Grand Tour of South Africa

Overnight flight to Johannesburg

Meet the Tour Manager and group at London Heathrow and board a direct overnight flight to Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city.

Arrival in the city of Pretoria

On arrival at Johannesburg's OR Tambo Airport, transfer by coach to the hotel in Pretoria. Drive past the 130-foot-high Voortrekker Monument. Check in and enjoy the first dinner together.

Meals: Dinner

Starting our journey on the Pride of Africa

Morning at leisure to explore Pretoria, including the Union Buildings and gardens featuring a statue of Nelson Mandela. This afternoon, transfer to Rovos Rail's private station and board the Pride of Africa for a 12-night journey across South Africa.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travelling aboard Rovos Rail towards Kruger

Breakfast in the dining cars. Views of the rolling hills of Mpumalanga province. Lunch as the train descends the Drakensberg escarpment. Afternoon tea in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner served as the train continues through the night to Malelane.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Experiencing a sunrise safari in Kruger National Park

Early start for a sunrise drive in Kruger National Park with an expert guide, looking for the Big Five. Lunch in Kruger National Park, then reboard the train. Tea in the lounge, dinner onboard as the train continues towards Eswatini.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Exploring the mountain Kingdom of Eswatini

Arrive in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). Visit the Swazi Candles Centre in the Ezulwini Valley and the Mantenga Cultural Village. Lunch before returning to the train. Scenic rail journey through Eswatini, then cross back into South Africa, dinner served en route to Hluhluwe.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wildlife viewing in Africa's oldest nature reserve

Early breakfast on board, then enter Hluhluwe Park in historic Zululand. Safari through the park with a guide looking for the Big Five, giraffe, zebra, hippo and more. Reboard the train before lunch, travel south towards Durban. Dinner in the dining cars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Guided tour of Durban on the Indian Ocean coast

The Pride of Africa arrives in Durban. Guided tour including the subtropical botanical gardens and a beachfront lunch in Umhlanga. Continue through the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Dinner in the dining cars as the train journeys inland towards the Drakensberg Mountains.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spionkop Lodge & Nambiti Game Reserve

After breakfast, visit Spionkop Lodge overlooking a lake and hear the story of the historic Battle of Spionkop. Lunch at the lodge, then a wildlife drive in Nambiti Game Reserve. Reboard the Pride of Africa for tea and travel beside the Drakensberg Mountains. Dinner en route to Harrismith.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The glorious Golden Gate National Park & Clarens

Drive through Golden Gate Highlands National Park and arrive in the charming town of Clarens. Free time to explore craft shops and art galleries. Visit Sandstone Heritage Trust with its impressive collection of heritage trains and vehicles. Return to the Pride of Africa for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

The Pride of Africa to Bloemfontein

Tour of Bloemfontein, South Africa's judicial capital, including the Women's Memorial at the Anglo-Boer War Museum. Return to the train for a leisurely afternoon crossing the Karoo semi-desert. Lunch served onboard. Descend the Great Escarpment towards the Eastern Cape. Dinner in the elegant pre-1940 dining cars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Encountering the elephants of Addo Elephant Park

Morning wildlife-viewing drive in open-top vehicles in Addo Elephant Park, home to roughly 600 African elephants as well as lions, leopards, Cape buffaloes and rhinos. Return to the train for lunch. Continue overnight towards Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). Dinner with South African wines.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Knysna Lagoon ferry ride & Fancourt Estate

Early breakfast before departing Gqeberha by coach. Refreshment stop at Oudebosch Farm Stall in the Tsitsikamma region. Continue along the Garden Route to Knysna for a sightseeing ferry past the Knysna Heads with lunch onboard. Transfer to the five-star Fancourt Hotel in George for an overnight stay. Dinner at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world

After breakfast at Fancourt, travel to Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo. Visit an ostrich farm and enjoy lunch there. Continue to the Cango Caves to explore the underground chambers and limestone formations. Transfer to Prince Albert Road Station to rejoin the Pride of Africa for afternoon tea. Final dinner aboard the train with a 1920s dress theme.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Journeying through the scenic winelands to Cape Town

Final day aboard the Pride of Africa. Breakfast and lunch in the dining cars as the train passes through the mountain ranges and winelands of the Western Cape. Arrive in Cape Town this evening and transfer by coach to the hotel near the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Evening free to dine independently.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Cape Peninsula tour and Boulders Bay Penguin Colony

Journey to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Drive past the Atlantic Seaboard beaches, stop in Hout Bay, continue along Chapman's Peak coastal road. Ride the Flying Dutchman funicular to the upper lighthouse. Free time over lunch at Cape Point. Visit Boulders Bay to see the African penguin colony. Evening free.

Meals: Breakfast

Touring Cape Town including Robben Island & Table Mountain

Ferry across Table Bay for a guided tour of Robben Island UNESCO World Heritage Site. Free time over lunch. Drive past City Hall, Parliament, Company's Gardens, Castle of Good Hope and into the Bo-Kaap. Cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting). Afternoon free.

Meals: Breakfast

Exploring the Cape Winelands of South Africa

Check out and head by coach to Franschhoek and Stellenbosch valleys. Orientation walking tour of Franschhoek and visit to Rickety Bridge Winery for wine tasting. Continue to Middelvlei Wine Estate in Stellenbosch for a braai lunch and a short walking tour. Transfer to Cape Town airport for the overnight flight home.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Homeward bound

Direct flight touches down at London Heathrow, completing the grand tour of South Africa.