Rovos Rail
Exclusive Packages
Back
Durban Safari: Durban to Pretoria
Thumbnails
Rovos Rail
Rovos Rail Sunset
Departure Lounge
Drakensberg Mountains
Dining Pillar
Rovos Rail Sunrise View
Rovos Rail
Rovos Rail
Durban Hills View
Rovos Rail Desert Evening View
South Africa

Durban Safari: Durban to Pretoria (Tour code: 12528)

Starts and Ends
Durban to
Pretoria
Travel Periods
02 Feb 26 - 16 Nov 26
Experience
Travel Style
Rail Journeys
Summer safari from Pretoria to Durban includes game drives, battlefield history, Ardmore Ceramics, and Nambiti Conservancy’s malaria-free bushveld.

Highlights

Discover vibrant ceramic art inspired by Zulu folklore and nature at this celebrated local gallery

Choose between a historic battlefield tourrecounting the Battle of Spionkop with sweeping views over the reserve, or a nature drive through the lodge’s private game reserve

Enjoy an exhilarating game drivein the Nambiti Private Reserve, set amid 20,000 acres of diverse bushveld teeming with wildlife and birdlife

3 days
From
NZD 3,848
per person, twin share
Travelling with kids? Read more 
All services are subject to availability.

Overview

This summer safari from Durban to Pretoria features thrilling game drives in the malaria-free Nambiti Conservancy, home to the Big Five. Explore the region from Spionkop Lodge, situated on a vast game farm adjoining an 11,000-acre nature reserve. Discover the vibrant artistry of Ardmore Ceramics, inspired by Zulu culture, in KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. 

Also available in reverse direction.

Inclusions

2 nights accommodation onboard Rovos Rail
Breakfast, lunch and dinner served onboard
All beverages except champagne
24-Hour full room service and bar facilities
Off-Train excursions and entrance fees as per itinerary

Day 1 Depart Durban and visit Ardmore Ceramics Gallery

Depart Durban Station, traveling through the scenic Valley of a Thousand Hills. Freshen up in your suite before lunch in the dining cars. Visit the renowned Ardmore Ceramics Gallery, where artists draw inspiration from nature and Zulu folklore. Dinner is served as the train journeys toward Ladysmith. Along the route, see the memorial to Winston Churchill near Frere, where he was captured during the Boer War.

Overnight on board Rovos Rail

Lunch, Dinner
Depart Durban and visit Ardmore Ceramics Gallery
Ardmore Ceramics

Day 2 Spionkop & Nambiti

After breakfast, transfer to Spionkop Lodge for a morning of choice: explore the historic Battle of Spionkop site or enjoy a nature drive in the 11,000-acre reserve. Return to the train for lunch while passing the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains. In the afternoon, experience a game drive in Nambiti Reserve, a malaria-free Big Five bushveld sanctuary. Dinner is served en route to Vooruitsig.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spionkop & Nambiti
Kudu in Nambiti

Day 3 Arrival into Pretoria

Breakfast is served until mid-morning as the train travels across the gold-rich Witwatersrand and Highveld, passing mining towns like Balfour and Heidelberg. Enjoy lunch onboard before arriving at the journey’s end, Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria.

Breakfast, Lunch
Arrival into Pretoria
Rovos Rail Lounge Area

Accommodation

Rovos Rail

Upgrade available

Enjoy the extravagant elegance of rail travel on Rovos Rail, one of the most luxurious trains in the world, combining the opulence of pre-war travel with subtle modern innovations.

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 Pullmans, used on our short journeys, accommodate one or two passengers and have an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. During the day, the suites have a comfortable sofa-seat with a conversion to double or twin beds (side-by-side or upper and lower bunks) for the evening. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily. 

Suite configurations are subject to availability. Suite layouts may differ from images.

Pullman night-time double
  • Double or twin beds
  • Upper and/or lower bunk
  • Daytime sofa setting
  • En-suite with shower, toilet and basin
  • Fold-up writing desk
  • Luggage shelf
  • Cupboards
  • Safe
  • Air conditioning
  • Tea facilities
  • Bespoke amenities
  • Robes and slippers
  • Hairdryer (fixed or plug-in)
  • Shaver plugs (2-pin)
  • USB ports
  • Safety glasses
  • Emergency torch
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Laundry bag
  • Shoe bag
  • Internal telephone system
  • Room service

Room Upgrades

Deluxe Suite

The Deluxes accommodate one or two passengers in double or twin beds and have their own lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily. 
Suite configurations are subject to availability. Suite layouts may differ from images.

