Duration: 9 Days / 8 nights
Destinations Covered: Mpumalanga Lowveld » Malelane » Leopards Creek Golf Course » Swaziland - Royal Swazi Golf Club » Hluhluwe Game Reserve » Durban - Durban Country Club » Drakensberg - Champagne Sport Resort » Ladysmith » Sun City » Pretoria
Rovo's Rail established more than 15 years ago, has earned an international reputation for its world-class travel experiences. Step aboard the wood-paneled coaches - classics remodeled and refurbished to mint condition, enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows. Enjoy the romance and atmosphere of a by-gone era, when privileged travelers experienced the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant manner.
From Short journeys lasting 24 hours to a fortnight, the Pride of Africa links some of Africa's greatest destinations from Cape Town at the tip of Africa to Dar-Es-Salaam in Tanzania, from scenic splendors as diverse as the game reserves of Mpumalanga to the Victoria Falls, from the desert landscapes of Namibia and the stark beauty of the Karoo to the lush cane fields of KwaZulu-Natal and the magnificent Garden Route along the Cape South Coast.
The trains - which may be hauled by steam, diesel or electric locomotives at various stages of the journey - carry a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites. Pride of place in the Rovos stable goes to the historic and newly rebuilt Capital Park station and locomotive yard, which is the heart and new headquarters of this private railway company.
Sample Itinerary
A nine day 2400 km golf Safari travel from Pretoria to Malelane in Mpumulanga, Manzini in Swaziland, Durban in Natal, Ladysmith in the Drakensberg and Sun City in the Northern Province. The rail journey is designed in such a manner that at all the places there are options for people who do not play Golf by way of excursions.
Departing from Rovos Rail's private station in Pretoria on Saturday morning, lunch is served as the Pride of Africa winds its way towards the spectacular Drakensberg escarpment en route to Nelspruit. On Sunday play at Leopard's Creek or enjoy a game drive in the world famous Kruger Park followed by shopping and lunch
Day 1: Mpumalanga Lowveld
1000 hours: Depart from the private station Capital Park in Pretoria.
1800 Hours: Arrive Waterval Onder. South Hills, this village is rich with historical sites and buildings, which belonged to the Nestled in the Drakensberg Mountains on the fringe of the escarpment, at the foot of the old NZASM and are now proclaimed national monuments.
There is also the old ZASM Tunnel and Five Arch Bridge, as well as President Paul Kruger's official residence where he resided in 1900 before going into exile in Europe. The Elands River Waterfall is visible from the mouth of the old Railway Tunnel. Arrive and overnight at Waterval Onder.
Day 2: Malelane - Leopards Creek Golf Course
1000 Hours: Eighteen holes golf at Leopard's Creek in Malelane a day to enjoy golf .A challenge for golfers and an opportunity for all the beauty of the bushveld. The cool shade of indigenous trees, some hundreds of years old, is home to over 200 bird species. For non- golfers enjoy the abundant wildlife including the big five, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, can be viewed from open land rovers or on guided walking trails, accompanied by qualified game rangers. The landscaping techniques ensure that the golf course and living areas are naturally protected from animals, while lakes and small streams have been diverted through the development to create scenic vistas and interesting golf strategies. This 510- meter par-five fourth is one of Leopard Creek's most memorable holes. Here the green is right on the edge of the Crocodile River bur 32 meters above the level of the water, offering magnificent views up the river and into the Kruger Park. Elephant are often seen walking alongside the river. Gary Player is especially proud of the par-five 18th with its island green and the par-four ninth with its peninsula green jutting out of the same body of water that incidentally, is home to a number of hippos.
1800 hours: Train departs for Swaziland
Day 3: Swaziland - Royal Swazi Golf Club
0900 Hours: Tee off at Royal Swazi Club near Manzini
Situated in Swaziland 's verdant pine and fruit filled Ezulwini valley is this Royal Swazi golf Club. No two holes are the same on this undulating Parkland course. With many elevated tees and greens, water hazards, ravines and doglegs this course places a premium on accurate shot selection. Long hitters will be tempted to "go for it" on the par fives but severely penalized if they miss.
Day 4: Hluhluwe Game Reserve
0600 Hours: Game drive in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve
The game reserves of Umfolozi and Hluhluwe became nature conservation areas back in 1895, which places them among the oldest game parks in Africa. There is a road going through both reserves, so that the visitor in fact moves around in one big game park .The gates are open from 5:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. In winter (March to October) they are open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. The park office is open from 8:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 16:30. The nearest town that has a full range of services is Mtubatuba that is 48kms away. Umfolozi lies in a malaria area and precautions are necessary. The "big five" - rhinos, elephants, lions, buffaloes and leopards can be found here, together with a number of other species. A wide web of well -maintained sand roads leads through the reserves, and can get quite slippery after heavy rainfalls.
1600 Hours: Cruise on St Lucia Lake
A boat cruise on the St Lucia estuary, home to crocodiles, hippo and many different bird species is a memorable experience.
Day 5: Durban - Durban Country Club
0900 Hours: Tee off at Durban Country Club
Tee off at the Royal Swazi Golf Club, near Manzini in Swaziland, while non-golfers visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory, Houses of Parliament and Mkhaya Game Reserve. Then it's on to Zululand for game viewing in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve and the St. Lucia Estuary.
One of the best golf course The Durban Country Club golf course lies directly at the beach of the Indian Ocean and has been masterly fashioned into the dunes. It was opened in 1922 and updated 1959. Many of the holes are positively difficult. The 12th with its steeply raised green is also called the Prince of Wales hole. The Prince, who played here in 1924, needed 17 strokes, until the ball was eventually in the hole.
Day 6: Drakensberg - Champagne Sport Resort
0900 Hours: Tee off at Champagne Sports Resort; Drakensberg
Nestled in the tranquility of the Central Drakensberg and boasting the most spectacular view of Champagne Castle and Cathkin Peak, lies Champagne Sports Resort this cozy hideaway's unique combination of convenient location, country club atmosphere, luxury accommodation and friendly staff. The 18-hole championship golf course to the roaming herds of Blesbok and Impala and the rare bird life that inhabit the estate, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Day 7: Ladysmith To Sun City
0700 Hours: Depart Ladysmith
Day at leisure on the train
Day 8: Sun City - Gary Player Country Club
0900 Hours: Tee off at Gary Player Country Club Sun City
This golf course lies amidst beautiful nature and is 7000 meters long one of the longest golf courses in the world and is a part of the Sun City Entertainment complex. All the 18 holes are to be classified as difficult. There are plenty bunkers and water hazards in the shape of rivers and dams. The most spectacular hole is the ninth with its island green (par five).
1400 Hours: Lunch at Club
1600 Hours: Game drive in Pilansberg
Located near Sun City Complex visitors can view the big five and experienced game rangers conduct all game drives.
Day 9: Sun City To Pretoria
0700 Hours: Depart Rustenberg
1000 Hours: Arrive Capital Park Station Pretoria overnight at Pretoria or proceed to the airport for your return flight back home.
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