Travel by luxury train on Rovos Rail between Pretoria and Cape Town (or vice versa). There is no finer way to see South Africa than onboard one of the most luxurious trains in the world.
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. Begin or end your journey in Cape Town, the Mother City of South Africa. Cradled by the imposing bulk of Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak, and Lion’s Head. 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.
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 including Kruger National Park.
The Rovos Cape Town to Pretoria / Pretoria to Cape Town luxury train journey operates on a regular basis. We will be able to work your itinerary out for you; so you can fit everything in.
Rovos Rail Cape Town to Pretoria Daily Itinerary
This is the journey from Cape Town (see below blue box for the Pretoria to Cape Town itinerary).
Day 1:
11 am: Depart from Cape Town Station. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travelers in the lounge car and observation car.
1 pm: Enjoy lunch while the train winds its way through the Winelands of the Western Cape towards Worcester.
4.30 pm: Enjoy High Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
7.30 pm: Dinner is in the dining cars as the train climbs ±750m up the face of the escarpment. The train arrives at the first of four tunnels on the pass. The last tunnel is 13.5km long so guests are to be careful when walking through the train. Dress: Formal
Day 2:
7 am: Breakfast is in the dining cars until 10 am.
8 am: 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.
10 am: Travel through the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region that was once an enormous inland sea. Over millions of years, the volcanic matter was ground down and deposited as silt; upon the seabed to form what geologists call the Karoo system.
1 pm: Lunch available in the dining cars.
4.30 pm: Enjoy High Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
7.30 pm: Dinner is in the dining cars. Dress: Formal
Day 3:
6 am: Breakfast is in the dining cars until 8.30 am.
8.30 am: 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.
Visit Kimberley’s diamond Big Hole
12 pm: Lunch is served as the train travels northeast towards Klerksdorp, and the broad grassland plains of the Highveld.
4.30 pm: Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
7.30 pm: Dinner is in the dining cars.
Day 4:
7 am: Breakfast is in the dining cars until 9.30 am.
1 pm:Lunch is in the dining cars.
4 pm: The train arrives at the journey’s end at Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Should you wish to join a tour of Rovos Rail Station and visit the museum, we suggest delaying your pick up by ±90 minutes.
Click here for the Rovos Rail Pretoria to Cape Town Daily Itinerary ↓
Day 1:
Please check in a minimum of one hour before departure. Should you wish to visit the Rovos train museum or do a site tour at the station, we suggest arriving two hours prior to departure.
10 am: Depart Rovos Rail’s private Capital Park Station, Pretoria aboard the luxury train, the ‘Pride of Africa’. Travel across the goldfields of the Witwatersrand and the broad grassland plains of the Highveld.
Guests may freshen up in their suites; before joining fellow travelers in the midway Lounge car or Observation carriage at the rear of the train.
1 pm: Lunch available in the dining cars.
4.30 pm: Enjoy High Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
7.30 pm: Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Klerksdorp.
Day 2:
7 am: Breakfast is in the dining car/s until 10 am en route to Kimberley.
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.
12.30 pm: Lunch is available 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.
7.30 pm: Dinner will be in the dining cars.
Day 3:
7 am: Breakfast is in the dining cars until 10 am.
The train travels through the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region that was once an enormous inland sea. Over millions of years; the volcanic matter was ground down and deposited as silt upon the seabed. To form what geologists call the Karoo system.
1 pm: Lunch available.
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.
Alternatively; 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.
4.30 pm: Enjoy High Tea in the lounge car and observation car at the rear of the train.
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.
7.30 pm: Enjoy dinner as the train travels towards the town of Worcester.
Day 4:
7 am: Breakfast is in the dining cars until 9.30 am.
The train travels through the Hex River Valley; an area of beautiful mountains and Winelands. Enjoy lunch from 1 pm.
3 pm: The train arrives at the journey’s end at Cape Town Station.
Rovos Rail Cape Town to Pretoria or Vice Versa Price:
1st October 2025 until 30th September 2026:
Pullman Suite: R45 000
Deluxe Suite: R64 800
Royal Suite: R86 400
1st October 2026 until 30th September 2027:
Pullman Suite: R54 000
Deluxe Suite: R78 000
Royal Suite: R104 000
All rates are per person sharing. The Single Supplement is +50% on all the suite types.
To see full information on Rovos Rail and its accommodation options, visit Rovos Rail.
Please note:
Prices are for one way journey per person sharing and include accommodation, meals, and excursions during the train journey; as well as alcoholic beverages while on board the luxury train, Rovos Rail.
All times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed, therefore; excursions may need to be changed.
Departure dates are specific.
Rovos Rail Cape Town Journey Departure Dates
Departure Dates
Pretoria – Cape Town
Cape Town – Pretoria
April 2026
17
3,7,14*,21
May 2026
1,15,29
5,8*,19
June 2026
12,26*
2,16
July 2026
10,24
14,28
August 2026
7,14*,21
8*,11,25
September 2026
4,18
8,22,25*
October 2026
2*,9,16,30
13,20
November 2026
13,27
2*,3,13*,17
December 2026
11,25
1,15,21*,29
January 2027
5*,8,22,29
12,26
February 2027
12*,23*
2,15*
March 2027
5,12
5*,9,16*
April 2027
2*,16,30
6*,19*,20
May 2027
14,28
4,18
June 2027
11,25,29*
1,15,29
July 2027
9,23
13,27
August 2027
6,17*,20
9*,10,24
September 2027
3,10
7,14,27*
Rovos Rail Extensions
Combine the short and long Rovos Rail journeys and receive a 5% discount
Extend your luxury rail journey to include the journey from either Durban* or Victoria Falls (see Rovos combination itineraries that include Victoria Falls).
*Either 6 or 7 night’s:
3 nights on the Cape Town Rovos Journey, 1 or 2 nights at Pretoria Capital Menlyn Maine#, and 2 nights on the Rovos Durban Safari.
#includes return transfers to hotel and a tour of Pretoria with lunch.
OR: Explore Rovos Rail collections that link journeys with other entertaining products
9 or 10 night itinerary of Cape Town and Durban:
2 nights at St James Manor, 3 nights on Rovos Rail Cape Town Journey, 1 or 2 nights at Pretoria Capital Menlyn Maine, 2 nights on Rovos Rail Durban Safari, and 1 night at Oyster Box Hotel. Includes all road transfers and a tour of Pretoria with lunch.
Price depends on the number of nights and are only on selected departures.
Our South Africa Safaris and Tours
We are still working on this and have many more South African Tours available if you get in touch with us.
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