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Wexas Travel · Tailor-made holiday

Classic Cape, Blue Train and Kruger Safari

Cape Town, Winelands, Blue Train to Pretoria, then Big Five safari

Illustration of Classic Cape, Blue Train and Kruger Safari

Wexas Travel's 16-day itinerary weaves together South Africa's most celebrated destinations. You begin in Cape Town with four nights at the Victoria and Alfred Hotel, exploring Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront. From there, a private transfer takes you north to Stellenbosch for two nights in the Cape Winelands, where optional tastings and vineyard tours showcase the region's award-winning estates. Day 8 marks the journey's centrepiece: you board the Blue Train in Cape Town and travel overnight to Pretoria via Kimberley in a Deluxe Suite with butler service and gourmet meals. On day 9, you tour the Big Hole diamond mine before arriving in Pretoria for a night of free exploration. The trip concludes with a flight to Hoedspruit and four nights at Motswari Private Game Lodge in the Timbavati Nature Reserve, where expert guides lead twice-daily game drives and nature walks in search of the Big Five. All international flights, private transfers, and most meals are included, making this package ideal for luxury-seekers and rail enthusiasts seeking an immersive South African experience.

What to know before you look closer

  • The two-night Blue Train journey accounts for only two of the 16 days; most of the trip involves flights, hotels, and road transfers
  • The itinerary includes optional excursions (Robben Island, township tour, Winelands tastings) not part of the base package; confirm what you wish to add before booking
  • Prices vary by season: May to June from GBP 7,745; October to November from GBP 8,640, both including international flights

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Depart the UK

    Arrive at the airport where included VIP lounge access will leave you feeling rested for your overnight flight to Cape Town.

  2. Day 2overnight: Victoria & Alfred Hotel, Cape Town, Western Cape (Superior)

    Cape Town

    Arrive into Cape Town where a private transfer will bring you to your hotel at the V&A waterfront, among designer boutiques, trendy bars, street food markets and fine-dining restaurants, your base for four days of exploration.

  3. Day 3overnight: Victoria & Alfred Hotel, Cape Town, Western Cape (Superior)

    Cape Town

    A private Cape Town tour and trip to Table Mountain's lofty summit, with sweeping views of the Cape Peninsula.

  4. Day 4overnight: Victoria & Alfred Hotel, Cape Town, Western Cape (Superior)

    Cape Town

    An optional tour includes Robben Island, the notorious prison where Nelson Mandela was held captive for 18 years.

  5. Day 5overnight: Victoria & Alfred Hotel, Cape Town, Western Cape (Superior)

    Cape Town

    Perhaps head out to visit one of the city's townships to see how these once culturally deprived settlements have bounced back from years of oppression under the apartheid regime.

  6. Day 6overnight: Oude Werf Hotel, Stellenbosch (Superior)

    Cape Winelands

    A private transfer brings you north to the Winelands' town of Stellenbosch, whose Cape Dutch architecture and mountain frame set the scene for two days in South Africa's preeminent wine region, based at Oude Werf, sited on the country's first church.

  7. Day 7overnight: Oude Werf Hotel, Stellenbosch (Superior)

    Cape Winelands

    A second day of optional tours and tastings, from gourmet dining experiences to scenic walks and mountain bike adventures.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Blue Train, South Africa (Deluxe)

    Blue Train

    Return to Cape Town before boarding the Blue Train in the early afternoon, settling into your butler-served suite, taking afternoon tea in the Lounge Car, then a wine-paired gourmet dinner.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Blue Train, South Africa (Deluxe)

    Blue Train

    Wake to breakfast and views of South Africa's bucolic interior heading towards Kimberley for an afternoon tour of its mining museum and the famous Big Hole diamond mine, receiving an engraved glass of sherry as a memento, before another sumptuous dinner on towards Pretoria.

  10. Day 10overnight: Castello di Monte (Superior)

    Pretoria

    A final breakfast in the dining car or your suite before arrival into Pretoria around noon, transferring to your city-centre hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore South Africa's capital.

  11. Day 11overnight: Motswari Game Lodge, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve (Superior)

    Motswari Private Game Reserve

    Private transfer to Johannesburg Airport for a flight to Hoedspruit, gateway to Kruger National Park, then onward to the Motswari Private Game Reserve, part of the Timbavati Nature Reserve which shares an open border with Kruger.

  12. Day 12overnight: Motswari Game Lodge, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve (Superior)

    Motswari Private Game Reserve

    Join expert guides and trackers for included nature walks and game drives in search of the Big Five, returning to gourmet dining and the swimming pool.

  13. Day 13overnight: Motswari Game Lodge, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve (Superior)

    Motswari Private Game Reserve

    Further nature walks and game drives with expert guides and trackers in search of the Big Five.

  14. Day 14overnight: Motswari Game Lodge, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve (Superior)

    Motswari Private Game Reserve

    A final full day of game drives and nature walks across the bushveld.

  15. Day 15

    Departure

    After a final early-morning game drive, your South African adventure comes to an end; transfer to Hoedspruit Airport for your flight to Johannesburg.

  16. Day 16

    Departure

    Onward flight to the UK, arriving home on day 16.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Private tour to Table Mountain's summit with sweeping views of the Cape Peninsula
  • Day 8Board the Blue Train in Cape Town; settle into your butler-served Deluxe Suite and enjoy afternoon tea in the Lounge Car before a wine-paired gourmet dinner
  • Day 9Wake to breakfast aboard the Blue Train and tour Kimberley's Big Hole diamond mine in the afternoon, receiving an engraved glass of sherry as a memento
  • Day 12Join expert guides and trackers for included nature walks and game drives in search of the Big Five at Motswari, returning to gourmet dining and the swimming pool

Included

  • Complimentary UK airport lounge access
  • Return international flights from London to Cape Town and from Johannesburg to London
  • Internal return flight between Johannesburg and Kruger (Hoedspruit)
  • Private transfers
  • 7 nights accommodation in typically 4* (Superior) hotels on a B&B basis
  • 4 nights accommodation in a 4* (Superior) lodge on a full-board basis
  • 2 nights aboard the Blue Train in a Deluxe Suite on a full-board basis
  • Private half day Cape Town & Table Mountain tour
  • Twice-daily game drives while on safari

Questions travellers ask

Is this trip escorted or independent?
Wexas describes it as a tailor-made holiday with expert guides and trackers on game drives and nature walks at Motswari. Most other days (Cape Town, Winelands, Pretoria) are free to explore, though optional guided tours are available.
Which train is used and how many nights aboard?
The Blue Train operates the overnight service from Cape Town to Pretoria via Kimberley on days 8 and 9. You travel in a Deluxe Suite with butler service and all meals included.
What is included in the price?
International flights from London, internal flights to Kruger, private transfers, 7 nights in 4-star Superior hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis, 4 nights at Motswari on a full-board basis, 2 nights aboard the Blue Train on a full-board basis, a private half-day Cape Town and Table Mountain tour, twice-daily game drives, and complimentary UK airport lounge access.
When does this trip run?
Departures are available May to June and October to November, with different pricing for each season.
What accommodation is provided?
You stay at the Victoria and Alfred Hotel in Cape Town (4 nights), Oude Werf Hotel in Stellenbosch (2 nights), the Blue Train Deluxe Suite (2 nights), Castello di Monte in Pretoria (1 night), and Motswari Game Lodge at the Timbavati Nature Reserve (4 nights).
How much wildlife viewing is guaranteed?
Twice-daily game drives with expert guides and trackers are included during your four days at Motswari, where you search for the Big Five. Wildlife sightings depend on conditions and the season.

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