’ Hello – ‘Marhaba’ Welcome – ‘A-h-lan!’ Good bye – ‘Maa salaama’ Please – ‘Min fad-lak’


E G Y P T A T A G L A N C E

Capital City Cairo Climate The weather is usually dry and sunny during the day with very little annual rainfall; however the evenings can be considerably cooler. Currency The currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound and is divided up into 100 Piastres. Money can be changed at the airport or most banks and hotels. Private exchange offices are also available throughout Cairo and you can also use your credit card to draw cash at most ATM’s. Please do not exchange currency with unauthorized dealers as it is forbidden by law. General Points of Interest Covered on the Journey In Cairo Luxor Aswan Lake Nasser Abu Simbel

Egyptian Museum of Antiquities

Karnak & Luxor Temples

Kom Ombo Temple Temples of Kalabsha & Beit el-Wali

Abu Simbel Temples of Ramses 11

Pyramids of Giza

Valley of Kings Valley of Queens

Kiosk of Kertassi

Great Sphinx

Temple of Hatshepsut

Wadi El Seboua

Memphis & Sakkara Collosi of Memnom Temples of Dakka & Maharraqa

Medinet Habu Temples of Amada & Derr

Tomb of Penout

Language The official language in Egypt is Arabic; however, most Egyptians understand and speak English and French. Useful information Please check before taking photographs of anything other than official tourist and scenic sites. Please also respect the sites of religious interests by dressing appropriately. It will be useful to carry a small bottle of water, tissues and ‘wet wipes’ in your handbag. Due to the temperatures during the day it is advisable to keep well hydrated. Suffering from an upset stomach in Egypt is virtually part of the holiday. Try to be cautious with the food you eat, do not eat raw fruit or vegetable (unless washed, peeled or cooked). When buying souvenirs from Egypt part of the buying progress and experience is to bargain for your goods. Spices and perfumes are just a small selection of the available well known souvenirs available in Egypt. If you do stop for coffee or tea a 12% service charge is usually included, however an additional baksheesh is still expected if the service was good. Useful phrases Thank you – ‘Shok-ran’ Hello – ‘Marhaba’ Welcome – ‘A-h-lan!’ Good bye – ‘Maa salaama’ Please – ‘Min fad-lak’ Tip - 'Bak-sheesh’ (you will come across this word on a regular basis!)

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C A P E T O C A I R O G E N E R A L I N F O R M A T I O N

GENERAL NOTES Thank you for booking with Rovos Rail on this truly epic journey! We trust that you are looking forward to your journey aboard ‘The Pride of Africa ‘. To ensure your comfort, we would like to draw your attention to the following: Insurance Cancellation insurance is compulsory as our terms and conditions will be strictly adhered to and cancellation fees, where applicable, will not be waived. Please remember to bring either the original or a copy of your travel insurance policy, stating clearly the company, policy number and 24 hour medical emergency telephone number. Luggage Maximum of two pieces of hold baggage per person, with a total combined weight of 20kgs. Cabin baggage: one piece of 5kg (11 lbs) Regret, no excess luggage will be permitted. Luggage tags will be provided on the first day of the programme by your Tour Manager. A complimentary Rovos Rail Tog bag will be provided on day one. This can be used to contain your hand luggage and be used for overnight trips. Airport departure and arrival taxes These are included in the overall tour price. Dress on board the train During the day, the dress is smart casual. Attire that is more formal is worn in the evening on the “Pride of Africa”. A jacket, collar & tie are a minimum requirement, please. With regard to the off-train excursions: It can get very cold during the game drives (open vehicles) therefore warm clothing is strongly recommended. Comfortable walking shoes; sun tan lotion and hats are strongly recommended. Health requirements Please consult your local travel clinic or doctor for latest advice. THE TRAVEL DOCTOR – AFRICA 0861 300 911 local or +27 11 214 9030 international for more information. Yellow Fever vaccination Immunisation against Hepatitis A, Polio, Tetanus and Cholera is recommended. (Cholera – need to drink contaminated water over period of time so risk is low when travelling with Rovos Rail) High risk Malaria area Rabies and Bilharzias present in Africa Meningitis Currency In South Africa one can only make use of South African Rand. All major credit cards (Master Card, Visa, American Express and Diners Club) are accepted. For Zimbabwe, no credit cards should be used. All payments should be made in LOW denomination US Dollar notes. Any off-train expenses to be paid with US Dollar banknotes (low denomination). In Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan and Egypt it is best to make use of US Dollars in cash form (hotels and major dealers will also accept credit cards). Credit cards are NOT accepted in Sudan. Both Sudan and Uganda will only accept US Dollar notes which are printed after the year 2000. Standard Chartered Bank Zimbabwe has made a decision to pull out of MasterCard on the Point of Sale (POS) in Zimbabwe with effect from 01st January, 2007, due to prohibitive investments costs. Therefore, all hotels in Zimbabwe will no longer accept MasterCard transactions with effect from 01st January, 2007: Only VISA, DINERS and AMEX cards will be acceptable. When making use of cash in US Dollars please ensure all bills are printed after the year 2000 or they will not be accepted. On Board Services A Tour Manager/Host will introduce himself to you on arrival in Cape Town.

