Geographically, the Pilanesberg Mountains are a world-famous natural wonder. Created by a volcanic eruption which took place some 1 200 million years ago, the mountain range is one of the largest alkaline volcanic complexes in the world and ancient even by geological time scales. Not only is this imposing massif peppered with rare rock types and unbelievable structures, but it is one of only three volcanoes in the world that features a perfect alkaline ring complex.

Spherical in its shape, the Pilanesberg range rises dramatically from the level surrounding plains, formed perfectly by three concentric ridges or rings of rocky hill; the outermost having a diameter of approximately 24km. Flowing south of the mighty range, the Elands River rushes forth in an easterly direction, passing a number of Platinum mines positioned right at the perimeter of the famous crater formation.

The Pilanesberg are for the greater part, enclosed by the Pilanesberg Game Reserve; a world-renowned reserve and the fourth largest national park in South Africa spanning an extensive 55 000 hectares. The conception and subsequent creation of the reserve is considered by many to be one of the most ambitious undertakings of its kind anywhere in the world. In 1979, Operation Genesis breathed new life into the vast landscape, game-fencing the area and reinstating a number of precious species that were thought to have vanished. Today, the park features an excess of 7 000 animals and counting, including the Big Five.

Such a spectacle could only be the work of a genius – Sol Kerzner, South Africa’s hotel prodigy, is that virtuoso. After spotting the site in 1979 whilst soaring overhead in a helicopter, Kerzner’s brilliant mind dreamt up a fantasy few could believe would exist in real life.

After the establishment of the luxury Sun City resort, Kerzner set to work on his ultimate fantasy – the ‘recreation’ of a mystical Lost City which, legend has it, was hidden from sight by the rugged landscape and inhabited by an ancient civilisation who perished from an earthquake. At its centre, the immense Palace of the Lost City glitters in the hot African sun, guarded fiercely by towering stone elephants which line the magnificent bridge which traverses the man-made lake teeming with rare birdlife and fish.

Rovos Rail’s luxury train journey introduces passengers to this exquisite setting. There’s nowhere else in the world where a faux tropical beach shines brightly in the midst of the African wild, and man-made surfing waves ebb and flow on the pristine shore. The glow of a million candles illuminate the opulent Palace which is festooned with Renaissance frescoes, hand-crafted furniture, mosaic floors and imposing columns that tower over the resort and bear false tusks and swaying palm fronds.

Lying just outside the doors, two championship golf courses attract avid golfers from all corners of the globe. Offering golf enthusiasts a completely unique golfing experience, both courses are bordered by the Pilanesberg National Park which houses the Big Five. In addition to Africa’s most desirable neighbours, the Lost City golf courses afford a surprise around each corner; one of which is a crocodile lounging at the 13th hole.

The lush region is home to the largest concentration of battlefields in the southern hemisphere; just 70 years ago, one conflict after another unfolded on the veld against the imposing backdrop of the Drakensberg mountain range. Today, the internationally acclaimed Battlefields Route attracts visitors from all corners of the globe.

Every town, historical building, battle site and memorial along the route has a story to tell, a memory to recall – more often than not, a bloody one. Years ago, the British colony of Natal had its port in Durban and capital city in Pietermaritzburg, making the natal landscape the shortest route between the Transvaal, the Witwatersrand goldfields
and the sea – this was considered a strategically sound battleground.

One of the most popular destinations on the Battlefields itinerary is the Spionkop battlefield. Here, visitors travelling via luxury train accommodation will stand on the very same earth that shook with battle cries during one of the bloodiest clashes of the Anglo-Boer War – the infamous Battle of Spionkop. Not only did the Battle of Spionkop lead to the slaughter of British and Boer soldiers on a massive scale, it revealed a highly flawed military mind-set that led to one of the most needless battle in history.

The Spionkop battlefield is famous for another reason; it was here that three extraordinary men who would one-day influence the course of world history crossed each other’s paths. Louis Botha (the first prime minister of the Union of South Africa), Winston Churchill and Red Cross ambulance volunteer, Mahatma Gandhi had little to do with the outcome of the battle, but would later emerge as iconic world figures.

African rail tour travellers will catch their first glimpse of the majestic Drakensberg as they near the Champagne Sports Resort which lies on the cosy foothills of the mountain range. Geologically, the imposing range resembles the Simien Mountains in Ethiopia; natural caves are frequently spotted in the eroded sandstone, with many housing authentic Bushmen rock paintings. Contributing to the popularity of the mountainous destination, the Drakensberg is believed to house between 35 000 and 40 00 works of Bushmen art. This is the largest and most concentrated collection of rock paintings south of the Sahara.

The Drakensberg range is home to myriad different environments; from aquatic forest and scrubland to endemic fynbos, savannah and mountain grassland. While those embarking on the luxury train journey won’t be able to experience the varied mountainous vegetation in all its glory, they will be interested to know that the range is home to numerous health plant families, including a vast number of species listed in the Red Data Book of threatened plants.

