As an indication of the high standards of this Africa Platinum 14-night vacation, we start your African holiday in the sea-facing Les Cascades retreat on the Cape Town coastline. Inspired by Indonesian-style living, the relaxed lifestyle mirrors that found in Cape Town’s and the ocean sends a calming pulse to quickly release you of your stresses. Cape Town’s attractions are so numerous that people who are drawn here are often surprised at this ‘soft landing’ in Africa. Cape Town usually exceeds expectations and to continue the theme of giving you more than you had expected, your next stop is Paarl, in the Cape Winelands. Known for great wines and some of the finest restaurants in the world, we site you amongst neat rows of vines in the very heart of Paarl’s historic wine growing area at Grande Roche Hotel. Internationally renowned for top cuisine, having won all sorts of awards, your stay in the Cape Winelands will be a visual and culinary feast. It’s time to step up the pace and fly you to the Greater Kruger game region, where you will undoubtedly clock up all or most of the Big Five African safari animals. You will be a guest of Richard Branson in one of his safari lodges within Ulusaba Private Game Reserve. It has all the hallmarks of a Branson product; relaxed atmosphere, great comforts and nothing left to chance, except the animal sightings. It wouldn’t be a complete African exploration if we didn’t throw in a visit to Victoria Falls. Tread in Livingstone’s footsteps along the banks of the Zambezi and witness the same sight he saw; a mile-wide torrent of tumbling water. Watch the mist rise from the terraces of the Royal Livingstone Hotel, just a few minutes walk from Victoria Falls. Next stop is the beach. Not any old beach, just the best one on Zanzibar at La Gemma Dell’ Est. Sink into the last few days of your African vacation and start planning the next one! Here’s more about each of the hotels we have selected: