Legends of the Fairway: Golf and Safari in South Africa

Discover untold luxury and regal comfort ... the 5-star Peermont D'oreale Grande hotel at Emperors Palace is conveniently located next to O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The hotel features 182 beautifully designed and impeccably appointed rooms and suites that are fitted with plush, state-of-the-art indulgences. The hotel’s comfort levels are enhanced by superior levels of service and guest relations, as well as international language and culture proficiencies, while the Club Floor and Lounge offers a full bouquet of personal and concierge services dedicated to the discerning business traveller. A complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport is available. Dine in the newly-styled Aurelia’s restaurant, indulge your senses at Octavia’s Sensorium Day Spa or sip a cocktail while watching the African sunset at Neptune’s Pool Bar at the spectacular pool terrace with its Roman water fountain cascading into clear waters.

Day Notes

On arrival at Johannesburg airport, you'll be met by Neville Jones, your tour leader. He will escort you to the complimentary hotel shuttle service and travel with you until you start your train journey.

Catch up on sleep, acclimate to the timezone, enjoy the casino and many other facilities, bars and restaurants in this resort in its own secure compound adjacent to the airport.

Bordering Botswana in South Africa’s North West Province, Madikwe Game Reserve is the fifth-largest reserve in the country and is home to a great number of animal species. It contains a wild dog reserve, and is inhabited by the world-renowned Big Five, as well as Brown Hyenas, Cheetahs, and Aardwolf. Visitors will also be surrounded by over 300 bird species, including vulture, ostrich, and the large kori bustard. The landscape is characterised by vast grasslands, woodlands, and the rugged Tshwene Tshwene hills - creating enthralling scenes that often attract photographers and artists. Visitors can look forward to sunset drinks overlooking the Madikwe Dam. Madikwe Game Reserve is one of the only reserves in South Africa that is malaria free.

The 5 star Tuningi Safari Lodge is set in a valley on the Western side of the Madikwe Game Reserve. The theme of the interiors is "Colonial African Chic" and the main lodge offers beautiful indoor and outdoor lounges, an elegant dining room and a magnificent rim flow pool that overlooks a waterhole.

This is all interlinked by a sweeping wooden deck that leads to a boma under an ancient fig tree. Perfect for dinners around a blazing log fire. 

Day Notes

You have a short morning flight to Gaberone followed by a 1hr10m (plus border formalities) private transfer to your lodge. We should arrive in time for the afternoon game drive.

On the second and third full days in Madikwe, you can choose to revisit some of the places you saw the day before or see something different. The reserve is so vast that it is impossible to see it all in a few days.

Situated in the Waterberg District of South Africa’s Limpopo Province, Welgevoden Private Game Reserve stretches over 36 000 hectares of mountainous terrain cut by deep valleys. It is home to the ‘Big Five’, abundant antelope, over 250 bird species, and several rare wildlife species such as brown hyena, pangolin, aardwolf, and aardvark. It is also inhabited by one of the largest populations of white rhino on a private reserve in Africa. Tourists can enjoy an exclusive, peaceful experience - only a limited number of guests are allowed in at one time - and choose from a wide range of activities including game drives, guided walks, horse riding, star gazing, and rock painting tours. This malaria-free reserve forms part of the UNESCO-listed Waterberg Biosphere Reserve.

Welcome to Camp Ndlovu, a haven designed for elephant enthusiasts. Nestled within the Welgevonden Game Reserve, in the Waterberg District of the Limpopo Province in South Africa, this boutique camp offers an unforgettable experience.

Spanning over 36,000 hectares, this private game reserve is situated within the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, renowned for its commitment to sustainable conservation and biodiversity. Camp Ndlovu provides awe-inspiring views of pristine African wilderness, allowing guests to create memories that will endure a lifetime. With a limited number of guests permitted at any given time, Camp Ndlovu ensures an exclusive and intimate bushveld safari experience.

Day Notes

We have a leisurely 3hr+ private transfer through the beautiful South African countryside to your next lodge.  We should arrive in time for the afternoon game drive.

Welgevonden Game Reserve is notable for its abundant and well-protected rhino population, in addition to the rest of the Big Five and dozens of other mammal species.  We have two game drives scheduled each full day.

