SHONGOLOLO EXPRESS TRAIN from
JOHANNESBURG To CAPE TOWN
16-day train ride through South Africa
Enjoy an exciting16-day train ride through South Africa! You’ll be seeing the sights of the countryside, taking safaris in the famous regional game parks, visiting historic sites, and stopping for some R&R. Don’t hesitate to ask us about your international air, or any extensions you may be thinking of while in the region. Now, sit back and read on for details on this exciting journey through a magical land.
Day One of our adventure begins in Johannesburg. We’ll visit Pretoria and Soweto on our way south to the Eastern Transvaal where we’ll explore the endless cascade of mountains, forests and waterfalls, God's Window, Mac Mac Falls and the weathered rock formations at Bourke's Luck Potholes. The highlight of the day " The Blyde River Canyon," considered the most beautiful canyon in South Africa, will not be missed.
No trip to South Africa would be complete without a safari in Kruger National Park. This is one of the world's most famous national parks and the oldest in Africa. It is 350km long from north to south with a maximum width of 90 km. The park is home to an unparalleled diversity of wildlife and is maintained by one of the world's most sophisticated management systems. Though we’ll be staying on the train, if you choose you will be able to overnight in safari camps along the way – how cool!
Continuing south, we’ll visit Swaziland (the capital is Mbabane, for those of you who were wondering), Mapuhaland (estuarine lagoons, rivers and swamp-forests, sand dune forests and marine reserves), and the Hluhluwe Game Reserve (one of the oldest game reserves in Africa, this 23,067 ha park is linked to the Umfolozi Game Reserve that allows free movement of game between the two areas). Go ahead and try to say those names three times fast!
From here we’ll glide along to the lands of the great Zulu nation. You’ll have an opportunity to visit battlefields, museums, craft centers and more game reserves. As if that isn’t enough change in the scenery, we’ll head next to Durban, South Africa’s busiest seaport. Touring options today will include Durban highlights, an Indian tour that includes Hindu and Muslim temples and a spice market (yum!), the botanical gardens, and sharks!
We’ll roll through the starry night on to a morning breaking over the mountain of dragons, South Africa’s highest mountain range. Here you’ll be able to stretch your legs, go horseback riding, or visit Ladysmith Battlefields and the sites of the British War against the Boers. We’ll visit Bloemfontein, South Africa’s judicial capital and site of the Boer Military museum, and Kimberley, home to The Siege, The Big Hole, The Cape to Cairo Dream, and DeBeers Diamond exhibits. Port Elizabeth will offer us an opportunity to visit the Addo Elephant Park or relax on its sandy beaches. You’ll even have an opportunity to visit some black townships where your guide will tell you stories from the apartheid era.
Onward we go toward Oudtshoorn, then up and over Outeniqua pass to the magnificent Garden Route near Swartberg pass and Seweweekspoort. You’ll have an opportunity to visit the Cango Caves, an ostrich and cheetah farm, the small town of Prince Albert, the Bartholomew Dias Museum, or Mossel Bay. While here you’ll have free time to take in dolphin and bird watching, art and wood craft shops, or the sights and sounds of Knysna including the famous Knysna Heads.
And what trip to South Africa would be complete without a stop in the winelands? With stretches of vineyards set against a mountainous backdrop, you’ll have a chance to take in some local wineries and the French Huguenot museum, go whale spotting, or take a three village walkabout.
We’ll finish this awesome adventure with two days touring the Cape Peninsula and the City. Your tour options will include the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, Boulders Penguin Colony, Chapman's Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and Kalk Bay fishing harbour, Table Mountain, SA Museum and Company Gardens, Bo Kaap and its Museum, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, District 6 and its museum. You’ll even be able to add on a helicopter flight, a cable car ride, or a tour of Robben Island.
Members: $2199.00 Non-members: $2299.00
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $200.00
JOHANNESBURG To CAPE TOWN
16-day train ride through South Africa
Enjoy an exciting16-day train ride through South Africa! You’ll be seeing the sights of the countryside, taking safaris in the famous regional game parks, visiting historic sites, and stopping for some R&R. Don’t hesitate to ask us about your international air, or any extensions you may be thinking of while in the region. Now, sit back and read on for details on this exciting journey through a magical land.
Day One of our adventure begins in Johannesburg. We’ll visit Pretoria and Soweto on our way south to the Eastern Transvaal where we’ll explore the endless cascade of mountains, forests and waterfalls, God's Window, Mac Mac Falls and the weathered rock formations at Bourke's Luck Potholes. The highlight of the day " The Blyde River Canyon," considered the most beautiful canyon in South Africa, will not be missed.
No trip to South Africa would be complete without a safari in Kruger National Park. This is one of the world's most famous national parks and the oldest in Africa. It is 350km long from north to south with a maximum width of 90 km. The park is home to an unparalleled diversity of wildlife and is maintained by one of the world's most sophisticated management systems. Though we’ll be staying on the train, if you choose you will be able to overnight in safari camps along the way – how cool!
Continuing south, we’ll visit Swaziland (the capital is Mbabane, for those of you who were wondering), Mapuhaland (estuarine lagoons, rivers and swamp-forests, sand dune forests and marine reserves), and the Hluhluwe Game Reserve (one of the oldest game reserves in Africa, this 23,067 ha park is linked to the Umfolozi Game Reserve that allows free movement of game between the two areas). Go ahead and try to say those names three times fast!
From here we’ll glide along to the lands of the great Zulu nation. You’ll have an opportunity to visit battlefields, museums, craft centers and more game reserves. As if that isn’t enough change in the scenery, we’ll head next to Durban, South Africa’s busiest seaport. Touring options today will include Durban highlights, an Indian tour that includes Hindu and Muslim temples and a spice market (yum!), the botanical gardens, and sharks!
We’ll roll through the starry night on to a morning breaking over the mountain of dragons, South Africa’s highest mountain range. Here you’ll be able to stretch your legs, go horseback riding, or visit Ladysmith Battlefields and the sites of the British War against the Boers. We’ll visit Bloemfontein, South Africa’s judicial capital and site of the Boer Military museum, and Kimberley, home to The Siege, The Big Hole, The Cape to Cairo Dream, and DeBeers Diamond exhibits. Port Elizabeth will offer us an opportunity to visit the Addo Elephant Park or relax on its sandy beaches. You’ll even have an opportunity to visit some black townships where your guide will tell you stories from the apartheid era.
Onward we go toward Oudtshoorn, then up and over Outeniqua pass to the magnificent Garden Route near Swartberg pass and Seweweekspoort. You’ll have an opportunity to visit the Cango Caves, an ostrich and cheetah farm, the small town of Prince Albert, the Bartholomew Dias Museum, or Mossel Bay. While here you’ll have free time to take in dolphin and bird watching, art and wood craft shops, or the sights and sounds of Knysna including the famous Knysna Heads.
And what trip to South Africa would be complete without a stop in the winelands? With stretches of vineyards set against a mountainous backdrop, you’ll have a chance to take in some local wineries and the French Huguenot museum, go whale spotting, or take a three village walkabout.
We’ll finish this awesome adventure with two days touring the Cape Peninsula and the City. Your tour options will include the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, Boulders Penguin Colony, Chapman's Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and Kalk Bay fishing harbour, Table Mountain, SA Museum and Company Gardens, Bo Kaap and its Museum, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, District 6 and its museum. You’ll even be able to add on a helicopter flight, a cable car ride, or a tour of Robben Island.
Members: $2199.00 Non-members: $2299.00
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $200.00
