This 14-night South African Platinum itinerary is a high class gambol around South Africa, taking in its multitude of cultures and varying geography in a well-planned sequence using an enticing range of transport. We start you off among the Zulu’s at Zimbali Lodge, where golf carts set the pace. Not only are they used on the 18-hole golf course, which his full of natural features and changes in elevation, but around the lodge too. It’s not mandatory to play golf as there are enough luxuries here to keep you happy, like a health and beauty spa and resort-style swimming pool with views across the nature reserve to the coast beyond. It’s a short flight to Cape Town from here, where you find yourself firmly at sea level. This is confirmed when you look out of the window of the Cape Grace Hotel to see the plush yachts and motor cruisers tied up along the private jetties of the V&A Waterfront. Alternatively you could cast your gaze sideways and upwards for one of the clearest views of Table Mountain. You cannot help but to revel in the glory of Cape Town with the Cape Grace as your base. Equally as pleasing is the Franschhoek Valley in the Cape Winelands, whose village centre has more Top 100 South African restaurants in it than any other street in the country. It’s so beautiful here that many overseas visitors have ended up buying a place of their own – I wonder if you will be tempted! Now it’s all aboard Rovos Rail bound for Pretoria as the most civilised way of getting closer to your safari destination. This South African version of the Orient Express is an experience in Edwardian finesse. If you don’t have a tie for dinner one will be provided and complimentary champagne flows the entire two days of this leisurely train trip. Your final mode of transport is on a 4x4 game watching vehicle, veering going off-road to get closer to some of the more illusive African animals. Lion Sands Game Reserve was so named for the kind of safari encounter you can expect and provides an exciting end to your South African holiday.