Deluxe Suite

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Royal Suites

The Royals each take up half a carriage with their own private lounge area and en-suite bathroom with Victorian bath, separate shower, toilet and basin. They accommodate one or two passengers in double or twin beds. A dedicated host/ess is always available and services the suites daily. 
Suite configurations are subject to availability. Suite layouts may differ from images.

Royal Suites

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Additional information

Please dress accordingly for excursions/game drives: mornings can be cool then warm up considerably; afternoons can be warm then cool down considerably. Warm clothing, comfortable shoes, hats and sun protection are advised. Rain capes are available. Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.

2026 Departure dates:

  • January (no departures)
  • February 2
  • March 9
  • April 13
  • May - August (no departures)
  • September 21
  • October 5
  • November 16
  • December (no departures)

Excluded

  • Onboard: champagne, gratuities, personal expenses, pre & post tour transfers and accommodation
  • International airfares and taxes
  • Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
  • Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
  • Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
  • Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.)
  • Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
  • Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package

FAQs

What is included in the price?

All onboard accommodation, meals, all beverages except champagne, and off train excursions are included. Some items such a pre & post transfers, flights, gratuities, and personal expenses are not included.

Can someone with mobility limitations travel on the Rovos Rail?

Should you or your guests have any special requirements or mobility issues, please do let us know ahead of your luxury train journey. We can accommodate guests with walking difficulties although we recommend an able-bodied passenger accompany guests. We regret that the train is not suitable for wheelchair-bound passengers. Should you have mobility impairments/restrictions or special requirements, we urge you to inform your Agent at time of booking.

Are children permitted onboard?

We do accommodate children, but we kindly ask parents to be sensitive to the adult nature and atmosphere of the train. Long journeys are not recommended for under 13s. Children between 0-2 years old are not permitted to travel. There are no child-minding facilities or activities available for children on board.

Is there Wi-Fi onboard Rovos Rail?

To maintain the spirit of travel of a bygone era, the use of mobile phones, laptops and essentially anything that has the ability to disturb other passengers is confined to the privacy of suites only.

The signal strength may be weak while the train is in motion, so it is recommended to consult your phone service provider and verify the proper network settings are enabled – as there is no Wi-Fi onboard.

Can Rovos Rail accommodate special dietary preferences?

We cater for food allergies provided a detailed request has been made at that time of your reservation. If a special request has not been made, the chefs will endeavour to prepare suitable meals with the ingredients available on board. We regret we are unable to prepare meals requiring strict religious observance in the preparation.

Is there a dress code when onboard Rovos Rail?

  • Days on board are smart casual: Neat, conventional yet relatively informal in style combining casual and formal clothing pieces.
  • Dinner on board is formal: For gentlemen, a collar and tie are mandatory while a jacket is optional. For ladies, a cocktail/evening dresses or suits. Please respect this dress code.
  • On long journeys guests enjoy themed evenings where guests can dress up accordingly or opt for smart casual: 1 x “AFRICA” evening and/or 1 x “1920s” evening. See itineraries.
  • Off-train excursions: It's recommended to have comfortable walking shoes, sun lotion and hats. If required, blankets and rain capes are available.
  • Game drives are on open vehicles so please dress accordingly: mornings can be cool then warm up considerably; afternoons can be warm then cool down considerably. Please look up average temperatures as a guide.

Can I smoke onboard?

The Club Car is used to host the smokers on the train in a public area and as an overflow facility adjoining the Observation Car. With a glass passage wall, guests can comfortably watch the scenery on both sides of the train.

Do I need to check-in prior to arrival?

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 in Pretoria, we suggest arriving two hours prior to departure. If Pretoria is your arrival point, we suggest delaying your pick-up so you can enjoy the site tour. Passports are required at check-in. No vouchers are required. Luggage will be tagged and placed in your suite on board the train where you will find a full itinerary pack.

Are there luggage restrictions?

It is possible to store luggage in your suite under the bed or above the door on a luggage rack, which provides ample space for storage. There are no luggage restrictions on board although we do not recommend more than two large suitcases. On selected long journeys, guests are provided with a Rovos Rail Tog bag that can be used for overnight trips or hand luggage on aircraft. A soft bag is preferable on plane transfers with a luggage weight restriction of 15kg.

Will I need travel insurance?

As with all holidays and trips abroad, we strongly recommend that you have travel insurance. Please consult with our agents at time of booking and we can assist you with this.

Subscribe now for your chance to win
a $500 Travel Voucher

Be the first to hear about our new Holiday Packages