Travel by luxury train on Rovos Rail between Pretoria and Cape Town (or vice versa). There is no finer way to see South Africa than onboard one of the most luxurious trains in the world.
This meander is a perfect illustration of South Africa as a world in one country. Travel the grasslands of the gold-rich Highveld to the haunting barrenness of the Great Karoo; trundle through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic Winelands of the Cape. Begin or end your journey in Cape Town, the Mother City of South Africa; cradled by the imposing bulk of Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak, and Lion’s Head. Highlights of the north and southbound routes include a visit to the historic village of Matjiesfontein; an authentically preserved Victorian Village founded as a refreshment stop in 1890; which also boasts an impressive museum on the platform. Another stop is made in Kimberley; to visit the Diamond Mine Museum and the world’s largest man-made excavation, the Big Hole.
Travel through the Hex River Valley on the luxurious Rovos Rail
Cape Town offers a blend of cosmopolitan city life, magnificent mountains, and superlative wine lands, while the twin cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg form the economic heartland of South Africa and the ideal departure point for Mpumalanga’s world-famous Game Reserves including Kruger National Park.
The Rovos Cape Town to Pretoria / Pretoria to Cape Town luxury train journey operates on a regular basis; we will be able to work your itinerary out for you; so you can fit everything in.
Rovos Rail Cape Town to Pretoria Daily Itinerary
Day 1:
4 pm: Depart from Cape Town Station. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travelers in the lounge car and observation car. The train winds its way through the Winelands of the Western Cape towards Worcester.
4.30 pm: Enjoy High Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
7.30 pm: Dinner is in the dining cars as the train climbs ±750m up the face of the escarpment. Dress: Formal
At around midnight, the train arrives at the first of four tunnels on the pass. The last tunnel is 13.5km long so guests are to be careful when walking through the train.
Day 2:
7 am: Breakfast is in the dining cars until 10 am.
8 am: Disembark at Matjiesfontein for an opportunity to stroll through the historic village. Of special interest is the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages; to the right of the Lord Milner Hotel.
10 am: Travel through the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region that was once an enormous inland sea. Over millions of years, the volcanic matter was ground down and deposited as silt; upon the seabed to form what geologists call the Karoo system.
1 pm: Lunch available in the dining cars.
4.30 pm: Enjoy High Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
7.30 pm: Dinner is in the dining cars. Dress: Formal
Day 3:
6 am: Breakfast is in the dining cars until 8.30 am.
8.30 am: Enjoy a tour of Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole. Capital of the Northern Cape; Kimberley is well known for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871.
12 pm: Lunch is served as the train travels northeast towards Klerksdorp and the broad grassland plains of the Highveld.
4.30 pm: Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
7.30 pm: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
Day 4:
7 am: Breakfast is in the dining cars until 9.30 am.
10 am: The train arrives at the journey’s end at Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria.
Rovos Rail Pretoria to Cape Town Daily Itinerary
Day 1:
Please check in a minimum of one hour before departure. Should you wish to visit our museum or do a site tour at Rovos Rail Station, we suggest arriving two hours prior to departure.
11 am: Depart Rovos Rail’s private Capital Park Station, Pretoria aboard the luxury train, the ‘Pride of Africa’. Travel across the goldfields of the Witwatersrand and the broad grassland plains of the Highveld. Guests may freshen up in their suites; before joining fellow travelers in the midway Lounge car or Observation carriage at the rear of the train.
1 pm: Lunch available in the dining cars.
4.30 pm: Enjoy High Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
7.30 pm: Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Klerksdorp.
Day 2:
7 am: Breakfast is in the dining car/s until 10 am en route to Kimberley. Enjoy a tour of Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole. Capital of the Northern Cape; Kimberley is well known for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871.
12.30 pm: Lunch is available in the dining cars.
Enjoy a tour of Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole. Capital of the Northern Cape, Kimberley is well known for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871.
7.30 pm: Dinner will be in the dining cars.
Day 3:
7 am: Breakfast is in the dining cars until 10 am.
The train travels through the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region that was once an enormous inland sea. Over millions of years; the volcanic matter was ground down and deposited as silt upon the seabed. To form what geologists call the Karoo system.
1 pm: Lunch available.
After lunch, there is a chance for guests to disembark the train at Whitehill Siding; and walk the 5km into Matjiesfontein. A member of staff will accompany the group. Alternatively; disembark at Matjiesfontein for an opportunity to stroll through the historic village. Of special interest is the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages; to the right of the Lord Milner Hotel.
4.30 pm: Enjoy High Tea in the lounge car and observation car at the rear of the train.
About an hour after Matjiesfontein, the train arrives at the first of four tunnels on the pass. The first tunnel is 13.5km long; so guests are to be careful when walking through the train and may wish to turn on necessary lights.
7.30 pm: Enjoy dinner as the train travels towards the town of Worcester.
Day 4:
7 am: Breakfast is in the dining cars until 9.30 am.
The train travels through the Hex River Valley; an area of beautiful mountains and Winelands.
10 am: The train arrives at the journey’s end at Cape Town Station.
Extend your luxury rail journey to include the journey from either Durban or Victoria Falls
Rovos Rail Cape Town to Pretoria or Vice Versa Price:
Rates per person sharing: 1st October 2023 until 30th September 2024: Pullman Suite: R34 500 Deluxe Suite: R49 700 Royal Suite: R66 200
Rates per person sharing: 1st October 2024 until 30th September 2025: Pullman Suite: R37 500 Deluxe Suite: R54 000 Royal Suite: R72 000
Single Supplement: +50% on all suites
Please note:
Prices are for One way journey per person sharing and include accommodation, meals, and excursions during the train journey; as well as alcoholic beverages while on board the luxury train, Rovos Rail. All times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed, therefore; excursions may need to be changed. Departure dates are specific.
Rovos Rail Cape Town Journey Departure Dates
Departure Dates
Pretoria – Cape Town
Cape Town – Pretoria
October 2023
6,20,27
2,9,18, 23,30
November 2023
3,10, 16,24
6,13,27
December 2023
1,22
4,16,25
January 2024
5,9,18*,26
8,29
February 2024
2,20,23
5,15,17*,26
March 2024
1,8,15,29
4,11,18,28
April 2024
26
1,15*,29
May 2024
10,24
7*,13,25*,27
June 2024
7,24
10
July 2024
5,19
8,22
August 2024
2,16,27
5,19
September 2024
13,20,27
2,4,16,23,30
October 2024
4,11,18
7,14,17*,21
November 2024
1,8,14,22
4,11,25
December 2024
6,20
9,14,23
January 2025
6*,10,17,31
13
February 2025
18,21,28
3,13*,17*
March 2025
14,21
3,17,24,27*
April 2025
4,18
7,15*,21
May 2025
2,16
5,9*,19
June 2025
13,27,30
16,30*
July 2025
11,25
14,28
August 2025
1,8,22
4,11,25
September 2025
12,19*,26
12*,15,29
To see full information on Rovos Rail and its accommodation options, visit Rovos Rail.
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