"The Pride of Africa" - Rovos Rail

An independant South African Journey with The Rovos Rail

From $7395.00 per person, all inclusive
based on minimum two persons - sharing.

DAY 01, leave hometown.

Departure from the U.S. connecting via Miami to South African Airways flight to Johannesburg and Capetown SA202

Day 02, Capetown.

On arrival at Cape Town International Airport, off SA 202, you will be met by our guide and transferred to the Portswood Hotel, or similar for check in. The remainder of the day is on your own to relax and get ready for a wonderful journey through Southern Africa. Dinner is on your own. Overnight : Portswood Hotel.

Day 03, Capetown.

After Breakfast, depart on a morning city tour, which includes a drive passed some of Cape Town’s famous historical and cultural attractions, such as the Castle of Good Hope – a restored fort of Cape Town, the City Hall and the South African Cultural Museum, with its famed Bushman exhibits. Thereafter you will have the opportunity of reaching the top of the world famous Table Mountain by cable car, weather permitting. Enjoy the crisp air and clear visibility as you savor what must be an experience of a lifetime. Your guide will accompany you to the top of the mountain and point out the landmarks from one of the world's most famous views. Return to the hotel early afternoon where lunch is on your own. The afternoon is also on your own until you are picked up for the welcome dinner at Mama Afrika for a traditional African feast. Overnight : Portswood Hotel. (B/D)

Day 04, Capetown.

Today, depart at 10:00am on a morning tour of Robben Island. Formerly a prison, Robben Island’s most famous prisoner is Nelson Mandela who was incarcerated here for most of his 27-year sentence. On your return to Cape Town, you will be transferred to one of Cape Town’s most vibrant tourist attractions – Greenmarket Square. Here you may enjoy lunch on your own. It is recommended to try a popular local restaurant, Nino’s. After lunch, depart on a tour of District Six– the ghetto area which was destroyed after the forced removal of 60 000 families as a result of the Group Areas Act. High tea will be served at the famous Mount Nelson Hotel, after which the tour continues to Blouberg Strand where you will be afforded some of the most beautiful views in Cape Town – Table Mountain and the spectacular sunsets. Here you will enjoy sundowners at the Blue Peter Hotel after taking a leisurely stroll along the beach. A traditional Cape Malay Dinner will be served at the one of Cape Town’s older restaurants – The Kaapse Tafel. You will be returned to your hotel. Overnight : Portswood Hotel. (B/D)

Day 05, Capetown.

After breakfast, depart at 07:45am on a full day Cape Peninsula tour. This tour brings you to the Atlantic suburbs of Sea Point, Clifton, Camps Bay and then on to Hout Bay. Embark on a boat ride to Seal Island (weather permitting). Thereafter, continue along the panoramic Chapman’s Peak drive, known as one of the world’s most scenic marine drives and travel on to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Ascend to the highest point with the funicular. There you may enjoy a Crayfish (or Lobster) lunch on your own at the Black Marlin Restaurant. After lunch Transfer to Boulder’s Beach to see the Penguins. Drive past Simon’s Town, an old Naval Base and visit Mineral World (15:30), a gemstone factory. Continue the tour and drive by Fish Hoek and Muizenberg. The last stop of the tour brings you to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, beautifully situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. These world-famous gardens are dedicated to the preservation of the indigenous plants of Southern Africa. Return to your hotel. Your evening is at leisure. You may want to walk around the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and do some window-shopping or enjoy a sumptuous meal at one of the many restaurants.

Day 06, Cape Town - Rovos Rail

After breakfast, you will transfer to the station to board The Pride of Africa - Rovos Rail, departing from platform 24 at the Capetown station. departure is at 11:00am. The first leg will take you inland via Worcester. After lunch and afternoon tea you arrive at Matjiesfonteins. You will visit this quaint village. Departure is set for 9:00pm. This will be your first night on this luxurious train. (B/L/D)



Day 07, Rovos Rail.

After breakfast, you will continue towards Kimberley. Here you will transfer to the historic Kimberly Club for lunch and then take the electric tram from the city center for a tour of the "Big Hole" and museum. At 5:00pm you will depart Kimberly. Dinner will be served. Enjoy an evening in the observation car lounge. (B/L/D)



DAY 08, Rovos Rail - Johannesburg.

