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Spectacular South Africa including Rovos Rail

Home Icon 18-day Spectacular South Africa including Rovos Rail starting at £5,275 £5,075 per person

South Africa is blessed with so much that makes it an ideal destination for touring holidays. Take its vibrant cities and wonderful scenery, its more than 2,500 kilometres of dramatic coastline on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans; add its abundance of unique wildlife, flora and fauna, its cultural and political history, and its glorious climate. Together you have the perfect recipe for an unforgettable touring holiday of South Africa.

Distant Journey’s comprehensive yet leisurely 18-day Spectacular South Africa tour including Rovos Rail features a variety of sightseeing tours and included activities, interspersed with Freedom Days, which are yours to relax and enjoy as you please. An undoubted highlight of the tour will be the journey on board Rovos Rail; its lovingly restored wood-panelled coaches and period Edwardian features have led to it being dubbed ‘the most luxurious train in the world’. We enjoy the all-inclusive two night ‘Durban Safari’, with a choice of activities including game drives and a tour of the Spioenkop battlefields.

With superior accommodation, daily breakfast and several other meals included, the Spectacular South Africa including Rovos Rail tour represents exceptional value for money and a truly spectacular holiday experience.

Why not extend your stay in Africa with one of our exciting holiday extensions? There is an explore the magnificent Victoria Falls with a three-night extension, that includes a sunset cruise of the Zambezi River and a walking tour of the famous falls. Or choose our six-night extension and following your stay at Victoria Falls, continue to Botswana to experience the renowned Chobe National Park, including several safari drives and two wildlife cruises.

SAVE £200 per person! Book one of our South Africa tours departing from September 2024 and save £200 per person. Offer ends 1st July 2024.

Day 1

Depart UK

Depart from the UK airport most convenient for you with British Airways, at no extra cost. Your flight will depart from London Heathrow, with complimentary regional connections from Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen or Belfast.

Included meals:

In-flight meals and drinks

Day 2

Cape Town, 5 nights

We land in wonderful Cape Town, and our waiting coach will whisk us to our hotel, the President Hotel.  The rest of our day is at leisure to relax and settle in, and this evening we will gather for a welcome drink so we can get to know each other and look forward to the adventures that lie ahead.

Included meals:

In-flight meals and drinks

Day 3

Cape Town and Kirstenbosch

We begin our day with a tour of Cape Town, South Africa’s Mother City, taking in its significant buildings and monuments, its lively yet laid-back culture and of course its wonderful scenery. We take a cable car ride to enjoy spectacular views from the top of Table Mountain, weather permitting, followed by a stroll through the colourful Malay Quarter of Bo Kaap, literally ‘Above the Cape’. Other sights included are Green Market Square and District Six. In the apartheid era, some 60,000 residents were forcibly removed from the area and District Six has a museum dedicated to all those people. We will also walk through Company Gardens and take a drive past the Houses of Parliament, City Hall, the Castle of Good Hope and Slave Lodge, which documents the long history of slavery in South Africa.

This afternoon, we visit the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Founded in 1913 to preserve the country’s unique flora, Kirstenbosch features a fragrance garden, a medicinal garden and some 2,500 species of plants found on the Cape Peninsula, including the Protea, sometimes known as the sugarbush. The Protea is the national flower of South Africa and represents change and hope. The gardens are world-renowned not only for their beauty and diversity, but also for their magnificent setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.

Included meals:

Breakfast

Day 4

Cape Point

Today, we leave the city to explore the spectacular landscapes surrounding Cape Town. Our day begins with a scenic drive through the pretty seaside suburbs of Sea Point and Camps Bay, via Hout Bay, a pleasant fishing village with a spectacular mountainous backdrop. We then enjoy wonderful views as we travel along Chapman’s Peak Drive, a 9-kilometre coastal road and one of the world’s most breathtaking coastal drives.

We reach the Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, where the currents of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet and continue on to Boulders Beach. Its Penguin Colony was established in 1983 and is home to a unique and endangered land-based colony of African penguins. Raised boardwalks give you the best viewing opportunities. On our way back to Cape Town, we visit Simon’s Town which is renowned for its maritime history and is home to the South African Navy. Our day of stunning scenery ends back in Cape Town in the late afternoon.

