Rovos Rail is offering a special rate on a three-night journey between Pretoria and the hills of the
Pilanesberg. Recapture the romance of a bygone era when travellers experienced the magic and
mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant fashion. Enjoy an overnight stay in the Pilanesberg with
game drives and an afternoon at Sun City before returning to Pretoria.
Rail Package includes
2 Nights on board the Luxury Rovos Rail in a Pullman Suite
1 Nights accommodation at Ivory Tree Lodge
All meals and beverages on board, meals at Ivory Tree Lodge
limited laundry, excursions, entrance fees as per itinerary, government tax, secure parking
Upgrade to a Deluxe Suite for R9900 per person sharing
Set departure 21 May 2021 only
Pretoria to Pilanesberg to Pretoria 3 Nights
Day 1
15h00: Depart from Rovos Rail Station. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car and observation car.
16h30: Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
19h30: Dinner is served in the dining car/s en route to Rustenburg. Overnight on the train.
Day 2
07h00: Breakfast is served until 10h00.
10h30: Transfer to Ivory Tree Lodge for check-in, lunch and an afternoon game drive in the Pilanesberg Reserve. The lodge has other activities too such as archery, air-gun shooting, quad biking and a spa (own account).
19h00: Enjoy a buffet dinner at the lodge. Dress: Smart Casual
It is believed that where the Pilanesberg National Park now stands was, 1 200-million years ago, a volcano higher than Mount Kilimanjaro (5 895m). Set in the crater of a long-extinct volcano, the Pilanesberg is the fourth largest park in South Africa and covers an area of 58 000ha. The creation of the reserve is considered one of the most ambitious programmes of its kind. Thanks to Operation Genesis in 1979 - which involved the game-fencing of the reserve and the reintroduction of many long-vanished species - the park now has in excess of 7 000 animals including the Big 5.
The area is fringed by three concentric ridges that rise from the surrounding plains like a bubble. Its structure rates high amongst the world's outstanding geological phenomena. The park exists within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation. Over time, wind and water have carved a spectacular landscape with rocky outcrops, open grasslands, wooded valleys and thickly forested ravines. Where the volcano's central vent existed is now a large lake teeming with hippo, crocodile, waterbuck and birds.
Day 3
Early wake-up call with tea and coffee. Enjoy a morning game drive.
09h00: Return to the lodge for breakfast followed by check-out.
11h00: Transfer to Sun City for an afternoon at leisure. Enjoy lunch (own account). Please enquire with our reservations team regarding the list of activities available. Some activities require advance booking.
17h00: Return to the train.
19h30: Dinner is served in the dining car/s en route to Pretoria. 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 centre, a luxury theme park for grown-up kids with two championship golf courses and one with crocodiles at the 13th hole.
Day 4
07h00: Breakfast is served in the dining car/s.
09h00: Arrive at journey's end at Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria
Pre- and post-tour accommodation,
Flights and transfers, travel insurance, gratuities, lunch at Sun City, beverages at Ivory Tree Lodge,
international / French Champagne, personal expenses
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Travel prices are subject to availability, currency and airport tax fluctuations at the time of booking.
