Rovos Rail African Collage (13 Days)

13 Day Northbound: Cape Town to Pretoria Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival at Rovos Rail Lounge at 1 Adderley Street, Cape Town at 2.30pm. Your African Collage Journey departs Cape Town Station at 4pm.

After settling into your suites, enjoy afternoon tea (4.30pm) as the train travels towards Worcester.

Enjoy dinner at 7:30pm.

Day 2

Enjoy breakfast until 10am as the train traverses through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic Winelands of the Western Cape. The train goes through four tunnels on the pass (Hex River Valley). The last tunnel is 13.5km long so guests are to be careful when walking through the train and may wish to turn on necessary lights.

The train arrives in Matjiesfontein where you can enjoy a stroll through the historic village. Of special interest is the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages next to the Lord Milner Hotel. Lunch is in the dining cars at 1pm as the train departs for Prince Albert Rd Station. Enjoy afternoon tea and dinner onboard.

Day 3

Enjoy breakfast at 6 am in the dining cars. Please pack an overnight bag for your stay at Fancourt.

Non-golfers:
Transfer at 8:30 am (±150 min) to the Cango Caves for a visit. Transfer (±30 min) to Oudtshoorn for lunch followed by a visit to an ostrich farm. After lunch enjoy the scenic drive (±60 min) over the spectacular Outeniquas to Fancourt for check in.

Golfers:
Depart at 8am, after breakfast, for a scenic drive (±180 min) over the Swartberg Mountains and spectacular Outeniquas to Fancourt Golf Estate for tee-off. Enjoy lunch and then check in.

Everyone enjoys dinner together at 7 pm at Fancourt.

Day 4

Enjoy breakfast at 6:30 am and then check out.

Non-golfers:
At 8:30am transfer (±60 min) along the coast to Knysna and enjoy a ferry ride on the lagoon with lunch. Transfer at 2pm (±90 min) from Knysna to Oudebosch and enjoy a refreshment stop. Transfer at 4pm (±90 min) to the train in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).

Golfers:
After breakfast, transfer at 8am (±60 min) to Pezula OR Simola for tee-off and lunch. At 3:30pm transfer (±180 min) to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) along the garden route with a refreshment stop included.

Dinner is onboard Rovos Rail at 7:30pm.

*Parts of the railway line between Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Cape Town have sadly been damaged and washed away due to fire and flooding. Repairs are underway with estimated completion to be confirmed. In the meantime, passengers will transfer by road. The routing between Gqeberha and Cape Town may have been altered but it has pleasingly retained the excursions and departure/arrival points.

Day 5

Enjoy breakfast at 6 am.

Non-golfers:
Enjoy a tour of Gqeberha at 10am. Lunch is at 1pm. Enjoy an afternoon game drive at Addo Elephant Park at 2:30pm.

Golfers:
After breakfast transfer (±15 min) to Humewood Golf Course for tee off and lunch. After golf at 3:30 pm, enjoy the scenic drive (±75 min) over the Zuurberg Mountains to Coerney to rejoin the train.

The observation car will be at the front of the train until tomorrow evening. A different aspect that rail enthusiasts enjoy. Dinner is at 7:30 pm en route to Noupoort.

Day 6

Enjoy breakfast at 6:30 until 9:30am. Early lunch at 12 pm and then depart for an afternoon tour of Bloemfontein including the Women’s Memorial and Anglo Boer War Museum.

Traverse the Karoo, a vast and beautiful semi-desert stretching across the great South African plateau inland from the Cape coast with scattered towns and villages. Ascend the Great Escarpment and cross the dry southeastern region with its variety of grasses, hardy shrubs, tumbleweeds, and succulents. Dinner at 7:30 pm with an “Africa” theme or smart casual.

Day 7

Enjoy breakfast at 6am. Depart at 8am (±75 min) to the Sandstone Heritage Trust, a large agricultural estate that houses an impressive collection of heritage trains, tractors, busses, cars and military vehicles. At 12pm visit the small and picturesque town of Clarens situated on the foothills of the Maluti Mountains. Enjoy lunch at your own expense.

