Rovos Rail: Pretoria to Cape Town

• International/French Champagne and any off-train beverages
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Pre- and post-journey accommodation
• Flights and transfers

• Rovos Rail is predominantly an adult evironment, however it does accommodate children. Parents please ensure children respect the elegant, adult nature of the onboard environment.
• Children between 0-2 years old are not permitted to travel, and it is not recommended for children under 13 years.
• There are no child-minding facilities or activities available for children on board.
• A maximum of two guests can share per suite/cabin. For 1 guest only, a single supplement of 50% applies, please request a quote.
• One child aged 3 - 5 years will be allowed to share with two adults (in a Deluxe Suite only).
• Children over the age of 5 will need their own suite/cabin. Should parents not feel comfortable with this option, one of the parents could then share with each of the children.
• Children 3 - 9 years will be charged 75% of the per adult sharing rate. 
• Children 10 years and older will be charged the full rate.

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. 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. 

Each train has accommodation carriages, dining cars (±42 seats), a lounge car (±26 seats), small gift shop, smoking lounge (±11 seats) and observation car (±32 seats) with open-air balcony. Maintaining the spirit of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets on board.

The dining cars are made up of two-seaters and four-seaters where guests eat together or individually. The lounge and observation cars – with their big picture windows, sofas and booths – make for great mingling areas or quiet corners to while away the days.

Many passengers enjoy the formality of fine china and glassware, crisp linen and silver, and dress accordingly. Days on board are smart casual while evening attire is more formal.

An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for overseeing the very important task of ensuring guests’ every need is catered for. There’s an accent on fresh local ingredients and traditional dishes are a specialty. Meals are served in one sitting only in the dining cars and are complemented by a selection of fine South African wines. The bar menu is comprehensive although special items such as French Champagne would need to be requested in advance.

The wood-panelled sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. The suites accommodate one or two passengers with the option of double or twin beds. All have tea facilities, safes, air conditioning, linen and amenities and are serviced daily. There is adequate storage and small cupboards with hangers and shelves. 

Pullman Suites (±7m2) have an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. During the day the suite is set up with a comfortable couch that can be converted into a few sleeping options.

Deluxe Suites (±10m2) have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin.

Royal Suites (±16m2) each take up half a carriage and are spacious and elegant. Each has its own private lounge area and en-suite bathroom with Victorian bath, separate shower,  toilet and basin.

Departing from the Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria, enjoy a journey upon which you will rediscover the old pioneering trail of the Karoo, with stops at Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum and the quaint Victorian village of Matjiesfontein.

A highlight for guests is a visit to the private station headquarters in Capital Park, Pretoria, where over 400 employees work assiduously to ensure the locomotives and trains are maintained to the highest standard. This is the busy hub of a provisioning operation that is world-class in terms of efficiency and attention to detail. The tour will show you the nuts and bolts of the company. There is also a museum showing a historical collection of train paraphernalia. Should you wish to enjoy this activitiy, it is suggested that you arrive two hours prior to departure.

About the Journey: Pretoria to Cape Town

Day 1 - Depart Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria at 10h00 (times may vary, please always check your confirmation documentation*). Travel across the goldfields of the Witwatersrand. Freshen up in your suite before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car and observation car. Relax and enjoy your afternoon. Dinner will be served en route to Kingswood.

Day 2 - Enjoy a tour of Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole. The capital of the Northern Cape, Kimberley is well known for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871. Lunch will take place back on the train. 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. Dinner will be served en route to Gemsbok.

Day 3 - During breakfast, there will be an opportunity for guests to disembark the train at Whitehill Siding and walk the 5km into Matjiesfontein. A member of staff will accompany the group. Alternatively, you can disembark at Matjiesfontein for a 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. In the afternoon the train will climb ±750m down the escarpment towards Worcester.

Day 4 - Breakfast is served in the dining car until 9.30. The train travels through the Hex River Valley, and will arrive at the journey’s end at Cape Town Station at 10h00*.