Rovos Rail - Pretoria to Cape Town 2024/2025
4 days / 3 nights
For many visitors to South Africa, there's no finer way to see the country than on the popular 48-hour weekly journeys between Pretoria and Cape Town on Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa.
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 1600-kilometre journey is a perfect illustration of South Africa as a world in one country. Travel the windswept grasslands of the gold rich Highveld to the haunting barrenness of the Great Karoo.
Travel the windswept grasslands of the gold rich Highveld to the haunting barrenness of the Great Karoo, the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic wine lands of the Cape to the Mother City of South Africa, Cape Town, cradled by the imposing bulk of Table Mountain, Devils' Peak and Lions Head.
Highlights of the north and southbound routes include a visit to Kimberley providing an opportunity to enjoy a city tour and a visit to the Mine Museum and the world’s largest man-made excavation, the "Big Hole".
A stop is also made at the historic village of Matjiesfontein. This authentic perfectly preserved Victorian Village, which was founded by Mr Logan as a refreshment stop in 1890, also boasts an impressive museum on the Station platform.
Rovos Rail Pretoria to Cape Town Map
(Click on map to enlarge)
Relax and enjoy the views from the Observation Lounge
Enjoy superb cuisine on board Rovos Rail
Pretoria to Cape Town : Departure Dates
Departures 2024 :
January 5, 9, 18, 26.
February 2, 20, 23.
March 1, 8, 15, 29.
April 26.
May 10, 24.
June 7, 24.
July 5, 19.
August 2, 16, 27.
September 13, 20, 27.
October 4, 25.
November 1, 8, 14, 22.
December 6, 20.
Departures 2025 :
January 6, 10, 17, 31.
February 18, 21, 28.
March 14, 21.
April 4, 18.
May 2, 16.
June 13, 27, 30.
July 11, 25.
August 1, 8, 22.
September 5, 19, 26.
Itinerary :
Day 1 : Pretoria
11:00
The Pride of Africa departs from Pretoria Rovos Rail Station heading south through Johannesburg and the gold fields of the Witwatersrand and the broad grassland plains of the Highveld. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge and observation cars.
13:00
Lunch is served in the dining cars.
16:30
Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.
19:30
Dinner is served in the Dining Cars en route to Klerksdorp.
Remember, dinner is an elegant affair and men are requested to wear a jacket and tie and ladies elegant evening wear.
Day 2 : Kimberley
07:00
Breakfast is served in the Dining Cars until 10:00 en route to Kimberley.
12:30
Lunch is served in the dining cars.
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.
19:30
Dinner is served in the Dining Cars.
Remember, dinner is an elegant affair and men are requested to wear a jacket and tie and ladies elegant evening wear.
Day 3 : Matjiesfontein
07:00 - 10:00
Breakfast is served in the Dining Cars.
The train travels 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.
13:00
Lunch is served in the dining cars.
After lunch, 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. Please wear comfortable shoes.
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.
16:30
Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
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.
19:30
Dinner is served as the train climbs ±750m down the escarpment towards Worcester.
Remember, dinner is an elegant affair and men are requested to wear a jacket and tie and ladies elegant evening wear.
Day 4 : Cape Town
07:00 - 09:30
Breakfast is served in the Dining Cars.
The train travels through the Hex River Valley.
10:00
Arrive at journey's end at Cape Town Station.
Timings are for guidance and may change.
Train Fares Pretoria to Cape Town 2024/2025 :
Pullman Suite from £2,010 per person
Deluxe Suite from £2,905 per person
Royal Suite from £3,870 per person
Prices are per person, sharing a twin/double suite, one way.
Please note that all prices shown are intended as a guide only, as rates can vary depending on currency fluctuations etc. The correct prices will be quoted at the time of booking.
Price Includes :
- Accommodation on board the train.
- All table d'hôte meals and room service.
- All alcoholic and other beverages.
- Sightseeing excursions and entrance fees.
Please note: Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.
