Day 1: Johannesburg
Guests will be picked up from Johannesburg International Airport and transferred to Shongololo Express at Nasrec. Afternoon spent at leisure

1. Lesedi Cultural Village: We visit this multi-cultural African Village set among pristine bushveld and rocky hills. Experience the culture of five of South Africa's major indigenous tribes: the Xhosa, the Zulu, the Pedi, the Basotho and the Ndebele. Dinner will be included.
2. Sandton City: This is truly South Africa’s premier shopping mall.

Dinner on board Train remains stationery overnight at Nasrec Station

Day 2: Johannesburg
Breakfast on board

1. Johannesburg: We visit Newtown in downtown Johannesburg, identified to be developed into a Cultural Precinct. Here guests will learn more about Blue IQ, a multi-billion Rand initiative of the Gauteng Provincial Government to develop economic infrastructure for specific major projects in smart industries, high value-added manufacturing and tourism. We cross the ultra-modern Nelson Mandela Bridge and head towards the Old Fort Prison, now forming part of the Constitution Hill development, which today houses the country's highest court. From outside this old prison just looks like a hill in the heart of a bustling city suburb. Its history as a prison however dates as far back as the days of the old Transvaal Republic. As a natural hill it used to be the highest point in the then new-born city of Johannesburg, so it started its life as a fort, but was soon converted into a notorious prison - the “Robben Island of Johannesburg”. The Fort is the only prison to have had confined within its walls both Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, the world’s major icons of liberation. Having the seat of the Constitution Court built here - using stones from the old prison - this precinct has become the symbol for turning around the past and creating a just and equal society.
2. Tshwane (Pretoria): We will spend the morning in Tshwane, previously known as Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. We visit the Union Buildings housing the offices of the President and Ministers, designed by the famous colonial English architect, Sir Herbert Baker, and completed in 1913. The buildings overlook the city towards the once fortified hills to the east. A grand bronze statue of “Oom Paul (Kruger)”, the patriarch president of the ZAR or old Transvaal Republic, surrounded by his Boer fighters, dominates Church Square, central point of the city. Before leaving the capital behind, we visit the Voortrekker Monument that commemorates the "Great Trek" of the 1830s. Guests rejoin the train in the late afternoon. In the evening the train departs for Swaziland

Dinner on board

Day 3: Swaziland
Breakfast on board

1. Game drive in the Mkhaya Game Reserve: Mkhaya Game Reserve shelters species that were once threatened by extinction. It was founded in 1979 for the indigenous Nguni Cattle, but has since accepted many endangered species, including Black and White Rhino, Roan and Sable Antelope, Eland and Tsessebe. Staff and rangers are all Swazis from the surrounding villages.
2. Arts & Crafts: This day in Swaziland will introduce you to everyday life in Africa's smallest kingdom. The Swazi Market is a hive of activity and displays a wide variety of skillfully crafted woodcarvings, colourful textiles and superb basketwork for which Swazis are renowned. The drive to Mpaka will afford majestic views of the Ezulwini Valley.

Dinner on board Train crosses the border into Mozambique during the night.

Day 4: Maputo, Mozambique

1. Maputo City and Market: Guests will get a good impression of the character of the city. A visit to the municipal market is followed by a stop at the old “Fortaleza” which dates back to 1769. Other interesting city sites include the Catholic Cathedral, the Civic Centre, Louis Trichardt Trek Memorial, Samora Machel Statue, the Jardim Tunduru (Botanical Gardens) and the Iron House (Casa do Ferro). The Polana Hotel, built in the 1920s, with its striking white exterior and stunning décor, is the best known landmark in the city. From the garden one can see Xefina Island. Next we visit an art gallery where furniture and sculptures are made out of old AK47 weapons. The last stop is at the largest market in the Southern Hemisphere, which is also on the way to Costa do Sol. Dinner at a local seafood restaurant

Overnight journey back to South Africa and Komatipoort

Day 5: Kruger Park
Morning arrival at Komatipoort Breakfast either on board (in case of a later arrival) or breakfast packs for game drives Train moves from Komatipoort to Hazyview during the day.

