The Royal Railway Safari

Day 1 – 4: 21 Nettleton, Cape Town

 

Guests will be met at Cape Town International Airport and transferred to the stunningly beautiful 21 Nettleton where they will spend the next three nights in pure luxury.

Stay at one of the most enviable addresses in Cape Town. A mere 10 minutes from the V&A Waterfront and nestled against the slopes of Table Mountain’s Lion’s Head, in one of the finest positions in Clifton, this elegant mansion has much to offer.

With its serene landscape, attractive decor, private decks, swimming pool and beautiful gardens, guests have the opportunity to enjoy the privacy that this residence offers.

The spacious residence offers five exclusive suites and a spectacular penthouse with unrivalled views of the Twelve Apostles mountain range abutting the Atlantic Ocean.
Guests are treated like royalty and made to feel at home in a setting where elegant European opulence meets chic African culture.

Everything about 21Nettleton is enchanting and if you are looking for a “view” there is simply no better choice in Cape Town.

21 Nettleton is a mere 10 minutes away from Cape Town’s legendary Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Table Mountain and the city centre, yet away from the hustle and bustle of the city streets. Explore the city and surrounds by day and escape to the tranquillity of 21 Nettleton.

The Western Cape is one of South Africa’s most beautiful provinces. Cape Town is set in one of the most scenic locations in the world. With majestic Table Mountain as its backdrop, Cape Town’s natural diverse beauty, vibrant cultural life, its weather, great outdoor lifestyle and beautiful beaches make it one of the top international destinations in the world. The city attracts adventure seekers, nature lovers, the romantics and offers fun activities for the whole family.

Spend four days discovering beautiful Cape Town and the Cape region as well as two scheduled full-day tours of the Cape Peninsula and the Cape Winelands. A fascinating township and Robben island tour can be arranged at guest’s requests.

Meals:  Breakfast

 

Day 4 – 6: La Residence, Franschhoek

 

After breakfast guests will be transferred to La Residence in the beautiful town of Franschhoek where they will spend the next two nights in pure bliss and luxury. 

La Residence is situated in the Franschhoek Valley on a 30-acre estate filled with vines, fruit trees, flowers and herbs. It is a romantic and indulgent paradise whose magnificent interior is filled with rich fabrics, wonderful artwork and antique furniture.

Eleven individually-decorated suites enjoy vibrant colour schemes and spectacular views. Palatial en-suite bathrooms ooze glamour.

On hot days, the shimmering infinity pool beckons. Sip drinks under a shady umbrella, or relax with treatments in the Spa. The air-conditioned Gym caters for the more energetic!

Five minutes’ drive from the charming curio shops and galleries of Franschhoek village, the hotel provides complimentary transfers so guests can explore at their leisure. There are excellent village restaurants to try as well as a range of activities from horse-riding to chocolate-tasting.

Service is warm and personalized: an atmosphere of ease and relaxation pervades. Fresh produce from the garden and fine local wines create memorable dining experiences.

This Winelands haven has all the ingredients for an inspiring and restorative stay.

A stone’s throw from La Residence, in a tranquil vineyard setting, five Vineyard Suites offer spacious accommodation in a variety of configurations for up to 20 guests, including children of all ages. There are stylish rooms for dining and relaxing and luxurious bedrooms with marble en-suite bathrooms. All have private terraces and gardens; four have their own pools. Complimentary drinks and snacks, wide screen televisions and DVD players create a homely feel.

Guests dine either in their suites or the central Terrace Room, beside a fire or the stunning double rim-flow pool. An open kitchen allows full interaction with the chef; the Sitting Room is cosy with bar and wide-screen television.

The Vineyard Suites offer complete flexibility, comfort and superior service to make holidaying with family and friends effortless and enjoyable.

Meals:  Breakfast

 

Day 6 – 7: The Blue Train, Cape Town

 

Today guests will be transferred to the Blue Train Station, from where they will board one of the most luxurious trains in the world for a night of luxury and relaxation.  A once in a lifetime experience.

The Blue Train has been the ultimate in luxury rail travel since 1946.It offers a unique way of experiencing some of Southern Africa’s magnificent landscapes and landmarks. On this train luxury assumes a new dimension.

