Join this three-day safari on the most luxurious train in the world and experience the splendour of KwaZulu Natal. Take in the Big Five, a battlefields tour with a world class historian and unusual African ceramics.
Experience the diversity of the Nambiti Conservancy, a Big Five private bush 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. The Sundays River flows through the reserve and has two 40 metre waterfalls with magnificent ravine bush, home to several rare bird species.
Situated on an expansive game farm, Spionkop Lodge, which adjoins an 11,000 acre nature reserve, is the perfect base for exploring the berg, bush, birds and battlefields of the region. The turn of the century farmhouse has been beautifully restored in Natal colonial style and the converted barn now forms a magnificent dining room that boasts spectacular views.
Ardmore Ceramic Art 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.
Word of Ardmore has spread far and wide and those who believe they have the talent arrive at the Ardmore studios in the rolling hills of Caversham in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Many have little knowledge of sculpture and painting and mostly no experience of ceramic art. They learn quickly however and within a short time develop their own particular style of sculpting and painting.
PRETORIA - NAMBITI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE - SPIONKOP GAME RESERVE
- ARDMORE
- DURBAN
1 January 2010 to 30 September 2011
PRETORIA TO DURBAN |
|
Friday |
|
| 10:00 | The Pride of Africa departs Rovos Rail's Station in Capital Park. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the midway Lounge Car or Observation Carriage at the rear of the train. |
| 13:00 | Lunch is served as the train passes through Heidelberg. |
| 18:15 | The train departs Vooruitsig and climbs to 2,146ms as we traverse Majuba Hill. |
| 19:30 | Dinner is served in the ding car(s) |
| 22:30 | The train arrives at Elandslaagte for the overnight stop. |
Saturday |
|
| 05:00 | An early wake up call for a game drive in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve. |
| 05:15 - 05:45 | Tea, coffee, juices and pastries will be served in the dining car/s. Please ensure you are warmly dressed. As the morning drive progresses the weather can warm up considerably, so please also ensure you have hats and sun protection. Rain capes will be available if required. |
| 08:00 | The game rangers will stop for a short tea, coffee and bathroom break. |
| 11:00 - 13:00 | Brunch will be served in the dining car/s as we travel towards Estcourt. |
| 14:00 | Disembark for the 40min drive to Spionkop Lodge.
A choice of two excursions are available : 1. An escorted tour of the battlefields or 2. Game drive in the Spionkop Game Reserve. The weather can be very warm, so please ensure you have hats & sun protection. As the evening progresses the weather can cool down considerably, so please also ensure that you take warm clothing. |
| 18:30 | Enjoy sundowners while overlooking the magnificent Spionkop dam. A traditional South African dinner will be served at Spionkop Lodge. |
| 22:00 | Overnight onboard the train. |
Sunday |
|
| 07:00 | Breakfast is served as the train departs Estcourt and descends the escarpment en route to Lions River station. |
| 10:00 | Disembark the train for a visit to the famous Ardmore ceramics gallery including an equestrian display and tea overlooking the river. |
| 12:00 | The train departs for Pietermaritzburg. |
| 18:00 | Arrive Durban. |
| 13:00 | Lunch is served as the train traverses the spectacular Valley of a Thousand Hills. |
| 16:00 | Arrive in Durban |
DURBAN TO PRETORIA |
|
Monday |
|
| 10:00 | The train departs from Durban station.
Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the midway lounge car or observation carriage at the rear of the train. |
| 13:00 | Lunch is served as the train traverses the rolling hills of KwaZulu-Natal en route to Lions River station. |
| 15:00 | Disembark train for a visit to the famous Ardmore ceramics gallery, including an equestrian display & tea next to the river. |
| 19:30 | Dinner is served in the dining car(s). |
| 23:00 | Arrive in Ladysmith for the overnight stop. |
Tuesday |
|
| 05:00 | An early wake up call for a choice of two excursions :
Option 1- A game drive in the Spionkop Nature Reserve. Option 2- An escorted tour of the Battlefields. Tea, coffee, juices, fruit and pastries will be served in the dining car(s). |
| 05:15 - 05:45 | Please ensure that you are warmly dressed. As the morning drive progresses the weather can warm up considerably, so please also ensure you have hats and sun protection. |
| 11:00 - 13:00 | Brunch will be served in the dining car(s) as we travel to Elandslaagte. |
| 15:00 | Disembark at Elandslaagte for a game drive in the Nambiti Private Game
Reserve. The weather can be very warm, so please ensure you have hats & sun protection. As the evening progresses the weather can cool down considerably, so please also ensure that you take warm clothing. |
| 19:30 | Dinner is served as the train departs for the overnight journey to Vooruitsig. |
Wednesday |
|
| 07:00 - 10:00 | Breakfast is served as we depart Vooruitsig. |
| 13:00 | Lunch is served as the train heads towards journeys end. |
| 16:00 | Arrive at Rovos Rail's Capital Park Station, Pretoria. |
Click here for detailed information on destinations visited on this route.
Departures Pretoria to Durban 2010:
| January 15. | September 10, 24. |
| March 5, 19. | October 8, 29. |
| April 2, 16. | November 12. |
Departures Pretoria to Durban 2011:
| January 28. | April 8, 22. |
| February 11, 25. | September 9, 23. |
| March 11, 25. |
Departures Durban to Pretoria 2010:
| January 18. | September 13, 27. |
| March 8, 22. | October 11. |
| April 5, 19. | November 1, 15. |
Departures Durban to Pretoria 2011:
| January 31. | April 11, 25. |
| February 14, 28. | September 12, 26. |
| March 14, 28. |
Prices 2010/11 : Pretoria to Victoria Falls or v. v.
| Pullman Suite | Deluxe Suite | Royal Suite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prices from (per person) | £1,031 | £1,547 | £2,062 |
| Single Occupancy from | £1,547 | £2,320 | £3,094 |
Please note that all prices shown are intended as a guide only, as rates can vary depending on currency fluctuations etc. The correct prices will be quoted at the time of booking.
Prices include :
- Accommodation on board the train.
- Three superb meals and 24 hour room service.
- All alcoholic and other beverages.
- Sightseeing excursions and entrance fees.
Off train excursions cannot be guaranteed and will be undertaken only if time permits.
Departure and arrival times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.
