Quick Info:

Experience the beauty and amazing history and culture of South Africa and Swaziland. Embark on this incredible and memorable journey to explore the south of Africa on a luxurious train. Guests check-in at Rovos Rail Pretoria thereafter, we proceed for a full-day Soweto tour. After the amazing historical experience in Soweto, we return to Pretoria and depart for Waterval Boven. Upon arrival, we enjoy a full-day Panorama Route tour inclusive of a visit to Pilgrim's Rest, Bourke's Luck Potholes, and Graskop, the following day we make our way to Kruger National Park for safari game viewing. Keep your passports ready as we make our way to Mpaka, Swaziland, during our stop at Swaziland we visit the Swazi Candles and Mantenga Cultural Village. After the border formalities, we make our way to Golela and enjoy a safari game at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and a boat cruise at iSmangaliso Wetland Park. Depart for Durban and embark on a Durban City tour. Moving right along to Ladysmith - Spionkop Lodge for a battlefields tour and light refreshments before moving to Spionkop hill to finish this historic story. Optional game drive at Spionkop Lodge or afternoon at leisure. Our journey leads us to Kroonstad - enjoy a tour of Bloemfontein including the Women’s Memorial, Anglo Boer Museum, Oliewenhuis Art Museum, and Naval Hill. Depart for Kimberley, here we visit Big Hole, Diamond Mine Museum, Noord-Kaap Mall, William Humphreys Art Gallery, and the McGregor House Museum. We travel to the Garden Route and explore Cango Caves and Ostrich Farm, Knysna for a lagoon ferry ride, Hermanus, and wine tasting. Thereafter we travel to our final stop at Cape Town for a city tour.

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During our discovery of the beauty and authentic culture of South Africa and Swaziland, we travel across the Drakensberg Mountains to the 'Mother City' - Cape Town. Embark on a 15-Day journey filled with history and culture in a luxurious Rovos Rail offering exclusive and authentic memories.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Pretoria - City and Soweto Tour

Guests will be pick-up at OR Tambo International Airport or hotel booked in Johannesburg (as per your account). Upon arrival at Pretoria, check-in at Rovos Rail station. Thereafter, depart on a full-day City and Soweto tour, and lunch (as per your account). We explore Soweto a township that was made famous by the Apartheid laws. We will drive past Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital the largest hospital in the Southern Hemisphere and 3rd largest in the world. We make our way through to Vilakazi Street, a well-known street for local restaurants and home to two Nobel-Prize winners namely the late first black South African President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Proceed to visit the Hector Petersen Memorial, named after one of the first students to be killed in the 1976 uprising against the Apartheid government. In the afternoon we explore Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, we visit the Union Buildings. Designed by the famous colonial English architect, Sir Herbert Baker, and completed in 1913, the Union Buildings house the offices of the President and Ministers. Before our return to the train, we visit the Voortrekker Monument that commemorates the ‘Great Trek’ of the 1830s. Upon return to the train for our departure to Waterval Boven. Enjoy tea served in the lounge and observation car. Freshen up for a fine dining dinner served in the dining car.

Day 2: Arrive at Waterval Boven - Panorama Route Tour

After breakfast served in the dining car we disembark to kickstart our journey with a full-day Panorama Route tour and lunch (as per your account). We visit the Pilgrim's Rest declared as a National Monument in the 1900s as a living museum and gold were discovered here in the 1800s attracting 1500 prospectors. Today many of the restored miner’s houses serve as shops and restaurants. We proceed to Bourke's Luck Potholes, the strange deep cylindrical cavities formed by river erosion and floodwater. Blyde River Canyon is exceptional for its largest forested canyon & renowned view including the Three Rondavels. Enjoy some adventure time at Graskop Gorge Lift (as per your account) taking guests 51 meters down the face of the gorge into the forest below, the wooden walkways & suspension bridges meander along a 600-meter trail along the indigenous forest. An optional transfer to Leopard Creek for tee (as per your account), return to Nelspruit and embark on the train. We depart for Malelane and enjoy a fine dine dinner served in the dining car.

Day 3: Arrive at Malelane - Full-Day Game Drive

After breakfast served in the dining car we disembark to kickstart our journey with a full-day Safari Drive in Kruger National Park and lunch (as per your account). The world-renowned Kruger Park has 2-million hectares of unrivaled diversity in life forms. Your exciting Big 5 safari tour begins from the moment you enter the Kruger National Park. As we enter the Kruger National Park, you may already spot an abundance of wildlife along the way, such as buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe, antelopes, and zebra. Keep your cameras ready for the elusive leopard who may be hiding in a tree or the roaring lion seeking out its prey in the bush. Cheetah and wild dogs may also be seen on your exciting expedition in the Kruger National Park. An optional transfer to Leopard Creek for tee (as per your account), return to the train and depart for Mpaka, Swaziland. Enjoy tea served in the lounge and observation car. Freshen up for a fine dining dinner served in the dining car.

