Destinations: Johannesburg, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Cape Town, Table Mountain, Cape Winelands, Kimberle...
Destinations: Livingstone, Victoria Falls
Embrace the natural beauty of South Africa on a once-in-a-lifetime, 10-day luxury tour. Experience the glamour of a bygone era with a two-night journey aboard the Blue Train, one of the world’s most exclusive railway journeys. Discover the vibrancy of Cape Town and the beauty of the Dutch-influenced Cape Winelands with exclusive touring and tastings at award-winning wine cellars. Witness the magnificence of the Big Five game animals in the celebrated Sabi Sands Game Reserve on the border of Kruger National Park’s vast wilderness, during a stay at Elephant Plains Game Lodge – an intimate safari stay that offers uncompromising elegance, all-inclusive dining and an array of wildlife without the crowds, making this secluded destination a photographer’s paradise.
Retire to opulent accommodations with three nights in The Winchester Hotel, a lavish mansion set on the shoreline of Cape Town, and one night of glamour at The Residence Johannesburg, a five-star hotel delivering impeccable service and old-world charm. Providing daily breakfast and unique gourmet dining experiences, domestic flights to whisk you to your next destination and expert guides to take care of the fine details, this tour tenders nothing between you and an unforgettable African adventure.
Superior Upgrade Available: Take your South African odyssey to another level with room upgrades throughout your journey, adding a new layer of luxury to your adventure.
Destinations: Johannesburg, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Cape Town, Table Mountain, Cape Winelands, Kimberle...
Destinations: Livingstone, Victoria Falls
Welcome to Cape Town! After arriving at Cape Town International Airport (CPT), you will be met by a local representative and introduced to your driver for a private transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours.
An impressive oasis on the edge of bustling Cape Town, The Winchester Hotel is a contemporary mansion only a five-minute complimentary shuttle ride away from the bounty of shopping and sightseeing at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Relax in the heated outdoor pool or take a journey into Cape Town to experience the Mother City for yourself.
Today, enjoy a guided morning tour of local sights including the famous Table Mountain. Resting at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans – nestled between the slopes of the iconic Table Mountain and the glistening sapphire waters of Table Bay — the exceptionally scenic city of Cape Town is in a class of its own.
Some cities boast rich culture, vibrant nightlife, a cosmopolitan atmosphere and extraordinary architecture, while others flaunt a breathtaking landscape and extraordinary natural wonders. Cape Town is lucky enough to boast all of the above and so much more. Your engaging local expert will take you to visit the breadth of them.
Begin at wonderful Greenmarket Square where you can see local artisans selling their wares. Learn about the rich history, culture and architecture of Cape Town as you walk through the peaceful Company’s Garden and visit the Castle of Good Hope, Grand Parade and the District Six Museum – a stirring memorial to the forced removal of 60,000 inhabitants of various races from its locality during South Africa’s 1970s apartheid. Finally, marvel at the colourful houses and cobbled streets of the Cape Malay Quarter before ending your morning with a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain for its stunning vistas over the city (weather permitting).
The rest of the afternoon is yours at leisure.
Please Note: Table Mountain visit is weather dependent. Table Mountain is closed to visitors between July – August 2025 for annual maintenance.
After breakfast, depart on a full-day tour of the Winelands. Located only a 45-minute drive from Cape Town’s coast, these picturesque towns within the Boland region date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. They boast Cape Dutch architecture, providing a sense of South Africa’s colonial history, as do the Village Museum’s period houses and gardens. Stop in the beautiful town of Stellenbosch for a walking tour down oak-shaded streets brimming with cafes, boutiques and art galleries.
Continue on to dramatic Franschhoek Valley – the gourmand heart of the country – where splendid wines and tantalising international cuisine are created. Your guide will introduce you to the many wine estates of the area with an itinerary tailored to your preferences. Indulge in tastings at selected wineries while enjoying stunning views of their surrounding vineyards and the majestic mountains in the distance.
