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Shongololo – The Good Hope

14 days, 13 nights

+- Overview

To understand a country well, you need to be exposed not only to its important tourist sights but to delve into its history, its culture and to travel through as much of it as you can.  This wonderful, 14-day rail journey shows you South Africa from the inside out.  With wonderful daily excursions including everything from game viewing to visiting famous battle sites, travel from one end of the country to the other.  Start by exploring the powerhouse cities of Pretoria & Johannesburg before following the scenic Panorama route in the eastern part of the country.  Then it’s time to go on ‘safari’ where you’ll have game viewing drives in the Kruger National Park with all its fascinating African animals including the ‘Big Five’, as well as the option of staying in private game reserves or other lodges.

Next travel through the Kingdom of Swaziland, Africa’s smallest country with its vibrant, crafts-filled markets and stunning scenery before re-entering South Africa and travelling into the heart of Zululand for more game viewing, taking a cruise on the St. Lucia Estuary, an important UN World Heritage site as well as experiencing the unique traditional culture of the Zulus.  After touring the great coastal city of Durban, head inland into the glorious Drakensburg Mountains where you can hike or visit Boer War battlefields. Then arrive in the Cape Province’s Winelands, taste some of the countries best wines before finishing with two days of touring in Cape Town.  The many optional excursions are also exciting; overnight in a private game reserve, visit the Kingdom of Lesotho, go shark cage diving and more. 

Finally there is the Shongololo train 3-star experience.  This unique train that pulls its own fleet of touring vehicles along with it, is your home for 16 nights.  Cozy, comfortable, friendly and unpretentious, it caters to the adventurer who loves train travel and wants a relaxed experience.  Tasty meals and wines are served on board (lunch is on ones own when off the train), and there’s no need to pack a jacket and tie, just lots of enthusiasm.

+- Daily Itinerary
+ - Day 1 Johannesburg
Arrival

On arrival we meet and transfer you to the Shongololo Train. Balance of day is free. Optional Tours (if time permits):  Lesedi Cultural Village; The Cradle of Mankind; Apartheid Museum & World of Beer; East Rand Mall or Emperors Palace. The train remains in the station at Boksburg in Johannesburg

Overnight Accommodations

Ivory Cabin – Ivory Cabin
Gold Cabin – Gold Cabin
Commodore Cabin – Emerald Cabin
Emerald Cabin – Emerald Cabin

Included Meals

Dinner

+ - Day 2 Johannesburg › Pretoria

Gauteng is South Africa’s powerhouse and you may select from 2 full-day included excursions:  Tour of Pretoria & Soweto; Tour of Johannesburg & Soweto. The train travels overnight to Nelspruit.

Overnight Accommodations

Ivory Cabin – Ivory Cabin
Gold Cabin – Gold Cabin
Commodore Cabin – Emerald Cabin
Emerald Cabin – Emerald Cabin

Included Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

+ - Day 3 Panorama Route › Kruger National Park

Today choose between two included excursions: The Panorama Route, driving into the mountains to visit Pilgrim’s Rest, Blyde River Canyon, and the Three Rondavels with stops at Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window for panoramic views, or Kruger Park for a full day of gameviewing in Shongololo’s air-conditioned vehicles. Optional Tours include:  All-day, open vehicle safari within the Park. Overnight and morning & evening game drives at either Protea Kruger Gate Lodge, Mountain Lodge or at a private game reserve (re-join main group next day in the Kruger National Park).  Those not taking the optional overnight tour re-board train.

Overnight Accommodations

Ivory Cabin – Ivory Cabin
Gold Cabin – Gold Cabin
Commodore Cabin – Emerald Cabin
Emerald Cabin – Emerald Cabin

Included Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

+ - Day 4 Kruger National Park

A full day of game viewing in the world-famous Kruger National Park.  Optional excursion: All-day, open vehicle safari within the Park.

Overnight Accommodations

Ivory Cabin – Ivory Cabin
Gold Cabin – Gold Cabin
Commodore Cabin – Emerald Cabin
Emerald Cabin – Emerald Cabin

Included Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

+ - Day 5 Swaziland

Travel today on a tour through the Kingdom of Swaziland.  There’ll be a visit to the famous glassworks, the candles workshop and the busy Manzini crafts market with its woodcarvings, basketwork and colourful textiles.  After lunch drive through stunning mountain scenery and rejoin the train at Mpaka as it travels to Golela.

Overnight Accommodations

Ivory Cabin – Ivory Cabin
Gold Cabin – Gold Cabin
Commodore Cabin – Emerald Cabin
Emerald Cabin – Emerald Cabin

Included Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

+ - Day 6 Hluhluwe › Zululand

We depart this morning for Zululand to take a game drive in the game-rich Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, once the hunting grounds of the Zulu kings. Later in the day, we rejoin the train in Empangeni.