After breakfast, you will pull into Johannesburg at 10:00am. You will continue to Pretoria and arrive there at 12:00pm. Pretoria is South Africa’s Administrative Capital. Here, you will be able to visit the Voortrekker Monument – dominating the Pretoria skyline and the Union Buildings – the site of Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as President. Late afternoon you will return to the station to board the Rovos Rail's "Pride of Africa", departing Pretoria at 6:00pm from platform 4.After departure dinner will be served, and you may enjoy a relaxing evening in the observation car. (B/L/D)

DAY 9, Rovos Rail - Bulawayo

Before breakfast, at 0700am, you will arrive at Beit Bridge for border control. After the formalities you will continue the journey, while having breakfast, heading for Bulawayo. The day will be spent on board. You will arrive at Bulawayo at 9:00pm. (B/L/D)



Day 10, Victoria Falls

After breakfast you proceed to Victoria Falls arriving about 11:00am. Here our guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel, The Victoria Falls Hotel, for check-in. After lunch on your own take a tour of the falls, where water thunders into the gorge of the Zambezi River, creating a mist that keeps the surrounding area permanently wet. In the late afternoon, embark on a cruise along the Zambezi River, which is the perfect end to a day at Victoria Falls. The mighty Zambezi's tranquil waters above the Falls are home to hippo, magnificent birds and other wildlife. On the sunset cruise you will have the opportunity of watching many of these animals whilst enjoying sundowners as night falls. Upon return to the hotel dinner is on your own.



Orient Express Lodges in Botswana

Day 11, Victoria Falls to the Savute Elephant Camp, Chobe National Park, Botswana.

After breakfast, depart on a tour of the Victoria Falls. A tour of the African Craft Village provides a fascinating insight into the village way of life in Zimbabwe. Typical rondavel houses recreate different tribal lifestyles and shops sell traditional crafts. Continue your overland trip to the Chobe National Park in Botswana. Lunch will be taken en route. Late in the afternoon check into the Savute Elephant Camp - Chobe National Park - located on the banks of the currently dry Savute Channel, in the heart of the Savute region of the Chobe national Park.



Day 12, Savute Elephant Camp

After breakfast go on a game drive to view the wildlife. Savute is elephant country par excellence! Return to the camp for lunch. Continue afternoon game drive, again returning to camp late afternoon.



Day 13, Chobe / Victoria Falls /Johannesburg.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Victoria Falls for your onward flight to Johannesburg. On arrival at Johannesburg International Airport, you will be transferred to The Illyria Guest house in Pretoria. There you will have the remainder of the day at leisure. A farewell dinner will be served at The Illyria Guest House. (B/L/D)

Day 14, Johannesburg / home.

After a stately breakfast take the morning at leisure. Have lunch on your own and check-out. In the afternoon, proceed on an afternoon tour of Gold Reef City, a reconstruction of Johannesburg during the gold rush era, built around a gold mine. Diversions include a Victorian fun fair, miners' houses, a brewery, pubs, a hotel, restaurants and a stock exchange. You can watch molten gold being poured and take a trip down an old mine shaft. It is here that you will also be able to see African Tribal dancing, which adds to the fun of the tour. Later in the day, you will be transferred to Johannesburg International Airport for your onward flight home, SA 201 departing at 8:00pm, taking with you many souvenirs and memories of Southern Africa.

Day 15, Home.

After crossing the South Atlantic you land early in Miami or New York where you go through customs and connect with your onward flight to your home city. Welcome home.

Tour cost: $7395.00 per person sharing twin. Single Supplement $1070.00
Included in tour: Air transportation from USA via Miami or New York. All meals as indicated, tours, all internal/domestic air, transfers and hotel accommodations as indicated, taxes and baggage handling. Train Safari, lodges, baggage handling and all taxes. Park entry fees.

Not included: Phone and laundry charges, alcoholic beverages and matters of personal nature.

see Rovos Rail extended tour
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see: Terms & conditions.

Participants who may wish to use frequent flyer miles may do so and the cost of the program will be adjusted accordingly. Call for pricing.