At 3pm take a drive through the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. Return to the train at 6pm at Harrismith and depart for Ladysmith. Enjoy dinner at 7:30pm.

Day 8

Non-golfers:
Breakfast from 7am. Transfer at 9 am (±30 min) to Spionkop Lodge to hear the historic tale of the Battle of Spionkop and walk in the footsteps of Churchill and Gandhi. Enjoy lunch at the lodge at 12:45 pm. Afternoon game drive OR relax at the lodge at 2 pm. Return to the train at 4 pm to enjoy afternoon tea.

Golfers:
Enjoy breakfast at 6am. Transfer (±75 min) to Champagne Sports Resort for tee-off and lunch. Return at 4:15 pm to meet the train at Escort. 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 armored train trapped by a Boer ambush.

Everyone enjoys dinner on board at 7:30 pm en route to Durban.

Day 9

Non-golfers:
Enjoy breakfast at 7am. At 9 am, enjoy a Durban city tour, a visit to the botanical gardens, and lunch at Umhlanga’s beachfront with the afternoon at leisure.

Golfers:
Enjoy breakfast at 6 am. Transfer after breakfast to Durban Country Club (±15 min) OR Mt Edgecombe (±20 min) OR Cotswold Downs (±30 min) for tee-off and lunch.

Afternoon tea is enjoyed while the train is traveling north along the Indian Ocean coastline.

Enjoy dinner at 7:30pm.

Day 10

Continental breakfast at 5am and transfer (±30 min) at 6 am to Hluhluwe for a game drive. The train travels towards eSwatini. Early lunch back on the train at 12 pm en route to Mpaka. Dinner is at 7:30pm.

Day 11

Non-golfers:
Breakfast is at 7 am. Transfer at 8:30 pm to Swazi Candles and Mantenga Cultural Village (±90 min) for a visit with lunch. At Swazi Candles, guests are invited to interact with the artisans as they make a variety of candles.

Golfers:
Breakfast is at 6 am. After breakfast transfer to Nkonyeni OR Royal Swazi (±75 min) for tee-off and lunch.

Enjoy afternoon tea and dinner onboard.

Day 12

Breakfast at 5 am.

Non-golfers:
6:30 am game drive in the Kruger National Park with tea, lunch, and an opportunity for curio shopping. Return to the train at 3 pm.

Golfers:
Transfer to Kambaku Golf Club (±45 min) for tee off and lunch. *If available, golf at Leopard Creek may be booked on request for your own account.

The train travels through the fertile valley of the Crocodile River and ascends the escarpment to Waterval Boven while enjoying afternoon tea.

Enjoy a 1920s-themed dinner at 7:30 pm.

Day 13

Enjoy breakfast at 7am. The train travels on the eastern line towards Middelburg, known as the “stainless steel capital of Africa”, and the harsh coal mining area of eMalahleni. The Dutch railway building company, NZASM, built the eastern line between Pretoria and Lourenço Marques (Maputo) from 1893 to 1895.

Enjoy lunch at 1pm and afternoon tea at 4.30pm onboard.

Arrive at the journey’s end at Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria at approximately 6pm.

Leopard Creek Golf Estate (if available at an extra cost)

The championship Leopard Creek golf course is situated near Malelane, in the heart of Mpumalanga; on the southern border of the Kruger National Park. It is this location, on the banks of the Crocodile River; that allows for the true essence of Africa to be experienced while playing what is recognized; by international golf journalists, commentators, and players alike, as a world-class golf course.
It is a testament to the skills of Gary Player’s design style; that South Africa’s maestro has also created this course. Here, he has used the naturally undulating terrain that meanders past low lying bush, typical of the area; and made great use of high vantage points to maximize the views not only of the golf holes; but also the mesmerizing surroundings of this wildlife area.

The course is exceptionally well manicured; and the memory will be of immaculate sweeping fairways, dramatic and sparkling water features, and quite superb greens. Gary Player describes Leopard Creek as, “ A blend of good golf holes, a balance of short, long, and medium length holes.”