Stretching along the border of the Pilanesberg National Park, in the North West Province, Sun City is internationally renowned as South Africa's premier holiday resort and offers a multitude of attractions and activities. With its combination of golfing, gaming, and gambling, as well as world-class hotels, this destination is often referred to as a 'mini Las Vegas in the African bush'. Families can enjoy the impressive waterpark and maze, while nature lovers can explore the incredible Pilanesberg National Park, where they can see all of the Big Five. Make sure to take the fascinating Leeto-Kgolo Village Tour to get an idea of the area's ancient culture. Sun City is also known as the only surf-and-safari destination within a two-hour drive of the landlocked city of Johannesburg.

A legendary destination designed by dreamers for luxury-seekers. Since inception in 1992, The Palace of the Lost City has enthralled visitors from all over the globe. Its unique setting in South Africa, on an extinct volcanic site among the Pilanesberg mountains, is matched by the inspired architecture and passionate attention to detail for which The Palace of the Lost City is renowned.

This luxury five-star hotel in Sun City has integrated the natural beauty of its surroundings into its design, taking architectural and interior themes from the legend of a lost African tribe to capture the essence of The Palace. Think richly-woven colours, faux elephant tusks, sculptured bronze and crystal, and jungle cascades. The magnificence of the wild landscape is depicted through lions, kudus, birds and beasts of all kinds; these are immortalised in statues, stone carvings, mosaic illustrations, vaulted ceilings, dazzling flame-topped towers and in artist Danie de Jager's bronze wildlife sculptures. With fresco ceilings above and ancient tiles below, you are left to stand in awe at the sheer scale and grandeur of the masterpiece that is The Palace of the Lost City.

Day Notes

After breakfast we have a private transfer to the mythical Lost City where we stay for one night.  Enjoy the resort facilities including the casino.  You'll be back here on your Golf Safari to play on one of the Gary Player designed courses.

Day Notes

We have an easy private transfer to Rovos' private train station in Pretoria.  Here, Neville will farewell you and leave you in the expert and safe hands of Rovos Rail.

DAY TEN: ALL GUESTS - PRETORIA

12:00 Depart Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Guests may freshen up in their suites before meeting fellow passengers in the lounge car and observation car.

13:00 Lunch is served in the dining cars en route to Rustenburg.

16:30 Tea in the lounge and observation cars.

19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

The old town of Rustenburg grew as the church and administrative centre for a rich farming area. It is here, in the centre of a volcanic valley surrounded by the dun slopes of the Pilanesberg Mountains, a wilderness wonderland rises from the dust, the fantastical Sun City Resort. It was a vision realised through one man’s unshakable faith in the religion of tourism, the South African hotel prodigy Sol Kerzner. It was officially opened on 7 December 1979 in what was then Bophuthatswana, which had been declared as an independent state by the apartheid government. This meant it could provide entertainment such as gambling, which was banned in South Africa.

The UN had imposed a cultural boycott on South Africa in condemnation of apartheid. In the early 80s, several acts disregarded the boycott and performed (with substantial financial incentives from Kerzner) to desegregated crowds at the venue, such as the Beach Boys, Cher, Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra, Status Quo, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Queen. Today the resort is one of the world’s largest entertainment centres, a luxury theme park for grown-up kids. The two championship golf courses – one with crocodiles at the 13th hole – are bordered by the Pilanesberg National Park, which contains the Big Five and has a vigorous conservation programme.

DRESS CODE FOR GOLFERS AT ALL COURSES

Acceptable clothing:

·         Shirts with collars and sleeves must be tucked in

·         Traditional long or short golf trousers

·         Short trousers with knee-length stockings or short white socks

·         Ladies skirts or culottes must be knee-length

·         Golf hats or peaks worn with peak forward

·         Golf shoes with soft spikes (most clubs)

Not acceptable:

·         T-shirts, vests or sleeveless shirts

·         Denim jeans

·         Sweatpants or cargo pants

·         Drawstring shorts

·         Shoes without socks

·         Cross-trainer sports shoes

DAY ELEVEN: LEISURE GUESTS - PILANSBERG

06:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars.

07:45 Transfer (±60 min) to Sun City.

09:00 Game drive in the Pilanesberg Reserve.

12:00 Lunch with the golfers.

              Afternoon at leisure at Lost City’s Sun City.

17:30 Return to the train.

20:00 Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

DAY ELEVEN: GOLFERS - GARY PLAYER / LOST CITY

06:00 Breakfast is served until departure.
              Transfer (±60 min) to Sun City’s Gary Player/Lost City Golf Course for tee off and lunch.
              Enjoy an afternoon of golfing and leisure.

17:30 Return to the train.

