Compare In the Footsteps of Winston Churchill by Cazenove+loyd vs 9-Day South Africa and Victoria Falls with Rovos Rail by Ker & Downey Africa

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Begin your incredible journey through South Africa.

Day 2: Johannesburg

Johannesburg

Explore Johannesburg

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met and driven to your hotel for one night, the Southern Sun Hyde Park. We have arranged for an early check-in so that you can relax before an exciting afternoon.

Visit the Apartheid Museum + Soweto

This afternoon’s visit provides you with an opportunity to take an in-depth look at South Africa’s turbulent past with one of our top guides.

First, travel to the south of the city to visit the Apartheid Museum. Here you will embark on a historical voyage of discovery, a personal exploration of the past that examines the story of apartheid right up to the first democratic elections held in 1994. Your guide will have intimate knowledge of the pain and brutality of Apartheid and will give you an incredible insight into the country’s history.

Then travel to Soweto (South Western Township), the largest black residential area in South Africa. This sprawling “city within a city” is home to approximately 2-million people. You will explore many of Soweto’s most famous sites such as Freedom Square -where the seminal Freedom Charter was drawn up – and Nelson Mandela’s former home. You will also visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial, which became a symbol of apartheid after a 12-year-old was killed during the Soweto Uprising in 1976.

Day 3: Pretoria And Board Rovos Rail

Visit the Department of Education building and Library in Skinner Street, in Pretoria.

After an early breakfast, you will visit the Department of Education building and the Library in Pretoria. The Library is significant to Sir Nicholas Soames as his grandfather Winston Churchill, was held captive here until his escape about a month later. The building had become a prison following the outbreak of the Boer War.

Following this visit, you will be driven to the private colonial-style Rovos Rail station to board your train and begin your journey.

Train from Pretoria to Dundee

Upon arrival at the station, you will board the train, check into your luxurious cabin and depart for Dundee. The gong will sound for the first time as a sumptuous three-course lunch is served in the dining carriage as you leave Pretoria. As the afternoon continues, enjoy the stunning views of the rolling hills from the comfort of your cabin, or the elegant lounge car.

Enjoy a real sense of ceremony with dinner this evening, complete with crystal glasses, fine white linen and silverware. Dinners on board are designed to be luxuriated over and can go on long into the evening, if guests so wish.

Day 4: Dundee and the First Battle of the Boer War

Visit the Site of Murder of the Prince Imperial

Following breakfast, you will disembark the train for a morning with guide Nicholas Schofield, a peerless storyteller, who will lead you to the site of the murder of the Prince Imperial, the last Napoleon, (and only son of Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie) during the Anglo-Zulu wars. Although the emphasis of this trip is on the Anglo-Boer War and Winston Churchill, the Anglo-Zulu wars are equally pertinent.

The Prince’s murder is a fascinating snapshot of the time: with him died the final hope of his supporters for the eventual return of the Empire to France. Lunch will be a delicious picnic-style meal at the site.

Visit the site of the first battle of the Anglo-Boer War

After lunch, you can re-join historian Nicholas Schofield for an afternoon visit to the site of The Battle of Talana – the first major clash of the Anglo-Boer War. During this battle, the British suffered heavy casualties but occupied the coal-mining town of Dundee, which proved crucial to the British war effort. Through his incredible charisma and depth of knowledge, Nicholas Schofield will bring the battle to life.

After this gripping afternoon, you will re-embark the train at Dundee. In the early evening, Nicholas Soames will deliver a lecture entitled ‘The Importance of Being Winston’, all about his grandfather’s early life. You will then be served a delicious dinner on the train.

Day 5: The Rattray Family And Fugitives’ Drift Lodge

Visit the Site of Murder of the Prince Imperial

Following breakfast, you will disembark the train for a morning with guide Nicholas Schofield, a peerless storyteller, who will lead you to the site of the murder of the Prince Imperial, the last Napoleon, (and only son of Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie) during the Anglo-Zulu wars. Although the emphasis of this trip is on the Anglo-Boer War and Winston Churchill, the Anglo-Zulu wars are equally pertinent.

The Prince’s murder is a fascinating snapshot of the time: with him died the final hope of his supporters for the eventual return of the Empire to France. Lunch will be a delicious picnic-style meal at the site.

Visit the site of the first battle of the Anglo-Boer War

After lunch, you can re-join historian Nicholas Schofield for an afternoon visit to the site of The Battle of Talana – the first major clash of the Anglo-Boer War. During this battle, the British suffered heavy casualties but occupied the coal-mining town of Dundee, which proved crucial to the British war effort. Through his incredible charisma and depth of knowledge, Nicholas Schofield will bring the battle to life.

After this gripping afternoon, you will re-embark the train at Dundee. In the early evening, Nicholas Soames will deliver a lecture entitled ‘The Importance of Being Winston’, all about his grandfather’s early life. You will then be served a delicious dinner on the train.

Day 6: Exploring Ladysmith

Train in Ladysmith Station

This morning after breakfast, you will drive to the Ladysmith Siege Museum.

