A 16-day journey offering an amazingly comprehensive view of South Africa, incorporating virtually every internationally regarded ‘must see’ sight. As the train travels the length and breadth of the country, guests can enjoy the great variety of landscapes, shorelines, cultures and lifestyles that the “Rainbow Nation” has to offer.
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Day 1 & 2:Cape Town
We will visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, which are world-renowned for the beauty and diversity of the Cape flora and for the magnificent setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. The estate of 528 hectares supports a diverse fynbos flora and natural forest. This is followed by a visit to Hout Bay, where a large fleet of colourful fishing vessels enhance the bustling ambience of this attractive resort.
Our city tour will commence with an exhilarating cable car ascent of Table Mountain (weather permitting and at your own cost). It provides breathtaking views over the city and its beaches. The panorama stretches from Table Bay to False Bay and around the mountain to the Hottentots Holland Mountains. The mountain is home to over 1 500 species of plants, many of these are found nowhere else on earth. Our city tour continues with a walk through the Company Gardens, followed by a visit to the Bo-Kaap Museum. Our lunch stop (guests’ own account) will be at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a development that has brought new life to the old harbor of the Dutch East India Company in Table Bay. The complex offers shops, craft markets, restaurants, taverns, cinemas, theatres as well as delightful views over the harbor. In the afternoon we will drive through District 6. We end our city tour with a visit to the Castle of Good Hope, the oldest surviving building in South Africa. This pentagonal fortification replaced a small clay and timber fort built by Commander Jan van Riebeeck in 1652 as a maritime replenishment station for the ships of the Dutch East India Company. The stone walls between the bastions are 150 m long and 12 m high.
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Day 3: Winelands / Overberg Region
The fertile green valleys of the Cape Winelands are surrounded by proud mountain ranges. A Mediterranean climate and winter rainfall create some of the best wines in the world. The rich, fertile soils along the Breede River and the Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl areas have become justly famous for their Whites, Reds, Sherries, Ports and Brandies. The Overberg region to the southeast embraces mountains, valleys and coastal areas and annually welcomes the Southern Right Whale to its waters.
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Day 4: Garden Route
Mossel Bay lies in the heart of the famous Garden Route and is situated on a spectacular sun-washed peninsula.
Drive along the coast from Mossel Bay to George, situated on a 10-kilometre plateau between majestic mountains to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south. Then we head via the Old Passes Route, which winds through the primeval forest of the Homtini to Knysna, lying between lush forests and a peaceful lagoon. The Heads - two sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon connecting the estuary with the sea - is a dramatic viewpoint. In the “Garden of Eden” we take a walk among the 4m tree ferns and 600-year old trees.
We visit the Dias Museum with its replica of the caravel in which Dias sailed from Portugal to South Africa more than 500 years ago. We also see the famous “Old Post Office Tree” where later explorers left post for passing ships. Mossel Bay features in the Guinness Book of Records as having the second mildest all-year climate in the world (second only to Hawaii).
Robberg means “mountain of seals” and the reserve is a scenic 4km promontory of red sandstone that probes finger-like into the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. A number of walks are offered, ranging from reasonably difficult to gentle strolls. Along the way there are caves that were once inhabited by an ancient people called “strandlopers” (beach walkers). The northern flank of Robberg is rocky and wild, but the south is the complete opposite with white beaches.
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Day 5: Klein Karoo
Surrounded by natural beauty, Oudtshoorn is situated at the foot of the majestic Swartberg Mountain range. Numerous rivers, streams and falls have their origins in the Swartberg, Outeniqua and Kammanassie ranges around the town. Oudtshoorn is regarded as the centre of the Klein Karoo and is world-renowned for the Cango Caves and the breeding of Ostriches.
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Day 6: Port Elizabeth
We recommend that you opt for an excursion today, as the train will go into the yard.
Addo Elephant National Park: A short drive brings us to the Addo Elephant National Park. Game drives will be conducted in our air-conditioned vehicles. The original Elephant reserve was proclaimed in 1931 when only eleven animals remained in the area. Today it is sanctuary to over 350 and guests may also see Cape Buffalo, Black Rhino and a variety of antelope species. After lunch (guests’ own account) game drives will continue into the afternoon. (Full day; distance traveled: ± 160 km).
