Big Hole | Credit: Rovos Rail
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Rovos Rail: Cape Town to Pretoria
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Big Hole | Credit: Rovos Rail
Credit: Rovos Rail Tours
Credit: Rovos Rail Tours
Credit: Rovos Rail Tours
Credit: Rovos Rail Tours
Credit: Rovos Rail Tours
Kimberley | Credit: Rovos Rail Tour
Credit: Rovos Rail Tours
Diamond Mine | Credit: Rovos Rail Tours
Credit: Rovos Rail Tours
South Africa

Rovos Rail: Cape Town to Pretoria (Tour code: 12581)

Starts and Ends
Cape Town to
Pretoria
Travel Periods
02 Jan 26 - 17 Dec 26
Experience
Travel Style
Rail Journeys
Discover South Africa’s varied scenery, from the grassy Highveld to the scenic Cape winelands, featuring Matjiesfontein and Kimberley’s Diamond Mine.

Highlights

Traverse the Karoo

Kimberley Diamond Mine Museum Tour

Matjiesfontein visit

4 days
From
NZD 4,245
per person, twin share
Travelling with kids? Read more 
All services are subject to availability.

Overview

This journey showcases South Africa’s incredible diversity, from the golden Highveld grasslands to the stark beauty of the Great Karoo. Travel through breathtaking mountain ranges and the famous Cape winelands before reaching Cape Town, framed by iconic peaks. Highlights include a visit to Matjiesfontein, a perfectly preserved Victorian village with a museum, and Kimberley, home to the Diamond Mine Museum and the vast Big Hole. The route is available in both directions.

Inclusions

3 nights accommodation onboard Rovos Rail in a Pullman Suite (upgrades available)
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 Cape Town

Begin your journey departing from Cape Town Station, traveling through the stunning Western Cape winelands toward Worcester. Relax with afternoon tea in the lounge and observation cars as the train climbs approximately 750 meters up the escarpment. Dinner is served in the elegant dining cars. After dinner, the train passes through four tunnels, including a 13.5-kilometer-long tunnel. Dress code is formal.

Lunch, Dinner
Cape Town
Rovos Rail Station

Day 2 Matjiesfontein

Enjoy breakfast on board before disembarking at the historic village of Matjiesfontein. Explore the village museum and vintage railway carriages near the Lord Milner Hotel. The train then journeys through the vast semi-desert Karoo, an ancient inland sea basin. Lunch and afternoon tea are served on board. End the day with a formal dinner and overnight stay aboard the train.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Matjiesfontein
Lord Milner Hotel

Day 3 Kimberley

Breakfast is served as the train approaches Kimberley. Disembark for a guided tour of the renowned Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole, key highlights of the Northern Cape’s diamond-rich history. Return to the train for lunch as you travel northeast across the Highveld’s expansive grasslands. Enjoy afternoon tea followed by a formal dinner on board. Overnight on the train.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kimberley
Rovos Rail Lounge Car Tea Area

Day 4 Pretoria*

Enjoy breakfast onboard as the train travels northeast through the gold-rich Witwatersrand region. Lunch is served in the dining cars before arriving at Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria, marking the end of the journey. Guests wishing to explore the museum or take a station tour are advised to arrange pick-up about 90 minutes later to allow time for these activities.

*For certain 2025 departures, passengers will disembark at Meyerton Station, located about 100 km south of Rovos Rail Station. A complimentary transfer of approximately 90 minutes to Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria is available. Lunch is not included for 2025 departures as the arrival time is in the morning. 

Breakfast, Lunch

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 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 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. 

Deluxe Suite

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

Royal Suite

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 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. 

Royal Suite

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.

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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