South Africa Blogs

Thirty years ago, the family-run Rovos Rail began operating luxurious train journeys through South Africa and beyond. Riding on the opulent Rovos service from Cape Town to Pretoria is a fine way to witness the transformation of South Africa’s landscapes; from the semi-desert of the Karoo, to green winelands, to sweeping mountain ranges. The three-day journey covers 1,600km, with sightseeing stops in the attractive village of Matijesfontein and the diamond mining town of Kimberley.

So, what exactly can you expect when spending a night on the Rovos Rail?

Shortly before the first covid lockdown, I was lucky enough to travel to South Africa on a family holiday. Now, after a year of no travel, I have been reminiscing about this adventure and can't wait to send passengers on a Gondwana safari trip so they can experience the amazing wildlife and beautiful landscapes for themselves when restrictions allow. 

Having spent much of the past twenty years travelling throughout Latin America, this was a fantastic chance to get to know somewhere new. Cape Town was a big hit with all of us, and we loved the journey along the Garden Route, especially the whale watching in Hermanus and getting up before dawn to see the meerkats pop up out of the red earth near Oudtshoorn. But the highlight for all of us was the safari in Gondwana, a game reserve in South Africa's Western Cape, a four hour scenic drive from Cape Town... read my blog to find out why. 

The Kruger National Park is South Africa’s iconic safari destination, and there are excellent game reserves bordering the Kruger itself, as well as some private fenced reserves nearby. All safari options we offer have a similar format, with game drives in the morning and afternoon. However, there are differences in the experience, so it is important to understand the factors which make each one different, and what their implications are for your safari experience. Graham from the Llama Travel sales team recently travelled to the Kruger to check out the three different lodges we offer in and around Kruger National Park. Keep reading to find out which lodge suits you best.  

The Rovos Rail is one of the world's most famous and luxurious train journeys, allowing passengers to travel in style across the unfolding landscape of South Africa. In March of this year I was lucky enough to take the two-night journey between Cape Town and Pretoria.

Perched on the South Atlantic Ocean with the imposing Table Mountain as its backdrop, Cape Town, the Mother City of South Africa, is one of the most scenically beautiful cities I have ever visited. With its varied history involving the Portuguese, Dutch and British, it is a cultural melting pot.

Last month we unveiled our plans to introduce Africa by pinning a brand new destination on the Llama Travel map: Namibia. As you might have guessed, we've got a few more places up our sleeve. Famously dubbed The Rainbow Nation in the post-apartheid glow, South Africa is as diverse a place as they come. Visitors to this part of the world will not be disappointed by the breadth of local culture, and many leave feeling truly touched by the warmth of the South Africans they have met. As for the landscape, South Africa is a multi-centre destination with tourist hubs in the gorgeous, mountain-hugged Cape Town, the traditional town of Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo, the emerald green Garden Route and the renowned Kruger National Park.

Recently back from familiarisation trips to South Africa, two of our sales team share some of their highlights.