Day 4: Arrive at Swaziland - Swazi Candles and Mantenga Cultural Village

After breakfast served in the dining car we disembark to kickstart our journey with a full-day Swazi Candles and Mantenga Cultural Village and lunch (as per your account). Swaziland is a tiny kingdom that covers only 17 000m2 making it the second smallest country in Africa. Our first at Swazi Candles was surrounded by very talented crafters, artists, and artisans as well as markets and souvenir shops. A sample of Black Mamba chili sauce and take a stroll through the art gallery. We proceed to Mantengo Cultural Village traveling through Ezulwini Valley passing Ludzidzini Royal residence, a living museum of old traditions representing a classical Swazi lifestyle during the 1850s, and learn more about their customized and traditional dance. An optional transfer to Nkonyeni for tee (as per your account), return to the train and depart for Golela for border formalities. Enjoy tea served in the lounge and observation car. Freshen up for a fine dining dinner served in the dining car.

Day 5: Arrive at Hluhluwe - Full-Day Game Drive

After breakfast served in the dining car we disembark to kickstart our journey with a full-day safari drive at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and lunch (as per your account). One of the oldest proclaimed nature reserves in Africa, Hluhluwe consists of 960km² of hilly topography 280km north of Durban in central Zululand and is known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts. Upon entrance at the park keep your cameras ready for the elusive leopard who may be hiding in a tree or the roaring lion seeking out their prey in the bush. You may already spot an abundance of wildlife along the way, such as buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe, antelopes, and zebra. Upon return to the train for our departure to Empangeni. Enjoy tea served in the lounge and observation car. Freshen up for a fine dining dinner served in the dining car.

Day 6: Arrive at iSmangaliso Wetland Park - Full-Day St Lucia Wetland Park

After breakfast served in the dining car we disembark to kickstart our journey with a full-day St Lucia Wetland Park. You will be transferred to iSimagaliso - St Lucia Wetland Park a World Heritage Site. The park covers over 2400km² from St Lucia in the south to the Mozambique border in the north and has spectacular diversity. The park was proclaimed World Heritage Site in 1999 and covers a mosaic of landforms that have created an abundance of biomes to support a wide range of wildlife, vegetation, and bird species. Enjoy an optional two-hour boat cruise with lunch (as per your account) and experience a close encounter with hippos and crocodiles. Upon return to the train for our departure to Durban. Enjoy tea served in the lounge and observation car. Freshen up for a fine dining dinner served in the dining car.

Day 7: Arrive at Durban - Full-Day Durban City Tour

After breakfast served in the dining car we disembark to kickstart our journey with a full-day Durban City tour. We travel along the new Golden Mile beachfront viewing the upgraded Point Waterfront. Durban is the third most popular destination after Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa. This beautiful city is home to the busiest ports in South Africa with a warm subtropical climate and extensive beaches. We visit the oldest surviving Botanical Garden which was established in 1849. The garden was primarily established for the cultivation of vegetables, fruits, and other crops. Explore the garden and encounter Orchid House, Sunken Garden, Butterfly Habitat Garden, Lake area, Cycad collection, and the Heritage Trees. We proceed to uShaka Marine World the theme park was opened on 30 April 2004 in Durban and has compressed 8 sections. uShaka Marine World was the first phase of the redevelopment of Durban Point located on the strip of land between the beachfront and the harbor. Enjoy the activities and lunch at the theme park (as per your account). An optional transfer to Durban Club/Beachwood/Zimbali for tee (as per your account), return to the train and depart for Ladysmith. Enjoy tea served in the lounge and observation car. Freshen up for a fine dining dinner served in the dining car.

Day 8: Arrive at Ladysmith - Full-Day Battlefield Tour

After breakfast served in the dining car we disembark to kickstart our journey with a full-day Battlefiled tour with lunch. You will be transferred to Spionkop Lodge and light refreshments before moving to Spionkop hill to finish this historic story. Learn more about Battlefield's great leaders, namely Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi, and Gen, Louis Botha. A story on which the sun never sets. Britain marched into the South African War in the spring of 1899 confident that it "would all be over by Christmas!". The war lasted for three years and was yet to become a costly experience Britain had ever fought. Upon return to the lodge, enjoy lunch and an optional game drive. An optional transfer to Champagne Sports for tee (as per your account), return to the train and depart for Kroonstad. Enjoy tea served in the lounge and observation car. Freshen up for a fine dining dinner served in the dining car.

