Grand Tour of South Africa

South Africa is a fascinating and diverse country, boasting iconic wildlife, exquisite wines and cultural cities - all of which lie ahead as you arrive in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. Wide avenues lined with flowering trees welcome you to the city, and in the springtime months from mid-September to November, purple jacarandas bloom all around the streets.

As your plane touches down, make your own way to our hotel, and check in with free time to relax after a long flight or get to know the surrounding neighborhood. This evening, head to the hotel's lobby to meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers for a welcome drink to begin this incredible journey. Afterward, we have our first dinner together in the hotel's restaurant. Overnight Pretoria.

• Dinner

With a morning at leisure, you have time to explore Pretoria. The impressive Union Buildings, designed by Sir Herbert Baker, are nearby, home to the presidential offices. Although the building isn't open to the public, the gardens feature a 30-foot-high statue of Nelson Mandela, who was inaugurated here in 1994. The Pretoria Art Museum and a shopping mall are a short distance away, while the National Zoo is just over a mile from our hotel.

This afternoon, we transfer to Rovos Rail's private station, where we can relax or look around the museum before starting our 12-night journey aboard the opulent Pride of Africa, a once-in-a-lifetime rail adventure that takes us across the stunning landscapes of South Africa in style.

As we cross this magnificent country, we relax in luxurious, air-conditioned suites, enjoying five-star service. All meals and drinks are included, each expertly prepared on board by a team of chefs, as are meals during off-train excursions. We settle into our private suites, then head east toward Kruger National Park before our first dinner. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10 a.m. each morning of our journey on the Pride of Africa. From the lounge and observation cars, you could gaze out at a moving picture of the gentle rolling hills of Mpumalanga province, passing towns renowned for trout fishing.

We enjoy lunch in the dining cars as our train begins to descend the Drakensberg escarpment, passing dense pine forests, canyons and soaring cliffs. On Days 8 to 10 of our tour, we reach the dramatic peaks of the Drakensberg, a 700-mile-long range of dragon-like mountains, named by the Voortrekkers who encountered these formidable summits on their trek into South Africa's hinterland.

Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. We are free to appreciate the ever-changing views and, as the sun sets, dinner is served in the dining cars. We continue traveling through the night to Malelane, a small farming town at the gateway to the Kruger National Park. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An early start brings a trip highlight, a sunrise drive in Kruger National Park. The largest park in South Africa and one of the world's most renowned, all the Big Five animals can be found here: lions, African elephants, Cape buffalo, leopards and rhinoceros.

On our wildlife safari with an expert guide, we explore this awe-inspiring reserve, looking out for antelope, zebra and herds of elephants that make this vast wilderness their home. We might be lucky to catch a glimpse of a leopard as it stalks its prey or even enjoy the thrill of viewing a lion from close range.

After lunch in Kruger National Park, we reboard our train. Tea is served in the lounge, and we can relax in one of the observation cars, watching the sun set on open bushland, before dinner is served onboard this evening. As we dine, Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa continues toward Mpaka, a small town in our next destination - Eswatini, a small landlocked country nestled between South Africa and Mozambique. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we arrive in the country formerly known as Swaziland, a mountainous country that changed its name in 2018 to the Kingdom of Eswatini.

After crossing the border from South Africa, our first visit is to the Swazi Candles Centre in the Ezulwini Valley. Here, we look around the workshop and meet the talented artisans who create a variety of candles before time to browse the basketwork, woodcarvings and colorful textiles on display in the marketplace. Next, we continue to the fascinating Mantenga Cultural Village. Tucked away in a forested reserve in the mountains, the village is a living museum that brings Swazi history and culture to life with displays, such as authentic Swazi beehive huts and other traditional artifacts.

After our tour, we are served lunch before returning to our train. Our scenic rail journey continues through the meandering hills of Eswatini, which we can admire over afternoon tea or from the lounge and observation cars. We later cross the border back into South Africa before dinner is served as we travel to Hluhluwe in KwaZulu-Natal. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast on board, we enter Hluhluwe Park (pronounced Shl-shlu-we) in the heart of historic Zululand. Africa's oldest nature reserve, this hilly region was first used as a hunting ground by the royalty of the Zulu Kingdom and became a wildlife reserve in 1895. Hluhluwe is now known for its preservation of the white rhino, a species threatened by poaching.

Hluhluwe is home to all the Big Five animals and a variety of birdlife. On a safari through the park, our guide points out areas where we might spot the elusive Five, as well as giraffes, zebras and hippos. The African wild dog, hyenas, Cape buffalo and elephants thrive here, and during the rainy season, large flocks of storks, herons and pelicans gather in the park.