20:00 Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Heidelberg. Dress: Formal

Expert Tips

SUN CITY – GARY PLAYER

Gauteng • Parklands • 6 550m • Walking course • www.suninternational.com

The birth of the Sun City Resort called for South African golfing professional, Gary Player, to design an award-winning golf course that would fit in with the superlative venue. Using his experience and know-how he understood exactly what golfers would appreciate. The strength of this course lies in the fact that it doesn’t favour any particular shot and provides the same result whether playing the forward or intermediate tees. 8000 yards of golfing pleasure await all golfers with mesmerising views at every turn. Built in an extinct volcanic crater, this immaculate golfing paradise conforms to the stringent US PGA specifications and is home to the annual Nedbank Golf Challenge which plays host to some of the world’s golfing legends.

LOST CITY GOLF COURSE

Gauteng • Desert/Parkland • 6 983m/5 953m • Carts compulsory • www.suninternational.com

After the completion of the Gary Player Country Club golf course, the popularity of the Sun City Resort and its many attractions demanded that another golf course be built. Again, Gary Player was commissioned to design the course, his challenge being to create a very different golfing experience. The course defies being bracketed into any particular genre having touches of mountain, desert and even African parkland in its make-up with wide fairways, a series of lakes that separates the ninth with the finishing hole and covers more than 100 hectares with 28 000 square metres of water features. Here the golfer can choose to tackle the course from its championship tees, the standard markers or forward tees. Even playing the shortest route presents a great test as the approaches to the greens – clad in bent grass and protected by bunkers – demand careful judgment.

Signature hole: 13th - par 3 A green in the shape of Africa bordered by a pond, home to several large crocodiles!

DAY TWELVE:  ALL GUESTS - AT LEISURE ON BOARD

Day at leisure. All meals enjoyed on board en route to Ladysmith. Dress: “Africa” Theme or Smart Casual

The train climbs to Majuba Hill – site of the decisive battle that ended the First Anglo-Boer War – then passes Newcastle, which has what is reputed to be the largest cella-dome Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere, and Glencoe, site of the first battle of the Anglo-Boer War and now the centre of the province’s coalfields.

DAY THIRTEEN: LEISURE GUESTS - SPIONKOP

06:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars.

09:00 Transfer (±30 min) to Spionkop Lodge to hear the historic tale of the Battle of Spionkop with lunch.

14:00 Afternoon game drive in the 11 000-acre reserve OR relax at the lodge. Return to the train at 16:00.

16:30 Tea in the lounge and observation cars.

19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

DAY THIRTEEN: GOLFERS -CHAMPAGNE SPORTS

06:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure. Transfer (±60 min) to Champagne Sports Resort for tee off and lunch.

17:00 Return to the train.

19:30 Dinner is served. Shortly after Chieveley, on the right of the track, stands a memorial to Churchill who was captured here in 1899. Dress: Formal

Expert Tips

CHAMPAGNE SPORTS RESORT

Drakensberg • Mountain • 7 400m • Carts available • www.champagnesportsresort.com

Located in the beautiful Drakensberg area, this course has to be rated as one of the most scenically memorable golf layouts in South Africa. Designed by Hugh Baiocchi and Kevin Curren, it successfully blends the natural attributes of the terrain and the surrounding beauty with the modern demands of a quality course. It undulates up and around the contours of a valley that nestles under the dominant peaks of Champagne and Cathkin Peaks and incorporates several holes with blind tee shots. Professional and novice alike will appreciate the 84 well-appointed bunkers that line the fairways and greens. The quality of the greens is accredited to Trevor Livesey whose passion remains unabated. Though the drama of the mighty mountains dominates the eye, the course also enjoys gentle vistas where the lower hills create a kaleidoscope of colour blessed with trees, rivers and dams to add even more of a challenge.

DAY FOURTEEN: LEISURE GUESTS - DURBAN

06:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars.

09:00 Enjoy a Durban city tour, a visit to the botanical gardens and lunch at Umhlanga’s beachfront with an afternoon at leisure.

16:30 Tea in the lounge and observation cars.

19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

Please ensure that the Train Manager or Admin Deputy is in possession of your passport.

DAY FOURTEEN: GOLFERS - DURBAN/EDGECOMBE/COTSWOLD

05:30 Continental breakfast is served until departure.
              Transfer to Durban Country Club (±15 min) OR Mt Edgecombe (±20 min) OR Cotswold Downs (±30 min) for tee off and lunch.

16:30 Tea in the lounge and observation cars.