Included meals:

Breakfast and lunch

Day 5

Cape Town Freedom Day

This is our first Freedom Day, where we can explore as we please or just relax. Our Distant Journeys Tour Manager will be happy to help with advice and make any arrangements, book excursions or recommend places to eat. Wine-lovers won’t want to miss a tour to the winelands of the Western Cape. This full day excursion takes us through the valleys and vineyards of the Cape Winelands and includes a cellar tour and wine-tasting in one of the region’s fabulous wineries. Later in the tour, enjoy stunning scenery as we drive across the Helshoogte Pass to Stellenbosch. Known not just for the local vineyards, but for the oak tree-lined streets with their whitewashed traditional Dutch-style buildings, Stellenbosch is the second oldest settlement in South Africa. Enjoy a stroll as well as a spot of lunch whilst watching the world go by. Before heading back to Cape Town, we have some time in Franschhoek, meaning ‘French Corner’ in Afrikaans, another area known for its vineyards and old Cape Dutch architecture. Franschhoek is home to the Huguenot Memorial Museum, which honours the French settlers who arrived in the 17th & 18th century.

Included meals:

Breakfast

Day 6

Cape Town Freedom Day

Another Freedom Day where we can choose to relax by the pool or possibly take an optional trip to Robben Island. Used between the 17th and 20th Centuries as a prison, a hospital for lepers and the socially unacceptable, Robben Island was also used as a military base during World War II. Latterly, the island housed high profile prisoners of the apartheid regime, such as the South African activist Walter Sisulu, but more famously Nelson Mandela. Today Robben Island is a World Heritage Site and a museum, as well as a reminder of the price Nelson Mandela and so many others paid for the freedom of democracy.

Included meals:

Breakfast

Day 7

The Garden Route & Knysna, 3 nights

We say farewell to Cape Town today and travel eastward on the beautiful Garden Route. Our journey takes us to Swellendam, a one-time rebel republic’s capital and South Africa’s third oldest town. We continue eastward through undulating countryside and peaceful villages to Mossel Bay, where we visit the Post Office Tree. This 600-year-old milkwood tree is where the 16th and 17th century sailors left their letters for returning ships to carry to Europe. From Mossel Bay we continue to Knysna and our home for the next three nights, the Protea Knysna Quays. The hotel has a superb location directly on Knysna Quays with the lagoon right on your doorstep.

Included meals:

Breakfast

Day 8

Featherbed Nature Reserve

This morning, we enjoy a visit to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, a unique 150-hectare private nature reserve, which is one of South Africa’s Natural Heritage Sites and occupies the whole of the Western Head of Knysna. Firstly, we cruise across Knysna Lagoon before stretching our legs with a gentle stroll enjoying the spectacular coastal scenery. The reserve hosts a variety of native flora and fauna including the endangered Blue Duiker; the smallest known antelope species in Africa, Cape Mountain Tortoises, Blue Cranes; the national bird of South Africa, and the rare Black African Oyster Catcher.

Our afternoon is free to relax or have a wander around Knysna’s pretty waterfront.

Included meals:

Breakfast

Day 9

Knysna Freedom Day

On today’s Freedom Day, we will have the option to take an optional tour to the Cango Caves and Oudtshoorn, South Africa’s ostrich capital. The day begins with a drive over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass as we make our way to the stark beauty of the Klein Karoo. The Karoo is the vast semi-desert that comprises much of the interior of South Africa and on its southern edge is the Klein Karoo, a semi-arid area that still supports enough life to make farming possible.

We enjoy a tour of the Cango Caves, a vast series of magnificently colourful limestone caverns which to date have still only been partially explored. This is followed by a fun and informative guided tour of an ostrich farm, tracing the ostrich from egg to adulthood. Our tour ends with a drive via the peaceful country town of Oudtshoorn, with its quaint Victorian buildings, before returning to Knysna.