The unpredictable nature of a safari makes it exciting, and the anticipation is often matched by an exhilarating experience. Reboarding our train before lunch, we travel south toward the Indian Ocean and Durban, passing subtropical forests, indigenous villages and wild beaches. Dinner is served in the dining cars this evening. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Pride of Africa rolls into Durban, South Africa's third-largest city, today. Located on the Indian Ocean coast, Durban is known for its diverse cultural heritage. Our guided tour includes the vibrant subtropical botanical gardens, followed by a beachfront lunch in Umhlanga, a popular resort with golden beaches.

Our epic rail journey continues through the breathtaking Valley of a Thousand Hills, an area of natural beauty. You may notice traditional Zulu villages of neatly thatched, domed huts. Xhosa huts, seen in the Eastern Cape, are similar but often painted, while Ndebele homes (which you may have noticed around Eswatini) are decorated in vivid colors with bold patterns.

As we pass through this idyllic hilly landscape, you could unwind in the train's lounge car and take in the views from one of the deep sofas or armchairs. Dinner is served in the beautifully restored dining cars this evening, as we journey inland toward the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast on board, we visit Spionkop Lodge, named after Spionkop or "Spy Hill," one of the smaller mountains that make up the vast Drakensberg range. Situated at the base of the Drakensberg Mountains, overlooking a lake, we hear the story of the historic battle of Spionkop in this relaxed setting and walk in the footsteps of notable past visitors, Winston Churchill and Mahatma Gandhi.

After lunch here, we set off on a wildlife drive in Nambiti Game Reserve, giving us another chance to spot more of South Africa's incredible wildlife, with the option of relaxing in the peaceful atmosphere of the lodge.

Later, we reboard the Pride of Africa, where we are served tea in the lounge as we travel beside the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains. Our journey continues this evening toward Harrismith in the Free State, and we are served dinner in the dining cars en route. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we drive through the magnificent Golden Gate Highlands National Park, part of the Northern Drakensberg range.

Nestled in the foothills of the impressive Maluti Mountains, which are a defining feature of the nearby Kingdom of Lesotho, we travel into a captivating landscape with jaw-dropping rock formations before arriving in the charming town of Clarens. There is free time to look around the quirky craft shops and art galleries and to find a café or restaurant for lunch in this peaceful town, known as the "Jewel of the Eastern Free State." We then visit Sandstone Heritage Trust, a large agricultural estate with an impressive collection of heritage trains, tractors, buses, cars and military vehicles.

On our return to the Pride of Africa, rail enthusiasts can enjoy the unique experience of the observation car leading the train for the next two days until we reach coastal Port Elizabeth. Dinner is served as usual in the refined ambiance of the dining cars. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we are taken on a tour of Bloemfontein, South Africa's judicial capital.

During our explorations of this down-to-earth and friendly city, we visit the Women's Memorial at the Anglo-Boer War Museum. The memorial commemorates the thousands of women and children who died in the concentration and prisoner-of-war camps of this war, and the museum itself provides an understanding of the history behind the Anglo-Boer War.

Back aboard our train, we spend a leisurely afternoon crossing the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region, marked by hardy shrubs, tumbleweeds, succulents and the occasional ostrich. Lunch is served, and you are free to soak up the views or enjoy the train's facilities. You could opt to relax with a book in the beautiful surroundings of the lounge car. We descend the Great Escarpment once again as it drops toward the coast and the Eastern Cape. Enjoy dinner this evening in one of the elegant pre-1940 dining cars, which feature polished wood and a nostalgic atmosphere. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Traveling to Addo Elephant Park this morning, we enjoy a wildlife-viewing drive in open-top vehicles.

South Africa's third largest national reserve is a diverse wildlife conservation park stretching from the semi-arid Karoo region, over the Zuurberg Mountains and down through the Sundays River Valley to the Eastern Cape coast. The park is home to one of the largest populations of African elephants on the planet - roughly 600. It is also inhabited by lions, leopards, Cape buffalo and rhinos, who live among the grasslands and woodlands. After our Addo safari, we return to our train and enjoy lunch onboard as our journey progresses.

The rest of our day is spent aboard the Pride of Africa as we continue overnight toward the coastal city of Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth. We are served another sumptuous dinner with a selection of South African wines in the dining cars this evening. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast is served early this morning before we depart Gqeberha Station with an overnight bag for the evening. Continuing our journey by coach, we make a refreshment stop at the Oudebosch Farm Stall, located in the densely forested Tsitsikamma region.

We continue along the ever-popular scenic Garden Route, which follows the coast to Knysna, a picturesque town on the shores of a large lagoon. On arrival, we take a sightseeing ferry past the dramatic sandstone cliffs known as the Knysna Heads, which guard the mouth of the lagoon connecting the estuary to the sea. Lunch onboard the ferry is accompanied by stunning views of the picturesque coastline and turquoise waters.

