All aboard the Pride of Africa for an unforgettable journey through South Africa’s most beautiful game parks and an introduction to the beautiful region surrounding Cape Town.
Day One – Arrival in Johannesburg
Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to the 4-Star Courtyard Hotel Arcadia in Pretoria. Enjoy free time before meeting your group and Tour Manager. Get ready to board the Pride of Africa tomorrow.
Day Two – Pride of Africa
Today we board the Pride of Africa in Capital Park, Pretoria. Our nine-night journey on this exquisite train, in luxurious air-conditioned suites, takes us across the African plains in style and comfort, with fine china, crisp linen, and 5-Star service. Meals and drinks are included onboard. Excursions include meals.
Day Three – Kruger National Park
We rise early this morning for a highlight of the tour – a game drive in Kruger National Park. All the ‘Big Five’ game animals live at Kruger National Park. Pursue antelope and track herds of elephants who make this vast wilderness their home. Enjoy viewing a lion from close range or catch a glimpse of a leopard as it stalks its prey. Enjoy lunch in Kruger National Park before reboarding the train.
Day Four – Hluhluwe Game Reserve
While on the Pride of Africa, we pass through Hluhluwe Game Reserve, one of the oldest in South Africa. Later today, we enjoy a game drive in the park for a chance to spot some giraffes, zebras, hippopotamuses, and cape buffaloes. After reboarding the train, we head towards Durban, passing through the verdant and incredible scenery of the St Lucia Wetlands.
Day Five – Durban
Today we arrive in Durban, an incredible city where we take a guided city tour and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. After reboarding our train, we pass through the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Situated in the Kingdom of the Zulu, the name comes from the many hills falling from the sky down to the Umgeni River.
Day Six – Spionkop Battlefields
Today we tour Spionkop, or ‘Spy Hill,’ and discover the historic battlefield site with a local specialist. In January 1900, this was the sight of a bloody battle between Boer farmers and British troops. Their miscalculated tactics led to an embarrassing defeat that, at the time, was considered the mightiest army in the world.
Day Seven – At Leisure onboard
Spend today at leisure onboard the Pride of Africa.
Day Eight – Addo Elephant Park
This morning we travel to Addo Elephant Park, exploring the landscape in open vehicles. Lions, elephants, rhinos, cape buffalo, and leopards inhabit the park. For lunch, we return to the train in Port Elizabeth. After some downtime, this afternoon, the Pride of Africa continues to Oudtshoorn, home to the world’s largest population of ostriches.
Day Nine – Oudtshoorn
Today we enjoy a fascinating visit to an ostrich farm, continuing on to George. We take a short drive off the train to Fancourt Golf Estate for dinner.
Day Ten – Featherbed Reserve and Cape Town
This morning, we enjoy the scenic drive down the coast to Knysna, famed for its picturesque location on the shores of a large estuary. Here we take a ferry to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, accompanied by knowledgeable guides. After boarding the train, we travel through the magnificent scenery on the famous ‘Garden Route’ to Riversdale.
Day Eleven – To Cape Town
On our last day on board the Pride of Africa, we go through the wild scenery of the Cape Fold Mountains before the final leg of our journey to the beautiful city of Cape Town. South Africa’s cultural capital is one of the most vibrant destinations in Africa. It features some incredible architecture, including the Italian Renaissance-style City Hall, completed in 1905. Here we check into the 5-Star Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Day Twelve – Stellenbosch Vineyards
Today we travel by coach around two of South Africa’s most delicate wine-producing areas: the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch valleys. Here, we enjoy a delicious ‘Boerebraai’ lunch, a unique South African social event where family and friends gather to create a memorable dining experience.
Day Thirteen – Table Mountain and Robben Island
If the weather cooperates, we will make the cable car ascent of Table Mountain this morning to enjoy panoramic views of the city. The rocky outcrops and steep cliffs are home to several different animals and plants. Complimenting the vast flora is a stunning range of fauna. An example not found anywhere in the world is Table Mountain Ghost Frog. After some free time for lunch, we descend as we take a ferry across Table Bay for a guided tour of Robben Island. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years between 1964 and 1982 in Robben Island. Afterward, we visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed attraction of Kirstenbosch, where we enjoy a guided tour of the botanical gardens at the foot of table mountain.
Day Fourteen – Cape Point
We journey to Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point via the stunning Chapman’s Peak coastal drive. We take the Flying Dutchman funicular railroad to a vantage point at Cape Point, where we enjoy inspiring views.
Day 15 – Tour Conclusion
Today is spent at leisure before you transfer this evening to the airport for your flight back home.
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