Grand Tour of South Africa

Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer independently to your hotel, the 4-Star Courtyard Hotel Arcadia in Pretoria, and enjoy some free time before meeting your group and Tour Manager later that day.

Today we board the Pride of Africa at the Rovos Rail Station in Capital Park, Pretoria. Our nine-night journey on this truly elegant train, in luxurious air-conditioned suites, takes us across the African plains in comfort and style, with fine china, crisp linen and 5-Star service. All on-board meals and drinks are included, as are meals during off-train excursions.

This morning we wake up early for a highlight of the tour - a game drive in Kruger National Park, the largest park in South Africa, where all of the 'Big Five' game animals can be found. Here we pursue antelope and track herds of elephant that make this huge wilderness their home - catch a glimpse of a leopard as it stalks its prey, or enjoy the thrill of viewing a lion from close range. We enjoy lunch in Kruger National Park before re-boarding the train.

Today, aboard the Pride of Africa, we pass through Hluhluwe Game Reserve, one of the oldest of its kind in South Africa. In the afternoon, we enjoy a game drive in the park for a chance to spot some giraffes, zebras, hippopotamuses, and cape buffaloes. After re-boarding the train, we head towards Durban, passing through the incredible and verdant scenery of the St Lucia Wetlands.

We arrive in Durban today, an incredible city where we take a guided city tour and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. After re-joining our train, we continue through the Valley of a Thousand Hills, an area of incredible natural beauty. Situated in the Kingdom of the Zulu, the evocative name comes from the numerous hills that cascade from the sky down to the Umgeni River.

Today we take a tour of Spionkop, or 'Spy Hill', discovering the historic battlefield site with a local expert. In January 1900, this was the sight of a bloody battle between Boer farmers and British troops, who's miscalculated tactics led to an embarrassing defeat of what, at the time, was considered to be the mightiest army in the world. 

Today is spent at leisure onboard the Pride of Africa.

This morning we travel to Addo Elephant Park for a game drive exploring the landscape in open vehicles. The park is inhabited not only by elephants, but by lions, leopards, cape buffalo and rhinos. We return to the train in Port Elizabeth for lunch on board. After some free time this afternoon, the Pride of Africa continues to Oudtshoorn, home to the world's largest population of ostriches.

Today we enjoy a fascinating visit to an ostrich farm, continuing on to George. Leaving the train, we take a short drive to Fancourt Golf Estate for our dinner tonight.

This morning, we enjoy the scenic drive down the coast to Knysna, famed for its picturesque setting on the shores of a large estuary. Here we take a ferry out to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, accompanied by knowledgeable guides. Reboarding the train, we travel through the magnificent scenery on the famous 'Garden Route' to Riversdale.

Our last day on board the Pride of Africa takes us through the wild scenery of the Cape Fold Mountains before the final leg of our journey to the beautiful city of Cape Town, set against the backdrop of Table Mountain. South Africa's cultural capital is one of the most vibrant destinations in Africa and features some incredible architecture, including the Italian Renaissance-style City Hall, completed in 1905. Here we check into the 5-Star Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Today we travel by coach around two of South Africa's finest wine-producing areas: the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch valleys. Here, we enjoy a delicious 'Boerebraai' lunch, a unique South African social event, where family and friends gather together to create a memorable dining experience.

This morning we make the cable car ascent of Table Mountain (weather dependent), to enjoy panoramic views of the city. The steep cliffs and rocky outcrops are home to a number of different animals and plants. Complimenting the vast array of flora is a stunning range of fauna, some of which, like the Table Mountain Ghost Frog, are found in no other place in the world. Following some free time for lunch, this afternoon we then descend as we take a ferry across Table Bay for a guided tour of Robben Island (weather dependent) where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years between 1964 and 1982. Afterward, we visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed attraction to Kirstenbosch, where we enjoy a guided tour of the botanical gardens, nestled at the foot of table mountain.

We journey to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope via the stunning Chapman's Peak coastal drive. At Cape Point we take the  Flying Dutchman funicular railroad up to a vantage point, where we enjoy inspiring views.

Today is spent at leisure before you transfer this evening to the airport for your flight back home.