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Cuisine and Ambience on board the Train Breakfast, lunch and a formal dinner are served in one sitting only in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the Dining Cars – meals, carefully prepared, are complemented by a selection of fine South African wines. Meals can be adapted to suit special requirements by prior arrangement. We will do our best to cater for special dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, diabetic etc., provided a detailed request has been made at the time of your reservation. If a special request has not been made, the chefs will endeavour to prepare suitable meals with the ingredients available on board. We do however regret that we are unable to provide meals requiring strict religious observance in the preparation. The Observation Car seats 32 passengers and takes up the rear end of the train. The coach next to it contains a smoking lounge which seats eight. At the centre of the train we have, when numbers dictate, a non-smoking Lounge Car, which seats 26 passengers in comfort. In maintaining the spirit of travel of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets onboard and the use of cellular telephones is confined to the privacy of the suites. Laundry There is a limited and simple laundry service on board comprising of household washers, dryers and steam irons. The turn around is 48 hours so the staff would not be able to handle a week’s worth of washing. Please advise your hostess if your clothing needs specialist attention. Laundry facilities are again available in Zanzibar, Serengeti, Entebbe, Khartoum, the Nile Cruiser and Cairo. Rovos Rail Memorabilia There is a small gift shop on board and at our station premises at Capital Park in Pretoria. Due to the varying exchange rates, the use of credit cards is preferred. Electricity 220V AC 50Hz • 3 point round pronged wall plug (onboard the train) Inclusion of an international adaptor is advisable for hotel visits. Smoking On board the train smoking of cigarettes and cigars only is allowed in the privacy of the suites and in the Club Lounge. Please do not throw flammable items such as cigarette off the train, as bush fires in Africa are a constant and dangerous hazard. Please note on the Reservation Form provided if you are smoking or non smoking so that the appropriate room might be requested at the hotels. Scheduling Times & Routes We cannot be held liable for any delays due to trains or planes not running to schedule. Off-train excursions cannot be guaranteed and will only be undertaken if time and circumstances permit. Departure and arrival times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed. We reserve the right to alter our routing at any time between departure and arrival points. Gratuities Gratuities for guides, rangers, drivers and Egyptologists will be paid for by Rovos Rail Tour Manager. Porterage is also included in the overall price. Average Temperatures

Area Time Zone Minimum Maximum Remarks

Cape Town GMT + 2 hrs 15°C 27°C

Pretoria/Johannesburg GMT + 2 hrs 18°C 29°C

Bulawayo GMT + 2 hrs 22°C 30°C

Victoria Falls GMT + 2 hrs 20°C 30°C

Dar es Salaam/Zanzibar GMT + 3 hrs 27°C 32°C

Serengeti (Tanzania) GMT + 3 hrs 28°C 28°C Two night stay in semi-luxury mobile tented camp

Ngorongoro Crater GMT + 3 hrs 11°C 11°C

Entebbe GMT + 3 hrs 20°C 29°C

Khartoum GMT + 2 hrs 19°C 27°C

Aswan GMT + 2 hrs 9°C 30°C

Luxor GMT + 2 hrs 7°C 25°C

Cairo GMT + 2 hrs 9°C 21°C

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Brief overview of facilities at Hotels / Lodges & Camps Accommodation Spa Hair

Dryer Fitness Electricity Internet Pool Safe Shower/

Bath Air Con

The Cape Grace Yes Yes No 220 V Yes Yes Yes Both Yes

Sheraton Yes Yes Yes 220 V Yes Yes Yes Both Yes

Rovos Rail No Yes No 220 V No No Yes Shower Yes

Victoria Falls Hotel Limited Yes Tennis 220 V Yes Yes Yes Both Yes

Zanzibar Serena Inn No Yes No 220 V Yes Yes Yes Shower

or bath Yes

Ngorongoro Lodge Massage Reception No 220 V Yes Yes On

premises Shower No

Serengeti Mobile Camp No No No 12 V only No No No Bucket

shower No

Lake Victoria Serena Hotel Yes Yes Yes 220 V Yes Yes Yes Both Yes

Corinthia Hotel Yes Yes Yes 220 V Yes Yes Yes Both Yes

Kasr Ibrim No Yes Yes 220V No Yes No Shower Yes

Hilton Luxor Yes Yes Yes 220V Yes Yes Yes Both Yes

Four Seasons Cairo Yes Yes Yes 220 V Yes Yes Yes Both Yes

Passports & Visas It is essential that the client ensures that passports are valid and that ALL visas, as may be required, are validated in the passport before arrival in Africa. Visas for Uganda cannot be obtained at the airport. We will be flying out of Livingstone, Zambia so a visa for Zambia is required. Country German USA Swiss Japan French UK Australia Canada South

