Search

Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Rovos Rail: Cape Town to Pretoria

Nine-day London round trip: Cape Town exploration, then luxury Rovos Rail to Pretoria

Illustration of Rovos Rail: Cape Town to Pretoria

Tailor Made Rail combines a cosmopolitan break in Cape Town with one of the world's most celebrated luxury train journeys. The nine-day itinerary begins with a return flight from London, three nights exploring Cape Town's setting between Table Mountain and the Atlantic, and then boards Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa for a two-night passage through South Africa to Pretoria. Along the way, you stop in Kimberley to tour the famous Diamond Mine and visit the Big Hole, travel through the Hex River Valley, and pass the historic village of Matjiesfontein. All train meals and drinks are included, and the journey ends with a night in Pretoria before the return flight. This package suits luxury travellers and rail enthusiasts who value time in a destination city alongside a premium train experience, as well as history-minded visitors drawn to South Africa's heritage sites.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package price includes return economy flights from London; premium cabin upgrades (Deluxe Suite or Royal Suite) cost GBP 600-1,250 additional per person.
  • Cape Town accommodation is listed as 'Cape Heritage Hotel (or similar)' and Pretoria as 'Southern Sun Hotel (or similar)'; final hotels depend on availability.
  • Day 8 in Pretoria is free time before the evening flight; no guided activities or meals are included that day.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Overnight flight to Cape Town

    London to Cape Town

    Fly overnight from the UK to Cape Town.

  2. Day 2overnight: Cape Town

    Arrival in Cape Town

    On arrival, met at the airport and taken by private transfer to the Cape Heritage Hotel (or similar) for a 3-night stay. Settle in and relax after the journey.

  3. Day 3overnight: Cape Town

    Cape Town

    Two full days enjoying the sights of Cape Town, including Table Mountain (by cable car or on foot), a boat to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held as a political prisoner, and the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for shopping and dining.

  4. Day 4overnight: Cape Town

    Cape Town

    Two full days enjoying the sights of Cape Town, including Table Mountain (by cable car or on foot), a boat to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held as a political prisoner, and the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for shopping and dining.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Aboard the Pride of Africa

    Depart Cape Town with Rovos Rail

    After a leisurely breakfast, board the train at Cape Town Station for the journey across South Africa. Lunch is served in the dining cars as the train reaches Worcester in the Hex River Valley, with a stop at Matjiesfontein to stroll the historic village before a formal dinner en route to Kimberley.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Aboard the Pride of Africa

    Aboard the train and stop at Kimberley

    Breakfast served until 10am, then after lunch a stop at Kimberley for a tour of the town, the Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole; a shallow lake near Kimberley is often home to flocks of over 20,000 flamingos.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Pretoria

    Arrive Pretoria

    The train travels northeast through the Witwatersrand goldfields, arriving around noon at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. Check in at the Southern Sun Hotel (or similar) and explore South Africa's administrative capital, known for its jacaranda blossom in October and November.

  8. Day 8overnight: Overnight flight to London

    Pretoria to London

    A free day in Pretoria (bags can be left at the hotel), before a transfer to Johannesburg Airport for the evening flight back to the UK.

  9. Day 9

    Arrival in London

    Arrive back in London on the return flight from Johannesburg.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: Visit Table Mountain by cable car or on foot, and take a boat to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held as a political prisoner.
  • Day 5Day 5: Board the Pride of Africa at Cape Town Station; the train passes through the Hex River Valley at Worcester and stops at the historic village of Matjiesfontein before a formal dinner en route.
  • Day 6Day 6: Tour Kimberley, visit the Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole; a shallow lake nearby often hosts flocks of over 20,000 flamingos.
  • Day 7Day 7: The train travels through the Witwatersrand goldfields and arrives at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria around noon.

Included

  • Return flights from London to Cape Town and Johannesburg back to London in economy class
  • Hand picked hotel accommodation in Cape Town and Pretoria with breakfast
  • A 2-night journey aboard the Pride of Africa including all meals, drinks and excursion to Kimberley Diamond Mine
  • Transfers from airport to hotel in Cape Town and Pretoria
  • Hotel to Johannesburg Airport
  • Despatch of tickets by email

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The two-night journey aboard the Pride of Africa includes all meals, drinks, and the excursion to Kimberley Diamond Mine. Return flights from London are also included.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
It is a tailored package: you fly independently to Cape Town, have two unguided days to explore the city yourself, then travel on the Pride of Africa (which includes a Kimberley tour), and have a free day in Pretoria before flying home.
What is included in the price?
Return flights London-Cape Town and Johannesburg-London (economy), hotel accommodation with breakfast in Cape Town (3 nights) and Pretoria (1 night), the two-night Rovos Rail journey with all meals and drinks, the Kimberley Diamond Mine excursion, airport transfers, and email ticket despatch.
When does it run?
Year-round departures from July 2026 through September 2027, with 42 scheduled dates. Prices are GBP 3,599 per person (January-September 2026) and GBP 3,999 (October 2026 onwards).
Can I upgrade my cabin?
Yes. Deluxe Suites are available from GBP 600 per person, and Royal Suites from GBP 1,250 per person above the Pullman Cabin base fare.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate. In Cape Town you can visit Table Mountain by cable car or on foot, take a boat to Robben Island, and explore the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Kimberley includes a town and museum tour. The train journey itself involves minimal walking.

Similar journeys