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Rovos Rail Golf Train, South Africa: Kruger + Durban + Cape Town

Rovos Golf Train: Grand South Africa (Pretoria to Cape)

Rovos Rail Golf Train South Africa Kruger Durban Garden Route Cape Town

18 NIGHTS FROM:

$7,776

Per person sharing

Scheduled flights quoted separately

9SYP18J

• Rovos Rail Golf Train, South Africa

• Kruger Golf

• Swaziland

• Hluhluwe Game Drive

• Durban Golf

• Champagne Sports, Drakensberg

• Humewood Golf, Port Elizabeth

• Garden Route

• Oubaai & Fancourt Golf

• Cape Town Golf

The luxury Rovos Rail Golf Train travels the length of South Africa, combining train travel with golf in the Kruger region, Durban in KwaZulu Natal, Champagne Sports in the Drakensberg, Humewood in Port Elizabeth, Knysna & famous Fancourt on the Garden Route, before ending in Cape Town. 3 or 4 journeys per year, contact us for departure dates. Pullman, Deluxe or Royal cabin.

Detailed itinerary ▶

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Day 1

You will be met at Johannesburg Airport and transferred 1-hour to Pretoria (now called Tshwane).

This city is the administrative capital of South Africa and is renowned for its jacaranda trees that flower from September to November. Check into your hotel and relax under warm blue African skies.

Day 2

This morning enjoy a half day private tour of the highlights of Pretoria.

We visit the Voortrekker Monument and historic Church Square, where we visit the home of Paul Kruger who was the president of the old Transvaal Republic at the time of the Anglo Boer War. We also drive past the City Hall and stop for photos at the beautiful Union Buildings - the official residence of the South African president, designed by Sir Herbert Baker. Here there is an impressive statue of Nelson Mandela.

Day 3

Transfer from your hotel to Capital Park Station arriving by 17.00, in good time to board the luxury Rovos Rail Pride of Africa departing 18.00 for Cape Town.

Relax and enjoy the elegance of luxury 5-star train travel of a bygone age, as you settle in to your wood-panelled coach for your unforgettable rail journey to Cape Town, enjoying fine cuisine and outstanding personal service as you travel over 2,000 miles through some of South Africa’s most spectacular scenery.

Enjoy dinner in the dining car, as the train travels on the eastern line towards the harsh eMalahleni coal-mining area and Middelburg, known as the “stainless steel capital of Africa”. The Dutch railway building company, NZASM, built this line between Pretoria and Lourenço Marques (Maputo) from 1893 to 1895.

Note: Dress code on the train during the day is smart casual, with comfortable walking shoes for the off-train excursion. Evenings are generally more formal, with most guests enjoying the opportunity to dress up (gentlemen are asked to wear a collar & tie, but jackets are optional).

Please be aware you may experience delays on your journey, due to issues with the local railway network. Rovos Rail will do its best to mitigate these, but they do sometimes occur. For this reason you should not book your flight home on the day your journey ends.

Golf course selection is dependent on availability.

Day 4

Breakfast is served in the dining car and the rolling hills of Makhazeni, eNtokozweni and Dullstroom, renowned for the genteel yet skilful sport of trout fishing, are a welcome sight.

After lunch, the train descends the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains escarpment from Belfast to Waterval Onder. The Drakensberg Mountains were named by the Voortrekkers who thought the unbroken chain of heavily weathered peaks reminded them of the spines on a dragon’s back, hence the name ‘Dragon Mountain'.

Tea is served in the lounge and dinner in the dining car, as the train continues towards Malelane.

Day 5

Golfers disembark today and transfer to play at either White River Country Club or Mbombela (Nelspruit).

These courses have been built in harmony with the bushveld environment, making this a special playing experience. But beware, some of the lakes and small streams may be home to hippo or crocodiles, giving new meaning to the term "water hazard".

Afterwards we rejoin the train at Malelane and continue southwards towards Mpaka in the small mountain kingdom of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland).

Note: If available, golf at Leopard Creek can be booked on request (but for your own account). You will need your passport to enter eSwatini and possibly a visa (and multi-entry visa to re-enter South Africa).

Day 6

Golfers disembark today and transfer to play at either Nkonyeni or Royal Swazi, followed by lunch.

The tiny kingdom of eSwatini (previously called Swaziland) covers only 17,000 square km, most of which is mountainous. It is landlocked and borders South Africa and Mozambique. Mbabane is the administrative capital and Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital.

Non-golfers: Visit Swazi Candles and Mantenga Cultural Village, with lunch.

Day 7

Disembark and transfer 30-minutes for a game drive in Hluhluwe National Park, which saved the black rhino from extinction. With its hilly topography, Hluhluwe is one of South Africa’s most beautiful game parks. It is home to all the Big Five, as well as Africa’s largest population of endangered white and black rhino. It is also a prime birding destination.

Afterwards we return to the train and travel southwards along the coast towards Durban.

Day 8

Golfers disembark at Durban today and transfer to either Durban Country Club, Mt Edgecombe or Cotswold Downs, to play on a course with wonderful views of the Indian Ocean.

