10 DAYS • 2100km

This safari travels the northeastern reaches of South Africa and will entertain the most discerning golfers with a delightful itinerary for non-playing guests. Travel from Pretoria to Sun City* in the hills of the Pilanesberg for game viewing. Cross the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains to Spionkop*, the perfect base for exploring the mountains, bush, birds and battlefields of the region. Traverse the scenic Valley of a Thousand Hills to Durban* for a tour of the city and botanical gardens. Interact with artisans as they create highly decorative and geometric-shaped candles. The game viewing continues at Hluhluwe in Zululand (one of the oldest reserves in the country), Mkhaya* (eSwatini’s refuge for endangered species) and the world-famous Kruger Park in Malelane*, after which this memorable journey ends in Pretoria.

Course selection is dependent on availability: Sun City Gary Player/Lost City, Champagne Sports Resort, Durban Country Club/Beachwood, Royal Swazi, Highland Gate.

Day 1: Pretoria

12h00   Depart Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Guests may freshen up in their suites before meeting fellow passengers in the lounge car and observation car.
13h00   Lunch is served in the dining cars en route to Rustenburg.
16h30   Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.
19h30   Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

The old town of Rustenburg grew as the church and administrative centre for a rich farming area. It is here, in the centre of a volcanic valley surrounded by the dun slopes of the Pilanesberg Mountains, a wilderness wonderland
rises from the dust, the fantastical Sun City Resort. It was a vision realised through one man’s unshakable faith in the religion of tourism, the South African hotel prodigy Sol Kerzner. It was officially opened on 7 December 1979
in what was then Bophuthatswana, which had been declared as an independent state by the apartheid government. This meant it could provide entertainment such as gambling, which was banned in South Africa. The
UN had imposed a cultural boycott on South Africa in condemnation of apartheid. In the early 80s, several acts disregarded the boycott and performed (with substantial financial incentives from Kerzner) to desegregated crowds
at the venue, such as the Beach Boys, Cher, Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra, Status Quo, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Queen. Today the resort is one of the world’s largest entertainment centres, a luxury theme park for grownup kids. The two championship golf courses – one with crocodiles at the 13th hole – are bordered by the Pilanesberg National Park, which contains the Big Five and has a vigorous conservation programme.

Day 2: Pilansberg  / Golf

Golf Players –

06h00  Breakfast is served until departure. Transfer (±60 min) to Sun City’s Gary Player/ Lost City Golf Course for tee off and lunch.
Enjoy an afternoon of golfing and leisure.
17h30  Return to the train.
20h00  Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Heidelberg. Dress: Formal

Leisure Guests –

06h00  Breakfast is served in the dining cars.
07h45  Transfer (±60 min) to Sun City.
09h00  Game drive in the Pilanesberg Reserve.
12h00  Lunch with the golfers. Afternoon at leisure at Lost City’s Sun City.
17h30  Return to the train.
20h00  Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

Day 3: At Leisure on Board

Day at leisure. All meals enjoyed on board en route to Ladysmith. Dinner Dress: “Africa” Theme or Smart Casual

The train climbs to Majuba Hill – site of the decisive battle that ended the First Anglo Boer War – then passes Newcastle, which has what is reputed to be the largest cella-dome Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere,
and Glencoe, site of the first battle of the Anglo Boer War and now the centre of the province’s coalfields.

Day 4: Spionkop / Golf

Golf Players –

06h00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure. Transfer (±60 min) to Champagne Sports Resort for tee off and lunch.
17h00 Return to the train.
19h30 Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

Shortly after Chieveley, on the right of the track, stands a memorial to Winston Churchill who was captured here in November 1899 while trying to free an armoured train trapped by a Boer ambush

Leisure Guests –

06h00  Breakfast is served in the dining cars.
09h00  Transfer (±30 min) to Spionkop Lodge to hear the historic tale of the Battle of Spionkop and walk in the footsteps of Churchill and Gandhi.
Enjoy lunch at the lodge.
14h00  Afternoon game drive in the 11 000-acre reserve OR relax at the lodge. Return to the train at 16:00.
16h30  Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.
19h30  Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

Day 5: Durban / Golf

Golf Players –

05h00  Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
Transfer to Durban (±15 min) OR Beachwood (±15 min) for tee off and lunch.
15h30  Return to the train.
16h30  Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.
19h30   Dinner is served in the dining cars en route  to Hluhluwe. Dress: Formal

Please ensure that the Train Manager or Admin Deputy is in possession of your passport.

