Sample Rovos Rail African Golf Collage

Depart from Pretoria at 6pm, Rovos Rail

Rovos Rail’s unique 13-day safari through the heart of South Africa combines some beautiful African scenery, the best golf courses in the country with the glamour and excitement of the golden age of rail. This beautifully restored train comprises luxury coaches drawn by vintage-steam locomotives that have been splendidly refurbished in Edwardian style with special attention to detail, comfort and luxury.

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. Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

At Leisure on Board

The rolling hills of eMakhazeni, eNtokozweni and Dullstroom are a welcome sight and are renowned for the genteel yet skilful sport of trout fishing. Lunch is served in the dining cars. 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.

Kruger Park

The famous Kruger Park (2-million hectares) is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques
and 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 including the Big Five.

6.30am – Morning Game drive in the Kruger National Park or Golf at White River Rovos Rail.

Non-golfers join a game drive through the spectacular Kruger National Park. After a 3-4 hour game drive, followed by tea, lunch, and an opportunity for curio shopping, guests return to the train at 3pm.  In the late afternoon the train winds its way southwards to eSwatini (formerly known as Swaziland).

Eswatini

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’. The village is a living museum of old traditions that represents a classic Swazi lifestyle during the 1800s.

8am – Transfer (±90 min) to Swazi Candles and Mantenga Cultural Village with lunch. Or transfer to Nkonyeni or Royal Swazi for tee off and lunch.

Depart for South Africa in the afternoon.

Morning game drive in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Reserve

Overnight, the train continues south to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.

As the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa, Hluhluwe encompasses 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.

7am – Starting early once again, a wide variety of game can be seen on an early morning game drive (3-4 hours) through the scenic Hluhluwe Game Reserve.

11am – The Pride of Africa train departs mid-morning and makes its way south through the lush cane fields and rolling hills of KwaZulu Natal, arriving in Durban in the late afternoon.

Explore Durban or golf at Durban Country Club Golf Course

The following morning, the golfers enjoy an early morning tee off at Durban Country Club or Beachwood at approximately 7am, followed by a drive through the breathtaking Valley of a Thousand Hills to join the train at Lions River.

9am – Enjoy a Durban city tour, 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.

3pm – The train traverses the Valley of a Thousand Hills. The train stays overnight near Ladismith.

Spionkop Battlefield, Game Drive or Golf

The Drakensberg Mountains were 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.

9am – 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.
2pm – Afternoon game drive OR relax at the lodge.

Meanwhile, golfers will transfer to the Champagne Sports Resort for 18 holes of golf. This course has a spectacular setting in the Drakensberg mountains.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park & Clarens

8am – 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.

9.30am – Visit the small and picturesque town of Clarens situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains.
Enjoy an early lunch (own account).

1pm – 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.

3.30pm – Continue towards Bloemfontein.

Bloemfontein

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 27 000 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.

8am – Tour of Bloemfontein including the Women’s Memorial and Anglo Boer War Museum.
10am – Depart for Coerney.

Traverse 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.

Tour Addo Elephant Park or play golf at Humewood

The journey continues southwards to Alicedale from where non-golfers enjoy a morning game drive in the ecologically diverse Addo Elephant Park. It is 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. Alongside the thrill of close-up elephant encounters, Addo Elephant Park is now home to black rhino, lion, hippo, unique Cape buffalo and many species of antelope.

The golfers also disembark at Alicedale for a one-hour transfer to Humewood Golf Course.

Afternoon train departure for Port Elizabeth. 

Tour of Knysna or golf at Simola/Pezula

The following morning non-golfers visit the natural paradise of Knysna and the lakes of the Garden Route while golfers test out one of its signature golf courses, Pezula or Simola.

This region, between Mossel Bay and the Storms River, offers a spectacular coastline of dramatic headlands giving way to white sandy beaches. Behind the sand dunes lie placid lagoons and lakes, with a hinterland of soaring mountains, covered by indigenous rainforest, magnificent twisting passes, waterfalls and wooded ravines.

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.

Note: Overnight at Fancourt Estate.

Explore Oudtshoorn or Golf at Fancourt

This semi-desert region is situated at the foot of the majestic Swartberg mountain range where many rivers, streams and falls have their origins. The great natural wonder of the Cango Caves has colourful underground chambers with breathtaking limestone formations. 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.

10am – Visit an ostrich farm.

1:30pm – Visit the Cango Caves.

Meanwhile, the golfers start their day with a round of golf at Fancourt (Montagu/Outeniqua), after which they will be transferred to Prince Albert Rd Station at 1:30 pm.

Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Matjiesfontein. Dress: “1920s” Theme or Smart Casual

Arrive in Cape Town in the early evening

Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. Trundle through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic winelands of the Western Cape towards the coast. Lunch is served in the dining cars.
6pm – Arrive at journey’s end at Cape Town Station.