1. Kruger Park Game Drive: Your full-day game drive in air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter vehicles will start from Komatipoort. The worldrenowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that equals the best anywhere. Its 2 million hectares are unrivalled in diversity of life forms and the park is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques. The park is home to an impressive number of species, e.g. 336 species of trees, 49 species of fish, 34 species of amphibians, 114 species of reptiles, 507 species of birds and 147 species of mammals. Lunch (guests’ own account) will be enjoyed at one of the rest camps in the park.

1. Open Vehicle Safari: Game drives are conducted in open safari vehicles, specifically designed to ensure safety as well as optimum game viewing. Guides have intimate knowledge of the fauna and flora. Breakfast will be enjoyed at one of the many picnic spots and lunch (guests’ own account) at one of the rest camps in the park. Game viewing continues for the remainder of the day.

Guests rejoin the train at Hazyview Dinner on board Train remains stationary at Hazyview Station

Days 06, 07 & 08: Hoedspruit Hazyview Station
Breakfast on board each day. Please note: The various Off-Rail Activities outlined below are available over the next 3 days. You may make your selection for each day. You may also choose, at an extra cost, to take part in one or more of the “SPECIALISED ACTIVITIES” listed below.

1. Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (Kapama Game Reserve): The Kapama Private Game Reserve has succeeded in combining the wilderness of the bush with the comforts of five-star hospitality and facilities. A game relocation programme was introduced and the reserve now supports a wide variety of game, including Elephant, Buffalo, Rhinoceros, and large populations of Giraffe, Impala, Blue Wildebeest and Kudu. Predators include Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Spotted Hyena and many smaller species. At Kapama we visit the Hoedspruit endangered species, which is situated on over 100 hectares within the Kapama Private Game Reserve. Established in the late 1980s by Lente Roode as part of a breeding programme for the endangered Cheetah, the centre has expanded to breed and conserve other African species for reintroduction into the wild.
2. Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre: A wide variety of birds and animals can be seen here, where Brian Jones and his team nurse and nurture the injured and orphaned, rehabilitating them to release back to the wild. Guided tours through the centre bring visitors in close contact with the rare and common species such as Crowned and Martial Eagles, Owls, Vultures and a variety of Raptors, Serval, Duiker, Lion, Leopard and many other animals and birds. Silk Worm Farm After a morning visit to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, continuation to the Bombyx Mori Silkworm Farm near Hoedspruit, where you can view the whole spectrum of silk production and purchase exclusive silk goods. The estate commands one of the best views of the mountains to compliment its facilities. From enjoying a wonderful meal at the Cotton Club Café to discovering talented artists, interesting artifacts, or just browsing in the Ivory Room and Gallery, this estate offers so much. One can learn about the amazing power of the silk worm and find out why silk was kept such a closely guarded secret for centuries. The uniqueness of silk is unbeaten and will forever remain a highly sought after luxury. Bombyx Mori offers guided tours of the silk factory where you can observe this special little creature in operation. The local ladies have embraced the value of silk and are learning how to create the most luxurious silk-filled duvets. Over twenty ladies are employed at Bombyx Mori, all of whom have learnt the art of processing silk. They are actively involved in the running of the company and all are incentivised through productivity or profits.
2. Kruger Park Game Drive: The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that equals the best anywhere. Its 2 million hectares are unrivalled in diversity of life forms and the park is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques. The park is home to an impressive number of species, e.g. 336 species of trees, 49
species of fish, 34 species of amphibians, 114 species of reptiles, 507 species of birds and 147 species of mammals. (Full-day activity; departure time depends on the season, as gates open and close with sunrise and sunset; distance traveled: +/- 220 km)
3. Kiepersol Farm Visit: Half-day visit to a private farm in the Kiepersol region near Hazyview. You will be taken on a farm tours to see the banana plantations as well as the 32 000 Sterlitzia flowers and the 1.5 hectares of farmland, home to the very rare tropical Heliconia plant. A visit to the farmhouse can also be organised.
Nelspruit: Nelspruit is considered the gateway to the Mpumalanga Province. With its sub-tropical climate and abundant sunshine the town forms an ideal base from where to explore. It is also the trading centre for the surrounding fruit growing area. The fertile soil and subtropical climate provide perfect conditions for the production of citrus and tropical fruits (mainly mango, banana, avocado, macadamia and pecan nuts). The Lowveld Botanical Gardens just outside the town has a rare collection of plant species and the first man-made rain forest. The nearby Sudwala Caves, Dinosaur Park and cultural centre will expose your senses to primitive Africa. A short distance away is the gold mining town of Kaapsehoop where the mist-filled evenings and a herd of wild horses grazing in the town transfer one to a world of yesteryear.
4. Blyde River Canyon: We visit the village of Pilgrim’s Rest, a living museum and declared National Monument. Gold was discovered in this area in 1873, attracting 1500 diggers. Today, many of the restored miner's houses serve as shops. Further along the escarpment we find the great Blyde River Canyon, a gorge of 26 km long and 800 m deep, carved from the face of the escarpment. The Three Rondavels present an unforgettable view of three huge rock spirals rising out of the far wall of the canyon, looking like African huts. Bourke's Luck Potholes are strange deep cylindrical cavities formed by river erosion and floodwater. From the vantage point of God’s Window we gaze across sweeps of the Lowveld, where subtle fragrances of the lower region rise to merge with the crisp winds of the Highveld.