Included meals:

Breakfast

Day 10

Umhlanga Rocks, 3 nights

This morning, our journey continues along the Garden Route, via Plettenberg Bay, with some fantastic photographic opportunities along the way. After lunch, we continue to Port Elizabeth in time for our flight to the coastal city of Durban, located in eastern South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. Upon arrival we will be transferred to the upmarket resort of Umhlanga Rocks and the wonderful Beverly Hills Hotel, located on a prime spot of beachfront overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Included meals:

Breakfast and lunch

Day 11

Umhlanga Rocks

After breakfast, we travel to nearby Durban for a half-day sightseeing tour. Visits include City Hall, Victoria Embankment and Durban’s waterfront. Make sure to look out for the ornate Vasco da Gama Clock, which was bequeathed to the Port of Natal in 1897 by the Portuguese government. We also explore the impressive Durban Botanical Gardens, founded in 1849 which are Africa’s oldest surviving botanic gardens and home to an array of African, Asian and American trees and shrubs. Our afternoon is free to relax by the hotel’s poolside or take in the local area at your leisure.

Included meals:

Breakfast

Day 12

Umhlanga Rocks Freedom Day

We have a Freedom Day to spend as we please on South Africa’s stunning Dolphin Coast. History-lovers will have the opportunity to take a full-day excursion to explore the 19th-century Anglo-Zulu battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. Knowledgeable guides inform us all about the fascinating history of the battles that took place in January 1879 and we are privileged to witness the landscape on which the fighting occurred. Alternatively, join an adventurous day trip to the tiny, landlocked kingdom of Lesotho. We travel in a 4×4 vehicle in order to cross Africa’s highest pass: the 9,435-foot-high Sani Pass, to enter this intriguing country. Once inside, we visit a Sotho village to experience how the locals live, making this a truly authentic and immersive experience.

Included meals:

Breakfast

Day 13

Rovos Rail, 2 nights

Tour Highlight
This morning, we transfer to Durban Rail Terminal in time for what promises to be a highlight of our holiday; a magnificent overland rail journey, the Durban Safari, on board Rovos Rail. Known as one of the world’s most luxurious trains, step aboard the vintage wood-panelled carriages and sit back as some of the most varied and spectacular scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows.

We depart Durban and travel through the stunningly scenic Valley of a Thousand Hills. Following a delicious lunch, an afternoon excursion takes us to the fascinating Ardmore Ceramics Gallery. Ardmore Ceramics tells the story of the Zulu people, whose culture of colour, dance and song, as well as the spirit of the African imagination, can be seen in the artwork produced in the gallery. Returning to the train, we make our way to Ladysmith, while enjoying dinner paired with a selection of fine South African wines. Afterwards relax in the comfort of the Lounge Car with an after-dinner drink before retiring to your private cabin for the night.

Please note that your Tour Manager will not accompany you on the train. Instead you will be well looked after by the Train Manager and his excellent crew.

Included meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner PLUS selected on-board drinks

Day 14

Spioenkop & Nambiti Private Game Reserve

Following an early wake-up call and sumptuous breakfast on board Rovos Rail, we have a choice of excursions. The first is to take an open-jeep safari in Spioenkop Reserve, home to a rich selection of wildlife including white rhinoceros, giraffe and antelope. Alternatively, we may wish to join a tour of the Spioenkop battlefields. In the spring of 1899, Britain marched into the South African war, which lasted three years and was to become the costliest Britain had ever fought.

In the afternoon, having enjoyed lunch and some leisure time, we arrive at Elandslaagte, where we disembark for an afternoon safari experience in Nambiti Private Game Reserve. Nambiti’s 22,000 acres offer incredible biodiversity, with grasslands, riverine bush, savannah and thornveld, and is also home to over 40 other species of game including cheetah, giraffe, hippo, hyena, impala, eland and zebra. Enjoy your open-jeep 4WD safari in search of ‘The Big Five’! After returning to the train, enjoy a pre-dinner drink in the Lounge Car before dinner.

