Oldonyo Lengai Safaris - SOUTH AFRICA
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ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Day 1 Pretoria – Rovos Rail: Embark the train and depart for Cape Town
Day 2 Rovos Rail
Day 3 Rovos Rail: Cape Town Arrival
Day 4 Cape Town: Scheduled Half Day City Tour
Day 5 Cape Town: Scheduled Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour
Day 6 Cape Town: Scheduled Full Day Cape Winelands Tour
Day 7 Cape Town: Onward travel
Day 1 Pretoria – Rovos Rail: Embark the train and depart for Cape Town
Arrive at the Rovos Rail Station at Capital Park, Pretoria, at approximately 14h00. After boarding the train you will be shown to your chosen compartment where you can freshen up. In the early afternoon we will leave Pretoria and you can then join the other guests in the midway lounge car or observation carriage at the rear of the train. At 19h30 you will be shown to the dining car to enjoy an extravagent meal, paired with wine.
Note: You can choose between two levels of accommodation, either the Pullman Suite or the Deluxe Suite:
The Pullman Suites are equipped with comfortable sofa-seats during the day with a conversion to either double or twin beds for the evening. They also have an en-suite bathroom with shower. All are equipped with a writing surface and a personal safe for valuables. There is also a bar fridge filled with beverages of the passengers' choice and room service is available 24 hours a day.
Deluxe Suites accommodate two passengers in either twin or double beds and have a private lounge area. The en-suite bathroom has a hot shower, hair dryer and shaver point. The rooms are equipped with a writing surface and a personal safe for valuables. There is also a bar fridge filled with beverages of the passengers’ choice and room service is available 24 hours a day.
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SOUTH AFRICA SAFARIS |
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Day 2 Rovos Rail
This morning we travel towards the capital of the Northern Cape – Kimberley. En route we will pass a shallow lake which usually has up to 23,000 flamingos on it, a spectacular sight. On arrival in Kimberley you will be taken to the open-air Mine Museum, which gives visitors a good idea of what the town would have been like during the Diamond Rush days. A highlight of the museum is the “Big Hole” – the world’s largest hand-dug excavation site.
At midday, you will be taken back to the train and depart from Kimberly. Lunch will be served shortly thereafter. You will have the remainder of the afternoon to relax and enjoy the scenery as the train winds through the haunting barren beauty of the Karoo.
Dinner will be served in the dining car/s.
Day 3 Rovos Rail: Cape Town Arrival
Early this morning, we will arrive at Whitehill siding. Here you will have the chance to get a little bit of exercise, if you feel like stretching your legs. Matjiesfontein is only 5 kilometres away and you may choose to take a walk or a jog into this historical little town, accompanied by a Rovos Rail staff member. Please remember to pack suitable walking or running shoes if you decide to do this. Should you not want walk or run, the train will continue into Matjiesfontein, where those who have remained on the train can meet up with their fellow passengers again. The town has some fascinating museums to explore. These include collections of historic cars and railways carriages, and memorabilia from the Victorian era. There is also a lovely little coffee shop and a gift shop in the town.
Later in the morning we will continue our journey to Cape Town, passing through scenic areas such as Tweedside and Touws River and through a series of four tunnels taking us through the Hex River Pass. The longest tunnel is 13.5km and the train will be plunged into darkness for a short while. Enjoy lunch as we travel through the beautiful Hex River Valley and the town of Worchester. Relax and enjoy your last moments on board the train, taking in the views as we make our way into Cape Town. In the early evening you will be met at Cape Town Station by an Albatros representative and transferred to your hotel in Cape Town. The remainder of your evening is at leisure.
Note: You can choose between two levels of accommodation – the 4-Star Bantry Bay Luxury Suites, situated right at the Atlantic Ocean on Cape Town’s Platinum Mile, or the fantastic 5-Star Cape Royale Hotel located a stone's throw away from the Cape Town Stadium and a mere five minute walk from the famous V&A Waterfront.
Day 4 Cape Town: Scheduled Half Day City Tour
Today you will be taken on a half-day City Orientation Tour. Set against the spectacular backdrop of Table Mountain, Cape Town is rich in historical and cultural heritage and natural beauty. Some of the highlight stops on this tour will be the Company Gardens, the Castle of Good Hope and the lively Greenmarket Square – where you can purchase arts and crafts from all over Africa. You will also take a trip through the colourful Bo Kaap area, known as the home of the ‘Cape Malays’.
Weather permitting, you could choose the option of an afternoon trip up iconic Table Mountain for sunset, or possibly take the tour to Robben Island. The remainder of the day will be spent at leisure at the vibrant V&A Waterfront, which offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment. We recommend you have dinner in this tranquil setting.
Day 5 Cape Town: Scheduled Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour
After breakfast we head out for a full-day excursion to the magnificent scenery and wildlife of the Cape Peninsula. This tour includes a boat trip to Duiker Island, where thousands of Cape Fur Seals live, and later a stop for lunch (for your own account) in the cozy naval village of Simon's Town. We will visit Boulders Beach to see one of South Africa's two land-based African Penguin colonies and then continue along the False Bay coastline to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Have your photo taken at the most south-westerly tip of the African continent and enjoy an invigourating walk, or leisurely funicular trip up to the Cape Point lighthouses to admire the dramatic cliffs and amazing views. The day ends at the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Dinner tonight will be at leisure.
Day 6 Cape Town: Scheduled Full Day Cape Winelands Tour
Enjoy a full day excursion to the Cape Winelands, including a visit to the charming town of oak-lined streets, Stellenbosch. After some wine tastings and an introduction to the South African winemaking tradition, we continue to the Gourmet Capital of South Africa, Franschhoek. After another round of wine tasting, there will be time to take a stroll in this beautiful little town. The whole day is dedicated to showing you our favorite secret spots and wine cellars – a day to tantalize your taste buds in some of South Africa’s most beautiful landscapes! Dinner tonight will be at leisure.
Day 7 Cape Town: Onward travel
Time for some last minute shopping or for another Optional Excursion, depending on your departure time. Later we will take you to Cape Town International Airport or your hotel as you wish. |
