Cape Town to Victoria Falls by Rail and Air

A private guided tour of Cape Town with a local should be at the top of your South Africa bucket list. Spend the day with a local who knows the city inside out. Nothing is pre-planned, talk about what you'd like to see and your shared interests, and a route will start to materialise – that's planning done the South African way. It's an exciting way to tap into the city's rhythms and to experience it from the inside, not just as a passing tourist, but as a true local, as well as an opportunity to pick up some first-hand tips for the rest of your trip.

At the tip of Cape Town's rocky peninsula lies the Cape of Good Hope, one of the area's main attractions. A common misconception is that it's the point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, but this is actually further east, at Cape Agulhas. The peninsula is protected as a designated national park, with scenic Chapman's Peak Drive running along its west coast. Fynbos, a type of vegetation characteristic of the region, covers the soil, and a wide variety of birds take advantage of the area's flowers, including the graceful Cape sugarbird and southern double-collared sunbird. Common elands and blesboks are also often spotted. On the coast at False Bay, walkways at Boulders Beach allow visitors to approach the colony of African penguins without disturbing them. From June to November, southern right whales also frequent the bay, among other marine mammals. A private guide will accompany you throughout the day.

Transfer to the airport and fly to Johannesburg. Stay overnight at Satyagraha House, which is located in the suburb of Orchards and is the house where Gandhi lived between 1908 and 1911 is now a museum dedicated to him. It is also a guesthouse based around the principles that inspired the future Mahatma's famous philosophy. The bright and simple rooms here (two of which face directly into the museum area) are comfortable without being extravagant, while the vegetarian cuisine on offer is tasty and fortifying. This historic Kraal designed by Hermann Kallenbach and the contemporary building by Rocco Bosman each pay tribute to the spirit of openness and peace that inspired one of the great political and humanitarian minds of the 20th century.

When in Johannesburg, discovering the city Mandela lived in is a must. Pass through Soweto, a township known for its role in the anti-apartheid struggle, now full of positive energy. See the Hector Pieterson Memorial here, in memory of a black schoolboy killed by the police in 1976 – the photo that Sam Nzima took of the event is as emblematic as that of the napalm girl Nick Ut took in Vietnam. Visit the Apartheid Museum. Enjoy a vegetarian lunch at Satyagraha House and feel Gandhi's spirit in the air. In the evening, listen to jazz over dinner at the Marabi Club in the basement of one of the city's hot spots – Hallmark House in Maboneng.

Transfer to Pretoria train station and board the Rovos Rail for three nights. The line climbs north to Limpopo, passing by Bela-Bela (previously known as Warmbaths), Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg) and Louis Trichardt. The route also cuts through the Tropic of Capricorn and winds between the heights of the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve and the Wolkberg mountain range. Between Messina and Beitbridge, get your first glimpse of Zimbabwe through your panoramic window or from the train's observation car, both designed to allow passengers to get the most out of their journey and the spectacular views on offer.

Head for Bulawayo, via Rutenga and Somabhula. Stay overnight in Mpopoma, a western suburb of Bulawayo. The landscapes crossed on the journey are typical of southern Africa, and a continuation of those in South Africa. Make the most of the facilities on board, particularly the restaurant and bar. Bulawayo is still home to numerous buildings from the Rhodesian era, bordering its straight streets, while the region's pastureland has allowed for the development of an important livestock breeding industry.

The road to Victoria Falls is long and straight. Along the way, cross through the Hwange National Park and stop off for a safari. The rangers here are excellent at what they do and will safely guide you around the park to spot the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos. Other animals that can be seen roaming there include leopards, giraffes, warthogs, wildebeest and African wild dogs. This is the original Africa: isolated and wild.

Stay overnight in a private reserve south-west of the falls. The accommodation has an indoor/outdoor vibe inspired by classic safari style, with the addition of clever design touches for a cosy feel. The rooms and common spaces are equally comfortable and well-appointed. A beautiful blend of European and African cuisine is served to guests in the dining room, on the terrace, in the flower-filled garden or by the pool. The service on offer to guests here most certainly lives up to its impressive surroundings. In the late afternoon as the animals gather for a drink, head out for a safari in the reserve.

A must-do while in Zimbabwe is exploring Victoria Falls with a private guide. The Zambezi River is home to one of the most majestic sights in the world: Victoria Falls. While the Main Falls drop a heavy white curtain into the void, the Devil's Falls are narrow and gushing, and Horseshoe Falls and Rainbow Falls tumble from the highest points. Narrow gorges intensify the effect of the water to create a truly incredible spectacle. The area's humidity means the flora surrounding the falls is abundant, with African mahogany trees, ebony trees, ivory palms and wild date palms dotted around the mopane tree-covered savannah. Walkways have been designed to give visitors spectacular close-up views.