Holidays to South Africa - Deluxe Panoramic Tour and Rovos Stream Railway Ref: SE06

Day 1 (Sat)
UK - Johannesburg
An evening departure from Heathrow for your overnight flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2 (Sun)
Johannesburg
You will be met o­n arrival at Johannesburg Airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure. Perhaps visit the extraordinary Apartheid Museum in the afternoon.
Overnight (1): Johannesburg - Garden Court Katherine Street or similar

Day 3 (Mon)
Johannesburg - Mpumalanga
Depart early today o­n your escorted luxury coach tour of South African highlights. The province of Mpumalanga offers magnificent wildlife, scenery, adventure, and a kaleidoscope of cultures. Highlights today will be Blyde River Canyon, third largest in the world, and magnificent views from God’s Window.
Overnight (1): Hazyview - Sabi River Sun or similar

Day 4 (Tues)
Mpumalanga - Private Game Reserve (Kruger Nat. Park)
The Sabi Sabi Game Reserve lies o­n the banks of the Sabie River, within the Sabi Sand Conservancy and adjacent to the Kruger National Park. Sabi Sabi offers personal game rangers who ensure exciting and memorable wildlife experiences. Meet the game rangers. Transfer to Sabi Sabi for lunch and an afternon game drive. Full board included

Overnight: Sabi Sabi Game Reserve

Day 5 (Wed)
Private Game Reserve- Mpumalanga
A further included game drive in the Kruger Park followed by breakfast. The afternoon is at leisure while optional (own account) late afternoon or night game drives are again available. Breakfast Included
Overnight: Prestana Kruger Gate Lodge or similar

Day 6 (Thurs)
Mpumalanga - Swaziland
Leave for the Kingdom of Swaziland today following early breakfast. Passports will be required at border posts. Visit local Swazi glass and candle making industries. After early hotel check-in the afternoon is at leisure in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley. Breakfast Included
Overnight( 1): Swaziland - Royal Swazi Sun or similar

Day 7 (Fri)
Swaziland - Zululand
Continue after breakfast to the Swazi-Zululand border crossing, arriving at a traditional Zulu village for lunch and a display of local cultures. Continue to Hluhluwe or Italha Game Reserve for overnight. Breakfast & Lunch Included
Overnight (1): Hilltop Hluhluwe or Itala Game Reserve

Day 8 (Sat)
Zululand to Durban
Enjoy an early morning game drive before continuing to Durban. The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve is credited with saving the white rhino from extinction while the Ithala Game Reserve was o­nce the territory of the famous Zulu King Shaka. Arrive mid-afternoon in Durban. Breakfast Included
Overnights (2): Durban - Garden Court North Beach or similar

Day 9 (Sun)
Durban
A day at leisure in Durban, famed for its year round sunshine, wide, sandy beaches and superb surfing in the warm Indian Ocean. Breakfast Included

Day 10 (Mon)
Durban - Port Elizabeth
Transfer to the airport today for your short flight to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Transfer to your hotel o­n arrival. The remainder of your day is at leisure. Breakfast & Dinner Included

Overnight( 1): Port Elizabeth - Garden Court Kings Beach or similar

Day 11 (Tues)
Port Elizabeth - Knysna
Head west today along a breathtaking stretch of the Garden Route skirting the Tsitsikamma mountains - forests o­n o­ne side of you, rugged cliffs and sandy bays o­n the other. Cross Storms River, site of the world's highest bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge. Enjoy the colourful flora and magnificent fynbos plants that give the route its name. Your afternoon is at leisure in Knysna. Breakfast Included
Overnights (2): Knysna - Protea Knysna Quays or similar

Day 12 (Wed)
Knysna
Knysna has a superb location o­n a lagoon with high cliffs flanking the entrance from the sea. Today a cruise across the lagoon to Featherbed Nature Reserve is included. Ride to the top of Western Head and stroll down through the milkwood trees with awesome views of the lagoon, the Heads and the Indian Ocean. Southern Right, Humpback or Brydes whales may be seen offshore from June to November. Lunch is included in your tour. Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day 13 (Thur)
Knysna - Oudtshoorn
Today travel inland over the Outeniqua Pass to the Klein Karoo where Oudtshoorn is the world’s ostricht "capital". Visits to an ostrich farm and the vast limestone caverns of Cango Caves are included. Breakfast & Dinner Included

Overnight (1): Oudtshoorn -Queens Hotel/Protea Riempie Est or similar

Day 14 (Fri)
Oudtshoorn - Cape Town
Leave after breakfast over the Klein Karoo passing Montagu and Robertson as you head towards the Cape Winelands and Cape Town itself. Here your coach tour ends allowing you time to explore independently what Sir Francis Drake described as the "fairest cape" of all.
Overnights (3): Cape Town - Holiday Inn Waterfront or similar

Days 15/16 (Sat/Sun)
Cape Town
Two days at leisure in Cape Town to perhaps take some optional tours such as a half day tour down the Cape Peninsular past Hout Bay and Chapman Peak to Cape Point. Take the cable car to a viewing platform for panoramic views of the Cape of Good Hope.In the afternoon you can explore the city and perhaps take the cable car up Table Mountain or a champagne sunset cruise o­n Table Bay.

Day 17 (Mon)
Rovos Rail
A transfer to the railway station in time to take a trip o­n o­ne of the most luxurious trains in the world. Rovos Rail offers two beautifully rebuilt Classic trains, each carrying a maximum of 72 passengers who are accommodated in the most spacious and luxurious train suites in the world. The use of traditional furnishings and period décor ensure an atmosphere of elegance and grandeur in the Dining, Lounge and Observation coaches. Depart Cape Town Station and proceed inland to Worcester. In the evening the train stops in Matjiesfontein guests may visit this quaint, historic village.This authentic perfectly preserved Victorian Village, which was founded by Mr Logan as a refreshment stop in 1890, also boasts an impressive museum o­n the platform.
Overnights (2): o­n board Rovos Rail - Pullman Suite


Day 18 (Tues)
Rovos Rail
Today arrive at Kimberley take the electric tram from the city centre for a tour of the Big Hole and museum - the world’s largest man-made excavation.


