Rovos Rail: Golf Safari
A luxury rail journey
A winning combination of thrilling safaris with world-class golf courses!
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
AUD
$8,495
|
Days
10
|
Nights
9
|
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
AUD
$8,495
|
Days
10
|
Nights
9
|
Introduction
This safari travels the northeastern reaches of South Africa and will entertain the most discerning golfers with a delightful itinerary for non-playing guests.
Travel from Pretoria to many of South Africa’s highlights. Cross the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains to Spionkop, the perfect base for exploring the mountains, bush, birds and battlefields of the region. Traverse the scenic Valley of a Thousand Hills to Durban for a tour of the city and botanical gardens. The game viewing continues at Hluhluwe in Zululand, Mkhaya and the world-famous Kruger Park in Malelane, after which the journey ends in Pretoria.
The Train: Each train has accommodation carriages, dining cars, lounge car, small gift shop, smoking lounge and observation car with open-air balcony. Maintaining the spirit of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets on board. The three types of suites include a dedicated host available at all times and services the suites daily.
Pullman Suite: Used on short journeys, cabins feature an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. During the day, the suites have a comfortable sofa-seat with a conversion to double or twin beds (side-by-side or upper and lower bunks) for the evening.
Deluxe Suite: Accommodates one or two passengers in double or twin beds with its own lounge area, and en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. Includes a bar fridge filled with the on-board beverages of the guests choice.
Royal Suite: Takes up half a carriage with its own private lounge area and en-suite bathroom with Victorian bath, separate shower, toilet and basin. Accommodates one or two passengers in double or twin beds and includes a bar fridge filled with the on-board beverages of the passengers choice.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Pretoria
Depart from Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria and you enjoy lunch en route to Rustenburg. The old town of Rustenburg grew as the church and administrative centre for a rich farming area. It is here, in the centre of a volcanic valley surrounded by the dun slopes of the Pilanesberg Mountains, a wilderness wonderland rises from the dust, the fantastical Sun City Resort. It was officially opened on 7 December 1979 in what was then Bophuthatswana, which had been declared as an independent state by the apartheid government. This meant it could provide entertainment such as gambling, which was banned in South Africa. Today the resort is one of the world’s largest entertainment centres featuring two championship golf courses – one with crocodiles at the 13th hole. Both courses are bordered by the Pilanesberg National Park, which is home to the Big Five and has a vigorous conservation programme.
Day 2 : Pilanesberg or Gary Player/Lost City
Today you may opt to enjoy a game drive in the Pilanesberg Reserve, meet with the golfers for lunch then enjoy an afternoon at leisure at Lost City’s Sun City. Golfers can enjoy a round of golf at Sun City’s Gary Player/Lost City golf course.
Day 3 : At leisure on board
Enjoy a day at leisure as the train climbs to Majuba Hill – site of the decisive battle that ended the First Anglo Boer War – then passes Newcastle, which has what is reputed to be the largest cella-dome Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere, and Glencoe, site of the first battle of the Anglo Boer War and now the centre of the province’s coalfields.
Day 4 : Spionkop or Champagne Sports Resort
Today you may opt to transfer to Spionkop Lodge to hear the historic tale of the Battle of Spionkop with lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive. Meanwhile, golfers will enjoy a round at the Champagne Sports Resort.
Day 5 : Durban or Durban/Beachwood
Golfers transfer to Durban Beachwood or Durban Country Club for tee off and lunch. Leisure guests enjoy a Durban city tour with a visit to the botanical gardens and lunch at Umhlanga’s beachfront. Durban is the third largest city in South Africa and enjoys great importance due to its industry and very large port.
Day 6 : Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Transfer to Hluhluwe for game drive. As the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa, Hluhluwe consists of 960km2 of hilly landscapes, known for their rich wildlife and conservation efforts. After lunch the train travels towards eSwatini.