Overnight Accommodations

Ivory Cabin – Ivory Cabin
Gold Cabin – Gold Cabin
Commodore Cabin – Emerald Cabin
Emerald Cabin – Emerald Cabin

Included Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

+ - Day 7 Zululand

Today starts with a visit to a Zulu cultural village to see a ‘warriors’ dance & witchdoctors practice their traditional arts. Then take a cruise on the St. Lucia Estuary looking for hippos & crocodiles. Optional afternoon boat tour to go Whale Watching (June-December only). Re-board the train and travel overnight to Durban.

Overnight Accommodations

Ivory Cabin – Ivory Cabin
Gold Cabin – Gold Cabin
Commodore Cabin – Emerald Cabin
Emerald Cabin – Emerald Cabin

Included Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

+ - Day 8 Durban

Arrive in Durban and choose from several included tours.  A morning city tour followed by a free afternoon at either the Botanical Gardens or the uShaka Marine world or 2 all-day tours: Durban Spiritual tour, to see its diverse religious cultures or a day on the beach at beautiful Umhlanga Rocks with shopping also available. 

Overnight Accommodations

Ivory Cabin – Ivory Cabin
Gold Cabin – Gold Cabin
Commodore Cabin – Emerald Cabin
Emerald Cabin – Emerald Cabin

Included Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

+ - Day 9 Midlands South Drakensberg

Head into the Drakensburg Mountains and choose to take a Boer War tour or take the Midlands Meander to visit a crafts centre, beer tasting at a micro-brewery and visit beautiful Howick Falls.  Or, take a full-day guided walk along a Bird trail or a day hike into the Drakensberg Mountains.  A full-day Optional tour goes into the Kingdom Lesotho in 4x4 vehicles over the Sani Pass.

Overnight Accommodations

Ivory Cabin – Ivory Cabin
Gold Cabin – Gold Cabin
Commodore Cabin – Emerald Cabin
Emerald Cabin – Emerald Cabin

Included Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

+ - Day 10 Bloemfontein › Kimberley

There is a choice of 3 included tours today once the train arrives in Bloemfontein:  Take a city tour and visit the Anglo-Boer War Museum, Naval Hill for wonderful views and the art collection at the former State President’s home before driving to Kimberley. Or, drive to Kimberley in the morning and on arrival visit the Big Hole - Kimberley’s world famous diamond mine, an art gallery and a war museum.  Or, stay on board the train as it travels to Kimberley and on arrival visit the diamond mine, gallery and museum.  Tonight the train travels on to Worcester in the Western Cape.

Overnight Accommodations

Ivory Cabin – Ivory Cabin
Gold Cabin – Gold Cabin
Commodore Cabin – Emerald Cabin
Emerald Cabin – Emerald Cabin

Included Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

+ - Day 11 Winelands

Tour the Cape Winelands with a variety of choices:  Historic Heart of the Winelands – to Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, & Paarl including wine-tasting. Scenic Mountain Passes and Hermanus – a scenic tour to the seaside resort of Hermanus.  Optional Whale Watching boat cruise from Hermanus– (May to December only),  All guests meet up with the train in Cape Town this evening.

Overnight Accommodations

Ivory Cabin – Ivory Cabin
Gold Cabin – Gold Cabin
Commodore Cabin – Emerald Cabin
Emerald Cabin – Emerald Cabin

Included Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

+ - Day 12 & 13 Cape Town

Over the next 2 days there are multiple included excursions and optional tours to choose from.  Included tours include: Cape Point or a city tour.  Optional tours include: Robben Island, Two Oceans Aquarium, Table Mountain or a Helicopter Tour.

Overnight Accommodations

Ivory Cabin – Ivory Cabin
Gold Cabin – Gold Cabin
Commodore Cabin – Emerald Cabin
Emerald Cabin – Emerald Cabin

Included Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

+ - Day 13 Garden Route

In Mossel Bay choose one of the included excursions.  Old Passes Route and Knysna - a coastal drive to the resort town of Knysna.  Mossel Bay at Leisure – tour this historic town. Robberg Nature Reserve – a beach walk on the ocean.  Optional tour includes: Shark Cage Diving – Half-day tour looking for the Great White Shark, Seal Island trip, Knysna Elephant Park, or an open-vehicle safari in a private game reserve.

Overnight Accommodations

Ivory Cabin – Ivory Cabin
Gold Cabin – Gold Cabin
Commodore Cabin – Emerald Cabin
Emerald Cabin – Emerald Cabin

Included Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

+ - Day 14 Cape Town

Your Shongololo Rail adventure ends today.  Transfers to the airport are provided.

Departure

Included Meals

Breakfast

+- Accommodations

Overnight Accommodations

We offer several packages for this tour. The package price varies by your selected accommodations. The itinerary is the same for each package.

