Shongololo Express

Pretoria | South Africa

Recapture the romance of a bygone era when travellers experienced the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant fashion. The classic wood-panelled coaches are the epitome of comfort with period features combining with modern technology. The service is discreet and friendly with an enthusiastic team of chefs ensuring guests’ every need is catered for. There is an accent on fresh local ingredients and traditional dishes are a specialty. Every morning there is a full breakfast with dishes cooked to order. Meals are served in one sitting only and are complemented by fine South African wines. The dress on board the train is casual. In maintaining the atmosphere there are no radios or television sets on board and the use of technology that has the ability to disturb other guests is confined to the privacy of the cabins. 

Fancourt Country Club – 18 holes par 72 (6714/6312 yards)

George | South Africa

1. MONTAGU – This course is exquisitely conditioned with a glorious parkland layout covering large tracts of varying terrain on rolling land. Mature trees, flowerbeds, shrubs and water hazards provide a colourful contrast. Signature hole: 17th – par 3 – 190m This is scary for the average golfer with its long carry over water but the green is large and receptive so ignore it and go for the flag. If conservative, favour the left side of the green. 2. OUTENIQUA – Named after the mountain range overlooking the area, this parklands course is regarded as the easier one being more open in appearance yet it has its share of challenges and risk-and-reward moments. Signature hole: 14th – par 4 – 421m No surprise this is the toughest hole with its intimidating tee shot over water. If the flag is on the left of the green, play conservatively for the middle as there is water lurking at the back left.

Kimberley Golf Club – 18 holes par 72 (6229 yards)

Kimberley | South Africa

KGC carries over 100 years of history and hosted the very first South African Championships in 1892. It is a Bob Grimsdell-designed parklands course boasting exceptional well-tendered kikuyu fairways and cynodon greens – more than a match for whatever El Niño has thrown at this semi-desert region in the past. The course has two distinct faces: a green summer look that has the ball holding and a frosted winter white look that has the ball rolling. Whatever the season the course remains player friendly.

Champagne Sports Resort – 18 holes, par 72 (6694 yards)

Durban | South Africa

Located in the beautiful Drakensberg area, this course has to be rated as one of the most scenically memorable golf layouts in South Africa. Designed by Hugh Baiocchi and Kevin Curren, it successfully blends the natural attributes of the terrain and the surrounding beauty with the modern demands of a quality course. It undulates up and around the contours of a valley that nestles under the dominant peaks of Champagne and Cathkin Peaks and incorporates several holes with blind tee shots. Professional and novice alike will appreciate the 84 well-appointed bunkers that line the fairways and greens. The quality of the greens is accredited to Trevor Livesey whose passion remains unabated. Though the drama of the mighty mountains dominates the eye, the course also enjoys gentle vistas where the lower hills create a kaleidoscope of colour blessed with trees, rivers and dams to add even more of a challenge

Durban Country Club – 18 holes par 72 (6016 yards)

Durban | South Africa

Built by George Waterman and fellow professional golfer Laurie Waters, the Durban Country Club was established in 1922 and has a proud history. The difficulties these men faced were immense as all earth-moving had to be done manually, giant sand dunes were flattened and dense bush and trees chopped down and carted away. Renowned for its classic Cape Dutch architecture, lush vegetation, undulating fairways, sand dunes and beautiful setting overlooking the Indian Ocean, the club has been the venue of choice for many an important celebration in its rich history. Signature Hole: 3rd – par 5- 468m A tee shot from the highest point on the course into a valley below, completely exposing the drive to the ocean gusts. Trees on the right of the straightaway hole need to be avoided as well as the large fairway bunker on the landing area to the left.

White River Golf Course – 18 holes par 72 (6036 yards)

Nelspruit | South Africa

White River has naturally adapted to the valley floor upon which it lies at the foot of private nature reserves. Such is the beauty of it that
holes 7 and 11 have been compared to the likes of Augusta. First opened in 1924 it was designed by Gary Player and Reg Taylor. The
long, snaking river that runs through the course is the defining feature and is home to an astounding array of flora and fauna.

Itinerary

Day 1:
Check-in at Rovos Rail Lounge, Full-day tour of Cape Town.

Day 2:
Transfer to Zandvliet Wine Estate for a tasting.

Day 3:
Transfer to Fancourt Golf Estate for tee off.

Day 4:
Visit an ostrich farm and the Cango Caves.

Day 5:
Enjoy a day at leisure on board as the train travels to Kimberley.

Day 6:
Transfer to Kimberley Golf Club for tee off.

Day 7:
Tour of Bloemfontein including the Women’s Memorial and Anglo Boer Museum.

Day 8:
Transfer to Champagne Sports Resort for tee off

Day 9:
Transfer to Durban Country Club for tee off.

Day 10:
Enjoy a boat cruise with lunch in St Lucia town.

Day 11:
Game drives in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.

Day 12:
Visit Swazi Candles, Mantenga Cultural Village, Mantenga Lodge and Ngwenya Glass Factory.

Day 13:
Full-day game viewing in the Kruger Park.

Day 14:
Transfer to White River for tee off.

Day 15:
Return to Rovos Rail Station where your Shongololo adventure ends.