Golf Safari for LEISURE GUESTS

An exciting 9-night kaleidoscope of golf and scenic beauty (and non-golfing)

Overview

9 NIGHTS • 2100km

This safari travels the northeastern reaches of South Africa and will entertain the most discerning golfers with a delightful itinerary for non-playing guests. Travel from Pretoria to Sun City* in the hills of the Pilanesberg for game viewing. Cross the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains to Spionkop*, the perfect base for exploring the mountains, bush, birds and battlefields of the region. Traverse the scenic Valley of a Thousand Hills to Durban* for a tour of the city and botanical gardens. Interact with artisans as they create highly decorative and geometric-shaped candles. The game viewing continues at Hluhluwe in Zululand (one of the oldest reserves in the country) and the world-famous Kruger Park in Malelane* with a visit to the Kingdom of eSwatini*. See Dullstoom’s* arts and crafts and enjoy a presentation on flyfishing and an introduction to whisky after which this memorable journey ends in Pretoria.

*Course selection is dependent on availability: Sun City Gary Player/Lost City, Champagne Sports Resort, Durban Country Club/Mount Edgecombe/Cotswold Downs, Royal Swazi and Highland Gate.

Itinerary

DAY 1: PRETORIA

  • Depart Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Guests may freshen up in their suites before meeting fellow passengers in the lounge car and observation car.
  • Lunch is served in the dining cars en route to Rustenburg.
  • Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

The old town of Rustenburg grew as the church and administrative centre for a rich farming area. It is here, in the centre of a volcanic valley surrounded by the dun slopes of the Pilanesberg Mountains, a wilderness wonderland rises from the dust, the fantastical Sun City Resort. It was a vision realised through one man’s unshakable faith in the religion of tourism, the South African hotel prodigy Sol Kerzner. It was officially opened on 7 December 1979 in what was then Bophuthatswana, which had been declared as an independent state by the apartheid government. This meant it could provide entertainment such as gambling, which was banned in South Africa. The UN had imposed a cultural boycott on South Africa in condemnation of apartheid. In the early 80s, several acts disregarded the boycott and performed (with substantial financial incentives from Kerzner) to desegregated crowds at the venue, such as the Beach Boys, Cher, Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra, Status Quo, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Queen. Today the resort is one of the world’s largest entertainment centres, a luxury theme park for grown-up kids. The two championship golf courses – one with crocodiles at the 13th hole – are bordered by the Pilanesberg National Park, which contains the Big Five and has a vigorous conservation programme.

DAY 2: PILANESBERG

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars.
  • Transfer (±60 min) to Sun City.
  • Game drive in the Pilanesberg Reserve.
  • Lunch with the golfers. Afternoon at leisure at Lost City’s Sun City.
  • Return to the train.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

DAY 3: AT LEISURE ON BOARD

Day at leisure. All meals enjoyed on board en route to Ladysmith. Dress: “Africa” Theme or Smart Casual
The train climbs to Majuba Hill – site of the decisive battle that ended the First Anglo Boer War – then passes Newcastle, which has what is reputed to be the largest cella-dome Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere, and Glencoe, site of the first battle of the Anglo Boer War and now the centre of the province’s coalfields.

DAY 4: SPIONKOP

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars.
  • Transfer (±30 min) to Spionkop Lodge to hear the historic tale of the Battle of Spionkop with lunch.
  • Afternoon game drive in the 11 000-acre reserve OR relax at the lodge. Return to the train at 16:00.
  • Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

DAY 5: DURBAN

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars.
  • Enjoy a Durban city tour, a visit to the botanical gardens and lunch at Umhlanga’s beachfront with an afternoon at leisure.
  • Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

Please ensure that the Train Manager or Admin Deputy is in possession of your passport.

DAY 6: HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI PARK

  • Continental breakfast is served until departure.
  • Transfer (±30 min) to Hluhluwe for a game drive. As the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa, Hluhluwe consists 960km² of hilly topography and is known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts.
  • Return to the train.
  • Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train travels towards eSwatini. Border formalities take place.
  • Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Mpaka. Dress: Formal

DAY 7: ESWATINI

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars.
  • Transfer (±60 min) to Mkhaya Reserve. Board game vehicles for a game drive.
  • Transfer (±90 min) to Swazi Candles for a visit with lunch and an opportunity for curio shopping. Transfer (±15 min) to Royal Swazi to join the golfers AND/OR return to the train (±90 min).
  • Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

The tiny Kingdom of eSwatini (Swaziland) covers only 17 000km2, most of which is mountainous. For such a small country, it is surprising that it sustains two capital cities: Mbabane is the administrative capital and Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital. In April 2018, Swaziland changed its name to the Kingdom of eSwatini (meaning “place of the Swazi”) and is an absolute monarchy. It is landlocked and borders South Africa and Mozambique. At Swazi Candles, guests are invited to interact with the artisans as they make a variety of candles. Woodcarvings, colourful textiles and superb basketwork are also on display. Mantenga Lodge is nestled in the mountains overlooking ‘Execution Rock’.

DAY 8: KRUGER PARK

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars. If golfing at Leopard Creek, breakfast is served until departure.
  • Game drive in the Kruger National Park with tea, lunch and an opportunity for curio shopping.
  • Return to the train.
  • Tea is served. The train travels west across the Drakensberg Mountains and climbs the spectacular escarpment.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

DAY 9: DULLSTROOM

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars. Enjoy a presentation on flyfishing followed by lunch at Walkerson’s Hotel.
  • Return to Dullstroom for an introduction to whisky distilling and a tour of the Arts & Crafts Centre.
  • Dinner is served. Dress: “1920s” Theme or Smart Casual

DAY 10: PRETORIA

Please ensure luggage is ready for collection 15 minutes before arrival and that you have your passport.

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars.
  • The train arrives at journey’s end at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria.

Information

Please dress accordingly for excursions/game drives: mornings can be cool then warm up considerably; afternoons can be warm
then cool down considerably. Warm clothing, comfortable shoes, hats and sun protection are advised. Rain capes are available.

Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.
Please check with the Train Manager or reservations@rovos.co.za for any updates or changes to the itinerary.
In your suite you will find the Journeys magazine that features articles of interest related to the route.

INCLUDED: Accommodation; all meals; all beverages; room service; limited laundry; excursions with a qualified guide (where applicable); entrance fees as per itinerary; government tax. EXCLUDED: International sparkling wine; gratuities; personal expenses; visas; travel insurance; pre- and post-tour transfers, accommodation and flights.
MEALS ON BOARD (unless adjusted) Breakfast 07:00-10:00 • Lunch 13:00 • Tea 16:30 • Dinner 19:30

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