Shongololo: Good Hope tour

Shongololo: Good Hope tour

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN PRETORIA WITH A TOUR OF THE CITY AND SOWETO (D)
08:00 Check-in at Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria.
09:00  Full-day tour of Pretoria and Soweto.
15:30 Return to Rovos Rail Station. The train departs for Waterval Boven.
16:30 Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Soweto comprises one-million people and was made famous by the Apartheid laws. Pass the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (the largest hospital in the Southern Hemisphere) and drive past 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. Before leaving the capital behind visit the Voortrekker Monument that commemorates the ‘Great Trek’ of the 1830s.

DAY 2: PANORAMA TOUR (B,D) 
07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
09:00 Full-day tour of historical areas Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Graskop. The Graskop viewing lift takes visitors 51m down the face of the gorge into the forest below where wooden walkways and suspension bridges meander along a 600m trail through the indigenous forest with
an interactive exhibit (lift for own account).
16:30 Return to the train in Nelspruit (140km). Depart for Malelane.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Pilgrim’s Rest is a living museum and declared a National Monument. Gold was discovered here in 1873 attracting 1500 prospectors. Today many of the restored miner’s houses serve as shops and restaurants. Bourke’s Luck Potholes are strange deep cylindrical cavities formed by river erosion
and floodwater. Blyde River Canyon has astonishing views over South Africa’s Lowveld (so-named because it is much lower than the high escarpment along which the Panorama runs).

GOLFERS (B,D)
07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
Transfer to Leopard Creek/White River/Nelspruit Golf Club for tee off.
16:30 Return to the train. Depart for Malelane.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

DAY 3: KRUGER PARK (B,D) 
05:30 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
07:00 Full-day game viewing in the Kruger Park.
16:00 Return to the train.
16:30 Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars. The train departs for Mpaka, Swaziland.

The world-renowned Kruger Park has 2-million hectares of an unrivalled diversity in life forms. It is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and home to an impressive number of species, e.g. 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.

GOLFERS (B,D)
07:00 Breakfast is served until departure.
Transfer to Leopard Creek/White River/Nelspruit for tee off.
16:30 Return to the train.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars. Depart for Mpaka.

DAY 4: SWAZILAND (B,D) 
07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
08:30 Depart in vehicles for Swazi Candles (90 minutes) and visit Mantenga Cultural Village.
13:45 Return to the train (75 minutes).
16:30 Tea is served in the lounge and observation car. Depart for Golela for border formalities.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

This tiny kingdom covers only 17 000m2 making it the second smallest country in Africa. Experience Swazi Candles: a hive of activity displaying decorative candles, skillfully crafted woodcarvings, colourful textiles and superb basketwork for which Swazis are renowned. Continue through the
Ezulwini Valley passing the Ludzidzini Royal residence en route to Mantenga Cultural Village, a living museum of old traditions representing a classical Swazi lifestyle during the 1850s.

GOLFERS (B,D)
07:00 Breakfast is served until departure.
Transfer to Nkonyeni for tee off.
14:00 Return to the train.
16:30 Tea is served.
Depart for Golela for border formalities.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

DAY 5: HLUHLUWE (B,D)
05:30 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
07:00 Game drives in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
16:00 Return to the train. Depart for Empangeni.
16:30 Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

As the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa, Hluhluwe consists 960km² of hilly topography 280km north of Durban in central
Zululand and is known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts. The park is the only state-run park in KwaZulu-Natal with all the Big Five game animals. 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.

DAY 6: ISIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK (B,D)
07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
08:30 Transfer (75 minutes) to the world-heritage site, St Lucia (iSimangaliso) Wetland Park. Enjoy a two-hour boat cruise with lunch (own account) in St Lucia town.
15:00 Return to the train.
16:30 Tea is served in the lounge and observation car. Depart for Durban.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

The park covers over 2400km² from St Lucia in the south to the Mozambique border in the north and has spectacular diversity. Declared a World Heritage site in 1999, the park covers a mosaic of landforms that have created a vast array of biomes to support a wide variety of animals, plants and birds. The park boasts 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.