Day 19 (Wed)
Arrive Pretoria
At midday arrive at Rovos Rail's Capital Park Station in Pretoria and transfer by private car to Johannesburg Airport in good time for your overnight flight to the UK.


Day 20 (Thurs)
Arrive UK

Transportation is in air-conditioned touring vehicles, coaches,minibuses or sedan vehicles appropriate to the requirements of the tour.Holidays2 reserves the right to use smaller coaches minibuses or sedan vehicles o­n its scheduled tours should the number of passengers participating reduce sufficiently to warrant this.

FREE QUOTATION SERVICE - FREEPHONE 0800-988-4614 - open at weekends
We are specialists in tailoring holidays to our client’s exact requirements. If you would like to vary the holiday, for example by adding nights etc. please contact us for a free personalised quotation. We are pleased to quote supplements for single rooms.


THE SUITES
World Class Comfort and Style
The rebuilt sleeper coaches contain the most spacious train suites in the world, offering every modern convenience and comfort. The epitome of luxury, with handsome wood panelling and period Edwardian features, the air-conditioned suites accommodate two people offering the option of twin or spacious double beds. All are equipped with a writing surface and, for valuables, a personal safe. There is also a bar fridge filled with beverages of the passengers’ choice and room service is available 24 hours a day. In the en suite bathrooms original fittings combine with the modern technology of hot showers, hair dryers and shaver plugs. The Royal Suites, each of which take up half a carriage, are spacious and elegant, measuring 16 sq metres in size (172 sq ft). Each has its own private lounge area and full bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower. The Deluxe suites (11 sq metres/118 sq feet) also accommodate two passengers in either twin or double beds and have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower. A third level of accommodation, the Pullman suite is 7 square metres (76 sq ft) in size and while it includes the identical bathroom to that of the deluxe suites, the bedroom is smaller with a o­ne up o­ne down bunk for twin requirements or a double bed for couples. During the day this can be converted into a comfortable couch.

Holiday is based o­n the Pullman Suite, please call for prices to upgrade to a Deluxe Suite or a Royal Suite.


THE COACHES
A Superb Collection of Restored Coaches
Rovos Rail operates two classic 20-coach, 72 berth trains as well as a third 13-coach, 42-berth Edwardian train which is available year round for charter. Each o­ne of these carriages, from kitchen cars to sleeper coaches and guards vans, has its own story. Each of the trains has two 42-seater dining cars to accommodate the maximum complement of 72 passengers in total comfort at o­ne sitting. Each train has a non-smoking Observation Car at the rear of the train, while the coach next to it contains a small smoking lounge. A unique feature of the Observation Cars is the enlarged windows and open-air balconies. At the centre of the train we have, when numbers dictate, a non-smoking Lounge Car, which houses the Gift Shop.

CUISINE & SERVICE
Simple Elegant & Entertaining
An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for overseeing the very important task of ensuring guests every need is catered for, while considerable thought and meticulous planning goes into making up the menus. There's an accent o­n fresh local ingredients, and traditional dishes such as game are a specialty. Every morning there's a full breakfast with dishes cooked to order. A selection of cold meats, croissants, pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurts, cereals and preserves make up a tempting breakfast buffet. For lunch and dinner there is a starter and a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian dishes, followed by a tempting dessert and are complemented by a selection of excellent South African wines. All meals are served in o­ne sitting o­nly in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the Dining Cars. Many of the passengers aboard the Pride of Africa enjoy the formality of fine china, crisp linen and silver, and dress accordingly. During the day dress is more casual, with cool, comfortable clothes and hats recommended for the excursions. The Observation Car seats 32 passengers and is positioned at the rear of the train. At the centre of the train we have, when numbers dictate, a non-smoking Lounge Car, which seats 26 passengers in comfort. In maintaining the spirit of travel of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets o­nboard.

LOCOMOTIVES
The power and Glory of Rovos Rail
Five superbly reconditioned locomotives are the soul of Rovos Rail and a sight to gladden the heart of any rail enthusiast. Each has a story behind its acquisition and restoration. Each has a distinctive character and charm and they are all named after owners Rohan and Anthea Vos’s children. The oldest and smallest engine in the stable is 439 TIFFANY – o­ne of 40 Class 6 Locomotives manufactured by Dubs & Co in 1893. Rohan and Anthea Vos first saw this petite loco o­n the platform of Winburg Station in the Eastern Freestate and it was love at first sight. The loco was purchased in 1987 and Dunns Locomotive in Witbank was commissioned to return the Class 6 to running condition. She is named after their youngest daughter. 2701 BRENDA, 2702 BIANCA and 3360 SHAUN are named after Rohan and Anthea's other three children. They are Class 19D Locomotives which were all built during the 1930’s. All three locomotives were saved from scrap metal dealers and, after extensive restoration by Dunns Locomotive and the Rovos staff, were put back into service in 1989. 3484 MARJORIE is named after Rohan’s mother. Built in 1954 by the North British in Glasgow, she is a Class 25NC Locomotive that has been converted from a coal burner to an oil-fired engine. She can cover a distance of 700 kms without needing to stop for oil or water whereas the steam locomotives have to stop after 100 kms for water and 300 kms for coal. The arrival of an articulated GMAM Garret locomotive (on lease from The Sandstone Heritage Trust) which has been overhauled, has brought the operating fleet to six.