Afterwards the train winds its way through the Valley of a Thousand Hills and the rolling hills of the Natal Midlands towards Ladysmith.

Non-golfers: Durban City Tour, including the Botanical Gardens and lunch at the Umhlanga beachfront.

Day 9

Golfers disembark today at Ladysmith to play championship golf at Champagne Sports Resort in the foothills of the mighty Drakensberg Mountains.

Afterwards we reboard the train at Van Reenan and travel across the Drakensberg Mountains into the Free State province.

Non-golfers: Spioenkop Lodge game drive and battlefields talk, with lunch.

Day 10

Today disembark and drive through Golden Gate National Park, named for the effect that the colours of the setting sun have on these dramatic sandstone cliffs, which offer excellent walking opportunities.

We also visit the picturesque town of Clarens situated at the foothills of the Maluti Mountains where we enjoy an early lunch (at own expense).

Afterwards we transfer to the Sandstone Heritage Trust, a large agricultural estate that houses an impressive collection of heritage trains, tractors, buses, cars and military vehicles.

We then rejoin the train at Bethlehem and depart for Bloemfontein.

Day 11

This morning disembark for a city tour of Bloemfontein, which is the judicial capital of South Africa.

Afterwards the train travels to Coerney. We traverse through the Great Karoo, a vast and beautiful semi-desert, and journey across this dry southeastern region with its variety of grasses, hardy shrubs, tumbleweeds and succulents. We then descend the Great Escapment towards the coast.

Day 12

Golfers disembark today and transfer to play at Humewood Golf Club in the holiday town of Port Elizabeth on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean.

Afterwards rejoin the train and enjoy dinner onboard.

Non-golfers: Early morning game drive in Addo Elephant Park.

Day 13

Disembark at Port Elizabeth this morning and transfer 1.5-hours along the scenic Garden Route to Oudebosch Farm Stall, where we stop for refreshments before continuing for another 1.5-hours to Knysna.

On arrival in Knysna golfers play at either Simola or Pezula championship courses. This lively town is famous for its oysters, which are grown in the lagoon.

Afterwards we drive for 1-hour past the serene lakes of Sedgefield and the glorious beaches of Wilderness to Fancourt Golf Estate situated in George. Check in and enjoy dinner at your luxury hotel.

Non-golfers: Ferry ride across Knysna Lagoon, followed by lunch.

Note: You need to pack an overnight bag for your stay at Fancourt. Small tog bags will be provided for this.

Day 14

After breakfast, golfers check out of the Fancourt hotel and play 18-holes on the outstanding Outeniqua or Montagu courses designed by Gary Player. These world-class championship courses are rated in the Top 10 in South African and present a true test in a beautiful parkland layout.

Afterwards transfer 3-hours across the magnificent Outeniqua Pass to Prince Albert Road Station in the Little Karoo, where we re-board the train and enjoy dinner en-route to Matjiesfontein.

About an hour after Matjiesfontein, the train arrives at the first of four tunnels on the pass. The first tunnel is 8 miles (13.5 km) long so you should be careful when walking through the train and turn on some lights.

Non-golfers: Excursion to Oudtshoorn to visit an Ostrich Farm and the famous Cango Caves, including lunch.

Day 15

Enjoy breakfast whilst travelling along the scenic Hex River Valley today.

The train travels through Worcester and the Du Toits Kloof tunnel, with spectacular views of the mountains and vineyards of the Cape Winelands.

View imposing Table Mountain as we arrive in Cape Town Station around 18.00 at our journey's end. Here you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 16

Today is free for independent sightseeing in Cape Town.

To orientate yourself, use your pre-paid pass for the Red Route Hop-Off Bus, which stops at all Cape Town’s key sights and attractions, including the Table Mountain (a Fast Track cable car ticket is also included). Here you can ascend and enjoy one of the world's most famous views.

Continue to trendy Camps Bay beach and the many attractions of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Note: Don't let the colour of the bus confuse you. All buses are red, but they run two different routes - the Red City Route and the Blue Kirstenbosch Route.

Table Mountain cable car is closed for annual maintenance from mid July to end August.

Day 17

Today we recommend an optional full day shared tour to the beautiful Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where you may see baboons, ostrich and perhaps even dolphins or whales in season (July/November).

Your tour travels through Hout Bay and along spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive to the Cape Point peninsula, before returning via Simons Town and Fish Hoek. This is a scenic tour of the whole Cape Peninsula, with the optional opportunity of visiting the penguin colony at Boulders Beach.

Note: Lunch is for your own account today. Group size is minimum 2 / maximum 15.

Day 18

Golfers transfer today to Stellenbosch to play 18-holes at Erinvale Country Club – a renowned Gary Player designed championship course that was home to the 1996 Golf World Cup and has hosted many South African PGA events. This challenging course is surrounded by the beautiful mountains and vineyards of the Cape Winelands.

Return hotel transfers, tee time and shared cart will be arranged for you.

Day 19

Transfer to Cape Town Airport for your flight home.

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