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Luxury Rovos Rail from Pretoria to Cape Town

Luxury rail journey from Pretoria to Cape Town aboard Rovos Rail

Illustration of Luxury Rovos Rail from Pretoria to Cape Town

Railbookers' Luxury Rovos Rail from Pretoria to Cape Town runs 10 days and 9 nights, starting in Johannesburg and ending in Cape Town. After two nights in Johannesburg, including a city tour through Soweto and Constitution Hill, day 3 begins the three-night rail journey: the Rovos Rail Discover departs from the Pretoria station, boarding at Meyerton, and crosses the Highveld's grassland plains before reaching Kimberley's Diamond Mine Museum and Big Hole on day 4. Day 5 crosses the Karoo semi-desert, stops for a guided walk into the historic village of Matjiesfontein, and passes through a 13.5km tunnel while descending the escarpment toward Worcester. The train arrives in Cape Town on day 6 for a four-night stay at the 5-star Queen Victoria Hotel, with a Cape Town city tour, a full day on the Cape Peninsula to Boulders Beach, and a day touring Franschhoek's wine estates. It suits travelers who want the classic Pretoria-to-Cape-Town rail route bookended by two well-toured cities rather than an unstructured stay.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 1 in Johannesburg is unguided beyond the airport transfer; the itinerary leaves the rest of the day free for arrival.
  • The evidence for this listing does not include specific departure dates; confirm current scheduling and availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Johannesburg

    Your Journey Begins in Johannesburg

    Welcome to South Africa! You will be warmly welcomed at the airport and escorted to your luxury hotel in Johannesburg for a two-night stay. Spend the rest of the day acclimatizing at your leisure. (Overnight Johannesburg)

  2. Day 2overnight: Johannesburg

    Johannesburg

    Discover the history of Johannesburg, the city of gold, and experience the vibrant neighborhood life of Soweto. Visit Constitution Hill, the Constitutional Court and site of Johannesburg's Old Fort Prison, Walter Sisulu Square - Kliptown Open Air Museum and the Hector Pieterson Memorial. View the iconic Soweto Towers and experience the buzz of Vilikazi Street and an authentic street market. (Overnight Johannesburg)

    Meals: B

  3. Day 3railovernight: onboard Rovos Rail

    Overnight Onboard Rovos Rail

    Embark on the Rovos Rail journey from Pretoria to Cape Town, starting with check-in and a welcome reception at the Rovos Rail station in Pretoria before boarding the train at Meyerton Station. Enjoy the luxury Pullman Suite and a scenic lunch through the Highveld's grassland plains. Relax in the lounge and observation cars, followed by a delightful dinner en route to Klerksdorp. (Overnight onboard Rovos Rail)

    Meals: B, L, D

  4. Day 4railovernight: onboard Rovos Rail

    Overnight Onboard Rovos Rail

    After breakfast, savor lunch onboard while heading to Kimberly, where you'll explore the Diamond Mine Museum and witness the astonishing Big Hole, a massive crater formed during the diamond search. Return to the train for a gourmet dinner and evening festivities. (Overnight onboard Rovos Rail)

    Meals: B, L, D

  5. Day 5railovernight: onboard Rovos Rail

    Overnight Onboard Rovos Rail

    As you enjoy breakfast, the train passes through Karoo, a vast semi-desert region once covered by an inland sea. Following lunch, disembark at Whitehill Siding for a guided walk into Matjiesfontein or explore the historic village. Rejoin the train as it traverses a 13.5km tunnel and enjoy dinner while descending the escarpment towards Worcester. Unwind with a nightcap in the lounge car. (Overnight onboard Rovos Rail)

    Meals: B, L, D

  6. Day 6railovernight: Cape Town

    Cape Town

    Enjoy a final breakfast on the train before arriving at Cape Town station. Bid farewell to fellow passengers and transfer to the 5-star Queen Victoria Hotel for a four-night stay. (Overnight Cape Town)

    Meals: B

  7. Day 7overnight: Cape Town

    Cape Town

    Embark on a private half-day city tour, passing iconic landmarks and sites such as the Castle of Good Hope, St. George's Cathedral, the Company Gardens, and the vibrant Bo-Kaap neighborhood. Optional activities include a tour of diamond cutting and jewelry manufacturing or ascending Table Mountain by cable car for panoramic views. (Overnight Cape Town)

    Meals: B

  8. Day 8overnight: Cape Town

    Cape Town

    Prepare for a full-day private tour of the Cape Peninsula and Kirstenbosch. Experience breathtaking views along the Atlantic coast, visit the picturesque Hout Bay, explore Cape Point Nature Reserve with its diverse wildlife, and stop at Simon's Town to see the Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach. Immerse yourself in the beauty of False Bay and Fish Hoek fishing village. (Overnight Cape Town)

    Meals: B

  9. Day 9overnight: Cape Town

    Cape Town

    Begin the day with a tram ride to a local wine estate in Franschhoek, where you'll learn about the region's wine culture, taste unique flavors, and enjoy a three-course lunch at the estate restaurant. Continue to two other renowned wine estates for premium tastings, deepening your appreciation for Franschhoek's wines. (Overnight Cape Town)

    Meals: B, L

  10. Day 10

    Your Journey Ends in Cape Town

    You will head to the airport in time for your flight home. B

    Meals: B

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The Rovos Rail Discover departs from Pretoria station, boarding at Meyerton, and crosses the Highveld's grassland plains
  • Day 4A stop in Kimberley to explore the Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole
  • Day 5The train crosses the Karoo semi-desert, stops for a guided walk into the historic village of Matjiesfontein, and passes through a 13.5km tunnel while descending the escarpment toward Worcester
  • Day 8A full-day Cape Peninsula tour to Cape Point and the penguin colony at Boulders Beach
  • Day 9A wine tram day in Franschhoek with a three-course lunch and tastings at three estates

Included

  • 2 nights' luxury hotel accommodation including breakfast in Johannesburg 4 nights' luxury hotel accommodation including breakfast in Cape Town 3 nights in a Pullman Suite onboard Rovos Rail from Pretoria to Cape Town including: All meals and drinks All off-board experience All freshly prepared meals Private full-day city tour of Johannesburg Private half-day city tour of Cape Town Private full-day Cape Peninsula including Kirstenbosch Private full-day Franschhoek Wine Tram & Babylonstoren Farm Experience Private airport/hotel/station transfers throughout

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes 3 nights in a Pullman Suite aboard Rovos Rail from Pretoria to Cape Town, with all onboard meals and drinks included.
Is this trip independent or escorted?
It is an independent rail vacation, arranged by Railbookers, with private guided tours and private transfers at each stop.
Which train is used, and where does it depart from?
Rovos Rail Discover. Check-in and a welcome reception take place at the Rovos Rail station in Pretoria, and the train is boarded at Meyerton Station.
What scenery does the train pass through?
The Highveld's grassland plains, the Karoo semi-desert, the historic village of Matjiesfontein, a 13.5km tunnel, and the escarpment descent toward Worcester.
What hotels are included?
2 nights in Johannesburg and 4 nights in Cape Town at the 5-star Queen Victoria Hotel, both with breakfast.

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