+-Ivory Cabin
+ - Ivory Cabin

The Ivory Cabin has twin or single beds with fan, safe, hand basin and running water – shared bathroom facilities.  There is one shower and two toilets per carriage.

Each train has its own bar, dining and accommodation carriages. As in any hotel, bedding and towels are provided and cabins are serviced daily. Cabins have ample storage space and closets are equipped with both hangers and shelving. Power is 220v AC and European plug adaptors are provided. In addition, there is an onboard laundry service.

+-Gold Cabin
+ - Gold Cabin

The Gold Cabin has twin beds with private bathroom, air-conditioning and safe.

Each train has its own bar, dining and accommodation carriages. As in any hotel, bedding and towels are provided and cabins are serviced daily. Cabins have ample storage space and closets are equipped with both hangers and shelving. Power is 220v AC and European plug adaptors are provided. In addition, there is an onboard laundry service.

+-Commodore Cabin
+ - Commodore Cabin

The Commodore Cabin has twin beds with private bathroom, air-conditioning and safe.

Each train has its own bar, dining and accommodation carriages. As in any hotel, bedding and towels are provided and cabins are serviced daily. Cabins have ample storage space and closets are equipped with both hangers and shelving. Power is 220v AC and European plug adaptors are provided. In addition, there is an onboard laundry service.

+-Emerald Cabin
+ - Emerald Cabin

The Emerald Cabin has twin or double beds with private bathroom, small lounge area, air conditioning, safe and hairdryer.

Each train has its own bar, dining and accommodation carriages. As in any hotel, bedding and towels are provided and cabins are serviced daily. Cabins have ample storage space and closets are equipped with both hangers and shelving. Power is 220v AC and European plug adaptors are provided. In addition, there is an onboard laundry service.

+- Inclusions

Features & Services

Included

  • Airport Meet & Greet

    We'll meet you at Johannesburg airport upon your arrival. Driver gratuity is awarded at your discretion.

  • Airport & Hotel Transfers

    We'll provide reliable transportation to and from the airport to your hotel in Johanesburg & Cape Town. We'll ensure you depart on time, and arrive safely and comfortably from one destination to the next.

  • 13 Nights Accommodations

    We provide you with overnight accommodations on board the train for 13 nights, as described in your selected itinerary.

  • Included Meals

    We provide you with the meals as described in the daily itinerary. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions in advance.

  • Daily Transfers

    We cover your transportation by air-conditioned vehicles each day during off-rail excursions.

  • Driver & Guides

    Our professional guides are at your service. We guarantee our guides are friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to help you. All our local guides and drivers speak English fluently.

  • Local Fees & Taxes

    We cover applicable entrance fees for sightseeing and excursions as described in the itinerary. We cover applicable local government taxes and service charges on accommodations and transportation.

Not Included

  • International Airfare, Airport Taxes & Fees

    Our price are inclusive of land arrangements only. See our Air & Land Inclusive collection for packages that include airfare. Airport taxes and security related fees are subject to change with or without notice.

  • Meals not described on the itinerary

    Food and beverages not described in the itinerary may be purchased as needed.

  • Tips & Gratuities

    Tips and gratuities to drivers, guides, hotel/camp and restaurant staff shall be awarded at your discretion.

  • Hotel & Room Services

    We provide overnight accommodations as described in the itinerary. Hotel or room services enjoyed during your stay that are not described in the itinerary are additional.

  • Personal Items & Services

    Items or services of a personal nature, such as telephone/Internet usage, laundry, gifts, or transportation not described in the itinerary are additional.

  • Optional tours or excursions

    Time permitting, any optional tours or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary may be enjoyed at your own expense.

+- Booking

Dates & Pricing

We offer several packages for this tour. The package price varies by selected accommodations. The itinerary is the same for each package.

Display prices in Hide this box

+-Ivory Cabin

For Travel Dates Between:

Price:

Single Room Supplement:

 
Per person, based on double twin room occupancy.
For single room occupancy when joining a minimum of 2 passengers.
+-Gold Cabin

For Travel Dates Between:

Price:

Single Room Supplement:

 
Per person, based on double twin room occupancy.
For single room occupancy when joining a minimum of 2 passengers.
+-Commodore Cabin

For Travel Dates Between:

Price:

Single Room Supplement:

 
Per person, based on double twin room occupancy.
For single room occupancy when joining a minimum of 2 passengers.
+-Emerald Cabin

For Travel Dates Between:

Price:

Single Room Supplement:

 
Per person, based on double twin room occupancy.
For single room occupancy when joining a minimum of 2 passengers.

Booking Details

Departures

Join in Johannesburg on set departure dates listed below. 
This journey is also available in the reverse direction from Cape Town to Johannesburg on February 19, May 13, June 24 and November 11, 2012

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