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Grand Tour of South Africa

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All aboard the Pride of Africa for an unforgettable journey through South Africa’s most beautiful game parks and an introduction to the beautiful region surrounding Cape Town.

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15 days From $9,295 per person
Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager
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Save up to $400 per person on rail vacations with 2023 departures. Book by May 31st to lock in savings up to $400 per person on any 2023 departure.

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2023 Tour code: GR-AFJA-23

About the tour

Perhaps the wildest country remaining in the modern world, Africa is the destination for this incredible journey. The tour takes us through South Africa, where wild game preserves, national parks, and grand cities can be found hand-in-hand. Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to nearby Pretoria, where we board Africa's premier luxury train, the Pride of Africa, for a 9-night excursion along the southern coastline to Cape Town. Along the way, enjoy stops in Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe Game Reserve, Spionkop Battlefields, Addo Elephant Park and Featherbed Nature Reserve. From seeing Africa's Big Five to riding through the scenic Cape Fold Mountains while being wined and dined in pure luxury, the time on this train is truly memorable. As we arrive in Cape Town, the lavish experience continues. We sip wine in the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch valleys, ride a cable car up Table Mountain, ferry to Robben Island and even embark on one more scenic rail adventure aboard the Flying Dutchman Funicular Railway. A South African adventure with a cosmopolitan flair, this 15-day journey cannot be beat.

*Please note the October 31 departure will run in reverse from Cape Town to Johannesburg and is a 16 day tour 

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Johannesburg

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.

Day 2 - Pride of Africa

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.

Day 3 - Kruger National Park

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.

Day 4 - Hluhluwe Game Reserve

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.

Day 5 - Durban

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.

Day 6 - Spionkop Battlefields

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. 

Day 7 - At Leisure onboard

Today is spent at leisure onboard the Pride of Africa.

Day 8 - Addo Elephant Park

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.

Day 9 - Oudtshoorn

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.

Day 10 - Featherbed Reserve and Cape Town

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.

Day 11 - To Cape Town

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.

Day 12 - Stellenbosch Vineyards

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.

Day 13 - Table Mountain and Robben Island

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.

Day 14 - Cape Point

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.

Day 15 - Tour Conclusion

Your tour concludes after breakfast where you are free to make your own way to the airport for your onward journey.

 

Additional information

Recommended Airport

We recommend that for this tour you arrange flights to O.R.Tambo International Airport, approximately 34 miles from your base in Pretoria. Our recommended departure airport is the Cape Town International Airport, approximately 14 miles from your final base in Cape Town.

Airport transfers are not included.

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Courtyard Arcadia

Courtyard Arcadia, Pretoria

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Southern Sun The Cullinan, Cape Town

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Train

The Pride of Africa

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