Call Us 800.528.9300
Shongololo Express
The Good Hope Adventure
Tour Description:
THIS 15-DAY RAIL ADVENTURE ABOARD THE FAMED SHONGOLOLO EXPRESS TRAVERSES GREAT STRETCHES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA, INCORPORATING VIRTUALLY EVERY INTERNATIONALLY REGARDED MUST-SEE SIGHT AND HIGHLIGHT.
This grand 15-day journey offers a golfing and non-golfing itinerary with an amazing insight into virtually every well-known destination in South Africa. Starting in Cape Town with a city tour, board the train and traverse the winelands to Worcester. Travel by road over scenic mountain passes to Hermanus*, once a renowned whaling station, followed by a spectacular meander along the Garden Route to the natural paradise of Knysna* to enjoy a lagoon ferry ride to Featherbed Nature Reserve. Crossing the Outeniqua Mountains, arrive in Oudtshoorn to visit an ostrich farm and the incredible Cango Caves.
After tours around the historic town of Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum* and Bloemfontein (the city of roses), the train arrives at Spionkop* for a battlefields tour. On day nine, arrive in Durban* and enjoy the markets or spiritual sites before visiting the world-heritage site, St Lucia Wetland Park. Next, explore Hluhluwe wildlife reserve and the Kingdom of Swaziland*, followed by a trip through the Drakensberg Mountains to the Kruger Park* and the historical areas of Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window.
On the final day, arrive at Rovos Rail Station and continue on a tour of Pretoria or Johannesburg and Soweto.
*Golf Courses (optional): Arabella Golf Estate, Ernie Els Oubaai, Fancourt, Kimberley Golf Club, Champagne Sports Resort, Durban Country Club, Zimbali, Nkonyeni Golf Nelspruit/Leopard Creek/White River.
Available in reverse.
Tour options available at an additional charge: pre-tour arrival accommodations and meals, as well as optional excursions throughout.
Highlights:
* Accommodations onboard the train for 14 nights
* Breakfast and dinner daily
* Sightseeing excursions per itinerary
* Arrival and departure transfers between airport and train
Tour options available at an additional charge: pre-tour arrival accommodations and meals, as well as optional excursions throughout.
Click for larger view.
Destination & Sightseeing
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1 - Cape Town Tour and Train Departure
8:00 Check-in at Rovos Rail Lounge, Cape Town Station. 9:00 Full-day tour of Cape Town. 2:30 Transfer to the train at Cape Town Station. 4:00 Train departs Cape Town for Worcester.
Cape Town - The city tour begins with a walk through the Company Gardens, followed by a visit to the Bo-Kaap Museum. Centuries ago, Islamic people moved into the area known today as the Bo-Kaap, building mosques with picturesque minarets and their own Georgian-style houses with Dutch influence. One of the oldest Cape Town buildings houses the museum, which is furnished as a Muslim house of the 19th century and documents the history of the Cape Malays.
Head toward the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and stop at Diamond Works for a tour of the diamond cutting studio, a jewelry manufacturing workshop, a jewelry design studio as well as a gemological laboratory.
Lunch at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Table Bay, which offers shops, craft markets, restaurants, taverns, cinemas, and theatres as well as great views over the harbor. In the afternoon, drive through District Six, established in 1867 as a diverse community, but later destroyed by apartheid and forced removals.
End the city tour with a visit to the Castle of Good Hope, the oldest surviving building in South Africa. This pentagonal fortification replaced a small clay and timber fort built by Commander Jan van Riebeeck in 1652 as a maritime replenishment station for the ships of the Dutch East India Company. Distance travelled: ±90km
Day 2 - Drive to Hermanus Over Scenic Mountain Passes
9:00 Drive the scenic route to Hermanus (120km). 4:00 Return to train at Robertson and depart for Voorbaai for the overnight stop.
Optional: Golfers can play at Arabella (100km).
HermanusTravel over the Rooihoogte and Floorshoogte passes via the Overberg towns of Villiersdorp and Botrivier to Hermanus, once a renowned fish market and whaling station. The whale hunts were stopped by international treaty in 1935, and the WWF now includes Hermanus in its list of 12 best whale-viewing sites in the world.
Day 3 - Knysna Visit and Fancourt Dinner/Play at Ernie Els Oubaai
9:00 Transfer to Knysna with a lagoon ferry ride to Featherbed Nature Reserve OR enjoy shopping. 6:30 Dinner at Fancourt Golf Estate. Overnight George.
GOLFERS9:00 Transfer to Ernie Els Oubaai Golf Club for tee off. Return to train in the late afternoon. 6:30 Dinner at Fancourt Golf Estate. Overnight George.
