Rovos Rail African Collage
Overview
The Highlights
NEW for 2024: Itinerary will be lengthened to 12 days. Click here for details of Pretoria-Cape Town itinerary; here for Cape Town-Pretoria itinerary.
Running times have been tweaked, and the following additional visits have been incorporated: the Kingdom of eSwatini, Golden Gate National Park, and the picturesque town of Clarens and Bloemfontein, the city of roses.
Other highlights of this journey include:
- Plenty of time to relax and enjoy the many amenities of the train itself—the Pride of Africa, one of the world’s finest luxury trains
- Travel along the spectacular Garden Route along South Africa’s coast
- Game drives in open vehicles in Kruger Park and Hluhluwe Game Reserve
- Addo Elephant Park—home to 600 elephants, as well as Cape buffalo, black rhino and a variety of antelope species
- Ostrich farm visit in Oudtshoorn
- Spionkop battlefields
- Tours of Durban & Knysna
- Golfers’ option to play six challenging courses, including Ernie Els’ first signature course in South Africa.
The Tour
One of the most scenic train journeys on the Pride of Africa, the Rovos Rail African Collage is a panoramic, 2,100-mile, 10-day South African luxury train sojourn along the Western Cape’s famous Garden Route, with optional golf excursions offered throughout the tour.
Travel from Pretoria eastwards to Malelane, south through Swaziland to Durban, and southwest through Port Elizabeth, Oudtshoorn and George to Cape Town.
Golfers have the option of playing six challenging courses, including Ernie Els’ Oubaai Golf Club.
IRT Inside Track: IRT’s Angela Walker and Rachel Hardy loved their time on Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa. Click here for part one of their report on the train, here for part two.
Itinerary
Day 1: Pretoria
Depart Rovos Rail’s private station in Capital Park, Pretoria this morning. Enjoy lunch and dinner on board as the train traverses the Highveld to the Drakensberg Mountains en route to Malelane.
Day 2: Kruger Park
We’ll have an early wake-up call this morning for a game drive in Kruger Park in open vehicles. Look for Africa’s “Big Five” and enjoy lunch at the Park. Return to the train at Malelane, with afternoon tea and dinner served en route to Mpaka.
Golfers’ Option: Tee off and lunch at Leopard Creek or White River or Nelspruit. Return to the train for afternoon tea and dinner.
Day 3: Hluhluwe Reserve
Breakfast is served as the train travels across the mountainous Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland).
After lunch, disembark for a game drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. As the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa, Hluhluwe consists of 370 square miles (960km²) of hilly topography in central Zululand. It has all the Big Five game animals and is also a prime birding destination. Due to conservation efforts, the park now has one of the world’s largest population of white rhino.
Return to the train for dinner on board.
Day 4: Durban
Leisure guests will have a Durban city tour, including 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.
Afternoon tea and dinner on board as the train traverses the Valley of a Thousand Hills.
Golfer’s Option: Morning tee-off at Durban Country Club or Beachwood or Zimbali. Rejoin the train for afternoon tea and dinner.
Day 5: Spionkop
Morning transfer to Spionkop Lodge to hear the historic tale of the Battle of Spionkop and walk in the footsteps of Churchill and Gandhi, followed by lunch at the lodge. This afternoon, take a game drive in the 11,000-acre reserve or relax at the lodge. Return to the train for tea and dinner.
Golfers: Transfer to Champagne Sports Resort for 18 holes at this lovely course with the Drakensberg Mountains as a backdrop. Lunch at the resort. Return to the train for dinner.
Day 6: On board
Full day on board to enjoy the train’s amenities as it traverses 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.
Day 7: Addo Elephant Park
Disembark for a morning game drive at Addo Elephant Park near Port Elizabeth. Addo 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.
Return to the train and depart for Port Elizabeth, with lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner on board.
Golfers’ Option: Morning tee-off at Humewood Golf Course in Port Elizabeth followed by lunch. Return to the train in Port Elizabeth.
Day 8: Oudtshoorn; George
After breakfast we arrive at Oudtshoorn for an ostrich farm visit. Oudtshoorn 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. Return to the train for lunch.
This afternoon, travel to George, where you can choose to visit the railway museum or shuttle to the mall for some shopping. Dinner will be together at Fancourt Golf Estate.
Golfers’ Option: Transfer to Fancourt Golf Estate or Ernie Els’ Oubaai Course for tee off and lunch. Join other guests at Fancourt for dinner.
Day 9: Knysna
Disembark in George for the scenic drive to Knysna to enjoy a ferry ride on the lagoon. The Knysna Heads – two sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon connecting the estuary with the sea – is a dramatic viewpoint.
This afternoon, the train travels the spectacular Garden Route — sometimes high above the Indian Ocean, at other times practically at sea level. We recommend finding a spot in the observation car to take in the scenery.
Golfers’ Option: Morning transfer to Fancourt Golf Estate or Ernie Els’ Oubaai Course for a round before returning to the train for lunch, tea, and dinner.
Day 10: Arrive Cape Town
Day at leisure as the train trundles through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic winelands of the coast before arriving into Cape Town Station around 5 p.m.
Day 1: Cape Town
Board Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa and depart Cape Town station this morning. Enjoy lunch as the train travels through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic winelands of the Western Cape. Afternoon tea and dinner on board.
Day 2: Knysna & George
This morning, the train travels the spectacular Garden Route — sometimes high above the Indian Ocean, at other times practically at sea level. We recommend finding a spot in the observation car to take in the scenery.
Disembark in George for the scenic drive to Knysna for a ferry ride on the lagoon with lunch. The Knysna Heads – two sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon connecting the estuary with the sea – is a dramatic viewpoint.
