Itinerary

Northbound itinerary –

Note: Southbound itinerary (tour reversal) available on select dates.

Day 1 – Cape Town

Upon arrival at the Cape Town airport, you will be met by our representatives and transferred to the train. (D)

Day 2 – Cape Town

Cape Point: We will visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, world-renowned for their magnificent setting against the eastern slopes of Table. We travel next to Hout Bay, where a large fleet of colourful fishing vessels gives this bustling, attractive resort its character, and visit Mariner\'s Wharf where fresh seafood is a specialty. We wind our way along this scenic road to Simon\'s Town, a charming coastal town. A visit to the Boulder\'s Penguin Colony a short distance away is also included in today\'s tour. This day will not be complete without a visit to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Overnight aboard the train. (BD)
(Distance travelled: ± 150 km).

Day 3 – Cape Town

Cape Town City Tour: Enjoy a walk through the Company Gardens and a visit to the Bo-Kaap Museum. On our way to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, we stop at Diamond Works, where we follow a tour of the diamond cutting studio, a jewellery design and manufacturing workshop, as well as a gemstone laboratory. After lunch, we will drive through District 6, an area which by 1900 was home to the largest group of people then referred to as \"Malay\", \"mixed and other\" or \"coloured\". Our tour ends with a visit to the Castle of Good Hope. The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest surviving building in South Africa. Return to the train for overnight. (BD)
(Distance travelled: ± 100 km).

Available tour add-ons (on supplement):
1.    Two Oceans Aquarium
2.    Robben Island Tour
3.    Helicopter Flight
4.    Table Mountain

Day 4 – Winelands / Overberg Region

Surrounded by proud mountain ranges, the fertile green valleys of the Cape Winelands enjoy a Mediterranean climate and winter rainfall which produces some of the best wines in the world. The Overberg region to the southeast embraces mountains, valleys and coastal areas and annually welcomes the Southern Right Whale to its waters. Choose between touring the Historic Heart of the Winelands (distance travelled: ± 275 km) or Scenic Mountain Passes and Hermanus (distance travelled: ± 420 km). (BD)
 
Available tour add-ons (on supplement):
1.    Whale Watching Boat Cruise (Hermanus) – May to December, weather dependant.

Day 5 – Kimberley / Bloemfontein

Today, you will choose between 3 sightseeing tours. (BD)
Option 1 – Kimberley / Bloemfontein: Drive to Kimberley. Highlights in Kimberley include a visit to the Big Hole Mine Museum, William Humphrey Art Gallery and the Macgregor House War Museum. Meet the train in Bloemfontein.
Option 2 – Bloemfontein / Kimberley: Remain on train to Bloemfontein. Highlights include a visit to the Women\'s Memorial at the Anglo-Boer War Museum. Naval Hill presents beautiful panoramic views of the city. (Distance travelled: ± 50 km).
Option – 3 – Bloemfontein: Drive to Bloemfontein. Tour the Women\'s Memorial at the Anglo-Boer War Museum. Drive through Bloemfontein. Drive to Naval Hill. Visit the former State President\'s residence \"Olivenhuis.\" Return to the train. (Distance travelled: ± 330 km)

Day 6 – Midlands / Southern Drakensberg

Today, you will choose between 4 sightseeing tours. (BD)
Option 1 - Battlefields: Trace the course of the Anglo Boer War at the Siege Museum and on local battle sites including Spioenkop. Also visit Wagon Hill. (Distance travelled: ± 250 km)
Option 2 – Midlands Meander Markets: Visit the famous Midlands Meander in KwaZulu-Natal. Also visit the Howick Falls and beer tasting in a Nottingham Road micro brewery. (Distance travelled: ± 100 km)
Option 3 – Southern Drakensberg Birding Trails: Enjoy a guided walk in Pursers Bush. (Distance travelled: ± 250 km)
Option 4 – Drakensberg Hiking Trail: Walk through a Mcheche forest to Boundary Rocky. Opportunity to view bushman rock art and swim in the pools. (8.5 km hike; distance travelled: ± 300 km)
 