1. Sunrise Balloon Experience: Early morning pick up at Hazyview Station and transfer to the balloon launch site. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served on arrival, followed by a scenic balloon flight lasting about an hour. Cape sparkling wine will be served upon landing followed by a breakfast at a country lodge and a transfer back to meet the rest of the group.
2. Overnight at a Private Game Reserve: Late morning (at around 11:00) you will be transferred to the lodge, situated in the famous Sabi Sands Game Reserve, where a lunch will await you. After a siesta, followed by coffee and cake, you will depart on a sunset safari, in search of the Big Five. Encounters with all spheres of the eco-system, from the smallest insect to the mighty African elephant, are possible. After a sundowner drink in the bush you will return to the lodge, where a delightful dinner will await you. Early the next morning (just before sunrise) you will be woken up to depart on an open vehicle game drive to experience the African fauna at its most active. A mouth-watering breakfast will round off your experience, before you will be taken back to the train to await the other clients for the afternoon's activities.

• Golfing
• Horse Riding
• Quad Biking
• Kayaking
• Kloofing
• Canyoning
• Abseiling
• Open Vehicle Safari

Shangana Cultural Village: Midway between the Blyde River Canyon and the southern Kruger National Park, the residents of the traditional villages of the Shangaan invite guests to share in their way of life. The picturesque villages are set in the shade of ancient trees in a reserve of forest and grassland. The Shangana Cultural Village has been created and built by local Shangaan people as a way of preserving a rich heritage and is an example of South Africa's great cultural diversity. Dinner will be enjoyed here, before we return to the train. Train journeys through the night back to Johannesburg

Day 9: Johannesburg
Breakfast / Brunch on board Transfer to JNB International Airport for your flight back home

1. Johannesburg: We visit Newtown in downtown Johannesburg, identified to be developed into a Cultural Precinct. Here guests will learn more about Blue IQ, a multi-billion Rand initiative of the Gauteng Provincial Government to develop economic infrastructure for specific major projects in smart industries, high value-added manufacturing and tourism. We cross the ultra-modern Nelson Mandela Bridge and head towards the Old Fort Prison, now forming part of the Constitution Hill development, which today houses the country's highest court. From outside this old prison just looks like a hill in the heart of a bustling city suburb. Its history as a prison however dates as far back as the days of the old Transvaal Republic. As a natural hill it used to be the highest point in the then new-born city of Johannesburg, so it started its life as a fort, but was soon converted into a notorious prison - the “Robben Island of Johannesburg”. The Fort is the only prison to have had confined within its walls both Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, the world's major icons of liberation. Having the seat of the Constitution Court built here - using stones from the old prison - this precinct has become the symbol for turning around the past and creating a just and equal society
2. The morning in Tshwane (Pretoria): We will spend previously known as Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. We visit the Union Buildings housing the offices of the President and Ministers, designed by the famous colonial English architect, Sir Herbert Baker, and completed in 1913. The buildings overlook the city towards the once fortified hills to the east. A grand bronze statue of “Oom Paul (Kruger)”, the patriarch president of the ZAR or old Transvaal Republic, surrounded by his Boer fighters, dominates Church Square, central point of the city. Before leaving the capital behind, we visit the Voortrekker Monument that commemorates the “Great Trek” of the 1830s.