Blue Train Extension

Itinerary

• South Africa

  South Africa is located at the southern tip of Africa, and features one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town. A sublime location, great beaches, nearby vineyards, great food, and cheap diamonds - there is a lot of love about the city. The Garden Route is a short drive away, passing through the quaint towns of Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay and Nature's Valley. It is best experienced with an overnight in Knysna.  Kruger National Park is another top draw, and boasts some of the finest lodges on the continent.

• Cape Town

  Cape Town is the second most populous city in South Africa, famous for its harbour as well as its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom, including such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Popular day activities include; Robben Island (Nelson Mandela's prison), Cape Point, Stellenbosch winery tour, diamond buying shops, and great white shark diving.

• Johannesburg

  Johannesburg or Jo'burg, as the locals call the city of the gold, is the biggest metropolis in South Africa. With its 3.2 million citizens the city on the Witwatersrand is the predominant commercial centre and the economic motor of the Republic of South Africa. It is the international flight gateway for most of southern Africa.

• • Johannesburg
  • The Westcliff, Johannesburg

  Day 1: Johannesburg

  Airport transfer to/from your hotel with private vehicle

  Upon arrival into South Africa you will be met inside the airport and escorted through Customs and Immigration avoiding any queues.

  Upon arrival you will receive all of your necessary documents for your trip which contains a detailed personalized itinerary, maps, restaurant suggestions, Top Tips for exploring each city or region and a 24 hour concierge service (for restaurant reservations, spa treatments, child minders, day tours etc).

  Accommodation: Westcliff

  Situated in Johannesburg's most exclusive residential suburb, The Westcliff provides the ultimate in comfort. Its hillside setting with cascading, sculpted gardens and elegantly opulent accommodation evoke a bygone era of leisure and refinement in one of the world's most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities. Guests are privy to easy access to the city's core. The 115 rooms are grouped in levels along the hillside on which the hotel is perched. Each room is extremely spacious and possesses a well-preserved old world charm. Friendly staff serve delectable dishes from across the world. Authentic and continental dishes feature African ingredients, arranged in buffet style and served a la carte. Use the hotel's swimming pools, tennis courts, and spa for relaxation and cleansing.

• • Cape Town
  • Luxury Suite

  Day 2: Johannesburg - Cape Town

  Transfer with private vehicle.

  Accommodation: Blue Train

  The Blue Train takes you from Pretoria to Cape Town or reverse. The route between Pretoria and Cape Town is a 27-hour journey of 1,600 kilometres (994 miles), through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent. On the southbound trip, the train departs from Pretoria main train station at 8:50am and arrives in Cape Town train station at 12:00pm the following day. En route to Cape Town there is a stopover and excursion in Kimberley, where you'll take a step back in time to the days of the diamond rush. On the northbound journey, the train leaves Cape Town at 08:50am and arrives in Pretoria at 12:30pm, in time for high tea the following day. It stops at Matjiesfontein for an off-the-train excursion.  Please note the Blue Train travels Mon, Wed and Fri from Pretoria to Cape Town. 

• Day 3: Cape Town

  Enjoy a private transfer between the airport and your hotel.

  Accommodation: Depart

  Depart from Cape Town international airport - end of itinerary.

Accommodation

• Wildlife Encounters

  The African Elephant is a notably intelligent animal due to their large brain, and has a distinct social conduct from other animals. Herds consist of related females and their young, directed by the eldest female, or matriarch. Elephants remain close to their families, the relationship between each elephant is very strong and they recognize each other even after long periods apart. During migration, the matriarch decides the route and leads the group to all the water sources she knows. The other members of the herd will memorize these places for the future. Males stay with the herd only long enough to remain self sufficient, and then go to form their own groups with other males. They will only approach a herd in response to a mating call, which can occur at any time of the year.

• Culinary Delights

  South Africa has emerged as a polyglot cuisine. European colonization, the adaptation of the native Bantu cooking, and mass immigration of migrant workers have all contributed. The Dutch brought their forms of agriculture, and British merchants imported "mixed grills" that now include African game meats. The French introduced the cultivation of vineyards. Malay workers and East Indians added curries and spice to the plain English-Dutch influence. Local game, and lamb, the famous South African lobster, and a vast repertoire of fish combine to create a truly cosmopolitan cuisine.

• Kid's Fun

  Butterfly is the largest free flying park for butterflies in Southern Africa. It is an enclosed garden boasting a spectacular array of colourful butterflies which fly freely around you, as well as loads of water features and exotic plants. The location of Butterfly World is perfect as it lies at the junction of the main wine routes of Stellenbosch and Paarl. There is no time limit on a visit to Butterfly so you can take as many photographs and videos as you like, or just sit down on a bench and admire these beautiful creatures fly around you. Refreshments and light meals are available from the Schmetterling restaurant, and the craft shop stocks butterfly related goods.

• • The Westcliff, Johannesburg
  • The Westcliff, Johannesburg Room

  Westcliff

  Situated in Johannesburg's most exclusive residential suburb, The Westcliff provides the ultimate in comfort. Its hillside setting with cascading, sculpted gardens and elegantly opulent accommodation evoke a bygone era of leisure and refinement in one of the world's most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities. Guests are privy to easy access to the city's core. The 115 rooms are grouped in levels along the hillside on which the hotel is perched. Each room is extremely spacious and possesses a well-preserved old world charm. Friendly staff serve delectable dishes from across the world. Authentic and continental dishes feature African ingredients, arranged in buffet style and served a la carte. Use the hotel's swimming pools, tennis courts, and spa for relaxation and cleansing.

  • More information
• • Luxury Suite
  • deluxe twin

  Blue Train

  The Blue Train takes you from Pretoria to Cape Town or reverse. The route between Pretoria and Cape Town is a 27-hour journey of 1,600 kilometres (994 miles), through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent. On the southbound trip, the train departs from Pretoria main train station at 8:50am and arrives in Cape Town train station at 12:00pm the following day. En route to Cape Town there is a stopover and excursion in Kimberley, where you'll take a step back in time to the days of the diamond rush. On the northbound journey, the train leaves Cape Town at 08:50am and arrives in Pretoria at 12:30pm, in time for high tea the following day. It stops at Matjiesfontein for an off-the-train excursion.  Please note the Blue Train travels Mon, Wed and Fri from Pretoria to Cape Town. 

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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