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| Page updated on: 01 February 2012 |
| Footsteps of Rhodes 2012 A Trains and Treasures tour |
| 13 to 28 October 2012 |
| I have found out one thing and that is, if you have an idea, and it is a good idea, if you only stick to it you will come out all right. Cecil Rhodes b. July 5, 1853 - d. March 26, 1902 Geoff's Trains is proposing a tour that will visit the areas that were influenced by Cecil Rhodes. Starting in Cape Town, where he was Prime Minister and where he died, the tour will end near Bulawayo in the Matobo Hills, where he is buried. The tour will appeal to travellers who have an interest in history. The story of Cecil Rhodes is fascinating, but the tour will be balanced between the man and the other interests in the areas he influenced. A deep interest in Cecil Rhodes is not necessary. Rhodes was the greatest imperial railway builder in Africa. He commented that ‘the telegraph is my voice, and the railway my right hand’. Wherever possible, this railway theme will be explored. Arriving early If you would like to spend more time in Cape Town, we will be pleased to book your hotel accommodation and additional touring. Saturday. 13 October 2012 Arrive in Cape Town. Transfer to the four star Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel and relax for the rest of the day before an included dinner at a restaurant near the hotel. The hotel provides a free transfer bus to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, an attractive harbour-side combination of museums, aquarium, working harbour, shops and restaurants. Overnight: Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel. Meals included: Dinner. Sunday. 14 October 2012 Today we will tour Cape Town with a local guide. See the Company Gardens, where Rhodes Statue faces north. The Parliament Buildings where he was Prime Minister and the Cathedral. Also see the Museum, the Castle, the Malay Quarter and much more. Ride the cable car to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting, extra charge). There will be free time before you join Geoff for an included boat trip around the Cape Town harbour. Dinner today will be at a waterfront restaurant. Overnight: Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, dinner. Monday. 15 October 2012 Today, travel down the Cape Peninsular Atlantic coast past the Twelve Apostles mountains and Hout Bay to Cape Point. Ride the Flying Dutchman funicular railway to the lighthouse before stopping for a photo opportunity at the Cape of Good Hope. Continue to Simonstown, where there will be time to explore the town following lunch. Join a Metro train at Simonstown, pausing to see the corner stone commemorating that Rhodes opened the station. Travel by train over the beach past the naval defences as we make our way down the False Bay coast to Muizenburg. Visit Rhodes cottage at Muizenburg, which is where he died and is now a museum dedicated to his life. Continue by coach to see Rhodes Memorial, attractively positioned at the base of Table Mountain on the Groot Schuur estate that he bequeathed to the Colony. Dinner is not included today. Overnight: Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch. Tuesday. 16 October 2012 Today we will travel over Sir Lowry's Pass, where we will pause to view the panorama of the False Bay and Cape Flats stretching back to the City. Continue to Grabouw in the Cape deciduous fruit region before motoring over the Franschhoek Mountains to the small town of Franschhoek, where we will pause for a while. Our next stop will be the Boschendal Wine Estate, with a 'le pique nique' lunch on the famous Pavillion lawns immersed in the breathtaking beauty of the mountains and vineyards, followed by an estate tour and wine tasting. There will be time to explore the rose, herb and healing gardens, visit the wine cellar and shop, or relax under the ancient oak trees. The history of Boschendal goes back to 1685, when it was established to produce wine. In 1897 the wine estates of the Cape were devastated by a tiny root louse called Phylloxera. Boschendal was not spared, and the estate became bankrupt. Cecil Rhodes stepped in, seeing the potential to grow fruit in the area. He combined a number of valley farms and created the Rhodes Fruit Farms. The manor house was declared a National Monument in 1976, it is one of only a few original Cape farmhouses that have been restored and furnished according to old inventories. It is a typical H-shaped house with yellowwood ceilings, floorboards and doors set in teak frames. Overnight: Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch. Wednesday. 17 October 2012 This morning, motor to Matjiesfontein, a small Karoo village on the ‘Cape to Cairo’ railway route where Rhodes and other famous people escaped from the damp climate of Cape Town. The village is now preserved as a fascinating heritage site, including the original Lord Milner hotel, where we will spend the night. This afternoon, explore Maitjiesfontein. See the railway museum, transport collection, the local history museum and the many preserved buildings. Find out about Olive Schreiner, an author and opponent to Rhodes, and Logan, who developed the village and held the catering concession for the Cape Government Railways. Overnight: The Lord Milner Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, dinner. Thursday. 