Return to George and opt to shuttle to the mall or railway museum. Dinner will be at Fancourt Hotel and Golf course.
Golfers’ Option: Transfer to Fancourt Golf Estate or Ernie Els’ Oubaai Course for tee off and lunch. Join other guests at Fancourt for dinner.
Day 3: Oudtshoorn
After breakfast we arrive at Oudtshoorn for an ostrich farm visit. Oudtshoorn 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.
Return to the train for an afternoon at leisure with lunch, afternoon tea and dinner on board.
Golfers’ Option: Morning transfer to Fancourt Golf Estate or Ernie Els’ Oubaai Course for tee off and lunch.
Day 4: Addo Elephant Park
Disembark this morning for a city tour of Port Elizabeth. Return to the train and travel to Coerney with lunch on board. Afternoon game drive Addo Elephant Park. Addo 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. Return to the train for dinner.
Golfers’ Option: Afternoon transfer to Humewood Golf Course in Port Elizabeth for tee off and lunch. Enjoy the scenic drive over the Zuurberg Mountains to rejoin the train for dinner.
Day 5: On board
Full day on board to enjoy the train’s amenities as it traverses 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. Ascend the Great Escarpment and cross the dry southeastern region with its variety of grasses, hardy shrubs, tumbleweeds and succulents.
Day 6: Spionkop
Morning transfer to Spionkop Lodge to hear the historic tale of the Battle of Spionkop and walk in the footsteps of Churchill and Gandhi, followed by lunch at the lodge. This afternoon, take a game drive in the 11,000-acre reserve or relax at the lodge. Return to the train for dinner.
Golfers: Transfer to Champagne Sports Resort for 18 holes at this lovely course with the Drakensberg Mountains as a backdrop. Lunch at the resort. Return to the train for dinner.
Day 7: Durban
Breakfast is served as the train traverses the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Disembark for a Durban city tour, including 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.
Return to the train as it travels north along the Indian Ocean coastline.
Golfer’s Option: Morning tee-off at Durban Country Club or Beachwood or Zimbali. Rejoin the train for afternoon tea and dinner.
Day 8: Hluhluwe Reserve
Early morning game drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. As the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa, Hluhluwe consists of 370 square miles (960km²) of hilly topography in central Zululand. It has all the Big Five game animals and is also a prime birding destination. Due to conservation efforts, the park now has the largest population of white rhino in the world.
Return to the train for lunch as border formalities take place at eSwatini (formerly Swaziland).
Day 9: eSwatini
The tiny Kingdom of eSwatini (Swaziland) covers only 6,700 square miles (17,000 km²), 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.
Transfer to Swazi Candles and Mantenga Cultural Village for a visit with lunch. Return to the train for dinner as we re-enter South Africa.
Golfers: Transfer to Nkonyeni for tee off and lunch.
Day 10: Kruger Park
We’ll have an early wake-up call this morning for a game drive in Kruger Park in open vehicles. Look for Africa’s “Big Five” and enjoy lunch at the Park. Return to the train for afternoon tea served while traveling west across the Drakensberg Mountains. A special 1920s-themed dinner on board tonight.
Golfers’ Option: Tee off and lunch at Leopard Creek or White River or Nelspruit. Return to the train for afternoon tea and dinner.
Day 11: Pretoria
Breakfast is served as the train climbs the spectacular escarpment. Lunch is served before arrival into Capital Park, Rovos Rail’s private station, around 5 p.m.
Dates & Prices
2023 Dates
April 2 - 12
October 23 - November 2
November 3 - 14 *
*This trip runs Cape Town to Pretoria and is 12 days long.
ACCOMMODATION | Double | Single | Deposit |
---|---|---|---|
Pullman Gold | ZAR 107,500 | ZAR 161,250 | 25% |
Deluxe | ZAR 158,000 | ZAR 237,000 | 25% |
Royal Suite | ZAR 210,000 | ZAR 315,000 | 25% |
Tour priced in South African Rand (ZAR). View approximate exchange rates.
All prices are per person.
2024 Dates
April 2 - 14
April 23 - May 5
October 18 - 30
October 31 - November 12 *
*This trip runs Cape Town to Pretoria.
Itinerary is 12 days beginning in 2024. Click here for details of Pretoria-Cape Town itinerary; here for Cape Town-Pretoria itinerary.
Running times have been tweaked, and the following additional visits have been incorporated: the Kingdom of eSwatini, Golden Gate National Park, and the picturesque town of Clarens and Bloemfontein, the city of roses.
Accommodation | Double | Single | Deposit |
---|---|---|---|
Pullman Gold | ZAR 138,000 | ZAR 207,000 | 25% |
Deluxe | ZAR 192,000 | ZAR 288,000 | 25% |
Royal Suite | ZAR 248,000 | ZAR 372,000 | 25% |
Tour priced in South African Rand (ZAR). View approximate exchange rates.
All prices are per person.
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Reviews From Our Travelers
The train was elegant (both the stateroom and dining) and the daily excursions (four game drives) most enjoyable.
We loved, loved, loved our trip. It was marvelous…we loved your accommodations, we loved the food, we loved the poeple. It was just plain great…very exciting and very wonderful.
Our family trip to Japan was perfectly planned by Eleanor....all eight of us were very happy with the trip and all of the arrangements, which were MANY! We came home happier than any of us thought possible!
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Only a few departures of this popular tour each year; book early to avoid disappointment!
Rates include: Accommodation; all meals; all beverages; room service; limited laundry service; excursions accompanied by a qualified guide (where applicable); entrance fees as per itinerary; green fees, carts and halfway house; government tax.
Golf clubs can be rented at additional cost.
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For dates and prices, please click here.
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