Grand Tour of South Africa

Our holiday starts at London Heathrow where we meet our Tour Manager and group of fellow travellers before boarding our overnight flight to Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city.

Our flight lands in Johannesburg this morning and we are transferred by coach to our hotel in Pretoria, a journey of around an hour, a handsome city which is South Africa's administrative capital.

Enroute to our hotel we drive by some of the city's main sights. We stop at the Voortrekker Monument, an enormous structure commemorating 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; in South African springtime these include glorious purple jacarandas, a signature of this historic city. We stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After checking into our hotel this afternoon there's time to relax before a welcome drink and dinner at our hotel.

With a free day until mid-afternoon you may like to explore the local area. The impressive Union Buildings are nearby, home to the government and presidential offices, designed by Sir Herbert Baker. Although the building is not open to the public, the garden features a nine metres tall statue of Nelson Mandela, who was inaugurated here in 1994. The Pretoria Art Museum and a shopping centre is a short walk away, while the National Zoo is just over a mile from our hotel.

This afternoon we transfer to the Rovos Rail Station where there's time to relax, look at the museum or around the depot, before boarding the opulent Pride of Africa for an unforgettable journey of 12 nights - a once-in-a-lifetime rail adventure which takes us across the great landscapes of South Africa in style.

As we travel across this magnificent country we relax in luxurious, air-conditioned suites, enjoying 5-Star service. All meals and drinks are included, and expertly prepared onboard in the elegant dining cars by an enthusiastic team of chefs, as are our meals during off-train excursions. We settle into our fabulous private suites then travel eastwards towards the Kruger National Park, before enjoying our first delicious dinner in the dining cars.

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

We enjoy lunch in the dining cars as our train descends the start Drakensberg escarpment, passing pine forests, canyons and soaring cliffs. The dramatic peaks of the Drakensberg feature in days 8 to 10 of our tour - this 700-mile long range of dragon-like mountains was 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 sun sets over this fascinating land, 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.

We wake up early today for a holiday highlight, after breakfast in the dining car we take a sunrise game drive in the Kruger National Park. The largest park in South Africa and one of the world's most renowned, all the 'Big Five' game animals can be found here - the lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros.

On a guided game drive into this wonderful reserve, we look out for antelope, zebra and herds of elephants that make this vast wilderness their home. If we are lucky, we might catch a glimpse of a leopard as it stalks its prey, or enjoy the thrill of viewing a lion from close range. After an enjoyable 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, formerly known as Swaziland.

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. This landlocked country is nestled between South Africa and Mozambique. After crossing the border from South Africa, our first visit is to the wonderful Swazi Candles Centre in the lush Ezulwini Valley. We visit the workshop and meet the talented artisans who create a variety of candles, and there's time to browse the superb basketwork, woodcarvings, and colourful textiles on display in the outdoor marketplace.

Next, we experience the fascinating Mantenga Cultural Village. Tucked away in a forested reserve in the mountains overlooking 'Execution Rock', this village is a living museum of old traditions which brings to life Swazi history and culture. We admire the authentic beehive huts and cultural displays and enjoy a delicious lunch before returning to our train. We continue travelling through the meandering hills of Eswatini to the border of Golela, enjoying tea in the lounge and observation cars. Later, dinner is served as we travel to Hluhluwe, in the historic province of KwaZulu-Natal.

After an early breakfast aboard our train we enter Hluhluwe National Park (pronounced Shl-shlu-we) in central Zululand, a hilly region which is part of KwaZulu-Natal. As the oldest proclaimed game reserve in Africa, Hluhluwe is known for its conservation efforts, and the reserve was created for the preservation of the southern white rhinoceros, a species which is sadly declining. This is the only park in KwaZulu-Natal with all the Big Five game animals, and a prime birding destination. We enjoy a safari through the of the park, hoping to spot the elusive Big Five, as well as giraffe, zebra and hippopotamus.

After our game drive we reboard our train and enjoy lunch. Later, as we begin heading south along the Indian Ocean coastline towards Durban, tea is served in the observation lounge, where the scenery includes lush sub-tropical forests, indigenous villages and wild beaches. Dinner is served in the dining cars this evening.

The Pride of Africa rolls into Durban today, South Africa's third largest city on the Indian Ocean coast. We take a fascinating guided tour of the city, known for its Indian and Asian influences. Our city tour includes a visit to Durban's vibrant sub-tropical botanical gardens, followed by a beachfront lunch in Umhlanga, a popular resort town with golden sandy beaches.

After re-joining the train we continue through the breathtaking Valley of a Thousand Hills, an area of incredible natural beauty that stretches out as far as the eye can see. 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 outside Swaziland) are decorated with vivid colours and bold patterns. As we pass through this gorgeous hilly landscape, you may like to unwind in the train's Lounge Car and take in the views from one of the deep sofas or cosy, wingback armchairs.

Dinner is served in the beautifully-restored dining cars this evening, as we journey inland towards the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains.

This morning, after breakfast aboard our train, we visit Spionkop Lodge, named after Spionkop or 'Spy Hill' - one of the smaller mountains that make up the Drakensberg Range. In the relaxed setting of this lovely resort we hear the story of the historic battle of Spionkop, and walk in the footsteps of previous visitors, Churchill and Gandhi.

After enjoying lunch at the lodge we embark on a game drive in Nambiti Game Reserve with the option of relaxing in the peaceful atmosphere of the lodge, with another chance to spot more of South Africa's incredible wildlife.

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

Today we drive through the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, part of the Northern Drakensberg Mountains. 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 among captivating scenery and jaw-dropping rock formations before arriving in the charming town of Clarens. There's free time to look around the quaint craft shops and art galleries, and to find a café or restaurant for lunch in this tranquil 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. We return to the Pride of Africa, where 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.

After breakfast today we enjoy a tour of Bloemfontein, South Africa's judicial capital. Exploring this relaxed and friendly city, we visit the Women's Memorial at the Anglo Boer War Museum. The memorial is a reminder of life in the concentration camps and commemorates the thousands of women and children who died in these camps. The Museum itself is a graphic depiction of the hardship endured by all during this war and relates the history of South Africa from 1652.

The rest of our day is spent relaxing on board as we cross the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region, with a variety of grasses, hardy shrubs, tumbleweeds and succulents. Lunch is served, and you are free to soak up the passing views or enjoy the train's wonderful 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.

This morning we travel to Addo Elephant Park for a game drive in open-top vehicles. South Africa's third largest national reserve stretches from the semi-arid Karoo, over the Zuurberg Mountains and down through the Sundays River valley to the 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.

We return to the train and depart for Port Elizabeth while enjoying lunch onboard. The rest of our day is spent aboard the Pride of Africa as we continue towards the Eastern Cape and the coastal city of Port Elizabeth overnight. We enjoy another sumptuous dinner with a selection of South African wines in the dining cars this evening.

Breakfast is served early this morning before we depart Port Elizabeth Station. We are transferred by coach to Oudebosch Farm Stall, a delightful journey along the glorious Garden Route, close to the Tsitsikamma Forest where we have a refreshment stop.

We continue along the coast to Knysna, a picturesque town on the shores of a large lagoon, a further 90 minutes' drive. Here, we take a sightseeing ferry past the large sandstone cliffs known as The Knysna Heads, which guard the mouth of the lagoon connecting the estuary to the sea. This is an unspoilt area of sandstone cliffs and caves, with stunning viewpoints over the coast and turquoise ocean.

Once back on dry land, we continue by coach to the gracious Fancourt Hotel in George, a beautiful resort with wonderful facilities, with views of the stunning Outeniqua Mountains. We check in for an overnight stay then enjoy a 3-course dinner at our hotel this evening.

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 many rivers, streams and falls have their origins. In the early 20th century Oudtshoorn became famous for feathering the world, when the boa and grand hats were the height of fashion. We discover more about these unusual creatures on a visit to an ostrich farm, where we see the birds in their natural Karoo environment and hear fascinating insights into these beautiful and mighty birds.

After lunch at the ostrich farm we continue by coach to the Cango Caves, where we explore this natural wonder, its colourful underground chambers and breathtaking limestone formations. 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 we have a dress theme of '1920s' or smart casual attire.

Today is our final day aboard the luxurious Pride of Africa. Breakfast is served until 10am in the dining cars, while our train travels through the spectacular mountain ranges and beautifully scenic winelands of the Western Cape, towards the coast.

Lunch is served as usual in the dining cars, as the scenery changes and we trundle towards the city. Set against the backdrop of iconic Table Mountain and surrounded by stunning beaches, expansive vineyards and lush farmland, Cape Town is South Africa's cultural capital and one of the most vibrant destinations in Africa. We arrive in Cape Town at 6pm where we are met and transferred to our hotel, close to the wonderful Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. We are greeted at our hotel with a welcome drink and this evening is free to dine independently. The Waterfront offers a great choice of meals, including fresh seafood, traditional South African dishes and North Indian cuisine.

We take in South Africa's scenic coastal beauty today on a journey to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. We drive past the windswept beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard, making 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 route so breathtaking that it features in several television and cinema commercials for popular cars.

At the Cape of Good Hope we ride the Flying Dutchman funicular railway to the upper lighthouse, where we have fantastic views of the gorgeous coastline and crashing ocean. After free time over lunch at Cape Point, we journey back towards the city and Boulders Beach, where a charming penguin colony native to Africa has made its home on the soft white sands of this small bay. 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.

We are transferred back to our hotel and 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.

We then 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 may like to 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.

Check out of the hotel and transfer to the Winelands. We travel by coach around two of South Africa's finest wine-producing areas today: the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch Valleys, in the beautiful Cape Winelands. The hilly region and warm climate of the Cape Winelands make ideal wine-producing conditions, which has given rise to many world-class vineyards nestled amongst the valleys.

On arrival in Franschhoek we enjoy 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 stunning views, and on warm, sunny days we enjoy a wine tasting here. In cooler weather we gather around the wood-burning fireplace indoors.

After our tasting we continue to Middelvlei Wine Estate in the Stellenbosch Valley for lunch. Here we enjoy a delicious 'braai', a uniquely South African barbecue-style lunch. We continue to the historic town of Stellenbosch where we are taken on a short walking tour of the main sights. After today's excursion, we transfer directly to Cape Town International Airport for our overnight flight home.

As our flight touches down in London Heathrow, our Grand Tour of South Africa comes to an end. We say goodbye to our Tour Manager and fellow travellers, and head home, no doubt with many special memories of this wonderful holiday. From fabulous South African game drives and cultural experiences in Eswatini, Bloemfontein and Robben Island, to the glorious scenery we experience aboard the Pride of Africa - the Drakensberg mountains, the Indian Ocean coastline and the stunning Cape winelands - this holiday is certain to provide you with many unforgettable experiences.