George and Knysna - Drive along the coast from George, situated in the heart of the Garden Route. Drive along the scenic Old Passes Route to Knysna, winding through the primeval forest of the Homtini, lying between lush forests and a peaceful lagoon. The Knysna Heads – two sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon connecting the estuary with the sea – is a dramatic viewpoint. Enjoy a lagoon ferry ride to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Optional shopping at leisure. Distance travelled: ±180km
Day 4 - Cango Caves and Ostrich Farm Visit / Play at Fancourt Golf Estate
9:15 Drive the Outeniqua Pass to visit the Cango Caves. Afternoon visit to an ostrich farm. 3:15 Board train in Oudtshoorn.
GOLFERS9:00 Tee off at Fancourt Golf Estate. 2:00 Drive the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn. 3:30 Board train in Oudtshoorn.
Oudtshoorn And Cango Caves - Surrounded by the natural beauty of this semi-desert region, Oudtshoorn is situated at the foot of the majestic Swartberg Mountain Range. Oudtshoorn is regarded as the center of the Klein Karoo and is world-renowned for its Cango Caves and the breeding of ostriches. The great natural wonder of the Cango Caves has a series of colorful underground chambers with breathtaking limestone formations.
Day 5 - Day at Leisure on Board
Enjoy a day at leisure on board as the train travels to Kimberley. All meals enjoyed on board.
Day 6 - Kimberley Tour / Play at Kimberley Golf Club
9:15 Visit to the Big Hole and Diamond Museum. Visit to the William Humphreys Art Gallery and McGregor Museum.n3:45 Return to train. 4:30 Depart for Bloemfontein.
GOLFERS 9:00 Tee off at Kimberley Golf Club. 5:00 Return to train and depart for Bloemfontein for the overnight stop.
Kimberley - Capital of the Northern Cape, Kimberley is well known for the discovery of diamonds, which led to its establishment in 1893. Highlights of the day include a visit to the Big Hole Diamond Mine Museum, followed by a lunch break at one of the city restaurants. After lunch, visit the William Humphreys Art Gallery and the McGregor House Museum. Distance travelled: ±162km
Day 7 - Bloemfontein Tour
9:00 Morning tour of Bloemfontein, including the Women’s Memorial and Anglo Boer Museum. 11:00 Return to train and depart for Ladysmith. 1:00 Enjoy lunch on board.
Bloemfontein - Bloemfontein is the seat of the South African judicial system. Visit the Women’s Memorial at the Anglo Boer War Museum. This monument is a reminder of life in the concentration camps and commemorates the 27,000 women and children who died there.
Then take an orientation drive through Bloemfontein, capital of the Free State Province, also known as the Rose City. Stop for lunch at the Loch Logan Waterfront, next to the city’s newly renovated stadium, one of the venues during the 2010 Soccer World Cup. In the afternoon, drive up to Naval Hill, for beautiful panoramic views of the city. Then visit the former State President’s residence “Olivenhuis”, which now houses an extensive collection of South African art. Distance travelled: ±50km.
Day 8 - Battlefields Tour / Play at Champagne Sports Resort
9:00 Full-day battlefields tour taking in the Siege Museum, Wagon Hill and Spionkop. 16:00 Return to train and depart for Durban.
GOLFERS 6:30 One-hour transfer from Ladysmith Station to Champagne Sports Resort for tee off. 3:00 Return to train and depart for Durban.https://www.champagnesportsresort.com/
Battlefields - Trace the course of the Anglo Boer Wars at the Siege Museum in Ladysmith. Wagon Hill is where both the South Africans and British suffered heavy losses and was subsequently declared a National Monument in 1938. Visit Spionkop and walk in the footsteps of three great leaders, Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi and General Louis Botha. Distance travelled: ±180km.
Day 9 - Durban Tour / Play at Durban Golf Course
10:00 Full-day city tour of Durban including Victoria Market and uShaka Marine World OR spiritual tour to Mariannhill Monastery, Hare Krishna Temple and the Mahatma Gandhi Settlement. 4:30 Return to train and depart for Empangeni.
GOLFERS 7:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure. Transfer to Durban Country Club for tee off.3:00 Return to train. 4:30 Depart for Empangeni.https://www.durbancountryclub.co.za/
Durban City Tour - Durban is the third largest city of South Africa, significant for its industry and very large port. Thanks to the subtropical climate and the long stretches of beautiful beaches, large numbers of inlanders retreat to Durban in winter. An orientation tour of the city provides a good mix of old and new, East and West with a touch of Africa. Drive along the Golden Mile promenade and visit the Victoria Market. Enjoy the botanical gardens or uShaka Marine World, to enjoy lunch and spend the afternoon. Distance travelled: ±50km
Durban Spiritual Tour - Visit Mariannhill Monastery for a tour in this beautiful, tranquil setting followed by a short visit to the Hare Krishna Temple of Understanding. Visit Phoenix, the spiritual settlement created by Mahatma Gandhi, before returning to Durban, the center of Indian culture in South Africa. See the Juma Musjid, the largest mosque in South Africa, and the most opulent Hindu structure in the Southern Hemisphere, the Kendra Hindu Temple and Community Centre. Distance travelled: ±150km
Day 10 - St Lucia Wetland Park Visit and Dumazula Village Tour
8:30 Tour of the world-heritage site, St Lucia (iSimangaliso) Wetland Park.Afternoon visit to Dumazulu Cultural Village.1:15 Board train4:30 Depart for Hluhluwe.