Kings and presidents have indulged on this magnificent, moving five-star “hotel-on-wheels”. From love-struck honeymooners, to adulated celebrities. And even ordinary folk who romanticise about a life of spectacular luxury, a life that has seemed tantalisingly out of reach. Until now…

Welcome aboard The Blue Train. Your unforgettable experience is about to begin…

You’ll feel it from the moment you step into your suite – the De Luxe Suite which offers you a choice between twin beds (with shower) or double beds (with bath). Luxury suites are more spacious and offer twin or double beds with bath facilities. Each suite is a world on its own, with a private entertainment centre with a choice of movie channels and radio stations.

On board chefs regularly refresh their menus to intrigue and tantalise your palate, as they prepare their signature dishes using the freshest of local ingredients. From Karoo lamb, ostrich and venison, to Knysna oysters and other award-winning Cape cultivars. All artfully presented in delicate crystal or on fine china, all contributing to the ultimate experience.

Underscoring the Dining Car’s atmosphere is a delightful selection of tasteful background music, ranging from smooth jazz to light classical to the mellow tones of the Soweto String Quartet.

As the sky darkens over the landscape, you adorn yourself in your finest silks and satins, diamonds and pearls, tuxedos and ties, as you prepare to relish a banquet glowing with the camaraderie of new friends or dine entwined in the subtle intimacy of a table for two – or even if you opt to dine in the privacy of your own suite – you become aware that every taste you’re about to experience is a memory in the making, a tantalising highlight on a menu of magical moments.

Meals:  Full Board

 

Day 7 – 8: The Residence, Johannesburg

 

Guests will be met at the Blue Train Station in Pretoria and transferred to the lavish and exclusive The Residence in the city of Gold, Johannesburg, where they will spend the night.

The final word in modern city grandiose, the Residence represents compelling tranquillity in the otherwise fast-paced city of gold (Egoli). This luxury estate is conveniently located to allow access to the city (both Johannesburg central and Sandton) as well as a variety of nearby attractions. Whatever your day may entail, rest assured – you’ll savour your return. Get active in the sparkling pool or on the tennis court. Soak up the South African sunshine on the luscious lawns. Play a round of golf on the greens of nearby Houghton golf course.

The Residence is a one of a kind boutique hotel. No effort has been spared in creating the most exquisite surroundings that surpass your greatest expectations. Whether you are a business professional with a demanding executive schedule or a leisure traveller with time to spend at your own discretion, they are there to ensure that your stay with them will be memorable.

A warm, hospitable welcome awaits you at The Residence, located in the historic suburb of Houghton, which is also home to many famous residents including former president Nelson Mandela. This is a blissful oasis where guests are treated with personalised service and are invited to make themselves at home.

The 18 suites are individually designed and decorated with the sole purpose of surpassing expectations. In addition to a full en-suite bathroom, every suite has its own outdoor rain shower and outdoor bath, or Jacuzzi overlooking terraced gardens and forest-like surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 8 – 11: Londolozi Pioneer Camp, Sabi Sands Game Reserve

 

After a scrumptious breakfast guests will be transferred to OR Thambo airport from where they will board a shared chartered flight to the world famous, breathtakingly beautiful Londolozi Tree camp, your home for the next three nights.

Londolozi’s powerful combination of geography and wildlife creates the famous atmosphere that returning guests call the ‘Londolozi feeling’.

Londolozi is situated on the Sand River in the very heart of the Big 5 game-rich Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Wild animals move freely across this vast space, offering spectacular game viewing and a true wilderness experience.  Breeding herds of elephant and buffalo roam throughout Londolozi, while white rhino and lion concentrations are among the highest recorded on the African continent.

Yet it’s the leopards of Londolozi that make them world famous for wildlife, and lie at the heart of the Londolozi feeling. Over the course of three decades, a unique relationship has developed between their rangers and trackers and generations of wild leopards. Intimate leopard sightings are frequent here, an experience that their guests agree is a pinnacle life experience.

Set amongst the dappled shade of 500-year-old ebony trees, Pioneer Camp’s three luxury suites and generous ‘bush home’ style of common area is the culmination of four decades of design experience in the safari industry.