The feature hole at Leopard Creek is the 13th. This is not only because of the challenge it presents; but also because the green overhangs the Crocodile River; allowing for spectacular views over the river and the Kruger National Park.

Parklands • 6 631m • Carts compulsory

Kambaku Golf Club

Situated at the confluence of the Crocodile and Komati Rivers in the foothills of the Lebombo Mountains, Kambaku is a nine-hole course that plays like 18, thanks to its thoughtfully designed alternate tee boxes and greens. Built buy a group of dedicated farmers between 1997 and 2001, it was literally a case of your bulldozer today, my tractor tomorrow. Course designer Douw van der Merwe added his expertise to the layout and, with great community effort, pride and a love for the game, the course came into being. From risk-and-reward par 4s to beautifully framed par 3s in a natural bushveld setting, the course challenges and rewards players of all skill levels.

The clubhouse overlooks the iconic Kruger National Park, where wildlife frequently visits the riverbanks. Whether you’re here for the game, the views, or the warm hospitality, Kambaku is a bucket-list destination for every golfer.

Bushveld/Parkland • 5 903m • Carts available

Nkonyeni Golf Estate

Nkonyeni Golf Estate is situated in 1200 hectares of gorgeous bushveld overlooking the Great Usuthu River and surrounding mountains. Built in 2007, the championship course was designed by Phil Jacobs (previously associated with the Gary Player Group and responsible for a total of 40 golf courses in France, Hong Kong, China, Philippines, Indonesia and South Africa) and further constructed by Robert Richardson. The bushveld course meanders through the private game reserve providing a unique experience at the 18th hole with a shot across the Usuthu River onto an island surrounded by rocks.

Bushveld • 5 810m • Carts available

Royal Swazi

This spectacular championship course is one of the most scenic locations found in the world. Opened in 1966, it has been laid out on the slopes of the Lebombo Range that curve gently down into the valley. The first nine holes are comparatively level but the second nine fully exploits the mountainous terrain. Challenging features include lakes, gullies thick with vegetation, out-of-bound areas running close to fairways, swirling breezes, clusters of magnificent trees and indigenous plants, and wickedly sited bunkers. One is so steep it requires steps to facilitate access.

Parklands • 6 166m • Carts available

Durban Country Club

Built by George Waterman and fellow professional golfer Laurie Waters, the Durban Country Club was established in 1922 and has a proud history. The difficulties these men faced were immense; as all earth-moving had to be done manually, giant sand dunes were flattened, and dense bushes and trees were chopped down and carted away. Renowned for its classic Cape Dutch architecture, lush vegetation, undulating fairways, sand dunes, and beautiful setting overlooking the Indian Ocean; the club has been the venue of choice for many an important celebration in its rich history.

Signature Hole: 3rd – par 5- 468m
A tee shot from the highest point on the course into a valley below; completely exposing the drive to the ocean gusts. Trees on the right of the straightaway hole need to be avoided; as well as the large fairway bunker on the landing area to the left.

Semi-links • 6 157m • Carts available

Cotswold Downs

Set on Hillcrest’s doorstep, Cotswold Downs lifestyle and golf estate has great views, rolling hills, indigenous bush, spectacular birdlife and free-roaming antelope. Designed by Peter Matkovich to USGA specifications, the 18-hole championship parklands-type course blends seamlessly with its surrounds featuring bent-grass greens, undulating fairways and natural water features. A mixture of cool season and summer grasses allows the course to be lush all year round. Fairways are punctuated by dams, wetlands and ponds that attract a variety of wildlife while views are excellent from the tee boxes. All levels will find the course challenging but enjoyable and, at a length of 6193m, golfers can expect the odd long par 5 that will test their driving skills with cleverly placed bunkers and interesting water hazards.

Parklands • 6 193m • Carts available

Champagne Sports Resort

Located in the beautiful Drakensberg area, the Champagne Sports Resort golf course has to be rated as one of the most scenically memorable golf layouts in South Africa. Designed by Hugh Baiocchi and Kevin Curren; it successfully blends the natural attributes of the terrain and the surrounding beauty; with the modern demands of a quality course. It undulates up and around the contours of a valley; that nestles under the dominant peaks of Champagne and Cathkin Peaks and incorporates several holes with blind tee shots.