18 October 2012 We will motor through the Karoo to Kimberley today. During the Boer War, Kimberley was besieged by the Boer forces and the British Army fought an umber of battles as they made their way up the railway from Cape Town. We will see some of the blockhouses and battle sites during our journey. Rhodes was in Kimberley during the seige, his mine workshops built a field gun that bombarded the Boer lines using ammunition made from the recovered Boer rounds that had arrived some time before. Spend tonight at the Kimberley Club, the gentleman's club frequented by Rhodes. Overnight: The Kimberley Club. Meals included: Breakfast, dinner. Friday. 19 October 2012 Rhodes made his first fortune out of the diamond mines at Kimberley, It was here that he formed partnerships that resulted in the formation of the De Beers Diamond Cartel. The Big Hole Museum is situated beside the original mine, it gives a good insight into the intrigue of the diamond rush. Today we will visit the museum and take a tour of the town. Included will be the small railway museum located at the railway station, the Honoured Dead and Market Square memorials, which both feature rocks from the Matobo Hills near Bulawayo and the McGregor Museum. If running, ride on one of the original Kimberley trams around the big hole towards the city. This afternoon, there will be an optional visit to the Beaconsfield locomotive depot to meet the small group of enthusiasts who have taken on the task of bringing a Class 25 NC 4-8-4 steam locomotive back to life. Stop at Halfway House Pub, the first - and possibly the only - drive in bar. Cecil Rhodes reputedly used to be served a beer here when riding between Kimberley and Beaconsfield, without dismounting from his horse. This evening, enjoy a talk of Rhode's time in Kimberley with a local historian. Overnight: The Kimberley Club. Meals included: Breakfast, dinner. Saturday. 20 October 2012 This morning, we will motor from Kimberley to Johannesburg. On arrival this afternoon visit Gold Reef City, a restored mine and theme park that reflects the history of the discovery of Gold and style of life to those who worked on the mines. The centre of the City is Shaft No 14 which was started in 1887 and only closed as a working mine in 1971. This mine now offers escorted underground tours (extra cost) which show mining techniques of the early 1900's and those of today. On surface the actual pouring of Gold can be seen. Visit the massive Winder House as well as fascinating geological exhibitions followed by a tour of turn of the century Victorian houses which are replicas of the living standards of the time. The various rooms are furnished with the style of the period which also includes the style of the clothing which adds to the interest of visitors. Overnight: The Legacy Grand Airport Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, dinner. Sunday. 21 October 2012 Johannesburg is the centre of the Witwatersrand, the greatest gold mining area in the world. Rhodes made another fortune speculating in gold here, but it is also where he confronted his greatest protagonist, Paul Kruger, President of the Transvaal Republic. This morning, enjoy a tour that explored the historic heart of Johannesburg. This will be followed by a visit to Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. Rhodes’ arch-rival, Paul Kruger, is well represented here. Explore the story of this man, the only politician that Rhodes considered he could not ‘win over’, and the Jameson Raid that lost Rhodes the premiership of the Cape. Included in the tour will be the Voortrekker Monument and Paul Kruger's house. Overnight: The Legacy Grand Airport Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, dinner. Monday. 22 October 2012 Fly to Victoria Falls today. After clearing immigration and customs at Victoria Falls Airport, your Guide will welcome you and assist you with your luggage to your transfer vehicle. The transfer time from Victoria Falls Airport to Victoria Falls Hotel is approximately 25 minutes. Along the way you will pass through the centre of Victoria Falls town and your guide will give you a brief introduction and orientation before dropping you off at the hotel. Victoria Falls, affectionately abbreviated to Vic Falls by anyone who’s ever been there, is one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles. Declared a World Heritage Site, the falls - and much of the town of the same name - fall within a national park, which neighbours onto the larger Zambezi National Park. The falls are the stuff of legends, romance and myth. Long before the Scottish missionary and explorer, Dr David Livingstone “discovered” the falls on November 16, 1855, the local Batonga people had named them Mosi-Oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders”. The more prosaic Livingstone named them for his queen, but departed from his normal, pedestrian writing to observe in his diary that “scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.” Rhodes never saw Victoria Falls, the railway arrived there in 1903. However, he wished that when the Cape to Cairo railway crossed the Zambezi River, it should do so close enough that the spray from the falls would fall on the carriages. Charles Metcalf, railway engineer and friend, made sure that this happened. This afternoon, we will ride a steam train from Victoria Falls station to the famous Bridge, where we will toast sunset with sundowners. Return to Victoria Falls station and continue down the Cape to Cairo Railway to Jafuta for a private dinner under the stars. Overnight: The Victoria Falls Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, dinner. The famous Victoria Falls hotel was built by the railway when the planned Cape to Cairo railway reached the Falls. All the bedrooms have been refurbished to provide a perfect balance of modern amenities without losing the grand Edwardian architecture and pure graciousness. Set in acres of lush lawns and exotic flora, the hotel is only a few minutes walk from the centre of Victoria Falls Town and a ten minute walk along the hotel’s private path from the actual Falls Tuesday. 