Africa South Africa Department of Home Affairs Tel: (+ 27-12) 324 1860

No No No No Yes No No No No

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Consulate +27 11 838 2156

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Zambia High Commission Tel: (+27-12) 326 1847

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Tanzania High Commission Tel: +(27–12) 342 4393/71

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Uganda High Commission Tel: (+27-12) 342 6031


Sudan Embassy Tel: (+27-12) 342 4538


Egypt Embassy Tel: (+27-12) 343 1590/1


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Items to remember to bring for your epic journey Since we want your journey to be completely comfortable, we recommend a few items that we believe you should remember to bring along: Cotton clothing in neutral colours for game drives or walks. White as well as black and blue clothing attracts certain bugs at night and should be avoided for game drives Long and short pants / long and short shirts Warm jersey / fleece jacket for the cooler evenings which are not to be underestimated in the bush Windbreaker Comfortable walking shoes or boots for the bush Light shoes for every day use Swimming costume Sun block / sun hat / sunglasses / lip balm Cameras / video camera / binoculars / spare contact lenses, glasses / anti malaria precautions / insect repellent Passport with valid visas if necessary / copy of passport and important documents such as telephone numbers, etc Small torch or headlamp Yellow fever certificate World adaptor Information on the aircraft (subject to change depending on total passenger numbers) 737 The 737-100 and 200 are the first generation production models of the world's most successful jet airliner family, Boeing's 737 twin-jets. The 737 was conceived as a short range small capacity airliner to round out the Boeing jet airliner family beneath the 727, 720 and 707. Announced in February 1965, the 737 was originally envisioned as a 60 to 85 seater, although following consultation with launch customer Lufthansa, a 100 seat design was settled upon. Design features included two under-wing mounted turbofans and 60% structural and systems commonality with the 727, including the same fuselage cross section (making it wider than the competing five abreast DC-9 and BAC-111). The 737-100 made its first flight on April 9 1967 and entered service in February 1968 with Lufthansa, while the last of 30 built was delivered to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines in October 1969. By this time however the larger capacity 1.93m (6ft 4in) stretched 737-200 was in service after it had made its first flight on August 8 1967. First delivery, to United, was that December. Developments of the 737-200 include the 737-200C convertible and quick change 737-200QC, while an unprepared airfield kit was also offered. The definitive Advanced 737-200 appeared in 1971, featuring minor aerodynamic refinements and other improvements. Sales of the 737-200 far exceeded that of the shorter -100 and the 737-200 remained in production until 1988, by which time it had been superseded by the improved 737-300, after 1114 had been built. Many have been fitted with Stage 3 engine hush-kits, and a number of passenger aircraft have been converted with cargo doors. Embraer 120 Embraer was Brazil’s largest exporter from 1999 to 2001 and the second largest in 2002, 2003 and 2004. It currently employs more than 16 946 people, 94, 7% based in Brazil. The EMB 120 is a 30-seat, pressurized twin-turboprop featuring high cruise speed and low operating costs. Embraer has become one of the largest aircraft manufacturers in the world by focusing on specific market segments with high growth potential in commercial, defence and executive aviation. The EMB 120 or ‘Brasilia’ has proved to be a popular, relatively high speed regional airliner. Embraer first began design work on a new regional turboprop airliner in the late 1970s when the company studied stretching its EMB120 Xingu corporate turboprop to a 25 seat regional airliner. While this was the first aircraft to bear the EMB120 designation (it was named the Araguia), the production EMB120 is an all new aircraft. Design studies of the definitive EMB120 began in September 1979, with the first flight of a PW115 powered prototype taking place on July 1983, and entry into service was October 1985. Versions of the EMB120 include: The initial production EMB120; the Reduced Takeoff weight EMB120RT; the Extended Range EMB120ER; the EMB120 Cargo freighter; mixed passenger/ freight EMB120 Combi and EMB120 Convertible. Our aircraft, EMB120 ZS-POE accommodates 24 passengers and a flight crew of 4 consisting of pilot, co-pilot, cabin crew and flight engineer. Please contact Alicia Taljaard should you have any further queries: Tel: +27 12 315 8534 Fax: +27 86 669 5600 Email: [email protected] (Updated 16 Sep 2012)

CAPE TO CAIRO 2014 - Rovos Rail...the story of diamonds. The romantic associations of diamonds, De Beers, Cecil John Rhodes and the Cape-to-Cairo railway are all centred on Kimberley.

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