GOLFERS (B,D)
07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
Transfer to Zimbali for tee off.
15:30 Return to the train.
16:30 Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car.
Depart for Durban.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

DAY 7: DURBAN (B,D) 
07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
09:00 Disembark for a Durban city tour and a visit to the botanical gardens and uShaka Marine World.
16:30 Return to the train. Depart for Ladysmith.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Durban is the third largest city in South Africa and enjoys great importance due to its industry and very large port. Drive along the ‘Golden Mile’ promenade where numerous hotels and restaurants are situated. Visit the botanical gardens and uShaka Marine World – Africa’s largest
marine theme park. Entrance fee to waterpark: Guest’s own account.

GOLFERS (B,D)
07:00 Breakfast is served until departure.
Transfer to Durban Club/Beachwood/Zimbali for tee off.
16:00 Return to the train.
16:30 Tea is served.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

DAY 8: LADYSMITH BATTLEFIELDS (B,L*,D) 
07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
09:00 Transfer (45 minutes) to Spionkop Lodge for a battlefields tour and light refreshments before moving to Spionkop hill to finish this historic story.
12:30 Return to the lodge for lunch.
14:00 Afternoon game drive OR relax at the lodge.
16:00 Return to the train. Depart for Kroonstad.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Walk in the footsteps of three great leaders Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi and General Louis Botha – a story on which the sun never sets. Britain marched into the South African war in the spring of 1899, confident that it “would all be over by Christmas!” It lasted three years and was to become the costliest Britain had ever fought. *Lunch provided; beverages for own account.

GOLFERS (B,D)
07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
One-hour transfer to Champagne Sports for tee off.
15:00 Return to the train.
16:30 Tea is served.
17:00 Depart for Kroonstad.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

DAY 9: BLOEMFONTEIN (B,D)
07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:00.
12:00 Tour of Bloemfontein including the Women’s Memorial, Anglo Boer Museum, Oliewenhuis Art Museum and Naval Hill.
17:00 Return to the train. Depart for Kimberley.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Bloemfontein is the seat of the South African judicial system. At the end of the 19th century it was also the capital of the old Boer Republic of The Orange Free State. Bloemfontein is capital of the Free State Province and also known as the Rose City. Loch Logan Waterfront, next to the city’s newly renovated stadium, was one of the venues during the 2010 Soccer World Cup. The Women’s Memorial at the Anglo Boer War Museum is a reminder of life in the concentration camps and commemorates the 27000 women and children who died in these camps. The Museum itself is a graphic depiction of the hardship endured by all during the war and relates the history of South Africa from 1652.

DAY 10: KIMBERLEY (B,D)
07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
09:00 Visit to the Big Hole, Diamond Mine Museum, Noord-Kaap Mall, William Humphreys Art Gallery and the McGregor House Museum.
Return to the train. Tea is served in the lounge and observation car at 16:30. 16:00 Depart for Noupoort.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Capital of the Northern Cape, Kimberley is well known for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871.
07:00
16:00
19:30
GOLFERS (B,D)
07:00 Breakfast is served until departure.
Transfer to the Kimberley Golf Club for tee off.
16:00 Return to the train.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

DAY 11: DAY AT LEISURE ON BOARD (B,L,D)
Enjoy a day at leisure on board as the train travels to Willowmore. All meals enjoyed on board.

DAY 12: CANGO CAVES AND OSTRICH FARM (B,D*)
07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
09:15 Transfer (60 minutes) to the Cango Caves and an ostrich farm.
16:15 Return to the train (90 minutes).
18:30 Transfer to Fancourt Golf Estate for dinner.
This semi-desert region is situated at the foot of the majestic Swartberg mountain range where many rivers, streams and falls have their origins. Oudtshoorn is regarded as the centre of the Klein Karoo and is famous for feathering the world in the time of the boa and grand hats. The ostrich boom of the early 20th century turned out many millionaires who, in turn, created elaborate lifestyles in this remote part of Africa. The great natural wonder of the Cango Caves has colourful underground chambers with
breathtaking limestone formations. *Dinner and one pre-dinner beverage (wine, G&T, beer, soda or juice) included.

