South African History Tour with the Luxury Blue Train The shoretr 14 day version

South African History Tour

With The Famous Blue Train

12 DAYS Tour - Or Compare with the 17-Day , or the19-Day version
Covering the Highlights of the African Paradise

Staying at great value Four Stars Hotel . And of course the Ultra Deluxe : The Blue Train

African Safari Adventure tour with the Blue Train In South Africa

SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORY TOUR WITH BLUE TRAIN
Click here for images of the De Luxe Suites on board the train
13 DAYS

The Blue Train has an aura of mystique about it. Kings and presidents have travelled on this magnificent moving five-star hotel. And of course it is time to welcome you as well on board this extra special train as our most welcome an d honored guest . Its very name has become synonymous with the ultimate in luxury and personal service.

Day 1 - Wednesday - Weekly year round - Arrive Johannesburg
Our local rep will collect you from airport and help with your private transfer to your hotel : Sample Hotel : The 4 star Protea Hotel Balalaika .

Day 2 - Thursday - Sandton - Soweto
Morning at leisure to shop at Sandton City.
Soweto Township Tour.
Explore the busting neighborhood life of the township and visit two Nobel Prize winners’ previous homes. Explore the historical Hector Petersen Memorial and the Baragwaneth Hospital and enjoy a tour through Nelson Mandela’s home. We stop off at either Wandies or Sekumzi’s for a traditional feast of African delicacies and beer. After lunch, we depart from Soweto and make our way to the Apartheids museum where you embark on a journey of discovery of the racial segregation experienced by millions of South Africans. We return to your hotel at 16h00 pm.
Overnight Jnb hotel - Sample Hotel : The 4 star Protea Hotel Balalaika

Day 3 - Friday - Pretoria City Tour
A morning tour, which includes a visit to the historical Voortrekker monument, Paul Kruger’s House, Church Square and the City Hall. End the morning with a visit to the Union Buildings and lunch.
Overnight Pretoria hotel – 4 star Court classique Hotel.

De Luxe Suite Layout

De Luxe Suite - Double - Night

Day 4 - Saturday - The Blue Train
Transfer to depart Pretoria on Blue Train to Cape Town. Overnight train in De Luxe Suite with all meals included.
The route between Pretoria and Cape Town is a 27-hour journey of 1 600 kilometers (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 mid-morning and arrive in Cape Town just after lunch the following day. En route the train stops at the famous diamond town of Kimberley where guests can explore the Diamond Museum and the Big Hole, the biggest man-made hole in the world.

Day 5 - Sunday - Cape Town
Arrive Cape Town. Transfer to Cape Town hotel for overnight – 4 star Holiday Inn Capetwon Water Front

Upgrade on board the Blue Train to Luxury Suite
Sample Twin Luxury Suite - Day use

Day 6 - Monday - Robben Island and Townships Tour
Our tour endeavours to identify and understand the culture of the New South Africa. We proceed through the historic Malay Quarter discovering the origins of our multi-cultural city and its people. The tragic saga of “Forced Removals” then unfolds as we drive through the remains of the once vibrant District 6 and visit its living museum. Then it’s off o the Townships, visiting examples of ‘black’ and ‘coloured’ townships focusing on development issues of Education, Health Care and Housing. In Langa we visit the Chris Hani Community School as well as the Tsoga Environmental Centre where local community guides take us on a walking tour. We go via Bonteheuwel to Guguletu where we stop off at the Uncedo Pottery Project, and then to the Weltevreden Park Government Housing Development Site. We then return to the city for lunch at the Waterfront before departing on the ferry to Robben Island where ex-prisoners become our tour guides. We are taken on a walking and driving tour of this political prison where Nelson Mandela was jailed for 19 years.
Overnight Cape Town Hotel - 5* Table Bay Hotel.

Day 7 - Tuesday Cape Wine Route
After collection from your hotel, we leave the city and head along the N1 motorway to visit the Afrikaans Taal Monument on the outskirts of Paarl. Next, we stop at the entrance of the Victor Verster Prison from which Nelson Mandela was released from detention. A scenic drive is taken to the Franschhoek Valley to visit the memorial to the French Huguenots, and then we call on one of the many fine wine estates in the region. A cellar tour and a tasting of “the nectar of the gods” are included. Cross the Helshoogte Pass (Hells Heights) and descend into historic Stellenbosch, centre of learning, rugby and the wine industry. We stop for lunch (own account) washed down with local wine. After a short-guided tour of the second oldest South African town, a unique shopping experience awaits you at Oom Samie se Winkel (Uncle Sam’s Shop). The tour terminates at your hotel again in the late afternoon.
Overnight Cape Town Hotel - 5* Table Bay Hotel.

Day 8 - Wednesday Table Mountain and Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Tour
And fly CapeTown to Johannesburg
You are collected from your hotel and taken to the lower cable way station on the slopes of Table Mountain. Weather permitting, ascend the mountain by aerial cable car (entrance fee excluded), and from a height of 1067 meters, view the city and Table bay below, Robben Island, the Atlantic Seaboard as well as most of the spectacular Cape Peninsula. Afterwards, head down in the Malay Quarter with its narrow cobbled streets and colorful Mosques. Next, we continue to Government Avenue where we park at the top and stroll to the National Gallery and SA Museum, as well as view the Houses of Parliament. We then travel to the City Hall on the Grand Parade and afterwards, visit the Castle. Enter the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront – a region that abounds with shops, pubs, restaurants and entertainment. You may leave the tour here either to explore on your own, or return to your hotel in the early afternoon.
Transfer to Cape Town airport for flight to East London - Air fare is included in "V" class.
Arrive and transfer to your hotel : Sample Hotel : The 4 star Protea Hotel Balalaika .

