8-DAY LUXURY TRAIN JOURNEY - HIGHVELD WINGSHOOTING ITINERARY
GAMEBIRD GUNS = GG | LEISURE GUESTS = LG | ALL GUESTS = AG
DAY 1: Capital Park
10h00- The Pride of Africa departs from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria and travels west across the goldfields of the Witwatersrand.
13h00- Lunch is served in the dining car.
15h00- Arrive in Germiston. An introduction will be given on rules, etiquette and the activities that lie ahead. [GB]
16h30- Tea in the lounge or observation car as the train traverses the Witwatersrand.
19h30- Dinner is served in the dining car en- route to Warrenton.
DAY 2: Warrenton
04h00- Wake-up calls and continental breakfast till departure at 05h00
05h00- Early morning Wild Shelduck, Wild White-faced and Wild Yellow-billed Duck as well as Wild Red-billed Teal shoot. [GB]
08h30 Re-join the train, breakfast is served until 10h00.
09h15- Disembark for a game drive and lunch at Makulu Game Lodge. [LG]
11h30- Disembark for a half-day Pigeon and dove shoot in the Warrenton area. Located 61 kilometres north of Kimberley in the diamond fields region of the Northern Cape, Warrenton is predominantly an agricultural town. Named after Sir Charles Warren, it lies downstream from the Vaalharts Valley and was originally purchased to produce vegetables for the diamond fields. The surrounds are a breath of fresh air with the lush green farmlands highlighted against the usual yellows and browns of the nearby countryside. On the first drives expect to see Rock Pigeon, Laughing, Turtle and Red-eyed Dove [GB]
13h00- Packed lunches will be provided whilst on the shoot.
The afternoon brings ideal conditions for Wild Egyptian and Wild Spur-winged Geese. [GB]
18h00- Re-join to the train.
20h00- Cocktail dinner in the Observation car as the train departs for Barkley-West .
DAY 3: Barkley-West
07h00- Breakfast is served in the dining car until departure at 09h00.
09h00- Disembark for a full-day Rock Pigeon and Dove shoot in the Kimberley [GB] area or enjoy a game experience and spa treatments at Mattanu Private Game Reserve [LG].
13h00- Packed lunches provided and will be enjoyed in the field whilst on the shoot.
17h00- Re-join the train and depart Kimberley.
20h00- Dinner is served in the dining car as the train travels southwards towards Kimberley.
DAY 4: Kimberley
07h00- Breakfast is served until 09h00.
09h00- Disembark at the atmospheric railway station of Kimberley for a tour of the city, the Diamond Mine Museum and the extraordinary Big Hole. [AG]
12h00- Enjoy lunch at the renowned Kimberley Club..
14h00- Return to the train to freshen up.
15h00- Disembark for a game drive at Mattanu Private game reserve. [AG]
19h00- Traditional barbeque dinner will be enjoyed under the stars at Mattanu Camelthorn tree Boma.
22h30- Re-join the train in Warrenton.
Train Departs Warrenton for Kameel.
DAY 5: Kameel
07h00- Breakfast is served until departure at 07h45.
08h00- Disembark for a full-day Guineafowl, Francolin and Partridge shoot in the Kameel area located in the western region of the North West Province you will be entertained by a beater line of 50 to 60 Africans singing and chanting while driving Guineafowl and some Francolin over the line of guns which will be placed meticulously for the best opportunities. [GB]
10h00- Disembark for a game drive in the Kameel area. [LG]
Time did not bring much modernisation to this particular area therefore it offers the visitor an invaluable opportunity to get closer to nature and retreat for a while into the past. Apart from great bird viewing and hunting, visitors are also attracted by the presence of many Anglo Boer War sites and significant archaeological discoveries.
14h00- Lunch is enjoyed in the field followed by one or two more drives before returning to the train at 18h00.
20h00- Dinner is served in the dining car as the train travels northwards to Mareetsane.
DAY 6: Mareetsane
07h00- Breakfast is served in the dining car/s until departure at 08h00.
08h00- Disembark for a full-day shoot in the Mareetsane area you will be entertained by a beater line of 50 to 60 Africans singing and chanting while driving Guinea fowl and some Francolin over the line of guns which will be placed meticulously for the best opportunities. [GB]
We will endeavour to have between four and six drives before lunch. The peaceful surroundings of what is known as the gateway to the Kalahari are steeped in history. Characterised by dense, uncultivated, thorny bushveld vegetatin, the region offers an array of opportunities for game viewing, bird watching and hunting. This is Guineafowl country, while Swainson’s Francolin and Orange River Partridge might also be seen.
09h00- Disembark for a game drive in the Mareetsane area. [LG]
13h00- Light Lunch is enjoyed in the field followed by approx. 30 min drive to Mosita wildlife Safaris Lodge.
16h30- Driven Dove shoot at Mosita wildlife Safaris.
20h00- Dinner is served
22h30- Re-join the train (approx. 40 min transfer)
22h30- Train departs for Mafikeng
DAY 7: Mafikeng
07h00- Breakfast is served until departure at 07h45.
08h00- Disembark for a full-day Guineafowl, Francolin and Partridge shoot in the Slurry area located in the Northern region of the North West Province [GB] or short drive to Mafikeng airport for a 30 min Flight to Madikwe Game Reserve [LG]. Mahikeng is the headquarters of the Barolong Boo Ratshidi people. The name Mahikeng means "the place of rocks" in the classic Setswana language of the people of the North West province of South Africa and the surrounding country of Botswana.
13h30- Lunch is enjoyed in the field followed by one or two more drives before returning to the train at 18h00.
20h00- Dinner is served in the dining car as the train travels northwards to Pretoria.
DAY 8: Capital Park
07h00- Breakfast is served in the dining car
until 10h00.
12h30- Lunch is served in the dining car.
15h00- The Pride of Africa arrives at journey’s end at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria