The Blue Train Safari

Arrive at the luxurious Blue Train Lounge at Cape Town for an short orientation reception by the train manager or one of our representatives.

As your luggage is received, tagged and safely whisked away, the stage is set for a personal invitation to stroll onto the platform and settle into your own private suite. Soon the train leaves the Cape Town station for George.

On The Blue Train, a dedicated butler comes as standard, ready to meet your every whim. A late-night snack? An early-morning wake-up call? A dinner jacket in need of pressing? At the touch of a telephone, your butler is waiting.

Soon its lunchtime, as you sit down for a multi course spread with the flavor of local cuisine, matched by many fine wines. Bon appetit !

Yet another delightful breakfast will be served before the train arrives at Port Elizabeth.

Embark on a guided Port Elizabeth City Tour which includes Route 67 which consists of 67 Public Art Works by local artists from the Eastern Cape symbolizing Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of struggle dedicated to South Africa’s freedom.

Start at the Donkin Reserve’s old lighthouse as you walk down to admire the many artworks that have been added over the years. Pause to admire the large mosaic near the pyramid built by Sir Rufane Donkin, the founder of the city, before saluting the largest South African flag in the world on the hilltop which can be accessed via 67 colorful steps. The route is a glorious celebration of this city’s proud heritage.

Lunch/light snack is included in this day tour.

After the city tour you will be transferred via luxury vehicles to the award-winning, 5-star Shamwari Game Reserve for two nights.

Before checking in to your lodge, visit the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Center helps to rescue, rehabilitate and care for sick, injured, abandoned or orphaned animals under the care of their professional veterinary team. Once these animals have been nursed back to health, they are released back into their natural habitat.

Settle down in your room and after freshening up, enjoy a splendid dinner at this award winning African paradise; perhaps at the outdoor Boma to the sounds of roaring lions and trumpeting elephants in the distance under a clear African sky lit up by a million stars.

The sound of “Big Five” still conjures up the romance thrilling encounters in the wild, as you will experience today at Shamwari. Your ranger will wake you up pre-dawn with hot coffee and rusks before escorting you to 4WD custom-built Land Rovers for a drive through the African bushveld. This is often the best time of the day to spot predators before they duck into the shade to escape heat.

Come back for a hearty breakfast, following which, you can spend time catching a nap, laze at the pool with an iced cooler or even take a educative Bush Walk with armed rangers. Your guide can point out animal tracks, dung, hiding spots and tell you about the reserve’s history.

After lunch, and afternoon high-tea, an evening game drive takes you back into the bush for some more action and adventure.

This is your chance to spot an abundance of plains game and birds of prey that are different from those seen in the morning, If you have a particular area of interest, you are welcome to inform your guide who will include it along the journey. Your vehicle will stop at a scenic spot for a traditional “sundowner”, often dubbed as the high point of any African safari.

Return back to your lodge to freshen up and perhaps enjoy a spa treatment (at your own cost). As the sky lights up with a million stars, gather around a campfire over drinks and trade stories about the highlights of the day.

Enjoy a final dinner at this award-winning African paradise paired with fine beverages.

Your final morning game drive at Shamwari may be the most exciting yet if you spot a Big Five! Return for a hearty breakfast before checking out and transfer for a boat cruise in Algoa Bay.

Port Elizabeth is home to the largest breeding colony of African Penguins in the world and you will visit St. Croix Island too see over 22,000 of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Watch these comical birds slip, slide and fly through the water as they show off their amazing acrobatic adaptations. Unfortunately, the African penguins in Algoa Bay lost 70% of their population in 7 years, and a part of your contribution from this tour goes towards the conservation of these endangered species.

Potential sightings of other marine wildlife is also high on this thrilling day out in the ocean.

The two men – one a young white warder, the other a resilient freedom fighter serving life sentence – should have become bitter enemies. Instead they formed an extraordinary friendship through small acts of human kindness, which cemented a bond of trust between the two men long after the latter was freed.

In his own words, Christo will tell the incredible moving story of his unlikely relationship with Mandela and share first-hand personal insights about the leader’s life in prison.

Prepare to remain fascinated even after dinner as The Blue Train continues its return journey along the Garden Route towards Mossel Bay.

Enjoy breakfast in the dining car before the train arrives in Mossel Bay, where you will taken for a ride on the Diaz Express. This rail experience with a difference will take you to the scenic seaside resort of Great Brak River. Enjoy lovely views over the Indian Ocean, river estuaries and rich indigenous plant life of the Cape Floral Kingdom.

Step off at Great Brak River where a unique food experience awaits you at De Vette Mossel. With your feet in the sand and the beach in your face you will love this gastronomic adventure where you are encouraged to eat as much as you can! Relax, wind down and do not expect handcrafted crystal glasses, or silver cutlery – you are on the West Coast mate.

With your stomach full, return back to Mossel Bay aboard the Diaz Express. Do watch out for whales frolicking in the ocean from your seat.

Return to the train to hear Christo continue his inspiring narrative about Mandela after which he will personally answer your questions.

Prepare for your final grand dinner on The Blue Train that will captivate your senses. Delight in a nightcap and relive the past days as the train speeds towards its final stop in Paarl.

Enjoy a final smashing breakfast before the train arrives in Paarl, where you will be transferred via luxury vehicles to the Franschhoek Wine Tram.

The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the fabled Cape Winelands – quaint vineyards, breathtaking scenery, fine wines, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine and a 300- year history. Passengers aboard the hop-on hop-off tour will experience a unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley as they journey through rolling vineyards in an open-side tram and open-air tram-bus stopping at historic wine estates.

Sample famous vintages as you step inside ancient cellars to learn about the intricacies of winemaking. There is also a delightful picnic lunch in the vineyards included in your day tour.

Your last day of this remarkable journey may well usher in some sadness. But, like all good things that must come to an end, so too must the Blue Train Safari.

As the train departs for Cape Town late in the afternoon, meet up in the Lounge Car for a Prizegiving session where you will receive an autographed copy of Christo’s book “Doing Life with Mandela”.

Bid farewell to your new found mates and the wonderful staff who have made the past week a dream vacation.