Included meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner PLUS selected on-board drinks

Day 15

Pretoria, 2 nights

Take it easy today and enjoy the comfort of Rovos Rail as we continue our journey northwards. Fabulous panoramas can be seen as we travel through the gold mining areas of Gauteng, which literally translates as Place of Gold. Our arrival into the Rovos Rail Terminal in Capital Park, Pretoria is scheduled for late afternoon, and upon disembarkation our waiting coach will take us to the Irene Country Lodge, , a rustic retreat in Irene, just a 30-minute drive from Pretoria, where we stay for two nights.

Included meals:

Breakfast and lunch

Day 16

Pretoria

This morning, we enjoy a tour around the city of Pretoria, including the Union Building and the Voortrekkers Monument, a massive granite structure which commemorates the Voortrekkers who left the Cape Colony between 1835 and 1854, and also visit Smuts House Museum. Our afternoon is at leisure, with the option of a visit to the Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Breeding Centre. Established in 1971, the centre prides itself on its contribution to the conservation and survival of the cheetah species through meticulous breeding (ensuring genetic diversity) and the ability to release cheetahs born in captivity.

Included meals:

Breakfast

Day 17

Depart Johannesburg

The day is ours to spend as we please before we leave for the airport later in the day. Perhaps use the opportunity to visit the region’s liveliest township, Soweto, (South Western Township), home to over 3.5 million people and steeped in apartheid history. Our Spectacular South Africa holiday comes to an end, as this evening we board our flight for our homebound journey to the UK.

Stay a little longer

We have the perfect opportunity for you to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Victoria Falls with our three-night Victoria Fallsholiday extension. Alternatively, why not experience our six-night Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park holiday extension.

Included meals:

Breakfast, in-flight meals and drinks

Day 18

Arrive UK

Breakfast is served shortly before our arrival, bringing an end to our Spectacular South Africa with Rovos Rail tour.

Included meals:

In-flight meals and drinks

Departure dates & prices

 Departure date Pullman Suite Deluxe Suite Availability Offer
 2024
 13 March*SOLD OUTSOLD OUTSOLD OUTSOLD OUT
 19 March^ SOLD OUT SOLD OUT SOLD OUT SOLD OUT
 03 April*SOLD OUTSOLD OUTSOLD OUTSOLD OUT
 25 September£5,275 £5,075£5,875 £5,675JUST LAUNCHEDSAVE £200 per person
 2025
 15 January£5,275 £5,075£5,875 £5,675JUST LAUNCHEDSAVE £200 per person
 05 February£5,275 £5,075£5,875 £5,675JUST LAUNCHEDSAVE £200 per person
 02 April£5,275 £5,075£5,875 £5,675JUST LAUNCHEDSAVE £200 per person

Prices
*These dates operate with a slightly different itinerary. Please click here for details.
^This date operates an alternative route starting in Pretoria. Any extensions taken will take place before the main tour on this departure.
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin or double room.

Single occupancy supplement
Pullman Suite: £1,595
Deluxe Suite: £1,975

Deposit:
£1,000 per person if travelling in economy class, £1,950 if travelling in World Traveller Plus, £3,750 per person for Club World.

Flight upgrades:
British Airways upgrade to World Traveller Plus from £1,395 per person, or Club World from £3,895 per person.

Visa information
A visa is not required for travel to South Africa. However, if you are planning to Victoria Falls or Chobe National Park, visa’s for Zimbabwe will be required. For more information on applying for your visa and the associated costs, please refer to our FAQ’s page.

Important information
Our holiday prices are subject to fuel surcharges and the availability of flights in the lowest fare booking class. The correct price will always be confirmed to you before you book, and once you have booked, our Price Promise will guarantee there will be no further increases. For full terms and conditions see our Booking Conditions page.

So much included

At Distant Journeys, we offer a leisurely and flexible tour of South Africa with so much included in the price. Your scheduled international flights, overseas transfers, expertly chosen hotels, daily breakfast, experienced local tour managers and knowledgeable guides, and many amazing excursions are all included.

