Day 9 – Bloemfontein and Kimberly

Bloemfontein is the seat of the South African judicial system. At the end of the 19th century it was also the capital of the old Boer republic of the Orange Free State. Kimberley is the capital city of the Northern Cape Province, well known for its Big Hole and the discovery of the diamonds that led to the establishment of the city in 1893

Inclusive Options

1. Bloemfontein- Kimberley

After breakfast guests embark on buses and tour Bloemfontein. Guests visit the Women’s Memorial at the Anglo-Boer War Museum, the monument a reminder of life in the concentration camps and commemorating the 27 000 women and children who died in these camps.

The museum shows graphically the hardship endured by all. An orientation drive follows through Bloemfontein, also known as the Rose City, and the capital of the Free State province. The lunch stop is at the Loch Logan Waterfront (guests’ own account). After lunch guests take a drive to Kimberley to rejoin the train.

2. Kimberley – Bloemfontein

After breakfast guests embark on buses for a drive to Kimberley. Highlights in Kimberley include a visit to the Big Hole Mine Museum, William Humphrey Art Gallery and the Macgregor House War Museum. Guests will have lunch in Kimberley at own account. Return to meet the train at Kimberley station.

3. Kimberley – Bloemfontein

After breakfast guests remain onboard the train as it journeys to Kimberley. Highlights in Kimberley include a visit to the Big Hole Mine Museum, William Humphrey Art Gallery and the Macgregor House War Museum. Guests stop for lunch before they head to Kimberley where they will be joining the train en route to Worcester.

(Afternoon. Distance travelled: 250 km)

The train travels overnight to Worcester.

Day 10 - Winelands / Overberg Region

The fertile green valleys of the Cape Winelands are surrounded by proud mountain ranges. A Mediterranean climate and winter rainfall create conditions for some of the best wines in the world. The rich, fertile soils along the Breede River and the Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl areas have become justly famous for their whites, reds, sherries, ports and brandies. The Overberg region to the southeast embraces mountains, valleys and coastal areas and annually welcomes the Southern Right Whale to its waters.

Inclusive Options

1. Historic Heart of the Winelands

The day starts with a drive to Franschhoek via Villiersdorp and the Franschhoek Pass, which offers splendid views over vineyards, plantations and rugged peaks. In Franschhoek (literally meaning “French Corner”) guests visit the Huguenot Memorial, commemorating the 1688 settlement of the French Huguenots here after fleeing religious persecution in France.

The tour continues over the Hellshoogte Pass through a landscape of fruit farms, Cape Dutch houses and vineyards. In Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in the country, situated in the heart of the Winelands, enjoy a lunch break (guests’ own account). In the afternoon the tour drives to Paarl, named after the huge granite dome of rock overlooking the town. One wine tasting is included in this excursion.

(Full day. Distance travelled: 260 km)

2. Scenic Mountain Passes and Hermanus

Guests travel over the scenic mountain passes of Rooihoogte and Floorshoogte and via the Overberg towns of Villiersdorp and Botrivier to Hermanus, once a renowned fish market and whaling station. The whale hunts were stopped by international treaty in 1935.

During the whale season (roughly from July to November each year) the natural cliffs allow for whales to be seen from as close as 5 metres away. The WWF includes Hermanus in its list of 12 best whale-viewing sites in the world, but it tops the list when it comes to land based whale watching. In the afternoon guests travel on the coastal road past Betty’s Bay and onto Clarence Drive towards the Mother City to meet the train. One wine tasting is included in this excursion.

(Full day. Distance travelled: 280 km)

Optional Extra

Whale Watching Boat Cruise (Hermanus)

Every year from about July to November watch the magnificent Southern Right Whales within 50 meters from the boat.

(Can be combined with Option 2 above and is weather dependent)

In the morning the train travels from Worcester to Cape Town station where the guests join the train and overnight.