23 October 2012 You will be collected this morning from the hotel and transferred to the entrance of the Falls from the Zimbabwe side. A guided walking tour of one of nature's supreme masterpieces, the Victoria Falls, will be undertaken. You will be given an insight into how this 150-million-year-old phenomenon was created and have the opportunity to take in its awesome, unspoilt grandeur, which defies description. The duration of this tour is approximately 2 hours. This will be followed by a trip over the bridge to the Zambian bank, where we will be introduced to Engineer Imbault, consulting engineer during the construction of the bridge. Find out about this outstanding engineering feat and join a walk under the bridge from one side of the gorge to the other. An included lunch will be enjoyed overlooking the gorge. Later this afternoon you will be transferred back to Zimbabwe and to the riverbank for the departure of the Sundowner Cruise up the mighty Zambezi River. Step aboard for a lazy tranquil journey above the falls where you can watch the splendid African sunset. Drinks and canapés will be served on board. After sunset you will be transferred to the jetty for your journey back to the hotel. Overnight: The Victoria Falls Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Wednesday. 24 October 2012 This morning, motor from Victoria Falls to the Hwange Colliery. Pause for a while to visit the colliery and the fleet of Garratt steam locomotives that move coal wagons to and from the exchange yards at nearby Thomson Junction station. Continue to the Hwange Game Reserve, arriving in time for lunch and an included afternoon game drive. Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest game reserve, home to enormous herds of elephant and an impressive selection of mammals and birds. Overnight: The Hwange Safari Lodge. Meals included: Breakfast, dinner. Thursday. 25 October 2012 Following a morning game drive, motor to Bulawayo. This historic city was home to King Lobengula of the Matabele Nation when Rhodes obtained a Royal Charter enabling his British South Africa Company to occupy Mashonaland in 1890 and three years later Matabeleland, creating the nation of Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Spend the next three nights at the Bulawayo Club, frequented by Rhodes when he visited the city. Overnight: The Bulawayo Club. Meals included: Breakfast, dinner. Friday. 26 October 2012 For those interested, Geoff will arrange a pre-breakfast visit to the Steam Depot that continues to provide a limited number of Garratt steam locomotives for shunting around the city. Sunrise is a good time to see this, one of the world's last commercial steam depots. Rhodes left his mark on Bulawayo in a number of ways, we will see some as we tour the city today. The National Museum has diverse displays representing the flora and fauna of Zimbabwe, as well as halls representing both man and their leaders, including Lobengula and Rhodes. Also on display are a Zeederberg stage coach and the gun carriage that bore Rhodes coffin to the Matobo Hills. The Railway Museum centrepiece is Rhodes coach, built by Pullman in the USA and sister to one that will have been seen in Kimberley. There are also a considerable number of old locomotives and a wide range of smaller exhibits in this museum that has much of social as well as railway interest. Stop at the Art Gallery and drive down Bulawayo's ultra wide streets as you find out about pre and post railway architecture. Overnight: The Bulawayo Club. Meals included: Breakfast, dinner. Saturday. 27 October 2012 Rhodes was buried in the Matobo Hills. Today, we will visit his grave on a hill he called 'The View of the World'. The dramatic and beautiful Matobo Hills, a UNESCO world heritage site, is a fitting place to end our tour that followed the Footsteps of Rhodes. See caves decorated by San Bushmen thousands of years ago, marvel at the rock formations resulting form the erosion of some of the oldest granite anywhere. See animals, including rhinoceros in the game reserve. Overnight: The Bulawayo Club. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Sunday. 28 October 2012 Your tour ends this morning with included transfers to Bulawayo Airport for your flight to Johannesburg and home. |
| Trains and Treasures tours are suitable for anyone who enjoys wonderful scenery, fascinating history and train rides. This tour focuses on the heritage of Cecil Rhodes where appropriate, but it will also appeal to anyone considering a holiday in southern African that takes an interest in the history, flora and fauna of the region. You should be able to walk a reasonable distance, primarily on flat ground on hosted tours. |
| In the Footsteps of Rhodes |
Your tour includes:
Accommodation in hotels as described in the programme
Hotels may be substituted for one of equal or better standard.
