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Great Rail Journeys · Independent

Rovos Rail Cape Town to Pretoria

Luxury train from Cape Town to Johannesburg through South African winelands and Karoo

Illustration of Rovos Rail Cape Town to Pretoria

Great Rail Journeys operates this 10-day South African journey combining three nights aboard Rovos Rail with exploration of Cape Town and stays in five-star hotels. The tour departs London, arriving in Cape Town for two free days to walk the coast, visit breweries, or take optional excursions before boarding Rovos Rail on Day 5. The train travels overnight through the Western Cape winelands towards Worcester, stops at Matjiesfontein's heritage museum (Day 6), and reaches Kimberley's Diamond Mining Museum (Day 7), with formal dinners and South African wine pairings each evening. After disembarking in Pretoria on Day 8, travellers have time in the city before flying back to London. The journey suits luxury-seekers and repeat rail travellers seeking refined accommodation and fine dining while moving through South African countryside, desert, and historic sites. All flights, rail, and coach transfers are included; hotels and meals are chosen or combined from the options provided.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price covers the package; flight costs are included rather than additional.
  • Days 3 and 4 in Cape Town are free; optional excursions (Winelands Tour, Cape Point Tour, Safari, Peninsula) are available at a supplement.
  • Hotel choice in Cape Town and Pretoria depends on availability of the named five-star properties.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: In-flight

    UK to Cape Town

    Your adventure begins today when you take your British Airways flight from London and travel overnight to Cape Town, South Africa.

  2. Day 2overnight: Cape Town (The Taj Hotel / The Table Bay Hotel / Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel)

    Cape Town

    On arrival in Cape Town today you'll be transferred to your chosen hotel. Choose between handpicked 5* hotels, on a B&B basis.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Cape Town

    Exploring Cape Town

    Today you have a free day in Cape Town to get to know the city better. With spectacular views, Cape Town is great for walking, hiking Table Mountain, lounging on the beach, visiting breweries, sampling street food, or choosing one of the optional excursions available at a supplement.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Cape Town

    Exploring Cape Town

    Enjoy a second free day in Cape Town. Visit a museum and art gallery, take photos of the coastline, go shopping for souvenirs, hike in the mountains, visit food markets, or choose one of the supplementary optional excursions.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Rovos Rail

    Rovos Rail

    Today you'll be transferred from your hotel to Cape Town station where you'll board the iconic Rovos Rail. On your first afternoon you'll journey through the winelands of the Western Cape towards Worcester. Following a lavish and formal dinner onboard you can relax as the train makes its way through the first four tunnels of your journey.

    Meals: Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Rovos Rail

    Matjiesfontein

    Following a leisurely breakfast onboard, you'll stop at Matjiesfontein, where you'll visit a museum on the platform and see a collection of classic cars and old railway carriages. Lunch is served back onboard as you travel through the Karoo. A formal dinner is served onboard this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Rovos Rail

    Kimberley's Diamond Mines

    Enjoy a relaxed breakfast onboard before disembarking for a tour of Kimberley's Diamond Mining Museum and the Big Hole. Lunch is served back onboard as you continue towards the Highveld. Enjoy a formal dinner this evening with pairings of fine South African wines, and relax in the observation car.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Pretoria (Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel)

    Pretoria

    After a last luxurious breakfast onboard, disembark at Pretoria and transfer to your hotel. Choose from especially picked 5* hotels, on a B&B basis.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9overnight: In-flight

    Johannesburg to the UK

    Your adventure comes to a close today as you say goodbye to Pretoria. Enjoy some free time in the city before being transferred to Johannesburg airport to catch your overnight flight back to London.

  10. Day 10

    Arrive UK

    Your British Airways flight arrives back in the UK today, where you can look back on the wonderful memories you've built on this very special trip.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 5Board Rovos Rail at Cape Town station and journey through the winelands of the Western Cape towards Worcester, followed by a formal dinner onboard.
  • Day 6Stop at Matjiesfontein to visit a museum featuring classic cars and historic railway carriages; travel continues through the Karoo.
  • Day 7Tour Kimberley's Diamond Mining Museum and the Big Hole, then relax in the observation car with a formal dinner and South African wine pairings.

Included

  • 3 nights on board Rovos Rail in a Pullman Suite
  • 4 nights' hotel accommodation on a B&B basis
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flight from London Heathrow to Cape Town
  • Flight from Johannesburg to London Heathrow (British Airways)

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes three nights aboard Rovos Rail in a Pullman Suite, all rail and coach travel, and flights from London Heathrow to Cape Town and Johannesburg back to London.
Which train is this?
Rovos Rail, travelling from Cape Town to Pretoria.
What meals are included?
Breakfast daily, plus lunch and dinner onboard Rovos Rail (Days 5, 6, 7). Formal dinners on Days 5, 6, and 7 include South African wine pairings.
What hotels are included?
Great Rail Journeys includes four nights in five-star hotels on a bed and breakfast basis: a choice of three properties in Cape Town (The Taj Hotel, The Table Bay Hotel, or Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel) and Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel in Pretoria.
Is this an escorted tour?
No, this is independent travel. Great Rail Journeys provides transfers, accommodation, and the train journey; Days 3 and 4 in Cape Town are unguided.
How much walking is involved?
Cape Town days offer optional activities including hiking Table Mountain and beach walks. The Kimberley and Matjiesfontein excursions involve moderate walking around museums and the mining site.

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