Rovos Rail: African Collage

Day 1 — Pretoria

Depart from Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria, late afternoon. The train travels on the eastern line towards the harsh eMalahleni coal-mining area and Middelburg, known as the “stainless steel capital of Africa”. The Dutch railway building company, NZASM, built the eastern line between Pretoria and Lourenço Marques (Maputo) from 1893 to 1895.

Day 2 — At leisure on board

The rolling hills of eMakhazeni, eNtokozweni and Dullstroom are a welcome sight and are renowned for the genteel yet skillful sport of trout fishing. The train descends the spectacular Drakensberg Mountain escarpment, first named by the Voortrekkers who thought the unbroken chain of heavily weathered peaks reminded them of the spines on a dragon’s back, hence the name ‘Dragon Mountain’ or Drakensberg in Afrikaans. Dinner is served as we head towards Malelane.

Day 3 — Kruger National Park or White River/Mbombela

Golfers transfer to White River Country Club or Nelspruit (or Leopard Creek if available) for tee off and lunch. Leisure guests enjoy a game drive in Kruger National Park with tea and lunch. The famous Kruger Park is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and home to an impressive number of species, eg: 336 species of trees, 49 species of fish, 34 species of amphibians, 114 species of reptiles, 507 species of birds and 147 species of mammals including the Big Five. Later rejoin the train and depart for Mpaka.

Day 4 — Eswatini or Nkonyeni/Royal Swazi

The train travels across the mountain Kingdom of ESwatini. 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’. The village is a living museum of old traditions that represents a classic Swazi lifestyle during the 1800s. Golfing today is at Nkonyeni or Royal Swazi.

Day 5 — Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park

Lunch is served and border formalities take place before transferring 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 prime birding destination. Return to the train where dinner is served in the dining cars.

Day 6 — Durban or Durban/Beachwood

Golfers transfer to Durban Beachwood or Durban Country Club for tee off and lunch. Leisure guests enjoy a Durban city tour with a visit to the botanical gardens and lunch at Umhlanga’s beachfront. Durban is the third largest city in South Africa and enjoys great importance due to its industry and very large port. The train then traverses the Valley of a Thousand Hills.

Day 7 — Spionkop or Champagne Sports Resort

Golfers transfer to Champagne Sports Resort for tee off and lunch. Leisure guests will be transferred to Spionkop Lodge to hear the historic tale of the Battle of Spionkop and walk in the footsteps of Churchill and Gandhi. Lunch is served at the lodge followed by an afternoon game drive or relax at the lodge. Return to the train for an “Africa” themed dinner en route to Harrismith.

Day 8 — Golden Gate National Park or Clarens

Take a drive through the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The park’s most notable features are its golden ochre and orange-hued deeply eroded sandstone cliffs and outcrops, especially the Brandwag Rock. Visit the small and picturesque town of Clarens situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains. Enjoy an early lunch (own account). Transfer (±60 mins) to the Sandstone Heritage Trust, a large agricultural estate that houses an impressive collection of heritage trains, tractors, busses, cars and military vehicles. Transfer (±60 mins) to the train at Bethlehem and depart for Bloemfontein. The observation car will be leading the train until Port Elizabeth – a different aspect that rail enthusiasts enjoy.

Day 9 — Bloemfontein

Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure. Tour Bloemfontein including the Women’s Memorial and Anglo Boer War Museum. Bloemfontein is the seat of the South African judicial system. At the end of the 19th century it was also the capital of the old Boer Republic of The Orange Free State. Bloemfontein is capital of the Free State Province and also known as the Rose City. Loch Logan Waterfront is next to the city’s newly renovated stadium, which was one of the venues during the 2010 Soccer World Cup. The Women’s Memorial at the Anglo Boer War Museum is a reminder of life in the concentration camps and commemorates the 27000 women and children who died in these camps. The Museum itself is a graphic depiction of the hardship endured by all during the war and relates the history of South Africa from 1652.

Depart for Coerney, traversing the Karoo, a vast and beautiful semi-desert stretching across the great South African plateau inland from the Cape coast with scattered towns and villages. Cross the dry southeastern region with its variety of grasses, hardy shrubs, tumbleweeds and succulents and descend the Great Escarpment towards the coast.

Day 10 — Addo Elephant Park or Humewood

Golfers transfer to Humewood for tee off and lunch. Leisure guests will enjoy a game drive at Addo Elephant Park, South Africa’s third largest national reserve stretching from the semi-arid Karoo, over the Zuurberg Mountains and down through the Sundays River valley to the coast. The park is home to one of the densest African Elephant populations on earth – roughly 600. Return to the train for afternoon tea followed by dinner in the dining cars en route to Willowmore.

Day 11 — Knysna or Pezula/Simola

Please pack an overnight bag for your stay at Fancourt. Tog bags have been placed in your suites for your convenience. Transfer from Port Elizabeth Station to Oudebosch Farm Stall for refreshments. At this point Golfers transfer to Pezula or Simola for tee off and lunch. Others continue to Knysna for a lagoon ferry ride with lunch. George and Knysna sit between the majestic Outeniqua Mountains to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south. The Knysna Heads – two sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon connecting the estuary with the sea – is a dramatic viewpoint. At lunchtime, the train travels the Garden Route, a narrow coastal terrace lying between the deep-set coastal cliffs rising sheer out of the sea and the mountains a short distance inland – a topology that facilitates heavy rainfall, hence the name as it is always lush and green. Transfer to Fancourt and check in. Dinner and overnight at Fancourt.

Day 12 — Oudtshoorn or Fancourt

After breakfast golfers tee off at Fancourt and enjoy lunch before rejoining the train. Leisure guests visit an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn before returning to the train for lunch. This semi-desert region is situated at the foot of the majestic Swartberg mountain range where many rivers, streams and falls have their origins. Oudtshoorn is regarded as the centre of the Klein Karoo and is famous for feathering the world in the time of the boa and grand hats. The ostrich boom of the early 20th century turned out many millionaires who, in turn, created elaborate lifestyles in this remote part of Africa.

This afternoon visit the great natural wonder of the Cango Caves, which has colourful underground chambers with breathtaking limestone formations. Dinner and overnight onboard the train.

Day 13 — Cape Town

As breakfast is served the train trundles through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic winelands of the Western Cape towards the coast. Lunch is served in the dining cars before arriving at journeys end at Cape Town station.

*Itinerary also operates in reverse

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What’s included

• 11 nights’ accommodation onboard in your suite of choice
• 1 nights’ accommodation at Fancourt Estate with dinner and breakfast>/li>
• All meals (B, L, D) during your trip
• Afternoon tea onboard most days
• All beverages onboard unless otherwise mentioned
• Water, coffee/tea, and breakfast juices at your accommodations off-train
• Shared guided excursions as per the itinerary
• Entrance fees as per the itinerary
• Golf green fees and carts (for golfers)
• Room service and limited laundry onboard

Not included

• International sparkling wine onboard
• All other off-train beverages
• Gratuities

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