Leisure Guests –

05h00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars.
09h00 Enjoy a Durban city tour, a visit to the botanical gardens and lunch at Umhlanga’s beachfront with an afternoon at leisure. Durban is the third
largest city in South Africa and enjoys great importance due to its industry and very large port.
16h30  Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.
19h30  Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

Please ensure that the Train Manager or Admin Deputy is in possession of your passport.

Day 6: Hluhluwe -Imfolozi Park

BORDER: GOLELA, SOUTH AFRICA / MPAKA, ESWATINI

05h00  Continental breakfast is served until departure.
06h00  Transfer (±30 min) to Hluhluwe for a game drive. As the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa, Hluhluwe consists 960km² of hilly topography in central Zululand and is known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts. It is the
only state-run park in KwaZulu-Natal with all the Big Five game animals and is also a prime birding destination.
10h30  Return to the train.
12h00  Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train travels towards eSwatini. Border formalities take place.
16h30  Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.
19h30  Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Mpaka. Dress: Formal

Day 7: Eswatini / Royal Swazi Spa

Golf Players –

06h00  Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
Transfer (±90 min) to Royal Swazi Sun for tee off and lunch.
16h00  Return to the train.
18h00  Depart for Komatipoort, South Africa. Border formalities take place.
19h30   Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Malelane. Dress: Formal

Leisure Guests –

06h00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars.
Transfer (±60 min) to Mkhaya Reserve. Board game vehicles for a game drive.
10h00  Transfer (±90 min) to Swazi Candles for a visit with lunch and an opportunity for curio shopping.
Transfer (±15 min) to Royal Swazi to join the golfers AND/OR return to the train (±90 min).
16h30  Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.
19h30  Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

The tiny Kingdom of eSwatini (Swaziland) covers only 17 000km2, most of which is mountainous. For such a small country, it is surprising that it sustains two capital cities: Mbabane is the administrative capital and Lobamba is the royal
and legislative capital. In April 2018, Swaziland changed its name to the Kingdom of eSwatini (meaning “place of the Swazi”) and is an absolute monarchy. It is landlocked and borders South Africa and Mozambique. At Swazi Candles,
guests are invited to interact with the artisans as they make a variety of candles. Woodcarvings, colourful textiles and superb basketwork are also on display. Mantenga Lodge is nestled in the mountains overlooking ‘Execution Rock’

Day 8: Kruger National Park

If available, golf at Leopard Creek may be booked on request for your own account

05h30  Breakfast is served in the dining cars.
06h30  Game drive in the Kruger National Park with tea,lunch and an opportunity for curio shopping.
15h00  Return to the train.
16h30  Tea in the lounge and observation cars. The train travels west across the Drakensberg Mountains and climbs the spectacular escarpment.
19h30  Dinner is served. Dress: Formal

Day 9: Dullstroom / Golf

Golf Players –

07h00  Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
08h45  Transfer (±40 min) to Highland Gate for tee off and lunch.
16h00  Return to the train.
16h30  Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.
19h30  Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: “1920s” Theme or Smart Casual

Leisure Guests –

07h00  Breakfast is served in the dining cars.
09h30  Visit the Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Centre.
11h00  Transfer (±30 min) to Walkerson’s Hotel for a presentation on flyfishing with lunch.
15h00  Return to Dullstroom for an introduction to whisky distilling and a tour of the Arts & Crafts Centre.
19h30  Dinner is served. Dress: “1920s” Theme or Smart Casual

Day 10: Pretoria

Please ensure your luggage is ready for collection at 09:45 and that you have your passport.

07h00  Breakfast is served in the dining cars.
10h00  The train arrives at journey’s end at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria.

Please dress accordingly for excursions/game drives: mornings can be cool then warm up considerably; afternoons can be warm then cool down considerably. Warm clothing, comfortable shoes, hats and sun protection are advised. Rain capes are available.

Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.
The golfers’ itinerary is prebooked so non-golfer additions are not accepted. Please consult with the Golf Pro.

This meander is a perfect illustration of South Africa as a world in one country. Travel the grasslands of the gold-rich Highveld to the haunting barrenness of the Great Karoo; trundle through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic winelands of the Cape. Journey’s end is Cape Town, the Mother City of South Africa, cradled by the imposing bulk of Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head. Highlights of the north- and southbound routes include a visit to the historic village of Matjiesfontein, an authentically preserved Victorian Village founded as a refreshment stop in 1890, which also boasts an impressive museum on the platform. Another stop is made in Kimberley to visit the Diamond Mine Museum and the world’s largest man-made excavation, the Big Hole. Available in reverse.