Ladysmith Siege Museum

Known as one of the best Anglo-Boer War museums in South Africa, it was built in 1884 as a market house and served as a ration post for civilians during the siege. Now, it houses an extremely comprehensive collection of artefacts from the Boer War. Nicholas Schofield really comes into his own describing this dramatic time of the Anglo-Boer War.

Mt Alice with Raymond Heron

You will then travel to Mt Alice. Upon arrival at Mt Alice, renowned Boer War Raconteur Raymond Heron will give an account of the Spionkop Battle from Mt Alice. Lunch will then be taken at Spionkop Lodge.

Spend the afternoon at the Spionkop Battlefield Site

This afternoon you will visit the actual site of the Spionkop Battle and drive to the top of the hill where the fighting took place. Nicholas Schofield will give a fascinating tour and describe in detail Winston Churchill’s role in the battle – he acted as a courier between Spionkop and General Buller’s Headquarters – before you are taken back to the train at Ladysmith Station.

In the early evening, Nicholas Soames will deliver a lecture on Winston Churchill’s experiences in South Africa from December 1899 to June 1900, including his time as a journalist, his capture and miraculous escape from the Boers, and his rejoining of the army. He will draw on Winston’s private diaries and papers to add great colour to the lecture.

Dinner will be served following the lecture, before the train leaves Ladysmith for Pietermaritzburg.

Day 7: Rovos Rail Arrives In Pietermaritzburg

After breakfast, you will be driven along the coast road via Umhlanga and on to Durban’s King Shaka International Airport from where you will take your onward flight.

Day 1-2: Johannesburg - KwaZulu-Natal

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Andbeyond Phina Forest Lodge

All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)

Main Destination: Phinda Game Reserve

After arriving at Johannesburg's OR Tambo Airport, you will take a flight to Phinda.

Cradled among the forest trees, this lodge exuberates private luxury despite the floor to ceiling glass walls. These walls provide a sweeping view of the unique ecosystem that surrounds your suite whilst the dense, fertile canopy provides all the privacy you need. The eco-designed luxury suites provide a serene and reflective space to observe all that the forest has to offer.

Morning and evening game drives will offer the opportunity to spot the Big 5 as well as enjoy sun-downers with the setting African sun - a timeless favorite.

Included in your stay is a half day rhino tracking experience. You will walk through the reclusive animal's habitat searching for signs that they have left behind. An expert ranger will be sharing all their knowledge about these fascinating creatures as you track them.

Day 3-4: Phinda Forest Lodge - Durban

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Oyster Box Luxury hotel located in or near Ballito

Drinks not included

Main Destination: Ballito (South Africa)

After your last breakfast in the forest, you will transfer by road to the exclusive Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga, Durban. This is about a 3 hour transfer. The Oyster Box Hotel is stands majestically on Umhlanga’s beachfront, overlooking the Indian Ocean and the iconic lighthouse, discover our timeless elegance. Enjoy a multitude of dining options, including our famous curry feast and High Tea, and indulge in our award-winning spa amid tropical gardens. There is lots to do at the hotel and in and around Durban. We suggest you book a spa treatment at the hotel as well.

Day 5-7: Pretoria - Victoria Falls by train

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinners

Accommodation: Rovos Rail

All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)

Main Destination: Victoria Falls

Mid-range train suite located in or near the park

This morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to the Airport for your flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival you will have a transfer to the Rovos Rail station in Pretoria, you will board the luxurious Rovos Rail.

The following 3 nights will be spent at your own leisurely pace as the train travels northwards to the majestic Victoria Falls. Simply enjoy the luxurious atmosphere of the bygone era and soak up the stunning and diverse African scenery.

On your third day, after entering Zimbabwe, you will have the opportunity to go on a game drive at The Hide. The Hide is situated in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest National Park and offers the opportunity to spot the Big 5. Hwange National Park is a haven for over 100 mammals and 400 bird species and the park protects populations of all of Zimbabwe’s endangered species.

This evening, the Rovos Rail will stop overnight at Thompsons Junction before taking you to witness a natural wonder of the world.

Day 8: Victoria Falls overnight

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: The Victoria Falls Hotel

Luxury hotel located in or near Victoria Falls

Drinks not included

Main Destination: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Arrival in Victoria Falls at 10h00 and then take a short walk to Victoria Falls Hotel for your overnight. One of the world’s Classic five-star hotels commands prime location overlooking Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, an acclaimed Natural Wonder of the World. A proud member of Leading Hotels of the World, the Edwardian-style hotel, built in 1904, was splendidly redecorated in 2013 to combine its traditional majesty with modern sophistication. For more than 110 years The Victoria Falls Hotel has been a luxury icon in Africa.

Day 9: Departure

Meals: Breakfast

Main Destination: Victoria Falls Airport (Zimbabwe)

Drinks not included

After breakfast this morning, you will transfer by road to the Victoria Falls Airport, along with all your unforgettable memories, for your onward journey.