Professional and novice alike will appreciate the 84 well-appointed bunkers that line the fairways and greens. Though the drama of the mighty mountains dominates the eye, the course also enjoys gentle vistas; where the lower hills create a kaleidoscope of color blessed with trees, rivers, and dams; to add even more of a challenge.

Mountain • 7 400m • Carts available

Humewood Golf Club

Humewood Golf Club in Port Elizabeth is on the sand dunes on the shores of Algoa Bay, this true links course is characterized by thick coastal bush, swales, humps, and hollows. Although the fairways are wide and undulating in order to compensate for the strong winds; the rough that borders them is unforgiving. The holes are simple yet neat, the gulf greens are fast and firm; the few bunkers are well-positioned with tough, steep faces and there are no water hazards.

Signature hole: 13th – par 4 – 408m
This hole runs uphill along a severely sloped fairway with a tough semi-blind approach; to a tiny green hidden behind a mound; with rough to the right, a bunker to the left, and thick bush behind it.

Links • 6 225m • Walking course • Carts available

Pezula

Pezula is a sweeping spectacle of fairways and greens rolling through the pristine Southern Cape landscape. The award-winning course, rates among the best and the most scenic in the world. Covering 254 hectares on the Knysna clifftops, Pezula has views of both the Knysna Lagoon and the Indian Ocean. It is designed by David Dale and Ronald Fream of GolfPlan USA. It includes a full range of shots in a diverse coastal terrain. This makes it a challenging, rewarding, and complete golf experience for players of all levels.

Signature hole: 13th – par 5 – 467m
This amazing hole drops 200ft and is measured in ‘airtime’. Your level or uneven lie will determine your second shot selection. Don’t forget to look back to the tee when you finish the hole.

Links and Parklands • 5 963m • Carts available

Simola Golf Course

Keeping your head down at Simola can be a challenge as the views around the course are awe-inspiring. Every hole either looks across the Knysna Lagoon or over the Knysna River as it twists and turns through the valley below. It is clear to see why Simola takes its place as one of South Africa’s premier golfing destinations.

It’s also the first Jack Nicklaus signature course on the Garden Route. Reflecting the maestro’s philosophy of attuning the layout and design to the natural lie of the land. Set below high ridges, the course is free from the wind that so often plagues coastal courses. Fairways flow with the natural undulating contours and the unusual configuration of five par 5s and five par 3s add a dimension to the game.

Even with all the uphill and downhill holes, Nicklaus has cleverly achieved a course where you seldom have an uneven lie. The short holes are a feature of the layout testing a wide range of clubs from a fairway metal at the 6th to a wedge at the 17th.
The par 5s are excellent beginning with the switchback opening hole that must be one of the most challenging. Three of the par 5s are played to elevated greens and these are tough targets to hit even with a short pitch.

Parklands • 6 401m • Carts compulsory due to distances

Fancourt Country Club

There are actually 3 x golf courses at Fancourt in the town of George on the Garden Route. This tour uses Montagu and Outeniqua.

Fancourt Country Club Montagu Course is exquisitely conditioned. With a glorious parkland layout covering large tracts of varying terrain on rolling land. Mature trees, flowerbeds, shrubs, and water hazards provide a colorful contrast.

Signature hole: 17th – par 3 – 190m
This is scary for the average golfer with its long carry-over water. But the green is large and receptive. So ignore it and go for the flag. If conservative, favor the left side of the green.

Parklands • 6 714m • Carts available

Fancourt Country Club Outeniqua is named after the mountain range overlooking the area. Even though this parklands course may look easier by its open appearance; it has its share of challenges and risk and reward moments.

Signature hole: 14th – par 4 – 421m
No surprise this is the toughest hole with its intimidating tee shot over water. If the flag is on the left of the green; play conservatively for the middle as there is water lurking at the back left.

Parklands • 6 312m • Carts available