"I've never met a single person who, having been to South Africa, hasn't fallen in love with the place."
With twelve years as a Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager and more than twenty living part-time in Cape Town, Angie Bradley is passionate about introducing people to South Africa.
Between the ruggedly beautiful coastline, world-renowned wine, abundant wildlife and luxurious rail journeys, she says, "It's the best place in the world. I love watching the guests fall in love with it."
On our brand-new itineraries, passengers get to experience even more of this beautiful country. From exploring the untamed Klein Karoo on our Wonders of South Africa: Cape Town & Garden Route tour to staying in the extraordinary Kruger Shalati hotel ('The Train on the Bridge') on our Premium South Africa: Kruger and Victoria Falls tour, our latest itineraries are overflowing with thrilling excursions, unique stays and some of the most breathtaking landscapes on the continent.
Read on to see what you could experience on a holiday in South Africa.
Exploring Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula
One of Angie's favourite places to show to tour groups is Cape Town - the starting point for several of our tours. When asked about her favourite part of visiting the city, she doesn't hesitate: "Well, the first thing I love is that there's no jet lag. It's just like going to Europe. And the weather is amazing. In Cape Town, they have this breeze they call the Cape Doctor, which tends to keep the place fresher and cooler than you might imagine."
With a stunning location on South Africa's southwest coast, beneath the iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town offers a compelling blend of culture, history and natural beauty.
Angie loves introducing people to the bustling V&A Waterfront area: "It's just magical - there's restaurant after restaurant, and loads of fabulous shops. You'll not get a more 'wow' place to hang out."
Our popular Cape Town, Kruger National Park & the Blue Train itinerary features four days in and around Cape Town, giving passengers plenty of time to revel in the city's charm.
"Driving along the coastline, its beauty is indescribable. It's majestic mountains, rugged clifftops, gorgeous blue seas," Angie says, describing the drive to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point on Day 3 of the tour. "After that, we go wine tasting, we eat gorgeous food, we go and visit some penguins. And that's all just in Cape Town!"
Indulging in delicious food and renowned wines
South African wine is hugely popular across the world, but tasting an award-winning blend on a leafy vineyard with rugged mountains looming in the distance is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
On our new Wonders of South Africa: Cape Town & The Garden Route tour, groups venture into the renowned Cape Winelands, staying in lively Stellenbosch and visiting romantic Franschhoek for a unique experience on the region's famous wine tram.
"It's utterly fabulous," says Angie of the experience. "You board an old-fashioned, double-decker tram that calls at various wine farms, and you get to choose which ones you visit. You can sample a little trio of wines, or you can just enjoy one at each stop. It's amazingly good value."
Lunch at one of Franschhoek's renowned wine estates is included for our passengers, after which they can rejoin the tram, exploring additional wineries independently and soaking up sweeping views of verdant vineyards and distant peaks.
Wine isn't the only gastronomic specialty South Africa is famous for. Passengers on our tours have plenty of opportunities to sample the country's diverse regional cuisine and local ingredients. On our Cape Town, Kruger National Park & the Blue Train tour, guests enjoy a typical South African 'braai' (barbecue) lunch at a Dutch farmhouse before boarding the luxurious Blue Train, which serves delicacies including Knysna oysters, Karoo lamb, ostrich and venison, all paired with award-winning Cape wines.
All our South Africa itineraries include opportunities for passengers to seek out new flavours independently, choosing from a diverse range of local and international cuisines.
"In South Africa, you can have these incredible experiences for a considerably lower price," Angie explains. On the waterfront in Cape Town, she says, the quality and value of the restaurants and cafés never fail to impress: "When we go out for a meal, people are often delighted at the quality - and pleasantly surprised by the bill!"
Spotting the Big Five on a South African safari
You won't want to visit South Africa without seeking out the country's abundant wildlife on a safari. On each of our South Africa itineraries, passengers experience one of the country's beautiful wildlife reserves, looking out for the Big 5: lions, African elephants, Cape buffalo, leopards and rhinoceros.
On our Cape Town, Kruger National Park & the Blue Train tour, guests spend two full days exploring Kruger National Park, one of the continent's most famous wildlife hotspots, on guided safari drives.
"We almost always see elephants, giraffes and zebras," Angie says. "Lions take some finding, and they can never be guaranteed, but we usually see them, too. Big cats are harder to spot, but last year, we got to see leopards, and everyone loved it."
Kruger Gate Hotel, where groups stay inside the park, is another highlight of the experience.
"It's magical - the hotel blends right into the park, and you're surrounded by wildlife," Angie says. "There's a pool area which abuts onto the river, and at certain times you can see hippos in the river - at a safe distance. We even saw a bush baby when we were eating breakfast one morning, and everyone was taking photos!"
On our new tour, Premium Cape, Kruger and Victoria Falls, passengers experience Kruger National Park from an entirely new perspective. Suspended on a bridge over the Sabie River, Kruger Shalati (also known as The Train on the Bridge) allows visitors to absorb sweeping views of the park and its abundant wildlife from above during a three-night stay.
Blending 5-Star luxury with exquisite cuisine and stunning views of the park, this unique train hotel is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Enjoying a luxurious rail journey
The Blue Train - one of the two luxury overnight trains featured on our South Africa tours, the other being Rovos Rail - is a magical experience. Travelling through vast, open landscapes, passengers on our Cape Town, Kruger National Park and the Blue Train tour enjoy a sumptuous journey on this elegant train between sightseeing in Cape Town and exploring in Kruger.
"From the moment you board, you have a butler who looks after you," Angie says. "Everyone is so friendly. It's such a relaxed atmosphere."
With two nights on the train, groups get to savour the slower pace of life alongside sweeping views of the savannah, top-tier service and lavish meals.
"At night, everyone gets dressed up in their finery for dinner, and the food is fabulous. If you wish, you can choose wine to match each course. Afterwards, the saxophonist comes on, and everyone relaxes in the lounge."
While The Blue Train offers modern luxury, Rovos Rail, included on our Victoria Falls, Cape Town and Botswana Safari tour, is a step back in time.
"Rovos Rail is much more traditional, Victorian in style," says Angie. Guests can immerse themselves in the nostalgia of a bygone era, stepping onto the vintage wood-panelled coaches that evoke the high romance of an African exploration.
Beyond these luxury overnight trains, South Africa has a few more rail-related delights. One is the vintage steam train to Elgin Railway Market, which features on our new Wonders of South Africa: Cape Town & The Garden Route itinerary. Housed within an old apple warehouse, Elgin Railway Market blends Steampunk and Art Deco design, creating a unique atmosphere. Passengers can browse the local food and craft sellers, live music and local wines before boarding the retro train for the journey back to Cape Town.
Discover South Africa with the experts
Angie's own South African adventure began more than twenty years ago, when she fell in love with Cape Town on holiday.
Since then, leading Great Rail Journeys tours (alongside her own travels) has taken her to destinations across this incredible country, from Victoria Falls to the diamond city of Kimberley.
"I love watching people fall in love with South Africa," Angie says. "They always end up saying, 'I can see why you love it.'"
Discover our full range of South Africa tours, including our new tours, Premium South Africa: Kruger & Victoria Falls and Wonders of South Africa: Cape Town & Garden Route.
