Search

Wexas Travel · Tailor-made holiday

Cape Town, Rovos Rail & Phinda safari adventure

14-day South African journey: Cape Town, Rovos Rail, Phinda safari

Illustration of Cape Town, Rovos Rail & Phinda safari adventure

Wexas Travel's 14-day tailor-made holiday blends South Africa's vibrant cities with a journey aboard Rovos Rail and ends in a private game reserve. You begin in Cape Town with four nights at the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, set within Table Mountain National Park, and take private tours of Table Mountain, Cape Point, and the Winelands. From Cape Town you fly to Johannesburg and transfer to Pretoria, then board Rovos Rail for a two-night journey through KwaZulu-Natal. The train passes the Highveld, rolling grasslands, and the Drakensberg mountains whilst you dine formally and explore game drives at Nambiti Reserve and the historical Battle of Spionkop site. After disembarking in Durban for a city tour, you fly north to Phinda Mountain Lodge within a 22,000-hectare reserve spanning seven ecosystems. Your final three nights include twice-daily game drives and guided bush walks in search of the Big Five. All flights from London, accommodation, meals, and guided experiences are included. This holiday suits luxury travellers, couples seeking private touring, and first-time safari visitors.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a tailor-made holiday; departures depend on Wexas Travel availability and your dates. Confirm exact travel dates and the Rovos Rail schedule before booking.
  • Price varies by season: from GBP 9,215 (May to mid-June) to GBP 11,200 (November). Prices include flights from London but not optional spa treatments or activities beyond those listed.
  • The itinerary spans two overnight train journeys (days 7 and 8); confirm your comfort with sleeping aboard before booking if this is your first sleeper experience.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    UK to Cape Town

    Begin your journey in style with access to a premium UK airport lounge, enjoying a range of complimentary amenities before your overnight flight to Cape Town.

  2. Day 2overnight: The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town (Deluxe)

    Cape Town

    Following your arrival, you'll be met by your private driver who will transfer you to the esteemed Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, positioned within the Table Mountain National Park. Check in and spend the next four nights in this luxury oasis, ten minutes south of Camps Bay.

  3. Day 3overnight: The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town (Deluxe)

    Cape Town

    A private Cape Town city tour with a trip to Table Mountain for breathtaking panoramas of the Cape Peninsula.

  4. Day 4overnight: The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town (Deluxe)

    Cape Town

    Visits to the Cape Point lighthouse and the Flying Dutchman Funicular.

  5. Day 5overnight: The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town (Deluxe)

    Cape Town

    A full day tour of the Cape Winelands, renowned for its world-class wines and historic estates.

  6. Day 6overnight: Castello Di Monte, Pretoria

    Pretoria

    After breakfast with views of the Atlantic Ocean, a private transfer takes you to Cape Town International Airport for your flight to Johannesburg, then onward by private transfer to Pretoria, staying at the Castello di Monte, designed in the style of a grand Italian villa. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Rovos Rail, South Africa (Deluxe)

    Rovos Rail

    Board Rovos Rail, Africa's most iconic train, settling into your plush cabin as the train serpentines across the Highveld past rolling grasslands, rugged ridges and the distant Drakensberg mountains. Lunch is served as the train journeys towards Heidelberg and Balfour, afternoon tea in the lounge and observation cars, ascending the historic Majuba Hill, before a formal dinner as the train glides through Elandslaagte.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Rovos Rail, South Africa (Deluxe)

    Rovos Rail

    Breakfast is served as the train continues south through KwaZulu-Natal towards Nambiti Game Reserve, where you disembark for a game drive through the 20,000-acre private reserve in search of the Big Five. Rejoin the train for brunch before transferring to Spionkop Lodge for a choice of a historical tour of the Battle of Spionkop or another game drive, then a formal dinner as the train journeys towards Estcourt, passing the Winston Churchill Memorial.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Oyster Box, KwaZulu-Natal (Deluxe)

    Durban

    Breakfast is served in the dining cars overlooking rolling hills and lush valleys. By 10am the train descends the escarpment to Lions River, where you disembark for a visit to the Ardmore Ceramics Gallery. Return to the train for lunch as you pass the Valley of a Thousand Hills, before arriving at Durban Station and transferring to your hotel.