Addo Elephant Park and Port Elizabeth City Tour: A short drive brings us to the Addo Elephant National Park. Game drives will be conducted in our air-conditioned vehicles. The original Elephant reserve was proclaimed in 1931 when only eleven animals remained in the area. Today it is sanctuary to over 350 and guests may also see Cape Buffalo, Black Rhino and a variety of antelope species. An extended lunch in Port Elizabeth (guests’ own account) will be followed by a tour of the “Friendly city”, which forms part of the Nelson Mandela Metropole and which is a major seaport with diverse eco and adventure attractions. Off its coast the first Coelacanth in modern times was caught in 1938. We will stop at several historical buildings in the city centre.
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Day 7: Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the seat of the South African judicial system. At the end of the 19th century it was also the capital of one of the old Boer republics, namely the Orange Free State. The Women’s Memorial at the Anglo-Boer War Museum is a reminder of life in the concentration camps and commemorates the 27 000 women and children who died in these camps. Naval Hill presents several beautiful panoramic views of the city.
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Day 8: Ladysmith - Midlands / Southern Drakenberg
Guests now head to the eastern jagged peaks called the Drakensberg, follow the waterways as they drop and cascade down mountain clefts, and through hidden valleys and the tumbling luscious hills that extend through the Midlands.
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Day 9: Nouthern Zululand
Guests now head to the eastern jagged peaks called the Drakensberg, follow the waterways as they drop and cascade down mountain clefts, and through hidden valleys and the tumbling luscious hills that extend through the Midlands.
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Day 10: Southern Zululand
In the morning guests will undergo a guided tour of Shakaland. After the tour, guests will check out and depart to visit the St Lucia Wetlands, declared a world heritage site, where we will take a cruise on the St Lucia Estuary in the afternoon, looking for Hippos, Crocodiles, and a large variety of water birds.
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Day 11: Durban
Durban is the third largest city of South Africa and enjoys great importance due to its industry and its very large port. Thanks to the subtropical climate and the long stretches of beautiful beaches large numbers of “uplanders” retreat to Durban in winter. An orientation tour of the city will allow you to see a very good mix of old and new, African, Orient and the West. We will drive along the “Golden Mile” promenade where numerous hotels and restaurants are situated. A visit to the Victoria Market will also be included. At the end of the morning we will drop you at either the botanical gardens or at uShaka Marine World, Africa’s largest marine theme park, where you can have lunch and spend your afternoon (all entrances and lunch for your own account). You will be picked up again at an arranged time later in the afternoon.
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Day 12: Pretoria / Johannesberg / Soweto
Gauteng is the economic powerhouse of the Southern African region and home to some of Africa’s greatest cities. The name of the province derives from the Sotho word meaning “Place of Gold”, which is very suitable since much of the wealth of Gauteng has come from this precious metal.
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Day 13: Swaziland
The drive from Kaapmuiden will afford majestic views of the Piggs Peak. The Swazi Market is a hive of activity and displays a wide variety of skillfully crafted woodcarvings, colourful textiles and superb basketwork for which Swazis are renowned. This day in Swaziland will introduce you to everyday life in Africa’s smallest kingdom.
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Day 14: Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park is partly situated in the province of Mpumalanga, which means “Land of the Rising Sun”. It is a province of extraordinary natural beauty. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that equals the best anywhere. Its 2 million hectares are unrivalled in diversity of life forms and the park is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques. The park is home to an impressive number of species, e.g. 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. Game drives will be conducted in our air-conditioned vehicles.
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Accommodation
Each train has its own bar, dining and accommodation carriages. As in any hotel, bedding and towels are provided and cabins are serviced daily. All cabins have storage space, hand basins with running water, plug points and a room safe.
Ivory Class - twin beds or a single bed (coupe) with fan. Shared bathroom facilities with a shower and two toilets per carriage.
Gold Class - twin beds with private bathroom, air-con and heating.
Commodore Class - twin beds with private bathroom, air-con and heating.
Emerald Class - twin or double beds with private bathroom, small lounge area, air-con and hairdryer.
For details on Shongololo