Available tour add-ons (on supplement):
1.    4x4 Sani Pass / Lesotho Excursion

Day 7 – Durban

Today, you will choose between 3 sightseeing tours. (BD)
Option 1 – Durban City Tour: Drive along the Golden Mile promenade. Visit the Victoria Market. At the end of the morning we will drop you at either the Botanical Gardens or at uShaka Marine World (entrance fees not included). (distance travelled: ± 50 km)
Option 2 – Durban Spiritual Tour: Visit Mariannhill’s monastery and the Hari Krishna Temple. Also visit Phoenix, the spiritual settlement established by Gandhi, before returning again to Durban for a panoramic tour. (Distance travelled: ± 150 km)
Option 3 – Umhlanga Rocks Beach Day: Enjoy a day at leisure on the beach. (Distance travelled: ± 60 km)

Day 8 – Zululand

In the morning guests will enjoy a guided tour of a Zulu cultural village, followed by the St Lucia Wetlands, declared a World Heritage Site. In the afternoon we will take a cruise on the St Lucia Estuary, looking for hippos, crocodiles, and a large variety of water birds. (Distance travelled: ± 180 km).
 
Available tour add-ons (on supplement):
1.     St Lucia Boat Based Whale Tours, June to December, contingent on weather.

Day 9 – Zululand

After breakfast, visit Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park. Once the exclusive royal hunting ground of King Shaka, it is a tapestry of natural and cultural history. The park is a treasure store of species including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, kudu, bushbuck, cheetah, hyena and many others. Game drives will be conducted in our vehicles. (BD)
(Distance travelled: ± 350 km).

Day 10 – Swaziland

The tiny Kingdom of Swaziland covers only 17 000 square kilometres, making it the second smallest country in Africa. This tour in Swaziland will introduce you to everyday life in Africa\'s smallest kingdom. Drive to Manzini where you will experience the Swazi market. After the market, head to the Ezulwini Valley to visit the colorful candle craft market Swazi Candles. After lunch we drive through the capital city Mbabane to the famous glassworks of Ngwenya. Return to the train. (BD)
(distance travelled: ± 280 km).

Day 11 – Kruger National Park

After breakfast, enjoy game drives through Kruger National Park, offering a wildlife experience second to none. The park is home to an impressive number of species including 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. Return to the train. (BD)
(Distance travelled: ± 220 km)
 
Available tour add-ons (on supplement):
1.    Open Vehicle Safari
2.    Protea Kruger Gate Lodge
3.    Private Game Reserve
4.    Mountain Lodge

Day 12 – Panorama Route or Kruger National Park

Today, choose between 2 optional sightseeing tours. (BD)
Option 1 – Panorama Route: In 1873 gold was discovered in the area around the quaint town of Pilgrim\'s Rest, now a living museum and National Monument. (Distance travelled: ± 280 km).
Option 2 – Kruger National Park: The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience second to none. (Distance travelled: ± 220 km).
 
Available tour add-ons (on supplement):
1.    Sunrise Balloon Experience, weather dependant.
 

Day 13 – Pretoria or Johannesburg / Soweto

Today, choose between 2 optional sightseeing tours. (BD)
Option 1 – Pretoria / Soweto: Visit the Union Buildings and the Voortrekker Monument. Continue to Soweto to visit the Hector Petersen Memorial. (Distance travelled: ± 200 km).
Option 2 – Johannesburg / Soweto: Visit Constitution Hill in Braamfontein. Head onto the Newtown precinct to visit Museum Africa. Travel to Soweto to visit the Hector Petersen Memorial. (Distance travelled: ± 150 km).

Day 14 – Johannesburg / En Route

Transfer to the airport for your flight. Additional optional tours may be experience depending on time. (B)

Available tour add-ons (on supplement):
1. The Cradle of Humankind: Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves
2. Lesedi Cultural Village
3. Apartheid Museum & The World of Beer
4. East Rand Mall or Emperors Palace

Map Location