  10. Day 10overnight: Oyster Box, KwaZulu-Natal (Deluxe)

    Durban

    A day to explore this vibrant coastal city, including a half day city tour featuring the botanical gardens, Victoria Street market and a stop at the Cube for panoramic views over Durban.

  11. Day 11overnight: Phinda Game Reserve, South Africa (Deluxe)

    Phinda Game Reserve

    A scenic journey to the serene Phinda Mountain Lodge, set in the Hluhluwe National Park, spanning over 22,000 hectares with seven unique ecosystems, home to the Big Five and over 380 bird species.

  12. Day 12overnight: Phinda Game Reserve, South Africa (Deluxe)

    Phinda Game Reserve

    Private, inclusive game drives with exclusive access to the reserve's wildlife, encountering lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants and buffalo, plus giraffes, zebras and hyenas.

  13. Day 13overnight: Phinda Game Reserve, South Africa (Deluxe)

    Phinda Game Reserve

    For a more intimate wildlife experience, take a guided bush walk led by a knowledgeable guide through the reserve's pristine landscapes, unwinding each evening with spa treatments and starlit dinners.

  14. Day 14

    Return to UK

    After a heartfelt farewell to the reserve, a private transfer will take you to Richards Bay Airport for your flights back to the UK via Johannesburg.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Private Table Mountain ascent with panoramic views across the Cape Peninsula from 1,086 metres
  • Day 5Full day exploring the Cape Winelands with visits to world-class wine estates and historic properties
  • Day 7Board Rovos Rail and travel overnight through the Highveld past rolling grasslands and distant Drakensberg mountains; formal dinner service as you ascend historic Majuba Hill
  • Day 8Morning game drive at Nambiti Game Reserve in search of the Big Five; afternoon historical tour of the Battle of Spionkop
  • Day 12Twice-daily game drives at Phinda across seven unique ecosystems home to lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants and buffalo

Included

  • Complimentary UK airport lounge access
  • Return flights from London to Cape Town and from Johannesburg to London
  • Domestic return flights Cape Town and Johannesburg and Richard's Bay and Johannesburg
  • Private airport transfers
  • 7 nights accommodation in 5* (Deluxe) hotels on a B&B basis
  • 2 nights aboard Rovos Rail in a Pullman Suite on full-board basis
  • 3 nights accommodation in a 5* (Deluxe) safari lodge on a full-board basis including twice-daily game drives
  • Private half day Cape Town city tour, private full day Cape Point tour and private full day winelands tour
  • Half day Durban city tour

Questions travellers ask

Is the Rovos Rail journey included?
Yes. The package includes two nights aboard Rovos Rail in a Pullman Suite on a full-board basis, covering the journey from Pretoria to Durban via Nambiti Game Reserve and Spionkop.
Are flights included?
Yes. Return flights from London to Cape Town and Johannesburg, plus domestic flights between Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Richards Bay, are included.
What is included at Phinda Game Reserve?
Three nights at Phinda Mountain Lodge with twice-daily game drives and guided bush walks led by a ranger. Full board is included.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
It is a tailor-made holiday. You have private drivers and guides for city touring in Cape Town and Durban. At Phinda, you have ranger-guided game drives and bush walks.
When does this tour run?
Wexas Travel offers departures in May, June, and November at the price points listed. Contact the operator to confirm other available dates.
What hotels are included?
The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa (4 nights, Cape Town), Castello di Monte (1 night, Pretoria), Rovos Rail Pullman Suite (2 nights), Oyster Box (2 nights, Durban), and Phinda Mountain Lodge (3 nights).

Similar journeys