19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

Please ensure that the Train Manager or Admin Deputy is in possession of your passport.

Expert Tips

DURBAN COUNTRY CLUB

Durban • Semi-links • 6 157m • Carts available • www.dcclub.co.za

Built by George Waterman and fellow professional golfer Laurie Waters, the Durban Country Club was established in 1922 and has a proud history. The difficulties these men faced were immense as all earth-moving had to be done manually, giant sand dunes were flattened and dense bush and trees chopped down and carted away. Renowned for its classic Cape Dutch architecture, lush vegetation, undulating fairways, sand dunes and beautiful setting overlooking the Indian Ocean, the club has been the venue of choice for many an important celebration in its rich history.

Signature Hole: 3rd - par 5 - 468m A tee shot from the highest point on the course into a valley below, completely exposing the drive to the ocean gusts. Trees on the right of the straightaway hole need to be avoided as well as the large fairway bunker on the landing area to the left.

COTSWOLD DOWNS

Durban • Parklands • 6 193m • Carts available • www.cotswolddowns.co.za

Set on Hillcrest’s doorstep, Cotswold Downs lifestyle and golf estate has great views, rolling hills, indigenous bush, spectacular birdlife and free-roaming antelope. Designed by Peter Matkovich to USGA specifications, the 18-hole championship parklands-type course blends seamlessly with its surrounds featuring bent-grass greens, undulating fairways and natural water features. A mixture of cool season and summer grasses allows the course to be lush all year round. Fairways are punctuated by dams, wetlands and ponds that attract a variety of wildlife while views are excellent from the tee boxes. All levels will find the course challenging but enjoyable and, at a length of 6193m, golfers can expect the odd long par 5 that will test their driving skills with cleverly placed bunkers and interesting water hazards.

MOUNT EDGECOMBE

Durban • Parklands • 5 885m • Carts available • www.mountedgecombe.com

Neatly tucked away in the rolling hills of KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast, Mount Edgecombe Country Club has two 18-hole championship courses, The Woods and The Lakes. Originally known as the Huletts Country Club and created by Sid Brews in 1936, the course was upgraded in 1992 by Hugh Baiocchi and meets USGA specifications.

The Woods is a parkland layout with four sets of tees playable by golfers of any handicap. Signature holes: There are three special holes that constitute the course’s “Amen Corner” from the 14th to 16th. Holes 14 to 16 are where water hazards come into play. The first one is a par 5 with water guarding the green followed by a par 3 across water and a par 4 where a dam must be carried to reach the fairway.

In 1994, Daysen, De Villiers and Van der Merwe were commissioned to design The Lakes directly south of The Woods. Their philosophy was to design a challenging but fair course where serious golfers could test their skills but an occasional golfer could enjoy the game. Opened in 1997, the course is undulating with indigenous bush in places and its share of imposing water hazards. Signature holes: The 8th and 9th run alongside the Pani Dam to complete the front nine; water guards the left side of the holes and indigenous bush the right, so make sure to be accurate from the tee.

DAY FIFTEEN: ALL GUESTS - HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI PARK      BORDER: GOLELA, SOUTH AFRICA / MPAKA, ESWATINI

05:00 Continental breakfast is served until departure.

06:00 Transfer (±30 min) to Hluhluwe for a game drive. As the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa, Hluhluwe consists 960km² of hilly topography and is known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts.

10:30 Return to the train.

12:00 Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train travels towards eSwatini. Border formalities take place.

16:30 Tea in the lounge and observation cars.

19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Mpaka. Dress: Formal

DAY SIXTEEN: LEISURE GUESTS - ESWATINI

05:30 Breakfast is served in the dining cars.

07:00 Transfer (±60 min) to Mkhaya Reserve. Board game vehicles for a game drive.

10:00 Transfer (±90 min) to Swazi Candles for a visit with lunch and an opportunity for curio shopping.
              Transfer (±15 min) to Royal Swazi to join the golfers AND/OR return to the train (±90 min).

16:30 Tea in the lounge and observation cars.

18:00 Depart for Komatipoort, South Africa. Border formalities take place.

19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

DAY SIXTEEN: GOLFERS - ROYAL SWAZI SUN

05:30 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
              Transfer (±90 min) to Royal Swazi Sun for tee off and lunch.

16:00 Return to the train.

18:00 Depart for Komatipoort, South Africa. Border formalities take place.