Meals as described in the programme.
Transfers and transport as described.
The services of local town guides.
Talks by historians.
The services of Geoff Cooke as your tour manager.
Your tour does not include:
All air travel. Please note that the flights from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls and from Bulawayo to Johannesburg are not included, they should be
booked with your longhaul flights..
Gratuities.
Items of a personal nature such as drinks, phone calls and laundry.
Meals not detailed in the programme.
Flight inclusive tours are available from our sales agents in England, the USA and Germany. Please contact us for information.
Useful information:
Dress code: Smart casual dress is appropriate. The temperature should be warm with mild nights, but there is always a possibility of rain. A light
weatherproof jacket is recommended.
Visas may be required for Zimbabwe, these can normally be obtained at the airport on arrival. Visas are not normally required by South Africa.
Health: The Zambezi Valley around Victoria Falls is a malarial area. The risk in October is low, but precautions are recommended.
South Africa requires a current Yellow Fever certificate from anyone travelling from countries with even a low Yellow Fever risk, including Zambia.
Booking deadline: Geoff's Trains makes every effort to confirm a tour as early as possible, and it is not our policy to cancel a tour already confirmed.
All tours are confirmed at least 60 days prior to departure.
Detailed information will be sent to all participants about two weeks prior to the start date.
This tour is confirmed.
Maximum number of participants on this tour: 24.
To book:
Click here for our booking form
Our booking conditions can be found here
If you have any questions, please click here
On receipt of your booking request, an invoice will be sent to you.
A deposit of £100 (US$160) will be requested with the balance being due two months before the tour departs.
Accommodation in hotels as described in the programme
Hotels may be substituted for one of equal or better standard.
Meals as described in the programme.
Transfers and transport as described.
The services of local town guides.
Talks by historians.
The services of Geoff Cooke as your tour manager.
Your tour does not include:
All air travel. Please note that the flights from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls and from Bulawayo to Johannesburg are not included, they should be
booked with your longhaul flights..
Gratuities.
Items of a personal nature such as drinks, phone calls and laundry.
Meals not detailed in the programme.
Flight inclusive tours are available from our sales agents in England, the USA and Germany. Please contact us for information.
Useful information:
Dress code: Smart casual dress is appropriate. The temperature should be warm with mild nights, but there is always a possibility of rain. A light
weatherproof jacket is recommended.
Visas may be required for Zimbabwe, these can normally be obtained at the airport on arrival. Visas are not normally required by South Africa.
Health: The Zambezi Valley around Victoria Falls is a malarial area. The risk in October is low, but precautions are recommended.
South Africa requires a current Yellow Fever certificate from anyone travelling from countries with even a low Yellow Fever risk, including Zambia.
Booking deadline: Geoff's Trains makes every effort to confirm a tour as early as possible, and it is not our policy to cancel a tour already confirmed.
All tours are confirmed at least 60 days prior to departure.
Detailed information will be sent to all participants about two weeks prior to the start date.
This tour is confirmed.
Maximum number of participants on this tour: 24.
To book:
Click here for our booking form
Our booking conditions can be found here
If you have any questions, please click here
On receipt of your booking request, an invoice will be sent to you.
A deposit of £100 (US$160) will be requested with the balance being due two months before the tour departs.
| Cape Town |
| Cape of Good Hope |
| Boschendal Wine Estate |
| Rhodes Memorial in Cape Town |
| Rhodes Memorial |
| Cecil Rhodes straddling Africa |
| Victoria Falls |
| Victoria Falls Bridge |
| Sunset on the Zambezi River |
| Hwange Elephants |
| The Bulawayo Club |
| Rhode's Grave |
| Tour confirmed |
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