Pioneer Camp is the most secluded of Londolozi’s camps. The three private suites have superb river views and are perfect for honeymoons and private getaways. Focused on multi-generational family travel, this adaptable camp can be converted into a private bush home for family groups of 6-12 people. Glass sky walkways link interconnected luxury family suites.

This lodge is defined by its clean lines and the modern and sophisticated floor-to-ceiling sliding glass panels that frame the wilderness views beyond. A sense of history pervades the camp through faithfully restored memorabilia: photographs, silver, crystal glass and gramophones.

Every touch and feature in Pioneer Camp is deeply personal. It is the ideal romantic setting for the adventures of a new generation of sophisticated travellers.

Meals:  Full board

 

Day 11 – 14: Royal Malewane Lodge, Timbavati Game Reserve

 

You will be transferred after a succulent breakfast to the stylish, luxurious and breathtakingly beautiful Royal Malewane Lodge, situated in the Timbavati Game Reserve, your home for the next three nights.

Accommodating guests in the utmost colonial splendour, Royal Malewane is an exclusive getaway for those who value privacy, personalised service and the best game viewing Africa has to offer. Set on the private concession of Thornybush Game Reserve—13,000 hectares of Africa’s finest bushveld—this place is home to elephant, lion, leopard, endangered black and white rhino, and many more, as well as over 250 bird species. Spectacular game, extensive flora and never-ending African skies…it’s all here.

Each of the eight freestanding suites combines all the most modern comforts with traditional extravagances, like Victorian claw-foot tubs and cozy fireplaces. The piece de resistance? Unmatched views. The caring and experienced staff knows what you want even before you do, and they’ll make you feel wonderfully at home. Elevated walkways link the suites to the main camp, below which animals cavort and graze. Privacy is paramount here, and the only neighbours within sight of your private veranda are the elephant and giraffe herds that amble around the property.

And for families and groups of friends, Royal Malewane’s Africa House is absolutely ideal. Situated just a few minutes’ drive from the main lodge, this fully-staffed house provides all the comforts of home for up to twelve people, including a courtyard and veranda, generous living and dining area, large pool, boma for dinners under the stars, and a private chef, butler, ranger and tracker.

Meals:  Full board

 

Day 14: Homeward Bound

 

After breakfast, you will board a short chartered flight back to OR Tambo from where you will be heading home after a holiday fit for a King.

 

An exquisite piece of paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean, &Beyond Benguerra Island is a luxury beach holiday destination where time stands still and legends come to life.

Situated on the second largest island in the sunny Bazaruto Archipelago off the coast of Mozambique, the lodge is set in a protected marine conservation area and offers pristine beaches and unspoiled coral reefs teeming with marine life. Looking out onto a sandy beach and set on a deep lagoon unaffected by the tides, this exclusive beach getaway is ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Surrounded by premier diving sites, the lodge is the gateway to an underwater wonderland for divers, with a rich variety of tropical fish species complemented by Africa’s only population of the rare dugong. The deep Mozambique Channel, which runs alongside the island, is renowned for its game fish and Benguerra Island offers some of the world’s best catch-and-release deep sea fishing and fly-fishing opportunities.

Looking out onto the calm waters of a secluded bay, the lodge boasts soft, shimmering beach sands, as well as a deep channel that cuts straight out to sea, allowing for swimming right off the beach even at low tide and permitting direct boat access.

Colourfully ornamented, a traditional wooden dhow has found its final resting place on the beach, offering the ideal spot to indulge in an ice cold cocktail or a delicious meal of fresh, fragrant seafood. After days filled with discovery, weary muscles relax and recharge under the magical attentions of the masseuses in the massage sala.

Meals:  Full board

 

Day 22: Homeward bound

 

After a holiday of a lifetime, you will fly back home via Johannesburg.  Just in time to start planning your next African safari!

 

** Tailor-made Itinerary

As with all the tours on our website, this is just an example of what you can do. All our tours are formed from scratch for each individual client, destinations and accommodation are coordinated not only to your personal tastes and requirements but also to your budget.  Contact us now to begin planning your dream safari holiday.