- Departure; Scheduled departure dates
- Duration; 9 Days / 8 Nights
- Lodging; Aboard Rovos Rail
- Group Size; Minimum 1
- Note: Travel insurance is compulsory for all safaris
Day 1: Mpumalanga
- 09h00 Check-in at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria for departure at 10h00.
- Lunch and dinner are served as the train travels east towards Mpumalanga.
- (Breakfast 07h00-10h00 - Lunch 13h00 - Tea 16h30 - Dinner 19h30).
Day 2: Kruger Area
- Golfers: 09h00 Tee off at Leopard Creek near Kruger with lunch.
- Non-golfers: 08h00 Game drive in the Kruger Park with lunch.
- 17h00 Rejoin the train at Komatipoort and depart for Zululand.
Day 3: Zululand
- 09h30 Game drive in the Hluhluwe Reserve in Zululand.
- 13h00 Lunch is served as the train travels south alongside the St Lucia Wetland Park to Durban for the overnight stop.
Day 4: Natal Midlands
- Golfers: 08h00 Tee off at Durban Country Club.
- Non-golfers: 08h00 Disembark for a short city tour of Durban.
- After lunch, enjoy a one-hour scenic drive along the Midlands Meander to join the train at Lions River.
- 10h00 Traverse the Valley of a Thousand Hills to Ardmore Ceramics for a two-hour afternoon visit.
- 16h00 Return to the train for dinner and overnight.
- Traverse the Drakensberg.
Day 5: Bloemfontein
- 09h00 Disembark for a city tour of Bloemfontein.
- 13h00 Travel to Coerney/Alicedale across the Drakensberg Mountains.
Day 6: Port Elizabeth
- Golfers: 07h00 One-hour transfer from Alicedale to Humewood Course.
- Enjoy a game and lunch before joining the train in Port Elizabeth.
- Non-golfers: 08h00 Game drive at Addo Elephant Park.
- 11h30 Rejoin the train and depart for Port Elizabeth.
- 14h15 Experience the train being turned around then depart for Oudtshoorn via Willowmore.
Day 7: Garden Route
- Golfers: 07h00 Arrive Oudtshoorn.
- Transfer to George along Montagu Pass.
- 10h30 Tee off at Fancourt followed by dinner at the estate.
- Non-golfers: 09h00 Two-hour ostrich-farm visit in Oudtshoorn.
- 18h30 Disembark for dinner at Fancourt Estate.
Day 8: Cape Overberg
- Golfers: 07h00 Transfer to Ernie Els Oubaai for tee off at 08h00.
- Non-golfers: 08h00 Morning at leisure in Knysna or ferry ride to Featherbed.
- 13h00 Depart George and travel along the Garden Route via the Outeniqua Mountains to the coast for Riversdale.
Day 9: Safari End in Cape Town
- 11h00Â Two-hour tour of the KWV Brandy Distillery, Worcester.
- 17h00 Arrive at Platform 23 at Cape Town Station.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ITINERARY ALSO RUN IN REVERSE
Rates from R70 200.00 pp sharing
- Per person sharing
- Rates are in South African Rands
- *Rates may vary according to season
- Accommodation
- All meals
- All local alcoholic and other beverages
- 24-hour full room service
- Bar facilities
- Limited laundry service
- Excursions accompanied by a qualified tour guide (where applicable)
- Entrance fees to places of interest, per itinerary
- Government tax
- Visas
- Items of a personal nature
- Flights (domestic and international)
- Staff gratuities
- French Champagne
- Memorabilia purchases
- Off train costs and purchases
- Fully comprehensive travel insurance
- Sabi Sand Lodges
Nestled in the southwestern corner of the legendary Greater Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Reserve is a jewel of the African wilderness. This pristine sanctuary is not only renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty but also for hosting some of Africa's most exclusive and luxurious safari lodges. Famed for its exceptionally high density of wildlife and intimate, up-close animal encounters, the Sabi Sand is particularly renowned for its leopard sightings.
Iconic safari names like Sabi Sabi, Mala Mala, Londolozi, and Singita call this reserve home, offering unparalleled wildlife viewing experiences, particularly for the elusive leopard, thanks to years of careful conservation and habituation. These lodges blend seamlessly into the landscape, providing guests with world-class service, exquisite dining, and intimate encounters with the Big Five, making every safari an unforgettable journey into the heart of the wild.
- Timbavati Lodges
Nestled in the heart of South Africa's bushveld, within the greater Kruger National Park area, Timbavati Private Game Reserve offers a safari experience like no other. The reserve is not just a destination; it's a vibrant, breathing canvas where the wild roams free and nature unfolds in its timeless rhythm. Safari lodges and camps within Timbavati are more than mere accommodations; they are gateways to an immersive adventure into the wilderness.
The allure of staying at a safari lodge or camp in Timbavati lies in the unparalleled access to some of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife spectacles. Guests wake up to the sounds of nature, with mornings greeted by birdcalls and evenings underscored by the distant roar of lions. These establishments are committed to conservation and responsible tourism, ensuring that every safari drive, guided walk, or night under the stars contributes to preserving this untouched ecosystem for future generations.
- Cape Town Game Reserves
Experience the thrill of a "Big 5" safari near Cape Town! With the magnificent Karoo as a backdrop and the unique Fynbos biome, the Western Cape province offers an unforgettable experience for wildlife lovers.
Visitors can spot elephants, rhinos, lions, Buffalo and leopards amongst other wildlife along with some pretty amazing birdlife.
There are several Malaria-free game reserves within a 2-3 hours' drive from Cape Town offering luxury accommodation options with private air charters available at some reserves.
- MalaMala Lodges
MalaMala is more than just a game reserve; it's the blueprint for luxury photographic safaris in South Africa. Established in 1927, it's considered one of the best reserves in Africa, consistently offering incredible wildlife viewing. This vast, thriving wilderness covers an impressive 13,300 hectares, providing an unspoiled habitat for a diverse range of species.
Bordered by the Sabie River, a permanent water source, this area attracts an incredible concentration of animals, including the "Big Five." Its unique location offers exciting and exclusive wildlife encounters, without the usual crowds. Within the reserve are four exceptional camps, designed to blend with the natural environment while providing top-tier comfort, service, and immersive safari adventures.
- Shamwari lodges
Shamwari Game Reserve is a premier wildlife and safari destination in the Eastern Cape, home to the famous "Big Five" and numerous other plains game and bird species; this malaria-free game reserve has been recognized for its incredible conservation efforts and luxury lodges.
With miles of untouched wilderness and abundant wildlife, the Shamwari Game Reserve offers visitors an unforgettable experience that will surely be cherished for years to come.
Whether you are looking for adventure or relaxation, Shamwari provides something extraordinary that can not be found anywhere else.
- Singita Lodges
For decades, the Singita lodges within this exquisite portfolio have unquestionably epitomized the absolute pinnacle of luxury safari, consistently setting unrivaled standards in accommodation, conservation, and impeccable, personalized service. Each lodge is a sanctuary of comfort and elegance, designed to blend seamlessly with the natural environment while offering world-class amenities.
If your quest is for the finest, most unforgettable experience imaginable—the very best that the safari industry offers—then your search culminates magnificently with any one of these extraordinary Singita lodges. Nestled within the breathtaking landscapes of Kruger National Park, they promise an unparalleled journey into the heart of the wild.