Is the train travel included in the price?

Yes. The package includes all rail travel on Rovos Rail (three nights in a Pullman Suite) and all coach transfers. International flights are not included.

Is this trip guided or independent?

Vacations By Rail describes it as an independent tour. You receive a well-planned itinerary and a guided half-day tour of Cape Town on day 1, but days 2 and 3 are free; optional excursions such as the Winelands Tour or Safari are available at additional cost.

What meals are included?

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included onboard Rovos Rail (days 4, 5, and 6). Meals in Cape Town and Pretoria are not included except for breakfast on day 7.

Which hotels are included?

You stay in one of three handpicked five-star hotels in Cape Town for three nights, and one of three five-star hotels in Pretoria for one night, on a bed-and-breakfast basis. The specific hotel depends on your selection and availability at booking.

How much walking or physical activity is required?

The guided day 1 tour of Cape Town involves city walking. Days 2 and 3 are free; you may hike mountains or visit beaches if you wish, or stay at a relaxed pace. Days 4, 5, and 6 aboard the train involve minimal walking beyond boarding and disembarking.

When does this tour run?

The operator has not published specific departure dates in this information. Contact Vacations By Rail directly for available dates.

No longer offered

Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Independent rail tour

Rovos Rail Cape Town to Pretoria

Eight-day luxury train journey Cape Town to Pretoria on Rovos Rail

Vacations By Rail operates this eight-day luxury itinerary combining Cape Town and Rovos Rail, one of the world's most luxurious trains. The tour begins in Cape Town, South Africa, with three nights in five-star hotels and a guided tour on day 1 that visits the Parliament Buildings, the Slave Lodge, the Company Gardens, and the Bo-Kaap before driving past Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront. Days 2 and 3 are free to explore independently, with optional excursions to the Winelands, Cape Point, or on safari. On day 4, you board Rovos Rail and travel in a Pullman Suite through the winelands toward Worcester, then through the Karoo desert with stops at Matjiesfontein and Kimberley's Diamond Mining Museum, arriving in Pretoria on day 7. All train travel, hotel accommodation, and meals onboard are included. This package suits luxury-seekers, repeat rail travellers, and couples seeking a refined journey through South Africa's most famous landmarks.

What to know before you look closer

The from-price of USD 3,275 covers the package (hotel, rail, and meals); international flights to Cape Town are not included and must be booked separately.
Cape Town hotels are listed as options by rating (four-star and five-star choices); your final hotel depends on availability and the tier selected.
Pretoria hotels on day 7 are also presented as a choice from three five-star options; the final hotel is not guaranteed until booking is confirmed.
Two of the three days in Cape Town (days 2 and 3) are unguided; you have full freedom but no organized activities unless you pay for optional excursions.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Cape Town
Arriving in Cape Town
A transfer takes you to your hotel, chosen between handpicked four-star and five-star hotels on a B&B basis. A half-day guided tour of Cape Town takes in the Parliament Buildings, City Hall, the Slave Lodge, the Company Gardens, the Bo-Kaap and a diamond-cutting factory, driving past the V&A Waterfront and Camps Bay to Table Mountain.
Day 2overnight: Cape Town
Exploring Cape Town
A free day in Cape Town to hike the mountains, visit the beaches, explore the coffee culture, or choose an optional excursion such as the Winelands Tour or Cape Point Tour.
Day 3overnight: Cape Town
Another full day to in beautiful Cape Town
A second free day in Cape Town for museums, galleries, beaches or shopping, or an optional excursion such as the Walk to Freedom Tour, Peninsula cruise or Safari day trip.
Day 4railovernight: Rovos Rail
Rovos Rail
A transfer takes you from your hotel to Cape Town station to board Rovos Rail. The first afternoon journeys through the winelands of the Western Cape towards Worcester, followed by a formal dinner onboard.
Meals: Dinner
Day 5railovernight: Rovos Rail
Matjiesfontein
After breakfast onboard, the route pauses at Matjiesfontein, where you can visit a museum of classic cars and old railway carriages. Lunch is served as the train continues through the Karoo, followed by a formal dinner onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6railovernight: Rovos Rail
Kimberley's diamond mines
After breakfast onboard, step off Rovos Rail for a tour of Kimberley's Diamond Mining Museum and the Big Hole. Lunch is served back on the train as the journey continues toward the Highveld, followed by a formal dinner with South African wine pairings.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7railovernight: Pretoria
Pretoria
After a last breakfast onboard, disembark Rovos Rail for the final time in Pretoria and transfer to your hotel, chosen from expertly selected five-star hotels on a B&B basis.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8
Tour conclusion
Free time in Pretoria before an included transfer takes you from your hotel to Johannesburg airport to begin your journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Guided tour of Cape Town includes the Parliament Buildings, City Hall, the Slave Lodge, the Company Gardens, and the Bo-Kaap, driving past the V&A Waterfront and Camps Bay toward Table Mountain.
Day 4Board Rovos Rail at Cape Town station and travel through the winelands of the Western Cape toward Worcester, with formal dinner onboard.
Day 5Visit the museum of classic cars and old railway carriages at Matjiesfontein before the train continues through the Karoo.
Day 6Tour Kimberley's Diamond Mining Museum and the Big Hole, then return to Rovos Rail for lunch and dinner with South African wine pairings.

Included

4 nights 5-Star hotel accommodation
All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
3 nights on board the Rovos Rail in a Pullman Suite

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance
Flights

Also sold by

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

Tailor Made Railfrom $4,823

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?: Yes. The package includes all rail travel on Rovos Rail (three nights in a Pullman Suite) and all coach transfers. International flights are not included.
Is this trip guided or independent?: Vacations By Rail describes it as an independent tour. You receive a well-planned itinerary and a guided half-day tour of Cape Town on day 1, but days 2 and 3 are free; optional excursions such as the Winelands Tour or Safari are available at additional cost.
What meals are included?: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included onboard Rovos Rail (days 4, 5, and 6). Meals in Cape Town and Pretoria are not included except for breakfast on day 7.
Which hotels are included?: You stay in one of three handpicked five-star hotels in Cape Town for three nights, and one of three five-star hotels in Pretoria for one night, on a bed-and-breakfast basis. The specific hotel depends on your selection and availability at booking.
How much walking or physical activity is required?: The guided day 1 tour of Cape Town involves city walking. Days 2 and 3 are free; you may hike mountains or visit beaches if you wish, or stay at a relaxed pace. Days 4, 5, and 6 aboard the train involve minimal walking beyond boarding and disembarking.
When does this tour run?: The operator has not published specific departure dates in this information. Contact Vacations By Rail directly for available dates.

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