Rovos Rail: Durban to Pretoria (or v.v)
- Duration
- 3 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,780
DELUXE | RAIL: Join this three day safari on the most luxurious train in the world and experience the splendour of KwaZula-Natal. Take in the 'Big Five' at the private bush retreat of Nambiti Conservancy, and Spionkop battlefields tour with a world class historian.
Short but unforgettable, this 3 day journey takes you from South Africa’s favourite seaside resort to its vibrant administrative capital. Experience some of the country’s most historically significant sites including the SpionKop Battlefields, or if you’d prefer, try to spot the Big 5 at SpionKop Game Reserve. Another opportunity awaits at Nambiti Conservancy, a private bush retreat before you pull into Pretoria. A true living gallery of Afrikaner history, this administrative capital is worth stopping a day or two before you depart.
- Duration
- 3 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,780
Itinerary View Trip Map
Depart Durban
The Pride of Africa departs from Durban Station at 10:00am. You may freshen up in your suite before joining fellow travellers in the midway Lounge car or Observation carriage at the rear of the train. Lunch is served at 1:00pm as the train travels en-route to Lions River Station. At 3:00pm, there will be an excursion to the famous Ardmore Ceramics gallery, including a dressage display and tea. Dinner is served in the dining cars at 7:30pm as the train climbs the escarpment for an overnight stop at Ladysmith.
Durban was once South Africa's busiest port. It is still the country's third largest city and principal port for general cargo, built around a superbly sheltered bay and mile after mile (four in fact) of exquisite beachfront. The bay is the outstanding feature, a vast sweep of water, protected by the Bluff, a low wooded headland. The town is named after Sir Benjamin D'Urban, governor of the Cape Colony from 1842 -1847. The city is the centre of the country's Indian community, most of who are descendants of indentured labourers brought over from India to work on the sugar estates in the 19th century. When their contracts terminated they were given the choice of returning to India or staying on to farm here - most stayed. The city sprawl continues north up the coast, across the Umgeni River, to the resort town of Umhlanga Rocks and inland to the Berea Heights, a range of hills, with wonderful views of the city and surrounds.
Durban has an English seaside feel about it too. Rickshaws on the Marine parade, superb shark protected beaches, a number of museums and cultural sights, the beautiful Botanical gardens are but a few of the city's many charms.
Durban, contrary to popular belief, is not the capital of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, although the biggest provincial city, and the third largest in South Africa, population approximately 3 million and growing.
| Meal Plan | Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Rovos Rail Suite Class
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|---|
| Accommodation |
Rovos Rail |
| Location | View map |
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Rovos Rail
The golden age of luxury train travel has been renewed in the heart of the African bush. These beautifully restored trains consist of up to 20 coaches that can be drawn by steam, diesel or electric locomotives operating at various stages of the journey. The …
The golden age of luxury train travel has been renewed in the heart of the African bush. These beautifully restored trains consist of up to 20 coaches that can be drawn by steam, diesel or electric locomotives operating at various stages of the journey. The sleeping cars as well as the observation and dining cars have been splendidly refurbished in the style of the period but with an eye for modern comfort. The train carries a maximum of 72 passengers who are attended by highly motivated members of staff, and provides a cuisine of superb standard. Rovos Rail offers unique rail safaris through some of the most spectacular scenery in Africa.
Photo gallery
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SpionKop and Nambiti Private Game Reserve
Today you have a choice of two excursions:
Option 1 - Receive a wake up call at 6:00am to start an early morning game drive in the SpionKop Game Reserve.
Option 2 - Enjoy an escorted tour of the SpionKop Battlefields.
Please ensure that you are warmly dressed. As the morning drive progresses the weather can warm up considerably, so please ensure you have hats and sun protection. Rain capes will be available should it rain.
You return to the train for brunch which will be served between 11:00am to 1:00pm. At 3:00pm, the train arrives at Elandslaagte for an afternoon game drive in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve. The weather can be very warm, so please ensure you have hats and sun protection. As the evening drive progresses the weather can cool down considerably, so please ensure that you take warm clothing. Rain capes will be available if required. Dinner is served in the dining cars at 7:30pm.
The Nambiti Conservancy is a private Big Five bush retreat and game conservancy set on 20,000 acres of malaria-free bushveld at Elandslaagte. It has incredible biodiversity including savannah, grasslands, thornveld and tall acacia trees. The Sundays River flows through the reserve and has two 40 metre waterfalls with magnificent ravine bush, home to several rare bird species.
Elandslaagte Rail siding is adjacent to Nambiti Private Game Reserve and has also been declared a historic battle site of the second Anglo Boer War, Battle of Elandslaagte: 20 & 21 October 1899.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Arrive at Pretoria
From 7:00am to 10:00am breakfast is served as the train traverses the Highveld. Lunch is served at 1:00pm as the train heads for Centurion, where a steam engine will haul the train into Pretoria. At 4:00pm arrive at Rovos Rail's Capital Park Station, Pretoria where your journey ends.
Pretoria is the Administrative Capital of South Africa, filled with grand buildings and foreign embassies, giving the whole city a dignified presence. Sculptures and monuments attest to the city's Afrikaner history, along with well-preserved fine architecture, such as the Church Square in the city center. Overlooking the whole of the city from hilltop is the magnificent Sir Herbert Baker designed Union Buildings, built in golden stone with Italian tiled roofs, a Romanesque amphitheatre and African sculptures. Progress has brought high tech shopping centres, museums, art galleries and multi-culinary restaurants. The city has four universities, a number of scientific institutes and an abundance of open spaces with parks, bird sanctuaries, nature reserves and a zoo.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Lunch |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
Durban to Pretoria;
2022: Oct 17; Nov 21
2023: Jan 16; Feb 13; Mar 27; Apr 17; Sep 11
Pretoria to Durban;
2022: Apr 8; Aug 12; Sep 23; Oct 14; Nov 18
2023: Jan 13; Feb 10; Mar 24; Apr 14; Sep 8
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 2 nights in deluxe accommodations aboard Rovos Rail in a Pullman Suite*
- Shared visit to Ardmore Ceramics Gallery
- Choice of one of activity of either:
- Shared guided tour of Battle of Spionkop
- shared game drive in Spionkop Reserve (max 7 guests)*
- Shared game drive in Nambiti Reserve (max 7 guests)*
- Entrance fees
- South Africa VAT
- Limited laundry
- Room service
- All beverages (excluding International/French champagne)
- 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
* Upgraded cabins also available. Please enquire.
**Please note maximum vehicle capacities are subject to change without prior notice
NOT INCLUDED:
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Meals & beverages not explicitly listed as included
- Gratuities
- Optional excursions
- Items of a personal nature
- Visa fees if applicable
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please enquire.
23 Sep 2023
