Durban Safari: Pretoria to Durban

Overview

This safari between Pretoria and Durban departs during the summer months and includes game drives, a battlefield tale with a world-class historian and a look at unusual African ceramics.

Experience the Nambiti Conservancy – a Big Five private retreat set on 20,000 acres of malaria-free bushveld in KwaZulu-Natal. It has an incredible biodiversity including savannah, grasslands, thornveld and tall acacia trees.

Situated on an expansive game farm, Spionkop Lodge – which adjoins an 11,000-acre nature reserve – is the perfect base for exploring the mountains, bush, birds and battlefields of the region. Ardmore Ceramics is a story about the Zulu people whose sense of rhythm, colour, dance and song, as well as the spirit of the African imagination, is exerting its influence on the other continents of the world. Visit this charming centre in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands before travelling the Valley of a Thousand Hills to Durban.

Inclusions

2 Nights accommodation onboard in Rovos Rail in a Pullman Suite

Breakfast, lunch and dinner served onboard

All beverages except International sparkling wine

24-Hour full room service and bar facilities

Off-Train excursions and entrance fees as per itinerary

Itinerary

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Intro Map

Durban Safari - Pretoria to Durban

Day 1 Depart Pretoria

10:00 Depart Rovos Rail Station, Pretotria.
Travel southeast across the Highveld and the goldfields of the Witwatersrand towards Heidelberg, site of the first Rand Gold strike, and Balfour, a small mining town in Mpumalanga. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car and observation car.

13:00 Lunch is served in the dining cars.
The Drakensberg Mountains were first named by the Voortrekkers who thought the unbroken chain of heavily weathered peaks reminded them of the spines on a dragon’s back, hence the name ‘Dragon Mountain’ or Drakensbergin Afrikaans.

16:30 Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
The train climbs to Majuba Hill–site of the decisive battle that ended the First Anglo Boer War –then passes Newcastle, which has what is reputed to be the largest cella-dome Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere.

19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars en-route to Elandslaagte (Dress: Formal, jacket and tie)
Pass Glencoe, site of the first battle of the Anglo Boer War and now the centre of the province’s coalfields.

Overnight on board.

Lunch, Dinner

Rovos Rail Lounge Area

Day 2 Nambiti & Spionkop

05:45 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
Enjoy a game drive in the Nambiti Reserve, a private Big Five bush retreat set on 20,000 acres of malaria-freebushveld with incredible biodiversity including savannah, grasslands, thornveld and tall acacia trees.

11:00 Brunch is served in the dining cars.
Transfer (±30 min) to Spionkop Lodge for the afternoon. A choice of two excursions is available: Hear the historic tale of the Battle of Spionkop OR enjoy a game drive in the 11,000-acre reserve.

19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars en-route to Estcourt (Dress: Formal).
Shortly after Chieveley, on the right of the track, stands a memorial to Winston Churchill who was captured here in November 1899 while trying to free an armoured train trapped by a Boer ambush.

Overnight on board.

Brunch included on this day.

Breakfast, Dinner

Lioness in Nambiti

Day 3 Ardmore Ceramics

07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00.
The train descends the escarpment to Lions River. Visit the famous Ardmore Ceramics Gallery.
Here, artists are encouraged to express their imagination based on nature and Zulu folklore and tradition.

13:30 Lunch is served in the dining cars.
The train traverses the spectacular Valley of a Thousand Hills.

16:00 Arrive at journey's end at Durban Station.
A number of museums and cultural sights, the beautiful botanical gardens and the superb shark-proctectd beaches are but a few of the city's many charms for you to experience.

Breakfast, Lunch

Ardmore Ceramics

Accommodation

Rovos Rail

Upgrade available

Enjoy the extravagant elegance of rail travel on Rovos Rail, one of the most luxurious trains in the world, combining the opulence of pre-war travel with subtle modern innovations.

The wood-panelled sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard.

The Pullmans, used on our short journeys, accommodate one or two passengers and have an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. During the day, the suites have a comfortable sofa-seat with a conversion to double or twin beds (side-by-side or upper and lower bunks) for the evening. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily.

Suite configurations are subject to availability. Suite layouts may differ from images.

Double or twin beds
Upper and/or lower bunk
Daytime sofa setting
En-suite with shower, toilet and basin
Fold-up writing desk
Luggage shelf
Cupboards
Safe
Air conditioning
Tea facilities
Bespoke amenities
Robes and slippers
Hairdryer (fixed or plug-in)
Shaver plugs (2-pin)
USB ports
Safety glasses
Emergency torch
Fire extinguisher
Laundry bag
Shoe bag
Internal telephone system
Room service

Room Upgrades

Deluxe Suite

The Deluxes accommodate one or two passengers in double or twin beds and have their own lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily.
Suite configurations are subject to availability. Suite layouts may differ from images.

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Royal Suites

The Royals each take up half a carriage with their own private lounge area and en-suite bathroom with Victorian bath, separate shower, toilet and basin. They accommodate one or two passengers in double or twin beds. A dedicated host/ess is always available and services the suites daily. Suite configurations are subject to availability. Suite layouts may differ from images.

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Additional information

Please dress accordingly for excursions/game drives: mornings can be cool then warm up considerably; afternoons can be warm then cool down considerably. Warm clothing, comfortable shoes, hats and sun protection are advised. Rain capes are available. Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.

2024 Departure dates:

January 19
February 9
March 22
April 12
May - August (no departures)
September 6
October 4
November 15
December (no departures)

Excluded

Onboard: champagne, gratuities, personal expenses, pre & post tour transfers and accommodation
International airfares and taxes
Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.)
Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package

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Durban Safari: Pretoria to Durban (Tour code: 12530)

Highlights

Overview

Inclusions