Highlights :

• Cape Town
• Journey through the Cape Winelands
• Traverse the Karoo
• Kimberley Diamond Mine Museum tour
• Matjiesfontein visit
• Pretoria

Day 1:  Cape Town  – Matjiesfontein

11h00  Depart  from Cape Town Station. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car and  observation car.\

13h00  Lunch is served in the dining cars  . The train reaches Worcester in the Hex River Valley before climbing ±750mup the face of the escarpment. The train arrives at the first of four tunnels on the pass. The last   tunnel is 13.5km long so guests are to                  be careful when walking through the train and may wish to turn on necessary lights.

16h30  Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.Disembark at Matjiesfontein for an opportunity to stroll through the  historic  village. Of special interest is the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages to the right              of the Lord Milner Hotel.

19h30  Dinner is served in the dining cars  .

Overnight on board. Dress: Formal

Day 2:  Kimberley

07h00  Breakfast is served in the dining cars  until 10:00 . Travel through the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region that was once an enormous inland sea. Over millions of years, volcanic matter was ground down and deposited as silt upon the seabed to form                 what geologists call the Karoo system.

12h30  Lunch is served in the dining cars  . Enjoy a tour of Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole. Capital of the Northern Cape, Kimberley is well known for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871.

16h30  Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.

19h30  Dinner is served in the dining cars  en route to Klerksdorp.

Overnight on board. Dress: Formal

Day 3:  Arrival Pretoria

07h00  Breakfast is served in the dining cars  until 10:00.  Travel northeast through the goldfields of the Witwatersrand.

13h00  Lunch is served in the dining cars.

17h00  The train arrives at journey’s  end at Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria.

Please dress accordingly for excursions/game drives: mornings can be cool then warm up considerably; afternoons can be warm then cool down considerably. Warm clothing, comfortable shoes, hats and sun protection are advised. Rain capes are available

Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.

In your suite you will find the Journeys magazine that features articles of interest related to the route.

Contact us for more information.

Our itineraries are “recommended itineraries” and may be booked as suggested. However, they also serve to inform you, as a possible first time traveller to Africa, an idea of what can be done. If you find that the recommended itineraries do not suit you entirely, we will tailor make a program to best meet your individual requirements.

4 NIGHTS • 1400km

This adventure begins with the train’s departure from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. Travel north through Warmbaths (Bela-Bela), so named for its mineral waters, and Nylstroom, christened by the Voortrekkers as the source of the Nile River as the town’s river happened to be north-flowing. Pass the edge of the escarpment and cross the Tropic of Capricorn towards Bulawayo, second city of Zimbabwe, capital of Matabeleland and industrial capital of the country. Travel along one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114km – before traversing Hwange National Park, a rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary where a game drive excursion is enjoyed. Arrive at the incomparable Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River where this sojourn ends. The surrounding areas offer travellers many recreational opportunities including cruises, whitewater rafting as well as superb game viewing and photo safaris. Available in reverse. Depending upon railway capacity, this journey could be routed through Botswana.

From 2022, guests have the option of choosing the 3-night journey or the new 4-night journey, which includes a local village stop and a chance to explore the game and prolific birdlife of a 1000ha ranch. See itineraries for details.

Day 1:  Depart Pretoria

18h00     Depart Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car or observation car at the rear of the train.

Travel through Warmbaths (Bela-Bela) – so named for its mineral waters – and Nylstroom, christened by the Voortrekkers as the source of the Nile River as the town’s river happened to be north flowing. Pass the edge of the escarpment where the Highveld drops precipitously.

20h00    Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Naboomspruit  Dress: Formal

Please ensure the Train Manager or Administration Deputy is in possession of your passport.

Day 2:  The Ranch Conservancy Border

MUSINA, SOUTH AFRICA / BEITBRIDGE, ZIMBABWE

07h00  Breakfast is served in the dining cars. The train departs for Polokwane.

09h00  Transfer to The Ranch Conservancy. Explore the game and prolific birdlife of this 1000ha ranch followed by lunch.

13h00   Return (30 mins) to the train. The train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn en route to Louis Trichardt

16h30    Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.Border formalities with South Africa.

19h30  Dinner is served in the dining cars. The train crosses the Limpopo River en route to Beitbridge. .Dress: Formal

Border formalities with Zimbabwe. In Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories, the ‘Elephant’s Child’ departs his family for the “great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever-trees, to find out what the Crocodile has for dinner.”