The Northern and Central Drakensberg region features some of the most spectacular scenery in South Africa. The area falls into four steep valleys, beginning with Champagne Valley in the Central Berg, Cathedral Peak and Didima Valley, the Royal Natal National Park and Amphitheatre Valley, and finally the Middledale Pass Valley in the Northern Berg. Each valley exudes a unique beauty and character emphasised by exquisite mountain views.
The Amphitheatre and raging Tugela Falls are perhaps the most famous tourist attractions dotting the Drakensberg region. The eminent Amphitheatre is a section of the Drakensberg which takes a dramatic leap upwards, reaching straight towards the heavens at over 3,000 feet. The Tugela Falls form the second highest waterfall in the world, cascading down five steep drops in a splendid fashion.

Passengers aboard Rovos Rail’s luxury train accommodation will be interested to learn that Hluhluwe Game Reserve is not only the oldest reserve in Africa, but marks the home of the famous conservation effort, Operation Rhino, which operated in the 1950’s and 60’s. Hluhluwe is also world-renowned for their Game Capture Program which was recently upgraded into the Centenary Capture Centre; a bench mark for animal capture and sustainable utilization throughout the African continent.

The sweeping reserve stretches over 96 000 hectares of unspoiled veld. Characterised by rolling hills and a diversity of fauna and flora, Hluhluwe Game Reserve offers some of the best game viewing in Africa, including the Big Five and exquisite birdlife. While significantly smaller than the famous Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe’s condensed topography combined with an abundance of wildlife lends to its reputation as a top game viewing destination.

Game is the principle attraction at Hluhluwe, with visitors from all corners of the globe jetting in to enjoy a prime game viewing experience in the scenic reserve. Game drives – guided or independent – and nature walks are two of the most popular activities at the reserve. Erected viewing hides overlook pans and waterholes, affording guests the opportunity to see an abundance of wildlife frolicking and freshening up in their natural habitat.

Along with offering one of the best game viewing experiences in Africa, the beautiful selection of accommodation styles and a gourmet Hilltop Restaurant make Hluhluwe a highly sought after destination for locals and tourists alike. After just one excursion, African rail tour passengers will be aching to return to Hluhluwe – Africa’s unspoilt paradise.

Mkhaya is a siSwati title named for the Knob Thorn tree (Acacia Nigrescens) which has roots firmly planted in the reserve. Visitors to the reserve will be able to spot many of these trees due to their characteristic thorns which are large and distinctly knobbed. Luxury train journey travellers will also bear witness to a number of African game species, housing four of the Big Five including the endangered Black Rhino.     

Owing to the danger of poaching and unbridled efforts of Swaziland’s foremost nature conservationists, Mkhaya Game Reserve acts as an established safe haven for endangered species. Another conservation effort includes an intensive breeding project dedicated to re-establishing scarce species in Swaziland. 

Settled in a safe, tranquil space away from the dangers of poaching, Mkhaya’s community of wildlife roams free and unfazed in the confines of the beautiful reserve. In addition to the Black Rhino, visitors can also expect to see the pure Swazi Nguni breed of cattle, Tsessebe, White Rhino, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, hippo and crocodiles. Birdlife enthusiasts will encounter an exquisite variety in the confines of Mkhaya, with endemic birdlife including the elusive Narina Trogon and Purple-Crested Lourie. 

Mkhaya is staffed and patrolled entirely by local Swazis from the neighbouring communities. Along with a caring, hospitable staff, the reserve boasts what is arguably Africa’s most effective anti-poaching unit which is self-financed through visitor revenue and is actively involved in the battle against illegal poaching. 

Passengers aboard Rovos Rail’s African rail tour will find Swaziland to be a tiny country with a big heart. As one which embraces and upholds unique and ancient traditions, both the monarchy and the people of Swaziland actively maintain their remarkable cultural heritage, giving visitors a glimpse into the practice of traditional African culture.  

The kingdom of Swaziland is one of the world’s last remaining absolute monarchies, with the king ruling by decree over his subjects. King Mswati III has occupied the throne since 1986 and upholds the tradition of his father, King Sobhuza II, who reigned for almost 61 years and had scores of wives. The title of the king is Ngwenyama which means ‘king’ or ‘lion’ and represents the ferocity of thunder. The Ngwenyama is a hereditary leader and rules the country with the assistance of a council of ministers and a national legislature. The Ndlovukat is the Swazi title for the female head of state who is preferentially the queen-mother (mother of the king). She holds significant power and is both a regent and in charge of national rituals.  

Passengers aboard the luxury train journey will see a rich variety of landscapes and habitats that adorn Swaziland with a plethora of fauna and flora. While the country itself isn’t large enough to house a range of big game experiences, Swaziland is home to 17 protected areas which teem with a myriad of birds and animals, including the ‘Big Five’.     