GOLFERS (B,D*)
07:00
18:30
Please take a
change of clothes
for dinner.
Breakfast is served
in the dining cars
until departure.
Transfer to Fancourt/
Ernie Els Oubaai
for tee off.
Time to freshen up.
Dinner at
Fancourt*.
DAY 13: KNYSNA (B,L,D) GOLFERS (B,D)
06:00
07:45
13:00
16:30
19:30
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
Transfer to Knysna for a lagoon ferry ride.
Return to the train. Enjoy lunch on board. Depart for Voorbaai.
Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
Dinner is served in the dining cars. Depart for Buffeljagsrivier.
Drive along the coast from George, situated in the heart of the Garden Route. The town itself sits on a
10km plateau between the majestic Outeniqua Mountains to the north and the Indian Ocean to the
south. The Knysna Heads – two sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon connecting the
estuary with the sea – is a dramatic viewpoint.
06:00
15:00
19:30
Breakfast is served
in the dining cars
until departure.
Transfer to Ernie
Els Oubaai/
Fancourt/Pezula
for tee off.
Return to the train.
Dinner is served in
the dining cars.
DAY 14: HERMANUS (B,D) Optional Golf at Arabella
07:00
09:00
13:00
16:00
19:30
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
Drive the scenic route to Hermanus (140km) for a visit.
Transfer to a wine estate in Worcester for a tasting.
Return to the train at Worcester. Depart for Cape Town. Tea is served in the lounge and observation car at 16:30.
Dinner is served in the dining cars.
Travel over the Rooihoogte and Floorshoogte passes via the Overberg to Hermanus, once a renowned fish market and whaling
station. The whale hunts were stopped by international treaty in 1935. The WWF includes Hermanus in its list of 12 best whaleviewing sites in the world but it tops the list when it comes to land-based whale-watching from the town’s natural cliffs. In season
(normally between July and November) whales can be seen from as close as 5m away.
DAY 15: ARRIVAL IN CAPE TOWN WITH A TOUR OF THE CITY (B)
07:00
10:00
10:30
16:00
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:00.
Arrive at Cape Town Station. Check out of the train. Luggage will be stored at our private lounge at the station.
Full-day tour of Cape Town.
Return to Cape Town Station where your Shongololo adventure ends.
Walk through the Company Gardens and visit the Bo-Kaap Museum. The first Malays arrived in the Cape as political refugees
and slaves during the 17th century. Nearly two centuries after emancipation these 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.
En route to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, stop at Diamond Works for a tour of the diamond cutting studio, a jewellery
manufacturing workshop, a jewellery design studio as well as a gemological laboratory. Lunch at the V&A Waterfront, a
development that has brought new life to the old harbour of the Dutch East India Company in Table Bay. The complex offers
shops, craft markets, restaurants, taverns, cinemas, theatres as well as great views over the harbour.
Drive through District Six, named the Sixth Municipal District of Cape Town in 1867. Originally established as a mixed
community of freed slaves, merchants, artisans, labourers and immigrants, District Six was a vibrant centre with close links to
the city and the port. By the beginning of the 20th century, however, the process of removals and marginalisation had begun.
The first to be forced out were Black South Africans who were displaced from the District in 1901. As the more prosperous moved
away to the suburbs, the area became a neglected ward of the city. On 11 February 1966 it was declared a White area under
the Group Areas Act of 1950 and by 1982 the life of the community was over. More than 60 000 people were forcibly removed
to barren outlying areas aptly known as the Cape Flats while bulldozers flattened their houses in District Six. The museum,
established in December 1994, works with the memories of the District Six experience.
Visit 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. The stone walls between the bastions are 150m long and 12m high.