Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Grand Tour of South Africa

Grand Tour of South Africa, a rail journey with Vacations By Rail

Discover South Africa's magnificent landscapes, wildlife and historic locations aboard Rovos Rail, followed by an exploration of Cape Town and its glorious winelands.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Pretoria

    Arrival in the city of Pretoria

    Arrive independently in Pretoria and check into the hotel; welcome drink and first group dinner with the Tour Manager.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: train (Pride of Africa)

    Starting our journey on the Pride of Africa

    Morning at leisure in Pretoria, then transfer to Rovos Rail's private station to begin the 12-night journey aboard the Pride of Africa, heading toward Kruger National Park.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: train

    Traveling aboard Rovos Rail toward Kruger

    Scenic rail day through Mpumalanga province and the Drakensberg escarpment, traveling overnight to Malelane at the gateway to Kruger National Park.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: train

    A sunrise safari in Kruger National Park

    Sunrise wildlife safari drive in Kruger National Park (Big Five territory), lunch in the park, then reboard the train continuing toward Eswatini.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: train

    Exploring the mountain Kingdom of Eswatini

    Visit the Swazi Candles Centre in the Ezulwini Valley and the Mantenga Cultural Village, then rejoin the train crossing back into South Africa toward Hluhluwe.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: train

    Wildlife viewing in Africa's oldest nature reserve

    Safari in Hluhluwe Park in historic Zululand (Big Five, white rhino conservation), then the train continues south toward Durban.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: train

    Guided tour of Durban on the Indian Ocean coast

    Guided tour of Durban including botanical gardens and a beachfront lunch in Umhlanga; the train continues through the Valley of a Thousand Hills toward the Drakensberg Mountains.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: train

    Spionkop Lodge & Nambiti Game Reserve

    Visit Spionkop Lodge (Anglo-Boer War history) and a wildlife drive in Nambiti Game Reserve, then continue toward Harrismith in the Free State.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: train

    Golden Gate National Park & Clarens

    Drive through Golden Gate Highlands National Park to the town of Clarens; visit Sandstone Heritage Trust's heritage train and vehicle collection.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: train

    The Pride of Africa to Bloemfontein

    Tour of Bloemfontein including the Anglo-Boer War Museum's Women's Memorial, then an afternoon crossing the Karoo semi-desert.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: train

    Encountering the elephants of Addo Elephant Park

    Open-top vehicle wildlife-viewing drive in Addo Elephant Park (home to roughly 600 elephants), then continue overnight toward Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  12. Day 12overnight: George

    Knysna Lagoon ferry ride & Fancourt Estate

    Depart Gqeberha by coach along the Garden Route to Knysna for a sightseeing ferry past the Knysna Heads, then transfer to the Fancourt Hotel in George.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  13. Day 13overnight: train

    Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world

    Visit an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn and the Cango Caves, then rejoin the Pride of Africa at Prince Albert Road Station for the final onboard dinner (1920s dress theme).

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  14. Day 14overnight: Cape Town

    Journeying through the scenic winelands to Cape Town

    Final day aboard the Pride of Africa through the Western Cape winelands, arriving Cape Town this evening; transfer to hotel near the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  15. Day 15overnight: Cape Town

    Seeing the Cape Peninsula and Boulders Bay Penguin Colony

    Drive via Hout Bay and Chapman's Peak Drive to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope (Flying Dutchman funicular), then visit the Boulders Bay penguin colony.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  16. Day 16overnight: Cape Town

    Touring Cape Town, including Robben Island & Table Mountain

    Ferry and guided tour of Robben Island, then a city drive through Bo-Kaap and a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting).

    Meals: Breakfast

  17. Day 17

    Exploring the Cape Winelands of South Africa & traveling home

    Check out and tour the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch wine valleys (Rickety Bridge Winery, Middelvlei Wine Estate braai lunch), then transfer to Cape Town airport.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 5 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • 11 nights in Pullman Suite aboard Rovos Rail
  • All rail, ferry and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 12 lunches, 13 dinners
  • Afternoon tea each day aboard Rovos Rail
  • Beer, wine and soft drinks on board Rovos Rail
  • Small Group: max group size of 24
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Similar journeys, different answers