Perhaps select a bottle of your favourite vintage to bring back and enjoy during a slow evening as you return to Cape Town late this afternoon.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a stroll around the hotel’s leafy gardens before your transfer to The Blue Train at Cape Town Train Station. You’ll be offered a light snack and drinks in the Blue Train pre-departure lounge before being ushered aboard by your coach’s personal butler. Then, departing at noon, this premier ‘hotel-on-wheels’ will speed you toward captivating Johannesburg.
The ultimate in luxury rail travel, The Blue Train has been operating since 1946 and gives you a unique and glamorous way in which to observe South Africa’s magnificent landscapes and landmarks. Indulge in world-class cuisine and the finest South African wines while golden grasslands and the sub-tropical bushveld unfold outside the coaches’ panoramic windows.
After breakfast on board, stop at Kimberley Station where you will disembark for a three-hour excursion in this well-known gem region. Kimberley is the capital of the Northern Cape province and has notoriety due both to its historical diamond-mining industry and a siege during the Second Boer War. Entrepreneurs Cecil Rhodes and Barney Barnato made their fortunes here. The famed diamond company, De Beers, traces its roots to the early days of its mining town.
Enjoy a tour of the Kimberley Mine Museum followed by a visit to the Big Hole, an open pit and underground mine claimed to be the largest hole in the world excavated by hand.
Return to the train for lunch and sherry as your journey continues.
The rest of the day is at leisure – sit back, relax, and watch the passing scenery from the privacy of your De Luxe Suite. High tea is available in the Lounge Car and cognac and cigars are served in the Club Car after a formal dinner service.
Wake to a refined breakfast and watch the golden morning light spread across Africa’s plains while sipping your morning coffee or tea. Today the train will cross the northwest provinces of South Africa en route to Johannesburg.
As evening approaches, arrive at Pretoria Station and receive a transfer to The Residence Hotel. Boasting designer suites and luxe facilities, this hotel delivers impeccable service from the moment you arrive.
Once your check-in is complete, you have the remainder of the day to explore at your leisure. Set out to discover the jacaranda-lined streets of the Houghton neighbourhood or stay in to take advantage of this boutique retreat with a dip in the pool or a brief session in the aerobics room. As evening approaches, arrive at Pretoria Station and receive a transfer to The Residence Hotel. Boasting designer suites and luxe facilities, this hotel delivers impeccable service from the moment you arrive.
This morning, take a group transfer to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). Board your flight to Hoedspruit, gateway to the open grasslands of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve — the world-renowned game reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park, a conservation area that serves to protect lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo.
Your home for the next three nights is the incredible Elephant Plains Game Lodge. This safari setup offers unparalleled game-sighting opportunities with superb views over the grasslands. Ramble the grounds or spend time on the outdoor pool deck, where you’ll discover stunning views over the riverbed and open land. Exquisite dining and expert guides will make your stay one to remember.
Over the next two days, get ready to experience exceptional game viewing in the hands of experts. Drives in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve are led by professional and passionate rangers and trackers who have a wealth of knowledge with which to unravel the intricate nuances of the African bush.
Set out on morning bush walks as you familiarise yourself with the unique terrain, bird species and animal tracks of the Sabi Sands plains. After, head out on daytime game drive and explore the pristine wilderness and golden sweetveld and sourveld pastures that make up the reserve. After returning to camp for a lunch spread, head back out for evening safaris and keep your eyes peeled for dusky sightings of the Big Five, including majestic lions and lurking leopards. End each night with remarking on the natural wonders you’ve seen over cuisine prepared with locally-sourced ingredients, served in the open air under starlit skies and accompanied by the serenade of the African bushlands.
This morning you may take one last opportunity for a game drive before you are privately transferred to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS) for your included flight back to Johannesburg (JNB). Arriving around 3.30pm, your safari adventure comes to an end here, and you can continue your onward journey.
Operating since 1946, the Blue Train is widely recognised as one of the most luxurious train journeys in the world. Whisking you from Cape Town to Pretoria in grandeur, your journey includes high tea, formal dinners boasting the finest local wines and world-class cuisine, personal butlers ready to meet your every need, and super-deluxe suites with air-conditioning, under-floor heating, opulent marble- and gold-fitted bathrooms and sumptuous goose-down bedding.
