Description

The Golf Safari begins in Pretoria and travels west to Sun City in the hills of the Pilanesberg for a day at this renowned facility including a game drive for non-golfers. In the foothills of the imposing Drakensberg Mountains, 18 holes await at the Champagne Sports Resort with a guided tour of the battlefields a further highlight for non-golfers. Enjoy a game a Durban Country Club or tour the city. Then it's on to Zululand for game viewing at Hluhluwe before heading to Swaziland. Tee off at Royal Swazi or enjoy a game drive at Mkhaya and a visit to Ngwenya Glass and Guava Gallery. Golfers then play the challenging Leopard Creek course while non-golfers enjoy a game drive in the world famous Kruger Park, after which this memorable journey ends in Pretoria.

Day 1

Golfers and Non-Golfers

10.00 Depart Pretoria and travel to Koster for overnight stop. Day at leisure on train.

Day 2

09.00 Golfers tee off at Lost City or Gary Player Country Club at Sun City followed by lunch at the club. 

07.00 Non-Golfers enjoy a game drive at Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Then explore the Lost City followed by lunch at the club.

Both groups have dinner and overnight on the train en route to Heidelberg.

Day 3

All meals are enjoyed on board en route to Estcourt via Ladysmith. Day at leisure on the train.

Day 4

09.00 Golfers tee off in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains at Champagne Sports Resort. Enjoy lunch and afternoon at leisure before departing for Durban.

09.00 Non-Golfers have a battlefields tour with lunch at Spionkop Lodge followed by shopping or enjoy a walk at Champagne Resort before departing for Durban.

Day 5 

07.30 Golfers tee off at Durban Country Club followed by lunch with non-golfers,

09.00 Non-Golfers enjoy a Durban city tour followed by lunch with the golfers at Durban Country Club.

Both groups travel to Hluhluwe for overnight stop.

Day 6

06.00 Both groups enjoy a game drive in Hluhluwe Game Reserve.

11.00 Brunch as the train departs for Mpaka in Swaziland.

Day 7

07.00 Golfers transfer to Royal Swazi Sun for tee-off and lunch.

08.00 Non-Golfers enjoy a game drive in Mkhaya Reserve, then visit Ngwenya Glass with lunch at Guava Gallery and time for shopping.

18.00 The train departs for Malelane in South Africa.

Day 8

08.00 Golfers tee off at Leopard Creek with lunch at the clubhouse.

08.00 Non-Golfers enjoy a Kruger Park game drive with lunch at Buhala Lodge and curio shopping.

Both groups enjoy dinner on board as the train travels to Witbank for the overnight stop.

Day 9

Both groups enjoy breakfast on the train as the train departs for Pretoria.

Location

This itinerary starts in Pretoria and travels north west to Sun City, then south into the Drakensberg Mountains, onto Durban, then north to Zululand and Swaziland and onto Malelane (Kruger) and finally returning to Pretoria.

Accommodation

The trains offer three suite options: Pullman, Deluxe and Royal

The epitome of luxury with handsome wood panelling and period Edwardian features, the air conditioned suites accomodate two people offering the option of twin or spacious double beds. In the en-suite bathrooms, original fittings combine with the modern technology of hot showers, hair dryers and shaver plugs.

All suites are equipped with a mini bar, air conditioning, hairdryer, luggage shelf, cupboards and safe.

The Pullman Suites measure 7 sq metres and are equipped with a comfortable sofa seat during the day which converts to a double or twin beds for the evening and also have an en-suite bathroom with shower.

The Deluxe Suites measure 11 sq metres and have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower.

The Royal Suites measure 16 sq metres and have a lounge area and full en-suite bathroom with Victorian bath and a separate shower.

Facilities

The general make-up of the train: Locomotive, generator car, staff car, guest sleepers, a non-smoking lounge car (36 guests), two non-smoking 42 seat dining cars, kitchen car, guest sleepers, smoking lounge and observation car at the tail.

Meals are served in one sitting only in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the dining cars and are complemented by a selection of South African wines. An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for overseeing the very important task of ensuring guests' every need is catered for. There's an accent on fresh local ingredients and traditional dishes such as game are a speciality. Breakfast is between 07.00 and 10.00, lunch at 13.00, tea at 16.30 and a formal dinner at 19.30. A gong heralds lunch and dinner.

For days on the train dress is smart casual. Evening attire is more formal - for gentlemen a jacket and tie is a minimum requirement while ladies we suggest cocktail/evening dresses or suits. Please include warm clothing for cold mornings and evenings.

In maintaining the spirit of travel of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets on board. The use of mobile phones, laptops and essentially anything that has the ability to disturb other passengers is confined to the privacy of your suites only.

Smoking is only allowed in the privacy of your suite and in the club lounge.

Local Courses

Prices / Offers

Prices include:

Breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner, all alcoholic and other beverages

Excursions accompanied by a qualified tour guide

Entrance fees to places of interest

24 hour full room service and bar facilities

Limited laundry service

For golfers, Golf on Leopard Creek, Durban Country Club, Royal Swazi, Champagne Sports Resort and Lost City.