CSC - South Africa - MY SOUTH AFRICA & KRUGER - Comfort

Day notes

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the Rovos Rail Private Station in Pretoria where you will board the train - departing at 15h00. Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world class travel experiences. Exceptional train safaris combine some of Africa’s most magnificent scenery with travel aboard an authentically refurbished Edwardian-style train, accommodating up to 72 guests in the most spacious train suites in the world, each with their own en-suite bathroom and subtle modern conveniences.

The first day on the Pride of Africa takes you south via Johannesburg through the goldfields of the Witwatersrand.

Day notes

After a leasurly breakfast in the dining car you will arrive in Kimberley. Passengers will have time to visit the Big Hole and the Diamond Mine Museum. The Kimberley Mine Museum offers a trip back in time to when diamonds were first found in South Africa in 1866, near Hopetown in the Northern Cape. Three years later the 83-carat 'Star of South Africa' was discovered in the same area, unleashing a frenzied diamond rush seldom seen before or since. The train departs for Matjiesfontein via De Aar at 12h30. Lunch is served in the dining car/s. 13h00 Tea in the lounge and observation cars. 16h30 Dinner is served in the dining car/s. 19h30

Day notes

This morning we visit the historical village of Matjiesfontein befor he train departs for Cape Town via Worcester, Arrive at Cape Town Station, Platform 24. 18h00 Table Mountain welcomes you to the Mother City, a startling expanse of rock towering over the city and casting shadows into the Atlantic Ocean. Colorful streets zigzag below its vertical slopes, each offering an adventure through vibrant markets and quaint cafes. On the mountain's western side is the beach, an open expanse of sand stretching along the side of Africa, punctuated by the delights of the Waterfront and Cape Town Harbor. Go here for fresh seafood restaurants, glorious sunset views, yachts flickering on the breeze, and some of the best steak on the planet. Completing the iconic Cape Town skyline are two sister mountains, Lion's Head and Devil's Peak, forming an indelible imprint during your time in this unforgettable city.

Leaving the train you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day notes

You will be collected fro your hotel at 09:00* and depart the city along the Atlantic seaboard to the fishing village of Hout Bay, where, as an optional extra, you board a boat to view the Cape Fur Seal colony on Duiker Island (weather permitting). Alternatively explore the working harbour and visit the fish markets and local shops. Return to dry land and navigate the 114 curves of 600m high Chapman's Peak Drive, one of the world's most spectacular passes, past the Cape's longest beach at Noordhoek and the coastal hamlets of Kommetjie and Scarborough. Look out for Southern Right Whales just offshore from June to November!

Enter the Cape of Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park. Climb (or ride the world's first environmentally friendly funicular) to the famous Cape Point Lighthouse to capture the magical vistas of False Bay, and south westernmost point of Africa: breath-taking Cape Point.

Head along the False Bay coast to Boulders Beach for a close-up encounter with a colony of African Penguins, and then head home through the naval village of Simonstown and over Boyes Drive. The last stop of the day is Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, for a walk through one of the largest collections of indigenous plants in the world. The tour ends as you are dropped back at you hotel.

NB. A lunch stop will be made en route although this is not included in the cost. The cruise to Seal Island, funicular ride at Cape Point and entrance to Boulders Beach are optional extras.

Day notes

Your guide will collect you this afternoon and depart the city for Table Mountain's Lower Cableway Station. You will explore the mountain's summit and absorb the breath-taking views before descending.

You then return to the city via the old Cape Malay Quarter, for a walk through the Company Gardens, a fresh produce garden for ships and locals from the mid-17th century, and now home to the South Africa Museum, Houses of Parliament, National Gallery and St George's Cathedral. You stroll through the city to Greenmarket Square, where you can browse the bustling market stalls for beautiful and unique African mementoes.

From here, you drive to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront to board a traditionally designed 58ft gaff-rigged schooner, easily identified in the bay by her rusty brown sails. Your sunset sail around Table Bay affords fabulous views of the city lights and surrounding scenery, while enjoying sparkling wines and soft drinks. A fabulous afternoon!

Day notes

Today you are taking the coastal road to Hermanus, whale watching capital of SA. On a non-stop highway drive, you could be in Hermanus in under two hours, but this route hugs the coast from Muizenberg and goes thought Gordon's bay and Betty's Bay before getting you to Hermanus.

We guarantee spectacular vistas across False Bay as the route snakes its way through mountain ranges and semi-desert regions as Africa meets the ocean. Feel free to ask your driver to stop at one of the many look-out points along the way to capture some photos of this majestic coastline... and dont forget to keep an eye out for the Whales!!!

Day notes

Today, you will be collected from your hotel and taken on one of the most scenic mountain passes in all of South Africa.

The Franschhoek Pass, also known as Lambrechts Road, follows the path of least resistance along the Middagskransberg, tracing the northern edge of the Franschhoek Mountains between the Wemmershoek Mountains and the Franschhoek Valley.

It is one of the more heart-stopping of the passes for views and vistas of the surrounding valleys, gorges and mountains, particularly the drop down to the Franschhoek River from the summit. Capetonians have been known to take Sunday drives simply to include this route in their day, the views are so spectacular. Numerous stopping points along the route allow for breaks and photos.

Day notes

The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley – picturesque vineyards, breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine, fine wines and a 300 year history.

Passengers aboard the hop-on hop-off tour will experience a unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley as they journey through rolling vineyards in an open-side tram and open-air tram-bus stopping in at some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates.

A combination of tram and tram-bus transports passengers around a loop of stops allowing them to hop-off at each stop and experience the activities on offer, be it wine tasting, a cellar tour, lunch or simply a stroll through the vineyards and when they are ready, hop-on to continue the tour.

The tour takes passengers right into the heart of the Franschhoek Valley, with a narration focusing on the history of Franschhoek and wine cultivation in the valley, complimentary wine tastings and unparalleled views of the valley and vineyards.

Day notes

This morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Cape Town airport in time for your flight up to Hoedspruit, Kruger National Park. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred into the National Park and on to Hamilton Tented Camp.

You will arrive in time to freshen up before heading out on your first evening game drive.

Day notes

After your last morning game drive you will be collected from the lodge and road transferred into the Sabi Sands private nature reserve and on to Savanna.

Day notes

After your last morning game drive you will be collected from the lodge and road transferred to Kruger Airport in time for your flight back to Johannesburg , where your safari comes to an end with your onwards arrangements.