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Cape Town, Rovos Rail & Madikwe Safari
Explore South Africa at a slower pace on this luxury journey travelling across the country.
Combine South Africa’s most iconic sights and experiences in luxury. Stay in the Cape's beautiful Constantia Valley where days are filled with spa treatments, golf and wine tastings. Board the iconic Rovos Rail for a three-night journey travelling across South Africa to Pretoria before going in search of the Big Five on safari in Madikwe Game Reserve.
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Recommended itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Cape Town
Welcome to South Africa. On arrival in Cape Town, you’ll transfer to your hotel, located in the tranquil setting of the Constantia Valley. The Constantia Valley is a picturesque suburb of Cape Town located in the southern part of the city and has been growing grapes and producing wine since 1685. The Constantia Valley will be your base for the next four nights. The afternoon is free to relax or perhaps unwind after your flight with a treatment in the hotel's spa.
Day 2
Cape Town
The Constantia Valley offers the best of both worlds - a countryside setting yet only half an hour from Cape Town. Constantia is popular with Capetonians as it provides easy access to the renowned Constantia Wine Route. Spend the day exploring the vineyard-clad mountains, go on a wine tasting tour of the cellars at one of the many estates that have opened their doors to visitors or, have a long and lazy lunch at one of the many award-winning restaurants found in the valley.
Day 3
Cape Town
If you've been to Cape Town before, you may wish to stay at the hotel and enjoy your magnificent surroundings. Steenberg offers a convenient shuttle service to the V&A Waterfront, so you may prefer to choose from one of several optional excursions. Perhaps take a scenic helicopter flight to see Table Mountain from the air, or, if you are feeling energetic, why not grab your walking boots and take a guided hike to its summit?
Day 4
Cape Town
Today, perhaps use one of the complimentary bikes and explore the farm, have a round of golf on the hotel's course, visit nearby Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens or simply relax poolside.
Day 5
Rovos Rail
Today you will be transferred to the railway station to board the luxurious Rovos Rail for your journey through to Pretoria. Departing Cape Town at 4pm, enjoy afternoon tea in the lounge as you travel through the Cape Winelands. Dinner onboard is always an elegant affair, so don your formal wear and head to the dining car.
Day 6
Rovos Rail
After breakfast, disembark the train and take a stroll through the historic village of Matjiesfontein. There's a museum at the platform where you can see a collection of historic railway carriages and classic cars. Later, the train continues its journey through the semi-desert region of the Karoo.
Day 7
Rovos Rail
Today, after breakfast, take a tour of Kimberley's Diamond Mine Museum and The Big Hole. The town of Kimberley is the capital of the Northern Cape and was established in 1871 with the discovery of diamonds. After lunch on the train, your journey continues travelling northeast towards Klerksdorp.
Day 8
Pretoria
Spend your final morning on the train and, after lunch onboard, bid farewell to the Rovos Rail staff and disembark the train. You will be transferred to the Ivory Manor Hotel where you will spend the night.
Day 9
Pretoria & Madikwe Game Reserve
Today you leave Pretoria behind and head north for the start of your safari adventure. You’ll spend the next three nights in Madikwe Game Reserve, a remote malaria-free wilderness on the border with Botswana. The transfer by road takes approximately 4.5 hours or if you prefer, for an extra cost, we can arrange a premier scheduled 1-hour flight direct to the reserve. You should arrive in time to settle in and have afternoon tea before your first game drive – and, hopefully, your first sighting of some of the Big Five.
Day 10
Madikwe Game Reserve
After a reviving tea or coffee, head off into the 75,000-hectare reserve accompanied by skilled local rangers for an early-morning game drive. Established in 1991 on an area of depleted farmland, Madikwe is a conservation success story. As well as the Big Five, it’s now home to a thriving population of endangered African wild dogs, more than 340 species of birds and a plethora of mammals of all shapes and sizes from aardwolves to zebras. After a rest in the heat of the day, you’ll have a second chance to spot some of the park’s inhabitants as evening falls.
Day 11
Madikwe Game Reserve
Today offers more opportunities for memorable wildlife encounters on morning and evening game drives, or perhaps a guided bush walk – with its focus on the smaller mammals, insects and plant life – to ring the changes. A visit to Madikwe isn’t just about the diverse fauna, however; its varied landscapes are equally impressive. You’ll discover a range of habitats, from mountains and plateaux to seasonal wetlands, savanna and Kalahari veld, complete with their own distinct microclimates and vegetation. Between drives, there’s time to enjoy lunch and take advantage of your private plunge pool.
Day 12
Madikwe Game Reserve & Departure
It’s time to bid farewell to Madikwe this morning as you make the 4.5-hour road transfer or, for an additional cost, a 1-hour scheduled flight to Johannesburg airport for your flight home or onward travel.
Extend your holiday
Option 1: Mauritius
After your safari adventures, why not spend a few days relaxing on the beaches of Mauritius?
Extend your holiday
Option 2: Victoria Falls
Why not extend your holiday with a visit to see one of the natural wonders of the world - Victoria Falls?
Available until
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