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Durban Safari: Pretoria to Durban
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Rovos Rail balcony view
Rovos Rail
Rovos Rail
Departure Lounge
Drakensberg View
Rovos Rail Gift Shop
Dining Pillar
Rovos Rail Sunset View
Rovos Rail Sunrise View
Durban Hill View
South Africa

Durban Safari: Pretoria to Durban (Tour code: 12530)

Starts and Ends
Pretoria to
Durban
Travel Periods
01 Oct 26 - 30 Sep 27
Experience
Travel Style
Rail Journeys
Discover South Africa’s rich history, wildlife, and culture aboard a luxury train from Pretoria to Durban, including game drives and artistic visits.

Highlights

Explore imaginative Zulu-inspired ceramic art at a celebrated Midlands gallery

Choose between a historical battlefield tour or a nature drive in a scenic 11,000-acre reserve

Enjoy game drive through the Nambiti Reserve, set across 20,000 acres of richly diverse bushveld, including savannah, thornveld and acacia woodlands

3 days
From
NZD 5,526
per person, twin share
Travelling with kids? Read more 
All services are subject to availability.

Overview

This summer safari from Pretoria to Durban 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. The journey ends with scenic travel through the Valley of a Thousand Hills to Durban.
Available in reverse direction. 

Inclusions

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

Day 1 Depart Pretoria

Begin your journey at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. Please check-in two hours before departure for a welcome station tour and a visit to the Rovos Rail museum before boarding the train. 

Settle into the elegant surroundings of Rovos Rail as the journey begins, travelling across the goldfields of the Witwatersrand and the sweeping grassland plains of the Highveld. Continue through Heidelberg, the site of the first Rand gold strike, and Balfour, a small mining town in Mpumalanga.

Enjoy lunch in the dining cars, followed by traditional afternoon tea served in the elegant lounge and observation cars. As evening falls, savour dinner on board while the train continues towards Elandslaagte.

Overnight stay aboard Rovos Rail. 

Lunch, Dinner
Depart Pretoria
Rovos Rail Lounge Area

Day 2 Nambiti & Spionkop

Awaken to the sights and sounds of the African bush as you enjoy a game drive in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve, a malaria-free Big Five wilderness spanning 20,000 acres. The reserve is home to incredible biodiversity, encompassing savannah, grasslands, thornveld and tall acacia trees.

Return to the train for a leisurely brunch before an afternoon excursion to Spionkop Lodge. Choose between hearing the fascinating history of the Battle of Spionkop while taking in views across the reserve, or enjoying a nature drive through the surrounding 11,000-acre reserve.

Back on board, savour dinner in the elegant dining cars as the train continues towards Lions River. Along the way, look out for the memorial to Winston Churchill, situated shortly after Chieveley. Churchill was captured here in November 1899 while attempting to free an armoured train caught in a Boer ambush.

Overnight stay aboard Rovos Rail. 

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nambiti & Spionkop
Lioness in Nambiti

Day 3 Ardmore Ceramics & Durban

Enjoy breakfast on board as the journey continues through the picturesque KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, renowned for its artistic heritage, historical significance and natural beauty. The landscape is characterised by rolling green hills and lush pastures.

Visit the renowned Ardmore Ceramics Gallery, where talented artists draw inspiration from nature, Zulu folklore and traditional culture to create vibrant and imaginative works of art.

Return to the train for lunch as the journey continues through the spectacular Valley of a Thousand Hills before arriving in Durban, where your Rovos Rail journey concludes. With its museums, cultural attractions, beautiful botanical gardens and shark-protected beaches, Durban offers plenty to discover.

 

Breakfast, Lunch
Ardmore Ceramics & Durban
Ardmore Ceramics

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 short journeys, accommodate one or two passengers and have an ensuite 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
  • Ensuite 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.

2026-27 Departure dates:

  • 02 Oct 2026
  • 16 Nov 2026
  • 22 Jan 2027
  • 19 Feb 2027
  • 12 Mar 2027
  • 03 Sep 2027

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.

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