South Africa Itinerary - Travel by luxury train on Rovos Rail between Pretoria and Cape Town (or vice versa) - there is no finer way to see South Africa.
In order to accommodate the varying worldwide travel restrictions, we have introduced special COVID-19 Policy Terms (detailed below) that will take effect 60 days prior to each departure. Should Rovos Rail cancel a journey, a 100% refund will be offered or clients will have the option to postpone their booking to a future date. Given the unpredictability of global events, we recommend clients wait until 31 days prior to their departure date to make a decision to postpone or cancel. Should clients elect to postpone or cancel bookings that are 61 days or more away from the departure date, Rovos Rail’s standard T&C apply.
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.
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. Journey’s end is 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. Available in reverse.
The Pretoria to Cape Town/Cape Town to Pretoria luxury train route is operated on a regular basis and we will be able to work your itinerary out for you so you can fit everything in.
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. Journey’s end is 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. Available in reverse.
The Pretoria to Cape Town/Cape Town to Pretoria luxury train route is operated on a regular basis and we will be able to work your itinerary out for you so you can fit everything in.
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Rovos Rail: Pretoria to Cape Town
Day 1:
11am: Depart Rovos Rail’s private Capital Park Station, Pretoria aboard the luxury train, the 'Pride of Africa'.
Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the midway Lounge car or Observation carriage at the rear of the train.
1pm - Lunch is served in the dining cars.
4.30pm - Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.
7.30pm - Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Kingswood. Overnight on board. Dress: Formal
Day 2:
7am: Breakfast is served in the dining car/s until 9.45am.
9.30am: Just before arriving in Kimberley there is a shallow lake on the right hand side facing forward. On most occasions there are spectacular flocks of Flamingos (approx. 23 000).
9.45am: Arrive in Kimberley. Guests disembark and proceed by coach/combi for a tour of the city, the “Big Hole“ and the Mine Museum. Capital of the Northern Cape, Kimberley is well known for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871.
1pm: Lunch is served in the dining car/s. Travel through the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region that was once an enormous inland sea. Over millions of years, volcanic matter was ground down and deposited as silt upon the seabed to form what geologists call the Karoo system.
1pm - Lunch is served in the dining cars.
4.30pm - Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.
7.30pm - Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Kingswood. Overnight on board. Dress: Formal
Day 2:
7am: Breakfast is served in the dining car/s until 9.45am.
9.30am: Just before arriving in Kimberley there is a shallow lake on the right hand side facing forward. On most occasions there are spectacular flocks of Flamingos (approx. 23 000).
9.45am: Arrive in Kimberley. Guests disembark and proceed by coach/combi for a tour of the city, the “Big Hole“ and the Mine Museum. Capital of the Northern Cape, Kimberley is well known for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871.
1pm: Lunch is served in the dining car/s. Travel through the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region that was once an enormous inland sea. Over millions of years, volcanic matter was ground down and deposited as silt upon the seabed to form what geologists call the Karoo system.
4.30pm: Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car at the rear of the train.
7.30pm: Dinner will be served in the dining car/s en route to Gemsbok.
Day 3:
7am: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00.
7.30pm: Dinner will be served in the dining car/s en route to Gemsbok.
Day 3:
7am: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00.
During breakfast, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1pm: Lunch will be served as we pass through the Hex River Valley and the town of Worcester.
6pm: Arrival at Platform 24 Cape Town Station where our journey ends.
6pm: Arrival at Platform 24 Cape Town Station where our journey ends.
Rovos Rail: Cape Town to Pretoria
Day 1:
11am: All aboard the luxury train, Rovos Rail for your departure from Platform 23 at Cape Town Station and proceed inland to Worcester. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining other guests in the midway Lounge car or the Observation carriage at the rear of the train.
11am: All aboard the luxury train, Rovos Rail for your departure from Platform 23 at Cape Town Station and proceed inland to Worcester. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining other guests in the midway Lounge car or the Observation carriage at the rear of the train.
1pm: Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train reaches Worcester in the Hex River Valley before climbing ±750m up the face of the escarpment. 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 and may wish to turn on necessary lights.
4.30pm: Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car at the rear of the train.
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.
7.30pm: Dinner will be served in the dining car/s.
Day 2:
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.
7.30pm: Dinner will be served in the dining car/s.