Day 9 - Thursday - Gold Reef City
Morning at leisure.
Gold Reef City Tour
Gold Reef City is rich in history and Johannesburg is really the City of Gold. Be rewarded with gold pouring demonstrations and the traditional miners dancing (known as the gumboot dance). Gold reef city is a replica of old-time Johannesburg and it allows you to take a step back into time as you ride on the penny-farthing. Take a trip underground into the mines and enjoy yourself as if you were part of history. Return to your hotel late afternoon.

Day 10 - Friday Johannesburg
Morning at leisure.
Lesedi African Experience
Enjoy an African experience and engage yourself in the many delights that this tour has to offer. Involve yourself in the multilingual and audio-visual orientation depicting the history of South Africa. Join a guided tour through traditional homesteads of Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi and Sotho villages. Enjoy a song and dance performance before finishing with a traditional feast.

Day 11 - Satuday Pilanesburg and Sun City Tour
From the Hotel, guests will be transferred to the Pilansberg National Park, where they will have the opportunity to spot some, maybe all, of the Big 5: Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo. Upon arrival at the Park, guest will be transferred to an open vehicle, which will take them around the Park, guided by a qualified ranger. The Safari takes about 3-4 hours. Lunch will be served at the Manyane Restaurant. A 15-minute drive away, the magic of Sun City awaits. After being transferred onto a Sun City bus, guest will be taken on a tour of the complex. Some places visited will be the Palace of the Lost City, and a number of other hotels and the Valley of the Waves. Upon return to the “Welcome Centre”, the numerous shops can be explored. Guest will also have the opportunity to try their luck at some gambling before returning to their hotel.
Overnight Jnb hotel - hotel – 5* Hilton Hotel.

Day 12 - Sunday Departure
Transfer to Jnb airport for flight home.

Rate per person sharing in double : $ 5240.00 USD

Includes:

• Deluxe hotel accommodation as listed, tax included and breakfast daily

• Deluxe suite accommodation on board the Blue Train, with all meals while on board the train.

• Guided tours , as listed

• Entrance Fees for all the listed sites as per itinerary

• All airport transfer and domestic air fare in V class , in South Africa, based on the listed itinerary

Not Included :

Passport and visa fees.
International air fare from/to your home country
Trip interruption and cancellation insurance (please see our insurance brochure).
Excess baggage charges or shipping charges
Gratuities
Additional personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
Any airport taxes
Hotel tax of around R 5 per room per night -payable directly to the hotel
Governmnet Tourism levy : 1% payable directly to the hotels

Please read our Terms & Conditions. By sending your deposit, you confirm that you have read and have accepted these conditions.

The routes of The Blue Train take guests through some of the most breathtaking countryside to be found anywhere in the world. As the ever-changing scenery flashes past the windows, guests can savour exquisite meals freshly prepared on board by top chefs. Our meals are complimented by the best wines South Africa has to offer.

The suites on The Blue Train live up to its reputation for magnificence and splendour. The finest bed linen, marble tiles and gold fittings in the bathrooms and sheer opulence all ensure that guests will never forget the time they spend on The Blue Train.

When you choose to travel on The Blue Train, you choose to travel in a world of grace, elegance and romance.

De Luxe Suites
There are nine De Luxe coaches on the first train and eight on the train with the conference car. The De Luxe coaches have four suites per coach; one suite with a bath and the others with showers. The De Luxe suites feature either twin beds with a shower, or double beds with a bathtub and handheld shower.

Upgrade to the

The Blue Train Luxury Suites ( Please inquire in regard to availability and rates )
The luxury suites extend your personal domain by more than a metre, and the twin or double-bed suites offer deep, long baths for slow, luxuriant soaking.

The suites extend the choice of radio and movie channels even further by including a private digital entertainment centre and an inviting selection of music CDs and big-screen movies on DVD.

Credit and more details on the Blue train official site : http://www.bluetrain.co.za/default.htm

Personal Service on board the Blue Train :

Each coach has a butler on call to attend to our guests' every need. Our butlers serve a maximum of four suites and are there to ensure that your experience is as memorable and comfortable as possible.

The train manager is also on call at all times. Guests can contact him whenever they require assistance or if they would like information pertaining to their journey.

Our on-board services include:

A variety of delicious snacks and beverages served in your suite on request,
A limited on-board laundry and valet service,
Safes in all the suites for your valuables, and
A luggage van for additional luggage that a guest may not need during the journey.
The two engineers who are always on board the train are happy to share their knowledge with train enthusiasts.

The telephone in each suite allows guests to contact the train manager or butler 24 hours a day. Should guests wish to make external calls (local or international), the staff will gladly assist them to do so at a nominal fee. Fax facilities are also available.

Personal butler for each car on board the Blue Train

Routes Map for the Blue Train in South Africa

The Blue Train Luxury Suites
The luxury suites extend your personal domain by more than a metre, and the twin or double-bed suites offer deep, long baths for slow, luxuriant soaking.

The suites extend the choice of radio and movie channels even further by including a private digital entertainment centre and an inviting selection of music CDs and big-screen movies on DVD.

Images Credit and more details on the Blue train official site

South Africa Hotels

Pretoria: Court Classique Hotel * Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton
The Famous Ultra Deluxe Blue Train