Day 7 : Eswatini or Royal Swazi Sun
Leisure guests transfer to Mkhaya Rserve for a game drive, then transfer to Swazi Candles for a visit with lunch and an opportunity for curio shopping. Golfers instead transfer to the Royal Swazi Sun for tee off and lunch. The tiny Kingdom of eSwatini (Swaziland) covers only 17,000km2, most of which is mountainous. For such a small country, it is surprising that it sustains two capital cities: Mbabane is the administrative capital and Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital. In April 2018, Swaziland changed its name to the Kingdom of eSwatini (meaning “place of the Swazi”) and is an absolute monarchy. It is landlocked and borders South Africa and Mozambique. At Swazi Candles, guests are invited to interact with the artisans as they make a variety of candles. Woodcarvings, colourful textiles and superb basketwork are also on display. This evening the train departs for Komatipoort, South Africa, and on to Malelane.
Day 8 : Kruger Park
Today everyone enjoys a game drive in the famed Kruger National Park, with tea, lunch and an opportunity for curio shopping. Return to the train this afternoon to travel west across the Drakensberg Mountains, climbing the spectacular escarpment. If available, golf at Leopard Creek may be booked on request at your own expense.
Day 9 : Dullstroom or Highland Gate
Today visit the Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Centre, then transfer to Walkerson’s Hotel for a presentation on fly-fishing, and lunch. Return to Dullstroom for an introduction to whiskey distilling and a tour of the Arts & Crafts Centre. Meanwhile, golfers transfer to Highland Gate for tee off and lunch, returning to the train late afternoon.
Day 10 : Pretoria
This morning enjoy your last breakfast in the dining cars before the train arrives at journey’s end at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria around 10am.
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Pricing
Pricing (per person), AUD
TYPE |
TWIN from |
SINGLE from |
EXTRA from |
---|---|---|---|
2024 |
|||
1 Jan – 31 Dec |
|||
Pullman Suite |
AU$8,495 |
AU$11,895 |
|
Deluxe Suite |
AU$12,900 |
On Request |
|
Royal Suite |
AU$16,935 |
On Request | |
2025 |
|||
1 Jan – 31 Dec |
|||
Pullman Suite |
AU$9,000 |
AU$12,595 |
|
Deluxe Suite |
AU$13,640 |
AU$19,095 |
|
Royal Suite |
AU$18,000 |
On Request | |
2026 |
|||
1 Jan – 31 Dec |
|||
Pullman Suite |
AU$11,365 |
AU$15,910 |
|
Deluxe Suite |
AU$16,185 |
AU$22,730 |
|
Royal Suite |
AU$21,455 |
On Request | |
2024
1 Jan – 31 Dec
Pullman Suite
Twin: from $8495
Single: from $ 11895
Deluxe Suite
Twin: from $12900
Single: from $ on request
Royal Suite
Twin: from $16935
Single: from $ on request
2025
1 Jan – 31 Dec
Pullman Suite
Twin: from $9000
Single: from $ 12595
Deluxe Suite
Twin: from $13640
Single: from $ 19095
Royal Suite
Twin: from $18000
Single: from $ On request
2026
1 Jan – 31 Dec
Pullman Suite
Twin: from $11365
Single: from $ 15910
Deluxe Suite
Twin: from $16185
Single: from $ 22730
Royal Suite
Twin: from $21455
Single: from $ On request
Departs
2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
21 Oct | 6 Jan | 6 Jan |
24 Feb | 27 Jan | |
10 Sep | 17 Feb | |
20 Oct | 7, 21 Oct |
Included
- Luxury rail journey
- 9 nights’ accommodation onboard in your suite of choice
- All meals (B, L, D) during your trip
- Afternoon tea onboard most days
- All beverages onboard unless otherwise mentioned
- Shared guided excursions as per the itinerary
- Entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Golf green fees and carts (for golfers)
- Room service and limited onboard laundry
Not Included
- International sparkling wine onboard
- All off-train beverages
- Gratuities
Gratuity
Recommended USD $10 to $20 per person per night
Important Notes
- Pricing varies due to fluctuations in exchange rates; please contact us for current pricing
- Please enquire about pricing for children (3 to 9 years) and singles in Royal Suites
- The minimum age requirement is 3 years
- No child-minding services or activities are available onboard
- Long journeys are not recommended for children 12 and under
- Included excursions are subject to change based on the achieved train schedule
- Golf course selection is subject to availability
- Golf attire is required at all country clubs
- Formal attire is required at dinner most evenings
Please refer to World Journeys terms & conditions