Day 3:  Gwanda, Zimbabwe

07h00  Breakfast is served in the dining cars. The train travels baobab country.

13h00    Lunch is served in the dining cars.

16h30   Tea is served. The train stops at Gwanda where guests have an opportunity to stroll through the village.

18h00   Depart for Bulawayo: second city of Zimbabwe, capital of Matabeleland and industrial capital of the country. Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Mpopoma

19h30    Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Mpopoma  Dress: Formal

Day 4:  Hwange National  Park

07h00   Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00.

13h00    Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train travels between Gwaai and Dete along one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114 kilometres – and along the eastern edge of Hwange Park.  Enjoy a game drive at The Hide in        Hwange National Park.

19h30    Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Thompsons Junction for overnight.Dress: Formal

Day 5:  Victoria Falls

Please ensure that your luggage is ready for collection at 09:45 and that you have your passport.

07h00   Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:30.

10h00   Arrive at journey’s end at the incomparable Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Please dress accordingly for game drives/excursions: mornings can be cool then warm up considerably; afternoons can be warm then cool down considerably. Warm clothing, comfortable shoes, hats and sun protection are advised. Rain capes are available.

Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.In your suite you will find the Journeys magazine that features articles of interest related to the route.

Why not add on a couple of nights enjoying the splendour of Victoria Falls, before your onwards journey  – please contact us for a quotation

4 DAYS • 1400km

This adventure begins with the train’s departure from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. Travel north through Warmbaths (Bela-Bela), so named for its mineral waters, and Nylstroom, christened by the Voortrekkers as the source of the Nile River as the town’s river happened to be north-flowing. Pass the edge of the escarpment and cross the Tropic of Capricorn towards Bulawayo, second city of Zimbabwe, capital of Matabeleland and industrial capital of the country. Travel along one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114km – before traversing Hwange National Park, a rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary where a game drive excursion is enjoyed. Arrive at the incomparable Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River where this sojourn ends. The surrounding areas offer travellers many recreational opportunities including cruises, whitewater rafting as well as superb game viewing and photo safaris. Available in reverse. Depending upon railway capacity, this journey could be routed through Botswana.

From 2022, guests have the option of choosing the 3-night journey or the new 4-night journey, which includes a local village stop and a chance to explore the game and prolific birdlife of a 1000ha ranch. See itineraries for details.

Day 1:  Depart Pretoria

BORDER: MUSINA, SOUTH AFRICA / BEITBRIDGE, ZIMBABWE

10h00     Depart Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car or observation car at the rear of the train.

Please ensure the Train Manager or Administration Deputy is in possession of your passport.

13h00    Lunch is served in the dining cars. Travel through Warmbaths (Bela-Bela) – so named for its mineral waters – and Nylstroom, christened by the Voortrekkers as the source of the Nile River as the town’s river happened to be north flowing. Pass the edge of the escarpment where the Highveld drops precipitously.

16h30    Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. The train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn.

19h30    Dinner is served in the dining cars. The train crosses the Limpopo River to Beitbridge.Dress: Formal

In Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories, the ‘Elephant’s Child’ departs his family for the “great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever-trees, to find out what the Crocodile has for dinner.”

Day 2:  At leisure on board

07h00   Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. The train travels baobab country.

13h00    Lunch is served in the dining cars. Travel towards Bulawayo: second city of Zimbabwe, capital of Matabeleland and industrial capital of the country.

16h30    Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.

19h30   Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Mpopoma for overnight.Dress: Formal

Day 3:  Hwange National  Park

07h00   Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00.

13h00    Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train travels between Gwaai and Dete along one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114 kilometres – and along the eastern edge of Hwange Park.  Enjoy a game drive at The Hide in        Hwange National Park.

19h30    Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Thompsons Junction for overnight.Dress: Formal

Day 4:  Victoria Falls

Please ensure that your luggage is ready for collection at 09:45 and that you have your passport.

07h00   Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:30.

10h00   Arrive at journey’s end at the incomparable Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Please dress accordingly for game drives/excursions: mornings can be cool then warm up considerably; afternoons can be warm then cool down considerably. Warm clothing, comfortable shoes, hats and sun protection are advised. Rain capes are available.

Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.In your suite you will find the Journeys magazine that features articles of interest related to the route.

Why not add on a couple of nights enjoying the splendour of Victoria Falls, before your onwards journey  – please contact us for a quotation