Your exhilarating tour includes a stay in none other than Sabi Sands Game Reserve, bordering the famed Kruger National Park – a true bucket-list experience. Embark on game drives led by expert local guides and trackers, who will share personal stories and help you spot the elusive Big Five game animals. Dubbed so purely because they are the five most difficult animals in Africa to seek out on foot, there’s nothing more majestic than watching lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos in their natural habitat. It is an experience you will never forget.
Booking Summary: After you book, please follow the instructions in your booking summary email and ensure you complete your Traveller Details in full.
Update 19 December 2024: Amendments & Cancellations section updated, please see below.
Please note, our 7-Day Change of Mind ‘No Questions Asked’ Refund Guarantee and Date Change policy does not apply to Tours
Date Changes
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Fine Print and package inclusions are accurate at the time of purchase and not subject to change, unless updates or corrections are specifically noted in the latest Fine Print with a timestamp. Please check the Fine Print prior to departure for any updates.
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Accommodation for the duration of your tour is included in the Tour package.
Please note:
Pre- & Post-Tour Accommodation
Pre- and post-tour accommodation can be booked to extend your stay before or after your tour by contacting our Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com.
Luxury Escapes uses a range of accommodation partners. For pre- and post-tour accommodation options where we can offer the same hotel as the start and end of your tour, your pre- and post-tour accommodation will be booked independent of your tour. If the hotel for your tour changes, this will be independent of your pre- or post-tour accommodation booking. In this instance, change fees may apply on your pre- or post-tour accommodation. If you choose to change, change fees can be found in your ‘My Escapes’.
For pre- and post-tour accommodation bookings, you may be required to check out of your room and check in again on the first or last day of your tour. You will need to confirm these details directly with the hotel.
Please contact the Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com for further information.
Transfers
Please note:
Travel Insurance
Passports & Visas
Traveller Details
Tour Pace
Travel Styles
Health and Fitness Acknowledgement:
Your tour begins at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and ends at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) with private roundtrip airport transfers. The extended tour ends at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI).
Roundtrip flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. If your chosen tour departure date is guaranteed at the time of booking, you may be able to purchase flights immediately. If your tour departure date is not yet guaranteed (still pending minimum numbers), flights should not be booked until you receive an update on the status of your tour.
Please book your flights to arrive at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) at any time on Day 1 and depart from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) after 6pm on Day 10 for the regular tour. For the extended tour, please book your flights to depart from Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) at any time on Day 12.
Roundtrip airport transfers are included in your tour on the first and last day only. Please note that an extra surcharge will be applicable for arrivals before 6am and departures after 11pm.
You MUST complete your booking form within 7 days of booking. Following its completion, our Tours Concierge will be in touch to assist with any additional arrangements — including flights.
Important: Please allow for travelling time from international countries. International flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. It is your responsibility to make your own travel arrangements and ensure that you arrive in Johannesburg on your chosen tour start date.
A visa may be required for the destination you are visiting. It is each traveller’s responsibility to ensure they are holding a current visa. Please take the time to visit our preferred vendor website Visas Direct to assist you with any visa application requirements and processes. If you require any supporting documentation when applying for your visa please let us know and we would be more than happy to assist. Click here to visit the website.
Need flights? Our dedicated flights concierge can assist with all your flight requirements (subject to availability). Contact sales@luxuryescapes.com.
Important Destination Information:
South Africa
Time zone: UTC +2
Telephone: +27
Currency: South African Rand
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted within the city. Cash is advised when visiting rural areas. Travellers are advised to inform their bank of their travel plans.
Language: South Africa recognises 11 official languages, however, the most widely spoken are Afrikaans, English and Zulu
Climate: Varies by region. Winter falls between June and August, while summer is from December to February.
Dress code: Relaxed but respectful, especially when visiting religious institutions.
Update 2 October 2024, 11.50am AEST: Table Mountain information updated in itinerary Day 2 and Fine Print.