Grand Tour of South Africa

Our holiday begins at London Heathrow where we meet the Tour Manager and group before boarding an overnight flight to Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city.

On arrival in Johannesburg's O.R Tambo Airport this morning we are transferred by coach to our hotel in Pretoria, South Africa's administrative capital. The journey is around an hour and as we arrive into Pretoria we drive by some of the city's famous sights. We stop to view the 40-metre-high Voortrekker Monument, which commemorates South Africa's early Dutch settlers, the 'Voortrekkers', who left the Cape Colony to travel into the South African interior, in the early 1800s.

Wide avenues lined with flowering trees mark our arrival into Pretoria, and in springtime (mid-September to November) purple jacarandas bloom all around the city. After stopping for lunch at a local restaurant we arrive at our hotel, where there's time to relax before dinner.

• Lunch, Dinner

With a morning at leisure there's time to explore Pretoria. The impressive Union Buildings designed by Sir Herbert Baker are nearby, home to the presidential offices. Although the building isn't open to the public, the gardens feature a nine-metre-high statue of Nelson Mandela, inaugurated here in 1994. The Pretoria Art Museum and a shopping mall is a short distance away, while the National Zoo is just over a mile from our hotel.

This afternoon we transfer to Rovos Rail Station where there's time to relax or look around the museum before starting our 12-night journey aboard the opulent Pride of Africa - a once-in-a-lifetime rail adventure which takes us across the stunning landscapes of South Africa in style.

As we cross this magnificent country we relax in luxurious, air-conditioned suites, enjoying five-star service. All meals and drinks are included, expertly prepared onboard by an enthusiastic team of chefs, as are our meals during off-train excursions. We settle into our private suites then head eastwards towards the Kruger National Park, before our first dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10am, today and each morning of our journey on the Pride of Africa. From the lounge and observation cars you could gaze out at a moving picture of the gentle rolling hills of Mpumalanga province, passing towns renowned for trout fishing.

We enjoy lunch in the dining cars as our train starts to descend the Drakensberg escarpment, passing dense pine forests, canyons and soaring cliffs. On days 8 to 10 of our tour we reach the dramatic peaks of the Drakensberg, a 700-mile-long range of dragon-like mountains, named by the Voortrekkers who encountered these formidable summits on their trek into South Africa's hinterland.

Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. We are free to appreciate the everchanging views and, as the sun sets, dinner is served in the dining cars. We continue travelling through the night to Malelane, a small farming town at the gateway to the Kruger National Park.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today starts early for a holiday highlight, a sunrise drive in the Kruger National Park. The largest park in South Africa and one of the world's most renowned, all the 'Big Five' animals can be found here - the lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros.

On our wildlife safari with an expert guide we explore this wonderful reserve, looking out for antelope, zebra and herds of elephants that make this vast wilderness their home. We might be lucky to catch a glimpse of a leopard as it stalks its prey, or enjoy the thrill of viewing a lion from close range. After lunch in the Kruger National Park, we re-board our train. Tea is served in the lounge and we can relax in one of the observation cars, watching the sun set on open bushland, before dinner is served in the dining cars this evening, enroute to Mpaka, a small town in our next destination - Eswatini, a small landlocked country, nestled between South Africa and Mozambique.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we arrive in the country formerly known as Swaziland, a tiny mountainous country which changed its name in 2018 to the Kingdom of Eswatini. After crossing the border from South Africa, our first visit is to the wonderful Swazi Candles Centre in the verdant Ezulwini Valley. Here, we look around the workshop and meet the talented artisans who create a variety of candles, followed by time to browse the basketwork, woodcarvings, and colourful textiles on display in the marketplace.

Next, we visit the fascinating Mantenga Cultural Village. Tucked away in a forested reserve in the mountains, the village is a living museum which brings to life Swazi history and culture with displays such as authentic 'Swazi' beehive huts and other traditional artefacts. After our tour we are served lunch, before returning to our train. Our scenic rail journey continues through the meandering hills of Eswatini which we can admire over afternoon tea, from the lounge and observation cars. We cross the border back into South Africa, then dinner is served as we travel to Hluhluwe, in KwaZulu-Natal.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast on board, we enter Hluhluwe Park (pronounced Shl-shlu-we) in the heart of historic Zululand. Africa's oldest nature reserve, this hilly region was first used as a hunting ground by the royalty of the Zulu kingdom, then became a game reserve in 1895. Hluhluwe is now known for its preservation of the white rhino, a species threatened by poaching.

Hluhluwe is home to all the 'Big Five' animals, and a variety of birdlife. On a safari through the park, our guide points out areas where we might spot the elusive five, as well as giraffe, zebra and hippo. The African wild dog, hyena, Cape buffalo and elephant thrive here and, during the rainy season, large flocks of storks, herons, and pelicans gather in the park.