Day 2:
7am: Breakfast will be served in the dining car until 10am. Travel through the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region that was once an enormous inland sea. Over millions of years, volcanic matter was ground down and deposited as silt upon the seabed to form what geologists call the Karoo system.
12.30pm: Lunch is served in the dining car/s
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.
Rejoin the train at Kimberley station. Ten minutes after departing Kimberley there is a shallow lake on the left hand side facing forward. On most occasions there are spectacular flocks of Flamingos (approx. 23 000).
12.30pm: Lunch is served in the dining car/s
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.
Rejoin the train at Kimberley station. Ten minutes after departing Kimberley there is a shallow lake on the left hand side facing forward. On most occasions there are spectacular flocks of Flamingos (approx. 23 000).
4.30pm: Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car at the rear of the train.
7.30pm: Dinner will be served in the dining car/s as we pass through Bloemhof and Leeudoringstad en route to Klerksdorp.
Day 3:
7am: Breakfast will be served in the dining car/s until 10am.
The train continues the journey towards Pretoria passing through Krugersdorp, Johannesburg and Germiston.
12pm: Arrive Rovos Rail Station in Capital Park, Pretoria
Rovos Rail 3 day Journey from/to Cape Town price per person sharing price:
Single Supplement: +50% on all suites
Accommodation on board Rovos Rail:
All the suites offer passengers the opportunity to travel in privacy, comfort and luxury, with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. The wood-panelled rebuilt sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort. In the en-suite bathrooms, original fittings combine with the modern technology of hot showers, hair dryers and shaver plugs. All are equipped with a writing surface and a personal safe for valuables. There is also a bar fridge filled with beverages of the passengers’ choice and room service is available 24 hours a day.
The Pullman Suites (±7 sq metres/±76 sq feet) are equipped with a comfortable sofa-seat during the day with a conversion to double or twin beds (bunk) for the evening, and also have an en-suite bathroom with shower. These are ideal for single travelers due to their size.
The Deluxe Suites (±10 sq metres/±118 sq feet) accommodate two passengers in either twin or double beds and have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower.
The Royal Suites, each of which take up half a carriage, are spacious and elegant measuring ±16 sq metres in size. Each has its own private lounge area and full bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower. The epitome of luxury with handsome wood panelling and period Edwardian features, the air-conditioned suites accommodate two people offering the option of side-by-side twin or spacious double beds.
Please note:
Prices are for One way journey per person sharing and includes accommodation, meals and excursions during the train journey, as well as alcoholic beverages whilst on board the luxury train, Rovos Rail.
Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.
Departure dates are specific.
Book your This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. now.
7.30pm: Dinner will be served in the dining car/s as we pass through Bloemhof and Leeudoringstad en route to Klerksdorp.
Day 3:
7am: Breakfast will be served in the dining car/s until 10am.
The train continues the journey towards Pretoria passing through Krugersdorp, Johannesburg and Germiston.
12pm: Arrive Rovos Rail Station in Capital Park, Pretoria
Rovos Rail 3 day Journey from/to Cape Town price per person sharing price:
1st January 2021 - 30th September 2021:
Rates per person sharing: 1st October 2021 - 30th September 2022:
Pullman Suite: R26 500
Deluxe Suite: R39 500
Royal Suite: R53 500
Pullman Suite: R24 250
Deluxe Suite: R36 500
Royal Suite: R48 900
Deluxe Suite: R36 500
Royal Suite: R48 900
Pullman Suite: R26 500
Deluxe Suite: R39 500
Royal Suite: R53 500
Single Supplement: +50% on all suites
Accommodation on board Rovos Rail:
All the suites offer passengers the opportunity to travel in privacy, comfort and luxury, with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. The wood-panelled rebuilt sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort. In the en-suite bathrooms, original fittings combine with the modern technology of hot showers, hair dryers and shaver plugs. All are equipped with a writing surface and a personal safe for valuables. There is also a bar fridge filled with beverages of the passengers’ choice and room service is available 24 hours a day.
The Pullman Suites (±7 sq metres/±76 sq feet) are equipped with a comfortable sofa-seat during the day with a conversion to double or twin beds (bunk) for the evening, and also have an en-suite bathroom with shower. These are ideal for single travelers due to their size.
Prices are for One way journey per person sharing and includes accommodation, meals and excursions during the train journey, as well as alcoholic beverages whilst on board the luxury train, Rovos Rail.
Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.
Departure dates are specific.
Book your This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. now.