|
|
 THE MOST LUXURIOUS TRAIN IN THE WORLD
Since its establishment more than 10 years ago, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class travel experiences. Step aboard the wood-paneled coaches - classics remodeled and refurbished to mint condition - and enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows. Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a by-gone era, when privileged travelers experienced the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant fashion.
In a series of journeys lasting from 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 DarEs-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 new headquarters and the heart of this superb private railway company is the historic and newly built Capital Park Station and Locomotive yard which is situated on the outskirts of Pretoria.
|
THE PICTURESQUE GARDEN ROUTE
A CHARMING JOURNEY THROUGH THE GARDEN ROUTE TO GEORGE
The 620-kilometre rail journey between Cape Town and George, and then on to Knysna, a coastal jewel in the heart of the famous Garden Route, is rated one of the most beautiful in the world. From the Mother City, the Pride of Africa travels through the mountains before passing alongside vineyards, rolling wheatfields and racehorse stud farms in the Robertson Valley. There's a stop to sample the famous wines of the district. Then it's on to the coast and the picturesque town of George, where Rovos Rail guests have the option of boarding the museum's Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe for a spectacular 67-kilometre journey along the coast through South Africa's own lake district to Knysna. This nature-lovers' paradise is a mecca for visitors drawn to the town for its natural beauty, abundant bird life and numerous sporting and recreational activities.
|
ITINERARY |
|
|
|
FRIDAY
09:20 Depart Cape Town Station.
15:30 Arrive Ashton. Wine tasting excursion.
SATURDAY
09:00 Arrive George.
09:30 Optional departure from George on Outeniqua
Choo-Tjoe.
12:00 Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe arrives Knysna.
|
SATURDAY
09:45 Optional departure from Knysna on Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe.
12:30 Arrive George on Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe.
13:30 Depart George. Rovos Rail.
SUNDAY
11:00 Arrive Worcester. Guests enjoy a guided tour of KWV Brandy Distillers.
17:00 Arrive Cape Town. |
|
|
|
|
CAPE TOWN TO PRETORIA
DISCOVER THE SCENIC SPLENDOURS EN ROUTE BETWEEN CAPE TOWN AND PRETORIA
For many visitors to South Africa, there's no finer way to see the country than on the popular weekly journeys between Pretoria and Cape Town. One of the world's top destinations, Cape Town offers a blend of cosmopolitan city life, mountain splendour and scenic winelands. The twin cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg in Gauteng form South Africa's economic heartland and the ideal departure point for the Lowveld's world-famous game reserves. From the coast, the 1600 kilometers route follows an old pioneering trail carved out of the African bushveld, passing through the winelands and climbing up to the interior through the Hex River Valley. Highlights of the north and southbound routes include visits to the historic village of Matjiesfontein, a 100-year-old refreshment stop in the arid Karoo, and Kimberley (city of De Beers), the diamond boom-town that's home to the Big Hole, the world's largest man-made excavation.
|
ITINERARY |
|
|
TUESDAY OR FRIDAY
15:30 Depart Pretoria aboard the Pride of Africa.
WEDNESDAY OR SATURDAY
10:00 Arrive in Kimberley. Passengers visit the Big Hole, the diamond museum and take a tram ride.
13:00 Depart Kimberley and proceed overnight via De Aar and Beaufort West for Matjiesfontein.
THURSDAY OR SUNDAY
08:15 Visit the historic village of Matjiesfontein.
10:30 Depart Matjiesfontein and proceed via Touws River, De Doorns and Worcester to Cape Town.
18:00 Arrive at Cape Town station, platform 24.
|
MONDAY
11:00 Depart from platform 23 at Cape Town station and proceed inland via Worcester.
18:00 Upon arrival at Matjiesfontein guests tour this quaint village.
19:00 Depart Matjiesfontein.
TUESDAY
13:00 Upon arrival in Kimberley we transfer to the historic Kimberley Club for lunch and then take the electric tram from the City center for a tour of the Big Hole and museum. 16:00 Depart Kimberley.
WEDNESDAY
12:00 Arrive Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Guests can then continue through to the Victoria Falls.
|
|
THE PRIDE OF AFRICA ON SAFARI
AN UNFORGETTABLE TRAIN JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF THE AFRICAN BUSHVELD
From Capital Park, Pretoria, the Pride of Africa travels towards Witbank, then down the spectacular escarpment to an African bushveld paradise. The following morning you may enjoy a leisurely breakfast as the train meanders along the border of the world-famous Kruger Park. Lunch is served in the Dining car as the safari continues south towards Swaziland for an afternoon game drive through the Mkhaya Game Reserve followed by a memorable candlelit bush dinner in the pristine river setting of Stone Camp. Travel overnight to Hluhluwe in Zululand, sanctuary of the endangered White Rhino. After a game drive at dawn, the rolling hills and lush canefields of KwaZulu-Natal unfold as the train wends its way to Durban and journeys end.
|
ITINERARY |
|
|
FRIDAY
10:00 The Pride of Africa departs Rovos Rail's Station in Capital Park.