Back on dry land, we transfer to the Fancourt Hotel in the nearby town of George. This beautiful five-star resort has wonderful facilities, including a golf course, swimming pool and spa, with a breathtaking setting beneath the stunning Outeniqua Mountains. After checking in for an overnight stay, we enjoy dinner at the hotel. Overnight George.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a lavish breakfast at the Fancourt, Oudtshoorn is our destination this morning.

Home to the world's largest population of ostriches, the town is situated in the Klein Karoo, a semi-desert region at the foot of the Swartberg range. In the early 20th century, Oudtshoorn became famous for its feather boas and decorative "grand hats," which were the height of fashion. We discover more about these intriguing creatures on a visit to an ostrich farm, where we see the birds in their natural Karoo environment. After lunch at the ostrich farm, we continue by coach to the Cango Caves, where we can explore the colorful underground chambers and breathtaking limestone formations of this natural wonder.

We then transfer to Prince Albert Road Station to rejoin our luxurious train, just in time for afternoon tea. This evening is our last dinner aboard the Pride of Africa, and the dress theme tonight is the 1920s or smart casual attire. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On our final day aboard the luxurious Pride of Africa, breakfast is served in the dining cars while our train enters the spectacular mountain ranges and beautiful winelands of the Western Cape on our journey toward Cape Town. Lunch is served as usual in the dining cars, and the scenery changes as we trundle toward the city.

With a backdrop of iconic Table Mountain, surrounded by stunning beaches, expansive vineyards and lush farmland, Cape Town is South Africa's cultural capital and one of Africa's most vibrant destinations. Our train pulls into the city this evening, and we are met and transferred by coach to our hotel, close to the wonderful Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

After checking in, your evening is free to dine independently. The nearby Waterfront offers an exciting choice of restaurants, with cuisines ranging from fresh seafood and traditional South African dishes to north Indian and Cape Malay cuisine. Overnight Cape Town.

• Breakfast, Lunch

We are introduced to the beautiful Cape Peninsula today on a journey to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope.

Driving past the windswept beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard, we make a brief stop in Hout Bay, then continue along the stunning Chapman's Peak Drive (weather and open road permitting) to Cape Point. This breathtaking route has been featured in several films. At the Cape of Good Hope, we ride the Flying Dutchman funicular railway to the upper lighthouse, which overlooks the coastline and crashing ocean.

After free time over lunch at Cape Point, we travel to Boulders Bay, where a penguin colony native to Africa has made its home on the white beaches. The penguins nest in the dunes above the beach and waddle down to swim in the sea, often gathering to sun themselves on the rocks, so it is possible to see them close up in their natural habitat. After a transfer back to our hotel, this evening is free to find dinner nearby or at our hotel's restaurant. Overnight Cape Town.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Our full-day tour starts as we board a ferry across Table Bay (weather permitting) for a guided tour of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Today, this is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and we learn about Mandela's life and the time he spent here.

After free time over lunch, we drive by the City Hall, Parliament, Company's Gardens, Castle of Good Hope and into the colorful Bo-Kaap (Malay Quarter) where the houses are painted in cheerful hues. Next, we take a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting), enjoying panoramic city views on the way up. At the top, you could wander among the unique plant life and spot animals, such as the rock rabbit or the Table Mountain Ghost Frog.

You can descend and return to our hotel at leisure with the rest of the afternoon free. If a beachfront restaurant sounds appealing, you could take a taxi to the excellent seafood establishments of Camps Bay. Elsewhere, the areas of Kloof and Long Street offer an eclectic mix of cuisine. Overnight Cape Town.

• Breakfast

After checking out of our hotel this morning, we head out by coach into two of South Africa's greatest wine-producing areas: the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch Valleys. The hilly terrain and warm climate of the Cape Winelands make ideal wine-producing conditions, and there are many world-class vineyards nestled in this historic area.

In Franschhoek, we take an orientation walking tour of around 45 minutes, followed by a visit to the Rickety Bridge Winery, a traditional Cape Dutch estate surrounded by the Franschhoek Mountains. The Rickety Bridge Wine Tasting Centre is set on an elevated platform with views of the mountains, and on warm days, we enjoy a wine tasting here. In cooler weather, we gather around a wood-burning fireplace indoors.

We then continue to Middelvlei Wine Estate in Stellenbosch for a delicious braai lunch, a South African-style barbecue, before a short walking tour of historic Stellenbosch's main sights.

After soaking up the beauty of the Cape, we transfer directly to Cape Town's airport, where you can begin your journey home independently.

• Breakfast, Lunch