Optional: Golfers can play at Zimbali (128km).
St Lucia (Isimangaliso) Wetland ParkiSimangaliso Wetland Park covers over 600,000 acres. Declared a World Heritage site in 1999, the diverse park supports a wide variety of animals, plants and birds. It has the highest bird count in all of Africa, the southern-most breeding spots for turtles in Africa, Africa’s tallest forested dunes, the largest remaining stands of sand forest and the biggest peat beds in the Southern Hemisphere.
Dumazula Cultural Village - Visit Bushlands and DumaZulu Cultural Village situated in the heart of Zululand, near Hluhluwe. “Thundering Zulu”, the direct translation of DumaZulu, is an appropriate name for a place rich in African culture.
Day 11 - Hluhluwe Game Drives
6:30 Early morning and afternoon game drives in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. 3:00 Board train and depart for Mpaka, Swaziland, where border formalities take place.
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park - As the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa, hilly Hluhluwe is known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts. It is the only state-run park in KwaZulu-Natal where all the Big Five game animals live. Due to conservation efforts, the park now has the largest population of white rhino in the world. It is also one of the world’s top spots for viewing Nyala and is a prime birding destination for 340 species. Distance travelled: ±250km
Day 12 - Swaziland Tour / Play at Nkonyeni Golf Estate
8:30 Depart in vehicles from Mpaka, Swaziland. Visit Manzini, Mbabane and Ngwenya Glass. 4:00 After border formalities at Jeppes Reef, rejoin the train in Malelane.
GOLFERS One-hour transfer to Nkonyeni Golf Estate for tee off.After border formalities at Jeppes Reef, rejoin the train in Malelane.https://www.nkonyeni.co.za/
Swaziland - The tiny Kingdom of Swaziland is the second smallest country in Africa. The day’s tour begins from Mpaka, driving through the Ezulwini Valley, passing the Ludzidzini Royal residence, stopping at Swazi Candles and Manzini to experience the Swazi market. After a visit to the capital city Mbabane, enjoy a lunch stop at Mantenga Lodge with an afternoon visit to the Ngwenya Glass Complex. Distance travelled: ±280km
Day 13 - Kruger Park Game Drive / Play at Leopard Creek, Nelsruit or White River
7:00 Full-day game viewing in the Kruger Park. 4:00 Rejoin train in Malelane. 7:00 Depart for Nelspruit.
GOLFERS Tee off at Leopard Creek, Nelspruit or White River. Rejoin train in Malelane. Depart for Nelspruit.
Kruger National Park - The world-renowned Kruger National Park is unrivalled in diversity of life forms. It is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and home to an impressive number of species: 336 species of trees, 49 species of fish, 34 species of amphibians, 114 species of reptiles, 507 species of birds and 147 species of mammals including the Big Five. Distance travelled: ±220km
Day 14 - Panorama Route
9:00 Full-day tour of historical areas Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window.4:30 Rejoin train in Nelspruit and depart for Witbank.
GOLFERS 9:00 Tee off at Leopard Creek, Nelspruit or White River. 4:30 Rejoin train and depart for Witbank.
Panorama Route - Visit the village of Pilgrim’s Rest, a living museum and a National Monument. Gold was discovered in this area in 1873, attracting 1,500 prospectors. Today, many of the restored miner’s houses serve as shops and restaurants. After lunch, visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes, which are strange deep cylindrical cavities formed by river erosion and floodwater. God’s Window is one of the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve’s most spectacular viewpoints, with astonishing views over South Africa’s Lowveld. At God’s Window, majestic cliffs plunge down 700m and, on a clear day, visitors can see over the famous Kruger National Park towards the Lebombo Mountains on South Africa’s border. Distance travelled: ±280km
Day 15 - Arrival in Pretoria with a Tour of Soweto and Pretoria
10:00 Arrive at Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Check out of train. Luggage will be stored at the station.10:15 Tour of Pretoria and Soweto.6:00 Return to Rovos Rail Station. Tour ends.
Soweto and Pretoria - Soweto has a population of one million people and was made famous by the Apartheid laws. Pass the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and the only street in Africa that once housed two Nobel Peace laureates, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. Visit the Hector Petersen Memorial, named after one of the first students to be killed in the 1976 uprising against the Apartheid government.
Spend the afternoon in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, visiting the Union Buildings. Designed by the famous colonial English architect, Sir Herbert Baker, and completed in 1913, the Union Buildings house the offices of the President and Ministers. Then visit the Voortrekker Monument that commemorates the ‘Great Trek’ of the 1830s. Distance travelled: ±265km