Flights with Award-winning scheduled airlines

  • Return economy class flights with British Airways London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen or Belfast City Airport.
  • Domestic flights within South Africa
  • All airport charges, security charges and any applicable fuel surcharges
  • UK Air Passenger Duty

Carefully selected hotels

  • First class and deluxe hotels in great locations
  • All hotel porterage
  • Applicable hotel taxes

Many meals

  • Daily breakfast
  • Five lunches
  • Two dinners

Unforgettable experiences

  • Sightseeing tours in Cape Town, Knysna, Durban and Pretoria
  • Visit Cape Point and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
  • Tour along South Africa’s world renowned Garden Route

While on Rovos Rail

  • Choice of a safari in Spioenkop Game Reserve or tour of the Spioenkop battlefields
  • Safari experience in Nambiti Private Reserve
  • All meals on board
  • Selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, on board

On the ground

  • Services of an experienced Tour Manager and driver
  • All overseas transfers
  • Modern, air-conditioned coaches throughout

100% confidence

  • Your holiday is covered by our Price Promise
  • Your holiday is covered by our Covid Guarantee
  • Your holiday is fully ATOL protected

President Hotel, Cape Town

Located in Bantry Bay between the city centre of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean, the President Hotel is a sophisticated yet relaxed place to stay. The hotel is just a 3-minute walk from Queens Beach, and a short taxi… Find out more >
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Protea Hotel Knysna Quays, Knysna

With Knysna Lagoon on your doorstep, the Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays offers waterside accommodation in Knysna, at the heart of South Africa’s famous Garden Route, a highlight of our guided tours to South Africa from the UK. Step… Find out more >
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Beverly Hills Hotel, Umhlanga

At Beverly Hills Hotel Umhlanga, you’re right on the beach itself, and the beautiful Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve is just a short walk to the north.  The hotel is twenty minutes away from central Durban, where you can discover more… Find out more >
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Rovos Rail

Distant Journeys are proud to offer some of the world’s best rail tours across our destinations. A unique and memorable journey awaits you on the Rovos Rail. For more than 30 years, family-run Rovos Rail has operated rail journeys through… Find out more >

Irene Country Lodge Hotel, Pretoria

For your visit to Gauteng, known as South Africa’s economic capital, you’ll be staying in the historical village of Irene. Here, your accommodation will be the enchanting African Pride Irene Country Lodge. As you approach the lodge, you’ll travel down… Find out more >
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Holiday Extensions

To make the most of your time in Africa, why not extend your stay after your Spectacular South Adrica tour, with one of our holiday extensions? Discover the world Heritage site of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, or combine a tour of Victoria Falls with the delights of Chobe National Park, Botswana.


Victoria Falls Tour

3 night Victoria Falls tour from £1,595pp

Victoria Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of awe-inspiring beauty, described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 19th century as Mosi-oa-Tunya: ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. As Victoria Falls is only a short flight from Johannesburg,…

Find out more >


Hippo' eyes and ears poking out of the water in a river in Africa

Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park Tour

6 nights from £2,855pp

Victoria Falls is one of our planet’s greatest natural wonders. Just a short flight from Johannesburg, it is the world’s largest waterfall and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In neighbouring Botswana, Chobe National Park is a true wildlife paradise and…

Find out more >


Customer reviews feefo logo

Discover what some of our past customers have to say about our Spectacular South Africa tour.  The reviews below have been independently verified by Feefo, who are a leading independent reviews company.

Spectacular South Africa & Rovos 2024_25

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The whole experience was superb from start to finish. Rovos Rail was outstanding – we were treated like royalty. The Victoria Falls extension rounded the trip off perfectly.

Mr & Mrs Donoghue (Tyne and Wear), Spectacular South Africa with Rovos Rail and Victoria Falls

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Distant Journeys has won 18 awards over the last seven years, at the British Travel Awards, and we have been awarded Feefo’s highest Platinum Trusted Rating for customer satisfaction.

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Book in the confidence your money is 100% safe. All Distant Journeys holidays are fully bonded by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 10913) or ABTOT (number 5427).

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