The unpredictable nature of a safari makes it exciting, and anticipation is often matched by an exhilarating experience. Reboarding our train before lunch, we travel south towards the Indian Ocean and Durban, passing lush sub-tropical forests, indigenous villages and wild beaches. Dinner is served in the dining cars this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Pride of Africa rolls into Durban today, South Africa's third largest city, on the Indian Ocean coast. Known for its diverse cultural heritage, our guided tour includes Durban's vibrant sub-tropical botanical gardens, followed by a beachfront lunch in Umhlanga, a popular resort with golden beaches.

Our epic rail journey continues through the breathtaking Valley of a Thousand Hills, an area of natural beauty. You may notice traditional Zulu villages of neatly thatched, domed huts. Xhosa huts, seen in the Eastern Cape, are similar but often painted, while Ndebele homes (which you may have noticed around Eswatini) are decorated in vivid colours with bold patterns. As we pass through this idyllic hilly landscape, you could unwind in the train's Lounge Car and take in the views from one of the deep sofas or armchairs. Dinner is served in the beautifully-restored dining cars this evening, as we journey inland towards the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast on board, we visit Spionkop Lodge, named after Spionkop or 'Spy Hill' - one of the smaller mountains that make up the vast Drakensberg Range. Situated at the base of the Drakensberg Mountains, overlooking a lake, in this relaxed setting we hear the story of the historic battle of Spionkop and walk in the footsteps of eminent past visitors, Winston Churchill and Mahatma Gandhi.

After lunch here we set off on a wildlife drive in Nambiti Game Reserve, giving us another chance to spot more of South Africa's incredible wildlife, with the option of relaxing in the peaceful atmosphere of the lodge.

Later, we reboard the Pride of Africa where we are served tea in the lounge as we travel beside the beautiful Drakensberg mountains. Our journey continues this evening towards Harrismith, in the Free State, as we are served dinner in the dining cars enroute.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we drive through the magnificent Golden Gate Highlands National Park, part of the Northern Drakensberg range. Nestled in the foothills of the impressive Maluti mountains, which form part of the Drakensberg system and are a defining feature of the nearby Kingdom of Lesotho, we travel into a captivating landscape with jaw-dropping rock formations before arriving in the charming town of Clarens. There's free time to look around the quirky craft shops and art galleries, and to find a café or restaurant for lunch in this peaceful town, known as the 'Jewel of the Eastern Free State'.

We then visit Sandstone Heritage Trust, a large agricultural estate with an impressive collection of heritage trains, tractors, buses, cars and military vehicles. On our return to the Pride of Africa, rail enthusiasts can enjoy the unique experience of the observation car leading the train for the next two days until we reach coastal Port Elizabeth. Dinner is served as usual in the refined ambience of the dining cars.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast we are taken on a tour of Bloemfontein, South Africa's judicial capital. During our explorations of this down-to-earth and friendly city, we visit the Women's Memorial at the Anglo-Boer War Museum. The memorial commemorates the thousands of women and children who died in the concentration and prisoner-of-war camps of this war, while the museum itself provides an understanding of the history behind the Anglo-Boer War.

Back aboard our train, we spend a leisurely afternoon crossing the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region, marked by hardy shrubs, tumbleweeds, succulents and the occasional ostrich. Lunch is served, and you are free to soak up the passing views or enjoy the train's facilities. You may like to relax with a book in the beautiful surroundings of the Lounge Car. We descend the Great Escarpment once again as it drops towards the coast and the Eastern Cape. Enjoy dinner in one of the elegant pre-1940 dining cars, which feature polished wood and a nostalgic atmosphere.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we travel to Addo Elephant Park for a wildlife-viewing drive in open-top vehicles. South Africa's third largest national reserve is a diverse wildlife conservation park, stretching from the semi-arid Karoo region, over the Zuurberg Mountains and down through the Sundays River valley to the Eastern Cape coast. The park is home to one of the densest African Elephant populations on earth - roughly 600. It is also inhabited by lions, leopards, Cape buffaloes and rhinos, who live among the grasslands and woodlands.

After our Addo safari, we return to our train and enjoy lunch onboard as our journey progresses. The rest of our day is spent aboard the Pride of Africa as we continue towards the coastal city of Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, overnight. We are served another sumptuous dinner with a selection of South African wines in the dining cars this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast is served early this morning before we depart Gqeberha station with an overnight bag for this evening. Continuing our journey by coach we make a refreshment stop at the Oudebosch Farm Stall, located in the densely-forested Tsitsikamma region.

We continue along the ever-popular Garden Route which follows the coast to Knysna, a picturesque town on the shores of a large lagoon. On arrival, we take a sightseeing ferry past the dramatic sandstone cliffs known as The Knysna Heads, which guard the mouth of the lagoon connecting the estuary to the sea. Lunch onboard the ferry is accompanied by stunning views of the picturesque coastline and turquoise waters.