19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Malelane. Dress: Formal

The tiny Kingdom of eSwatini (Swaziland) covers only 17 000km2, most of which is mountainous. For such a small country, it is surprising that it sustains two capital cities: Mbabane is the administrative capital and Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital. In April 2018, Swaziland changed its name to the Kingdom of eSwatini (meaning “place of the Swazi”) and is an absolute monarchy. It is landlocked and borders South Africa and Mozambique. At Swazi Candles, guests are invited to interact with the artisans as they make a variety of candles. Woodcarvings, colourful textiles and superb basketwork are also on display. Mantenga Lodge is nestled in the mountains overlooking ‘Execution Rock’.

Expert Tips

ROYAL SWAZI

Eswatini • Parklands • 6 166m • Carts available • www.suninternational.com

This spectacular championship course is one of the most scenic locations found in the world. Opened in 1966, it has been laid out on the slopes of the Lebombo Range that curves gently down into the valley. The first nine holes are comparatively level but the second nine fully exploits the mountainous terrain. Challenging features include lakes, gullies thick with vegetation, out-of-bound areas running close to fairways, swirling breezes, clusters of magnificent trees and indigenous plants and wickedly sited bunkers – one is so steep it requires steps to facilitate access.

DAY SEVENTEEN: ALL GUESTS - KRUGER PARK    (If available, golf at Leopard Creek may be booked on request for your own account)

05:30 Breakfast is served in the dining cars. (If golfing at Leopard Creek, breakfast is served until departure.)

06:30 Game drive in the Kruger National Park with tea, lunch and an opportunity for curio shopping.

15:00 Return to the train.

16:30 Tea is served. The train travels west across the Drakensberg Mountains and climbs the spectacular escarpment.

19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

Expert Tips

LEOPARD CREEK (If available, this course may be booked on your own account)

Kruger Park Malelane • Parklands • 6 631m • Carts compulsory • www.leopardcreek.co.za

This ultra-exclusive world-class facility is the brainchild of magnate Johan Rupert and, as can be expected, no expense was spared. Bordered to the north and the west by the picturesque Crocodile River and the Kruger National Park, the course represents African golf at its best with indigenous bushveld bordering the immaculate fairways and greens. Innovative architectural and landscaping techniques ensure the course is naturally protected from animals, while lakes and small streams divert through the development to create scenic vistas and interesting golf strategies. Hazards take a new dimension for much of the water is home to the magnificent creatures for which the river is named…crocodiles.

Signature hole: 13th - par 5 - 505m Here the green is right on the edge of the river but 32m above the water level offering magnificent views into the Kruger Park.

DAY EIGHTEEN: LEISURE GUESTS - DULLSTROOM

07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars.
              Enjoy a presentation on flyfishing followed by lunch at Walkerson’s Hotel.

15:00 Return to Dullstroom for an introduction to whisky distilling and a tour of the Arts & Crafts Centre.

19:30 Dinner is served. Dress: “1920s” Theme or Smart Casual

DAY EIGHTEEN: GOLFERS - HIGHLAND GATE

07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.

08:45 Transfer (±40 min) to Highland Gate for tee off and lunch.

16:30 Tea in the lounge and observation cars.

19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: “1920s” Theme or Smart Casual

Expert Tips

HIGHLAND GATE

Dullstroom • Mountain • 6 750m • Carts available • www.highlandgate.co.za

Nestled in the Steenkampsberg mountain range near Dullstroom, the Highland Gate Golf & Trout Estate boasts an Ernie Els signature course. Although the testing 18-hole layout provides an equal challenge to both club player and the tour professional, Highland Gate’s strength lies in its high altitude charm, which makes for a scenic and truly memorable golf experience. As a test of golf, Highland Gate is challenging and fair, with dramatic changes in elevation that add aesthetic and tactical value. Multiple teeing areas and strategic hazard placement mean it is the kind of layout that can be enjoyed by players of all standards, which is one of the defining principles of the Ernie Els Design philosophy. From the tips it is, quite rightly, a test for the best. Ernie Els: “When you hear golfers say that they were torn between hitting their next shot or pausing to take a photo of the surrounding scenery, you know it has to be a very special place. A world-class course in such a unique and special setting is a rare and powerful combination.”

DAY NINETEEN: ALL GUESTS - PRETORIA 

Please ensure luggage is ready for collection 15 minutes before arrival and that you have your passport. 

07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars. 

10:00 The train arrives at journey’s end at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. 

Your driver will be waiting for you at the Rail Station and they will transfer you to your beautiful hotel where you can enjoy all of the facilities including the casino.

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