Daily Mail

Indian Ocean to African Wonders

-

Sail the tropics in style on board Queen Elizabeth as you head to the heart of Africa and the stunning Victoria Falls. Begin your holiday with an overnight stay in the vibrant city of Singapore before you board the sophistica­ted Queen Elizabeth and set sail for the bright lights of Kuala Lumpur, followed by Penang. Here, get swept up in the dynamic atmosphere of the markets, enjoy a ride on one of the colourful rickshaws and sample the delicious cuisine, a sensationa­l medley of Chinese, Indian and Malaysian flavours. From here you’ll continue to Colombo, the diverse capital of Sri Lanka, home to lively beaches, unique boutiques and great museums and galleries. The idyllic Seychelles await you next, where emerald green mountains rise from the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Famous for the picturesqu­e coastline, the capital, Victoria, is a quaint and friendly city of manicured botanical gardens, bustling markets and pretty colonial buildings. Port Louis’ exciting multi-cultural quarters and colourful, glittering Le Caudan Waterfront are next on this great itinerary, before you head to the nature lover’s paradise of Réunion. Home to lush forests, tumbling waterfalls, awesome mountains, stunning panoramas and both black and white sand beaches, it’s the perfect place to find a little adventure. Sailing to Port Elizabeth begins your African adventure. South Africa’s capital of Art Nouveau, you’ll want to take lots of photos of the street scenes and colourful surroundin­gs. Your final port of call is Cape Town, peered over by the looming hulk of Table Mountain and pounded on three sides by the thundering Atlantic Ocean. Here you’ll disembark for a three night stay at the plush Westin, set at the entrance of the glittering Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. From the bustling city it’s a marked contrast to your next destinatio­n: the heart of Africa. Could there be anywhere else more iconic in Africa than the mist-wreathed, cascading plumes of Victoria Falls? You’ll then stay at the Victoria Falls Hotel, an Edwardian-style residence commanding a prime location overlookin­g the thundering falls, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Your first adventure here is a thrilling safari at Stanley and Livingston­e Game Reserve, where a game drive will give you the opportunit­y to view the Big Five and learn about the fascinatin­g residents of the African bush. We’ve also arranged an immersive tour of the falls from the Zimbabwean side – arguable the best vantage point. Your final experience in Africa’s wild heart sees you board the Zambezi Explorer for a river cruise along the Zambezi River. Enjoy drinks and snacks as you drift along the river, taking in the spectacula­r scenery and viewing the incredible local wildlife. The boat is an environmen­tally conscious way to explore the local area, unobtrusiv­ely sailing into the centre of the action so you can view the wildlife without disturbing their routine, as an experience­d host points out sights of interest along the way. The on board facilities are almost entirely solar powered, harnessing the sun that beats down on the river using a clever network that powers the vessel. And with only 150 passengers across its three decks, you’ll never feel crowded. Listen out for the cry of a fish eagle, the snort of an elephant or the rush of water as a hippopotam­us breaks the surface. It’s the ideal finale to your adventure into the heart of Africa.

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom