Luxury Rovos Rail & Safari Experience
South Africa in 13 Days • 11 Nights in Destination
The Extraordinary on Sale
Discover South Africa in style aboard the luxury Rovos Railway and delight in the contrasts between city and safari. Spot wildlife in Kruger National Park and explore Pretoria. Embark on an elegant fully-inclusive 2-night journey on Rovos Rail and watch the captivating landscapes of South Africa unfold. Take a game drive in Nambiti Reserve and discover Durban before falling in love with Cape Town.
Arrive at your US departure airport ready to check-in for a flight to Johannesburg.* Night on board.
* If your outbound flight leaves at dawn (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the selected departure day.
Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the city and it's diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods. Tuck into the vibrant food scene and pop-up eateries. The city is a real cultural hub and it a great place to catch live music performances and indulge in trendy bars and restaurants. Overnight stay in Johannesburg.
Why not make the most of your time in South Africa by adding one of our optional excursion packages. Choose between our Gastronomic or Adventure packages in the next step of the booking process!
Our Gastronomic Package includes two meals at excellent restaurants in Cape Town plus a Bo-Kapp Cooking Tour and Cape Winelands Excursion.
Our Adventure Package includes a Full-Day Kruger Game Drive, an exciting Shark Cage Diving Experience and an Atlantis Dunes Quad Biking Excursion.
Please note: you can only choose one of the optional excursion packages (Adventure or Gastronomic).
Accommodation
2438 Reviews
Activities
Light
Challenging
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time transfer by road to Mpumalanga. You're headed for Kruger, home to some of the most iconic wildlife in South Africa. Along the way, see some of the most iconic sights of Blyde River Canyon such as Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, and the Three Rondavels. You'll fall in love with the natural beauty of South Africa's landscapes!* Arrive and transfer to the hotel to check in. Dinner and overnight stay in the Kruger Region.
* Please note: The journey today takes approximately 7-8 hours by road and includes stops along the way for lunch (at own expense) and sightseeing. There will be no accompanying guide for this journey so take the opportunity to enjoy the passing landscapes as you travel through some of the most spectacular regions in South Africa.
Accommodation
61 Reviews
Activities
Moderate
Enjoy a Full-Day 4x4 Game Drive at Kruger National Park. Begin the day early on safari in the southern area of South Africa's most famous game reserves with breakfast on the go. The game viewing area is known as the 'Southern Circle' and is renowned for its rhinos and lions. Enjoy an afternoon game drive in Kruger National Park and discover the amazing diversity of animals in one of the world's largest game reserves. Remember to bring comfortable shoes, warm and rainproof jackets, sunhat and protection and cameras to capture the beautiful wildlife. Dinner and overnight stay in the Kruger Region.
Accommodation
61 Reviews
Activities
Light
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure to explore the beautiful natural landscapes of Kruger and the White River. We recommend an optional day trip to Kruger National Park to experience more of its wildlife-rich eco-systems.* Dinner and overnight stay in the Kruger Region.
* Optional Kruger National Park Day Trip: Set off to the wilds of Kruger for your chance to spot the famous Big Five. Enjoy a slow drive through the national park, home to elephants, buffalos, giraffes, impalas, zebras and, of course, lions. An unforgettable day in the wilds of Southern Africa.
Accommodation
61 Reviews
Activities
Light
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by road back to Pretoria, stopping to see the exterior of the Union Buildings, the official headquarters of the South African government. In the gardens, you'll find a statue of Nelson Mandela, inaugurated by President Jacob Zuma in 2013. Discover the significance of this site on South African history before transferring to the hotel and enjoying the remainder of the day at your leisure.* Overnight stay in Pretoria.
* Please note: The journey today takes approximately 4-5 hours by road and includes stops along the way for lunch (at own expense) and sightseeing. There will be no accompanying guide for this journey so take the opportunity to enjoy the passing landscapes as you travel through some of the most spectacular regions in South Africa.
Accommodation
673 Reviews
Activities
Moderate
Breakfast at the hotel. Today is the day you begin your journey on the most luxurious railway in the world: the Rovos Rail! At the indicated time, transfer to the Rovos Rail Station and step aboard the vintage wood-panelled train, ready to discover the most captivating landscapes in the country. Once settled into your cabin, begin to enjoy the fantastic service, world-class dining and elegant interiors of the Rovos Rail as the train begins its journey south towards Durban. You can completely unwind and watch the unfolding landscapes on this fully inclusive experience, with all meals, drinks and fine South African wines included. Enjoy an evening of refined glamour as the Rovos Rail rumbles past historic Anglo Boer War battlefields and coalfields towards the wilds of Nambiti Reserve, your next stop. Overnight stay on board Rovos Rail.
Accommodation
987 Reviews
Activities
Fully-inclusive. After an early start, set off on a game drive in the Nambiti Reserve, a private 20,000-acre 'Big Five' bush reserve, known for its incredible biodiversity and tall acacia trees. Look out for the iconic Big Five as you discover the picturesque landscapes. Return to the train for lunch before transferring to Spionkop Lodge, where you can indulge your interests with either a historic tour experience of the Battle of Spionkop or an afternoon game drive in the idyllic 11,000-acre reserve. Return to the Rovos Rail after an exciting day you relax and enjoy an evening of fine dining and spectacular sunset views. Overnight stay on board Rovos Rail.
Accommodation
987 Reviews
Activities
Moderate
Breakfast on board as you watch the landscapes spring to life as the sun rises. Spend the day enjoying the fantastic amenities of Rovos Rail and admiring the enchanting landscapes as the train journeys towards Durban and the Indian Ocean coast. After lunch, the train journeys through the breathtaking Valley of a Thousand Hills before finally arriving at Durban. It's time to disembark the train after an unforgettable journey. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, enjoying the sea views and cosmopolitan atmosphere of multicultural Durban. Overnight stay in Durban.
Accommodation
3349 Reviews
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, head to the airport for a short flight to Cape Town. Touch down in South Africa's 'Mother City', known for its towering Table Mountain, cosmopolitan culture and fabulous beaches. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day exploring the neighbourhoods and sights of Cape Town. Overnight stay in Cape Town.
Accommodation
2815 Reviews
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the ticket hop-on hop-off tour in Cape Town. South Africa's capital combines cosmopolitanism, culture, architecture, and the best of nature. With the hop-on and hop-off ticket, you will be able to do over 30 stops to enjoy some of the most remarkable attractions of the 'Mother City'. Take the Cableway and go up to Table Mountain where you can enjoy one of the most breathtaking views of Africa's landscapes. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Cape Town.*
* Please note: the Table Mountain Cableway in Cape Town will be closed for maintenance from the 24th of July until the 6th of August 2023. If your trip coincides with these dates, you will enjoy an included Sunset Cruise instead and your included Hop-On Hop-Off bus tickets will still enable you to visit the lower station of the cableway if you wish.
Accommodation
2815 Reviews
Activities
Light
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day by discovering the city further. We recommend taking the optional Full-Day tour of the Cape Peninsula, a paradise of natural beauty and coastal seal and penguin colonies!* Or taking the optional Cape Winelands excursion, especially if you're a wine lover as this region is known for its award-winning whites and reds.** Overnight stay in Cape Town.
* Optional Full-Day Cape Peninsula Excursion: Enjoy the delights of the Cape Peninsula including Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno and the amazing Twelve Apostles. Pass through Noordhoek and see the local ostriches before visiting the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point. Fall in love with the Penguin Colony and Boulder's Beach and see Simons Town, Muizenberg Beach and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
** Optional Full-Day Wine Route Excursion with Wine Tasting: Set off into the lush Winelands outside of Cape Town and visit the wine producers in Stellenbosch for delicious wine tasting and a cellar tour.
Accommodation
2815 Reviews
Activities
Light
Moderate
Breakfast at the hotel. It's time to bring your adventure through South Africa to a close. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Night on board.
Duration 00:30h Approx. Pick up time: 08:00 Approx
Physical rating:
Moderate
Blyde River Canyon Highlights
On the way to Kruger, enjoy the most captivating natural sights of the Blyde River Canyon such as the Three Rondavels (entrance fees not included).
Duration 11:00h Approx. Pick up time: 05:00 Approx
Physical rating:
Light
Full-Day 4x4 Game Drive at Kruger National Park
Enjoy a full-day 4x4 game drive in the southern area of South Africa's most famous game reserves. Your opportunity to see the "Big Five"!
Duration 00:30h Approx. Pick up time: 07:30 Approx
Physical rating:
Moderate
Union Buildings Visit in Pretoria
Stop at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the official headquarters of South African government.
Physical rating:
Light
Rovos Rail Journey
Step aboard the most luxurious train in Africa, with fully-inclusive fine-dining and a selection of South African wines. Sit back and enjoy the journey as the captivating landscapes unfold before your eyes.
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Suggested activity for day 2
Physical rating:
Light
Gastronomic Package of 4 Excursions
This package includes a Cape Winelands Excursion (day 7), a meal at Baii Seafood Restaurant at the V&A Waterfront (day of your choice), a Bo-Kapp Cooking Tour (day 8) and an exciting meal and drumming experience at Gold Restaurant (day of your choice).
Suggested activity for day 2
Physical rating:
Challenging
Adventure Package of 3 Excursions
Experience unforgettable wildlife and landscapes with this package. It includes a full-day game drive in Kruger National Park (day 4), Shark Cage Diving experience (day 7) and an Atlantis Dunes Quad Bike excursion from Cape Town (day 8).
Duration 11:00h Approx. Pick up time: 05:30 Approx
Physical rating:
Light
Full-Day Safari in Kruger National Park
Enjoy a full-day 4x4 game drive in the southern area of South Africa's most famous game reserves. Your opportunity to see the "Big Five"!
Duration 08:00h Approx. Pick up time: 08:30 Approx
Physical rating:
Light
Winelands Visit and Wine Tasting Full Day
Set off into the lush Winelands outside of Cape Town and visit the wine producers in Stellenbosch for delicious wine tasting.
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Departures from main US airports.
International flights: US - Johannesburg, Cape Town - US.
Internal flight: Durban - Cape Town. *
Rovos Railway.
9 nights hotel accommodation in Charm and Superior category hotels and 2 nights on board the Rovos Railway **
9 breakfasts, 3 dinners and Fully-Inclusive on board the Rovos Railway.***
Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles with an English-speaking driver.
Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
Safari in Kruger National Park with an English-speaking guide & Game Drive in Nambiti Reserve.
*The cancellation policy applicable is according to the Terms and Conditions available and agreed at the time of your purchase
Drinks, tips and any other services not mentioned in what's included.
* Documentation of the internal flights will either be available in the "My bookings" section in your "Customer Area" 14 days before your trip or delivered to you on arrival at your destination. It is essential to fill in the passport information correctly for each passenger in the given boxes at the end of the reservations process.
** White River: Family rooms are available only in the Karula Hotel in White River.
*** Rovos Rail Fully-Inclusive: all meals, all beverages (excluding international/French champagne) and room service. Breakfast is served between 7:00 and 10:00, Lunch at 13:00, Tea at 16:30 and Dinner at 19:30. Formal dress is required at dinner. Bar service is from 07:00-±01:00.
Please note: This is not a fully guided tour. You will be accompanied by a guide during the Kruger National Park safari only and during any optional excursions if you choose to take them.
Why not make the most of your time in South Africa by adding one of our optional excursion packages. Choose between our Gastronomic or Adventure packages in the next step of the booking process!
Our Gastronomic Package includes two meals at excellent restaurants in Cape Town plus a Bo-Kapp Cooking Tour and Cape Winelands Excursion.*
* Please note: this optional package requires a minimum of 4 participants in order for it to operate. If there are not enough participants, the optional excursion will be cancelled and you will be refunded for it when you return from your trip.
Our Adventure Package includes a Full-Day Kruger Game Drive, an exciting Shark Cage Diving Experience and an Atlantis Dunes Quad Biking Excursion.*
* Please note: Children are not allowed to do the Adventure package.
Please Note on optional excursions and packages: before selecting optional excursions, please check the inclusions of the optional excursion packages to ensure you are not selecting an excursion already included in your chosen package.
Please note:
* The Winelands visit cannot be combined with the Adventure Package due to an overlap of activities.
* The Full-Day Peninsula Excursion cannot be combined with the Gastronomic or Adventure packages due to an overlap of activities.
* Only one optional activity can be selected per day.
* You must choose between either the Gastronomic Package or the Adventure Package. It is not possible to do both.
Remember to download your e-ticket to confirm the times of your flights and to complete online check-in using the airline’s website, or directly at the check-in desk at the airport.
Accommodation at the hotels is as indicated. In the event of any changes to accommodation, they will always be of the same, or a higher category. The category of hotels is not standardized across all countries in the world. For this reason, the criteria may differ depending on the destination country's own standards.
In the case of adverse weather conditions, for safety reasons or for any other reasons deemed appropriate, the order and duration of the excursions included in the itinerary may be changed or cancelled without prior notice.
If you have reduced mobility/require the use of a wheelchair and prefer to go at your own pace, please contact our customer service team at +1 888-488-0592 or via our contact form.
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