18:30 After descending the Drakensberg Escarpment the train arrives in Waterval Onder
SATURDAY
07:00 Breakfast is served as the train departs Malelane traveling along the border of the Kruger Park.
12:30 Lunch is served as we pass through the Swaziland border en route to Mpaka station.
15:00 We arrive at Mkhaya reserve for our afternoon game drive and bush dinner.
20:00 The train departs for the overnight journey to Hluhluwe in Zululand.
SUNDAY
05:00 Wake up call for a game drive in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve.
09:30 The Pride of Africa departs Hluhluwe for Durban.
17:00 Arrive Durban.
|
MONDAY
10:00 The Pride of Africa Departs Durban.
13:00 Lunch is served as the train passes through the rolling hills and cane-fields of Kwazulu Natal.
20:00 Dinner is served in the Dining Car as we pass through the Swaziland border.
TUESDAY
05:00 Wake up call for a game drive in the Mkhaya Game Reserve.
09:30 The train departs en route to Komatipoort.
11:00 Brunch served in the dining car.
15:15 We arrive in Malelane for the game drive in the Kruger Park followed by a boma dinner. After dinner the train travels to our overnight stop at Waterval Onder.
WEDNESDAY
07:00 Breakfast is served as we depart Waterval Onder (3950') and climb this most attractive escarpment route up to Belfast at 6463 ft.
|
|
A NOSTALGIC EXPEDITION TO THE VICTORIA FALLS
A LEISURELY SOJOURN BY LUXURY TRAIN AND CLASSIC AIRCRAFT
Combine the luxury of train travel with the excitement of a flight in a vintage airliner. Travel along a beautiful route of special interest, one rich in history, romance and adventure. Spend three days aboard the Pride of Africa as it descends the breathtaking Drakensberg escarpment to the sub-tropical wildlife paradise of Mpumalanga. Travel alongside the famous Kruger Park to Hoedspruit, where an interesting excursion to Kapama's Cheetah Project is planned. Thereafter during the afternoon the train slowly ascends the mountain range to the west, passing through Tzaneen and Duiwelskloof up ancient gorges and cliffs to Baobab country. At Pietersburg, board an historic aircraft for the two-hour flight to the Victoria Falls (Livingstone / Zambia), one of the natural wonders of the world.
|
ITINERARY |
|
|
THURSDAY
10:00 The Pride of Africa departs Rovos Rail's station in Capital Park
13:00 Lunch is served in the Dining Car en route to Witbank.
20:00 After descending the Drakensberg escarpment en route to Nelspruit, dinner is served.
FRIDAY
9:30 Train arrives in Klaserie and passengers disembark for a visit to the Kapama Cheetah Project.
12:30 Depart Klaserie and enjoy the magnificent scenery as the train ascends the escarpment through Tzaneen and Duiwelskloof.
SATURDAY
8:30 Arrive in Pietersburg.
9:00 Passengers transfer to the airport for a two-hour flight to Livingstone.
12:45 Arrive at the Livingstone Hotel, and 13:15 arrival at Victoria Falls Hotel.
|
SATURDAY
14:00 Guests collected from Victoria Falls Hotel.
14:45 Guests collected from Livingstone Hotel.
15:30 Take off from Livingstone Airport.
20:00 The Pride of Africa leaves Pietersburg, heading in a north-easterly direction. Dinner is served in the Dining Car, after which guests are invited to enjoy a night cap in the Observation Car.
SUNDAY
7:00-10:00 Breakfast is served as the train makes the spectacular descent down the Drakensberg Escarpment to the sub-tropical bushveld area of Mpumalanga.
15:00 Guests disembark at Klaserie for a visit to the Kapama Cheetah Project.
18:00 Depart Klaserie.
MONDAY
7:00 The train begins the climb between Waterval Onder and Waterval Boven, via a series of tunnels and switchbacks. Breakfast is served in the Dining Car until 10:00. During the morning the train passes through Witbank, where young Winston Churchill, an escaped prisoner of war, jumped a freight train to Mozambique.
14:15 At Rayton, the Pride of Africa is connected to the Rovos Rail Steam Locomotive for the last leg of the journey to Pretoria.
16:00Arrive at journey's end, the gracious Capital Park Station in Pretoria.
|
|
|
|
