Rovos Rail – The Most Luxurious Train in the World

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 luxury with period Edwardian features combining with modern technology. The 24-hour 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 speciality. Every morning there is a full breakfast with dishes cooked to order. Meals are served in one sitting only and are complemented by South Africa’s finest wines. For days on the train dress is smart casual while evening attire is more formal. 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 suites.

Leopard Creek Golf Course – 18 holes par 72 (6728 yards)

Malelane  | South Africa

Innovative architectural and landscaping techniques ensure that the Leopard Creek golf course and living areas are naturally protected from animals, while lakes and small streams have been diverted through the development to create scenic vistas and interesting golf strategies. Golfing hazards take on a new dimension at Leopard Creek, for much of the water is home to the magnificent creatures for which the river is named, crocodiles. Extensive use has been made of water features and sightings of crocodile, hippo, antelope, buffalo and elephant are commonplace, on the course or in the Kruger Park bordering the course. The 505 meter par-five 13th is one of Leopard Creek’s most memorable holes. Here the green is right on the edge of the Crocodile river but 32 meters above the level of the water, offering magnificent views up the river and into the Kruger Park. Gary Player is especially proud of the par-five 18th with its island green and the par-four 9th with its peninsula green jutting out of the same body of water.

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.

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

Humewood Golf Course  – 18 holes par 72 (6335 yards)

Port Elizabeth | South Africa

Situated on the sand dunes on the shores of Algoa Bay, this true links course is characterised by thick coastal bush, swales, humps and hollows. Although the fairways are wide and undulating in order to compensate for the strong winds, the rough that borders them is unforgiving. The holes are simple yet neat, the gulf greens are fast and firm, the few bunkers are well positioned with tough, steep faces and there are no water hazards. Signature hole: 13th – par 4 – 408m This hole runs uphill along a severely sloped fairway with a tough semi-blind approach to a tiny green hidden behind a mound with rough to the right, a bunker to the left and thick bush behind it.

Oubaai Golf Club – 18 holes par 72 (6516 yards)

Herold’s Bay | South Africa

In designing Oubaai, Ernie Els and his team have taken full advantage of the spectacular landscape with the support of Nicklaus Design. The philosophy is based on flexibility where concepts are moulded according to the landscape, not vice versa. With its special cliff-side location and high vantage point above rivers and valleys, the initial impression will be of large open fairways, superb directional and protective bunkers and large undulating greens, but be assured that despite the seeming freedom off the tee there is a strategy that requires intelligent positioning of each shot. Signature hole: 17th – par 3 – 132m With an elevated tee and breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, the ever-changing winds and undulating green guarded by four bunkers make this a tough little hole.

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.

Itinerary

Day 1:
Depart from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria.

Day 2:
Golf at Leopard Creek Golf Course, Return to the train at Malelane.

Day 3:
Transfer to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park for a game drive.

Day 4:
Golf at Durban Country Club.

Day 5:
Golf at Champagne Sports Resort.

Day 6:
Free day.

Day 7:
Golf at Humewood Golf Course.

Day 8:
Golf at Ernie Els Oubaai Golf Club, Transfer to Fancourt for dinner with the non-golfers.

Day 9:
Golf at Fancourt Golf Estate.

Day 10:
Arrive at Platform 23 at Cape Town Station, and depart.