Visitors looking to immerse themselves in authentic African tradition will find Swaziland to be an unrivalled treasure trove of vibrant African culture. Spectacular traditional festivals like the famous Umhlanga (Reed Dance) and Incwala as well as energetic dances are commonplace and not simply resuscitated for the tourist dollar.  

In addition to the rich culture, the warm natures of the Swaziland locals make visitors feel truly welcome. Add to that the incredible landscape of imposing mountains, vast valleys, forests and plains and you have a truly memorable African experience. 

In SiSwati, Ezulwini means ‘heaven’ – and what a heavenly destination the Mantenga Valley is. Hidden like a gem in the lush beauty of the valley, the Guava Gallery is a scintillating display of locally crafted jewellery and unique art. The gallery is family run, with three generations at work under one roof. Built by John and Tuire Thatcher in 1999 – John is a Canadian gemologist and Tuire a Finnish artist and designer – the founders have long established their roots in Swaziland along with their family.

Passengers embarking on the excursion from their luxury train journey will be able to experience the quality of the work first-hand with a tour of the Guava Gallery. With so much on offer, the gallery houses its own exclusive range of high quality gold and silver jewellery which is hand crafted in Swaziland. Each piece is unique, with some beautifully entwined with giraffe hair and others, more classic and specially commissioned by high profile clients.

The range of jewellery is manufactured on site in the jewellery workshop; in the confines of the workshop, a team of 20 local jewellers are hard at work with the founder, John and goldsmith, Lucky Phiri. The jewellery shop hosts a range of wedding rings, earrings, bracelets, gemstones and antiques while an impressive Tanzanite range catches the eye.

The Yebo! Art Gallery is another attraction waiting to be discovered on the scenic Guava Gallery premises. This beautiful creative space is the primary art gallery in Swaziland and since established in 2011, has already hosted 11 exhibitions for both amateur and professional artists.          

Ngwenya, which is Siswati for ‘crocodile’ is famous for hosting the esteemed Ngwenya Glass Factory. What began as an environmentalist’s dream soon became an inspiring success story where a small group of Swazi craftsmen are hard at work practising the delicate art of glassblowing. These unique pieces attract buyers from all over the world.

The products, which include a variety of custom tableware, drinking glasses, vases, jugs and ornamental African animals, are all handmade from recycled glass – a great deal of which is from soft drink bottles which are collected by locals from all over Swaziland. The people of Swaziland are encouraged to collect the bottles while the craftsmen at Ngwenya Glass work with local schools to instil a sense of environmental responsibility with the students.

With age old artistry, the Ngwenya craftsmen and women breathe life into their work, creating unique interpretations of the animals and birdlife of Africa as well as high quality glassware and tableware. Each item is handmade from 100% recycled glass and is a one-of-a-kind design that buyers can treasure and collect. The Ngwenya Glass products that luxury train journey passengers will see can be found in homes all over the world while their custom-made light fittings and exquisite tableware are commissioned by some of the top hotels in Southern Africa.

Steady growth and popularity have led Ngwenya Glass to expand its territory to South Africa where a sister factory called “Shades of Ngwenya” opened just outside Johannesburg. In 1996, Ngwenya Glass established itself as a sparkling success when it opened the illustrious Ngwenya Glass Boutique in the hub of the exclusive V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. 

Just a stone’s throw from the classic Durban Country Club, the Beachwood course is a top choice amongst golfers that enjoy a typical Links layout. The narrow layout of the course meets the pristine shores of the tepid Indian Ocean, providing luxury train travel passengers with views that belong in an art gallery. Along the course, banana trees and towering palms invoke an exotic, tropical feel while a variety of colourful shrubs and vegetation paint the greens a stunning shade.

Besides its enviable course, Beachwood’s most unique factor is perhaps its proximity to Virginia Airport – a training ground and airfield for small commercial aircrafts, private flights, training flights and helicopters. As Beachwood is located on the southern border of the airport, golfers can spot small aircrafts taking off and landing directly overhead – adding an element of excitement and suspense to the game.

The beautiful Beachwood course is currently ranked 29 in the Golf Digest Top 100 Courses in SA, with critics extoling the lovely views and well-structured course. The signature hole – hole 6, par 4 – is one of the most demanding par 4’s you’ll find anywhere. The course is always a very good challenge to the handicap as the sweeping fairways are narrow and long, requiring precision tee shots and lay-ups. 

From the time British soldiers introduced golf to South Africa in 1885, the sport has grown exponentially. Since the establishment of the very first golf course in 1910 – The Royal Cape – South Africa is now home to over 480 courses. With such as eclectic range of courses, each with a unique essence, climate and character, it can be said that South Africa is one of the greatest golfing destinations in the world.