Back on dry land, we transfer to the gracious Fancourt Hotel in the nearby town of George. This beautiful five-star resort has wonderful facilities, including a golf course, swimming pool and spa, with a breathtaking setting beneath the stunning Outeniqua Mountains. After checking in for an overnight stay we enjoy dinner at the hotel.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a lavish breakfast at the Fancourt, Oudtshoorn is our destination this morning, home to the world's largest population of ostriches. The town is situated in the Klein Karoo, a semi-desert region at the foot of the majestic Swartberg mountain range, where several rivers, streams and falls have their origins. In the early 20th century Oudtshoorn became famous for its feather boas and decorative 'grand hats' which were the height of fashion. We discover more about these intriguing creatures on a visit to an ostrich farm, where we see the birds in their natural Karoo environment.

After lunch at the ostrich farm, we continue by coach to the Cango Caves, where we can explore the colourful underground chambers and breathtaking limestone formations of this natural wonder. We then transfer to Prince Albert Road Station to rejoin our luxurious train, just in time for afternoon tea. This evening is our last dinner aboard the Pride of Africa and the dress theme tonight is 'the 1920s' or smart casual attire.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On our final day aboard the luxurious Pride of Africa, breakfast is served until 10am in the dining cars, while our train enters the spectacular mountain ranges and beautiful winelands of the Western Cape on our journey towards Cape Town. Lunch is served as usual in the dining cars, and the scenery changes and we trundle towards the city.

With a backdrop of iconic Table Mountain, surrounded by stunning beaches, expansive vineyards and lush farmland, Cape Town is South Africa's cultural capital and one of Africa's most vibrant destinations. Our train pulls into the city at 6pm where we are met and transferred by coach to our hotel, close to the wonderful Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. After checking in your evening is free to dine independently. The nearby Waterfront offers an exciting choice of restaurant fare, ranging from fresh seafood and traditional South African dishes to North Indian and Cape Malay cuisine.

• Breakfast, Lunch

We are introduced to the beautiful Cape Peninsula today on a journey to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Driving past the windswept beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard, we make a brief stop in Hout Bay, then continue along the stunning Chapman's Peak coastal road (weather and open road permitting) to Cape Point - a breathtaking route which has featured in several films and international car commercials.

At the Cape of Good Hope we ride the Flying Dutchman funicular railway to the upper lighthouse, which has fantastic views of the coastline and crashing ocean. After free time over lunch at Cape Point, we travel to Boulders Bay, where a charming penguin colony native to Africa has made its home on the soft white beaches. The penguins nest in the dunes above the beach and waddle down to swim in the sea, often gathering in family groups to sun on the rocks, so it is possible to see these lovely creatures close up in their natural habitat. After a transfer back to our hotel, this evening is free to find dinner nearby, or at our hotel's restaurant.

Our full day excursion tour starts after breakfast, when (weather permitting) we board a ferry across Table Bay for a guided tour of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Today, the site is UNESCO World Heritage listed. After free time over lunch, we continue our Cape Town orientation tour, which includes a drive by the City Hall, Parliament, Company's Gardens, The Castle of Good Hope and into the colourful Bo-Kaap (Malay Quarter) where the houses are painted in cheerful colours.

Next, we take a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting), enjoying panoramic city views on the way up. At the top, you could wander among the beautiful Cape 'fynbos', the unique plant life which includes different types of coral-hued proteas, and spot animals such as the rock rabbit ('dassie' in Afrikaans) or the Table Mountain Ghost Frog. We descend and return to our hotel at leisure, with the rest of the afternoon to continue exploring different facets of the city at our own pace. If a beachfront restaurant appeals, you could take a taxi to Camps Bay, which has some excellent seafood restaurants. The areas of Kloof and Long Street offer an eclectic mix of cuisine and a multicultural atmosphere.

After checking out of our hotel this morning, we head out by coach into two of South Africa's great wine-producing areas: the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch Valleys. The hilly terrain and warm climate of the Cape Winelands make ideal wine-producing conditions, and there are many world-class vineyards nestled in these historic valleys.

In Franschhoek we take an orientation walking tour of around 45 minutes, followed by a visit to the Rickety Bridge Winery, a traditional Cape Dutch estate, surrounded by the magnificent Franschoek mountains. The Rickety Bridge Wine Tasting Centre is set on an elevated platform with views of the mountains, and on warm days we enjoy a wine tasting here. In cooler weather we gather around a wood-burning fireplace indoors.

We continue to Middelvlei Wine Estate in the Stellenbosch Valley for a delicious 'braai' lunch, a South African-style barbecue. We then continue to the historic town of Stellenbosch for a short walking tour of its main sights. After soaking up the final rays and beauty of the Cape, we transfer directly to Cape Town International Airport for our overnight flight home.

This extraordinary tour has featured South Africa's iconic wildlife parks, unique cultural experiences in Eswatini, Bloemfontein and Robben Island, and a spectacular journey aboard Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa. We were also introduced to the Drakensberg mountains, the Indian Ocean coastline, the stunning city of Cape Town and its winelands. As our flight touches down in London Heathrow, our Grand Tour of South Africa comes to an end and you are free to head home.