Day 9: Arrive at Bloemfontein - Full-Day Bloemfontein City Tour

After breakfast served in the dining car we disembark to kickstart our journey with a full-day Bloemfontein and lunch (as per your account). We explore Bloemfontein the seat of the South African judicial system, at the end of the 19th century it was the capital of the old Boer. During the discovery of Bloemfontein learn more about the South African War and the memorial to honor the women and children who died in the prison camps. The tour is inclusive of visitation to the following sites Women’s Memorial, Anglo Boer Museum, Oliewenhuis Art Museum, and Naval Hill. Upon return to the train for our departure to Kimberley. Enjoy tea served in the lounge and observation car. Freshen up for a fine dining dinner served in the dining car.

Day 10: Arrive at Kimberley - Full-Day Kimberley City Tour

After breakfast served in the dining car we disembark to kickstart our journey with a full-day Kimberley tour and lunch (as per your account). Kimberley is the capital city of the Northern Cape and famous for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871. Kimberley is surrounded by an abundance of memorials and sites of battles of the Anglo-Boer War, and the battlefield site of Magersfontein where Boer General I used trench warfare for the first time. The tour is inclusive of visitation to the following sites Big Hole, Diamond Mine Museum, Noord-Kaap Mall, William Humphreys Art Gallery, and the McGregor House Museum. An optional transfer to Kimberley Golf Club for tee (as per your account), return to the train and depart for Noupoort. Enjoy tea served in the lounge and observation car. Freshen up for a fine dining dinner served in the dining car.

Day 11: Day at Leisure

Rest of the day at leisure. All meals included.

Day 12: Arrive at Willowmore - Full-Day Oudtshoorn Tour

After breakfast served in the dining car we disembark to kickstart our journey with a full-day Oudtshoorn tour and lunch (as per your account). Oudtshoorn is a semi-desert region situated at the foot of the majestic Swartberg mountain range where many rivers, streams, and falls have their origins. The town was named after Baron Pieter van Rheede van Oudtshoorn came to South Africa in the 1700s and was appointed Governor of the Cape in the late 1700s. During our tour to Oudtshoorn, we visit the Ostrich Farm and take a ride on the Ostrich tracker to view the African Ostrich. Thereafter, we proceed to Cango Caves for a historical tour and explore the wonders of the caves. An optional transfer to Fancourt/Ernie Els Oubaai for tee (as per your account) and return to the train. Enjoy tea served in the lounge and observation car. Freshen up for a fine dining dinner served in the dining car.

Day 13: Knysna - Boat Cruise

After breakfast served in the dining car we disembark to kickstart our journey with a day at Knysna. The journey begins with a drive along the coast from George the heart of Garden Route. Enjoy a boat cruise on the lagoon cruising towards the heads. An optional transfer to Fancourt/Ernie Els Oubaai for tee (as per your account) and return to the train for lunch and departure to Voorbaai. Enjoy tea served in the lounge and observation car. Depart for Buffeljagsrivier, freshen up for a fine dining dinner served in the dining car.

Day 14: Arrive at Hermanus - Wine Tasting

After breakfast served in the dining car we proceed our journey with a scenic route to Hermanus and wine tasting at Worcester, lunch (as per your account). We travel over the Rooihoogte and Floorshooge en route Overberg to Hermanus renowned fish market and whale watching destination. The Whale Watching in season between July and November, they can be seen from as close as 5m away. We disembark the train for a wine tasting or optional golf at Arabella, upon return, we proceed to Cape Town. Enjoy tea served in the lounge and observation car. Thereafter freshen up for a fine dining dinner served in the dining car.

Day 15: Arrive at Cape Town - Full-Day Cape Town City Town

After breakfast served in the dining car, upon arrival at Cape Town - check-out and luggage will be stored at a private lounge. We begin our tour with a stroll through the Company Garden and visit Bo-Kaap Museum. Learn more about the first Malays who arrived in the Cape as political refugees and slaves. Proceed to Victoria and Alfred and stop for a diamond tour at Diamond Works a jewelry manufacturing workshop, a jewelry design studio as well as a gemological laboratory. After lunch at Victoria and Alfred, we drive through District Six, named the Sixth Municipal District of Cape Town in 1867. Originally established as a mixed community of freed slaves, merchants, artisans, laborers, and immigrants, District Six was a vibrant center with close links to the city and the port. After the city tour experience, we proceed to Cape Town station to collect your luggage and transfer guests to the airport or hotel booked in Cape Town (as per your account).