Rovos Rail 48 hour Pretoria to Cape Town

Contact a specialist about your Rovos Rail 48 hour Pretoria Cape Town

The Old Karoo Pioneering Trail

For many visitors to South Africa, there is no finer way to see the country than on the popular 48-hour weekly journeys between Pretoria and Cape Town. This 1600-kilometre journey 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 wine lands of the Cape. Journey's end is Cape Town, the Mother City of South Africa, cradled by the imposing bulk of Table Mountain, Devil's Peak and Lions Head. Highlights of the north and southbound routes include a visit to the historic village of Matjiesfontein. This authentic perfectly preserved Victorian Village, which was founded by Mr Logan as a refreshment stop in 1890, also boasts an impressive museum on the platform. A stop is also made in Kimberley providing an opportunity to enjoy a city tour and a visit to the Mine Museum and the world's largest man-made excavation, the Big Hole.

Pretoria to Cape Town

Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday

  • 15h00 The Pride of Africa train departs Rovos Rail's train Station in Capital Park
  • Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the midway Lounge car or Observation carriage at the rear of the train.
  • 19h30 Dinner is served in the dining car/s.

Wednesday/Thursday/Saturday

  • 07h00 Breakfast is served in the dining car/s until 09h45.
  • 09h30 Ten minutes before arriving in Kimberley there is a shallow lake on the right hand side facing forward. On most occasions there are spectacular flocks of Flamingos (approx. 23 000).
  • 09h45 the train arrives in Kimberley. Guests disembark and proceed by coach/combi for a tour of the city, the “Big Hole “ and the Mine Museum.
  • 12h30 The train departs Kimberley.
  • 13h00 Lunch is served in the dining car/s.
  • 19h30 Dinner will be served in the dining car/s.

Thursday/Friday/Sunday

  • 08h00 There is an opportunity to disembark the Train at Whitehill siding and walk or jog the 5 kilometres into Matjiesfontein. The Train Manager or a member of staff will accompany you. Comfortable walking or running shoes are essential.
  • 08h25 The train arrives at Matjiesfontein where you will have a chance to stroll through this historic settlement. Of special interest is the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages to the right of the Hotel. Breakfast will be served in the dining car/s between 07h00 and 10h00. 10h30 The train departs Matjiesfontein passing through Tweedside and Touws River. At 12h00 the train reaches the first of four tunnels which take us through the Hex River Pass. The second tunnel is 13.5kms long!
  • 13h00 Lunch will be served as the train passes through the Hex River Valley and the town of Worcester.
  • 18h00 The train arrives at Platform 24 Cape Town Station where the journey ends.

Note:Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed

Cape Town to Pretoria

Saturday/Monday

  • 11h00 The train departs from Platform 23 Cape Town Station.
  • Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining other guests in the midway Lounge car or the Observation carriage at the rear of the train.
  • 13h00 Lunch will be served in the dining car/s.
  • 15h00 The train passes through Worcester on the way to the village of Matjiesfontein.
  • At 15h30 we reach the first of four tunnels which take us through the Hex River Pass. The third tunnel is 13.5kms long so please be careful if you are walking through the train. If you are in your suite you may wish to turn on a light.
  • 17h45 Guests may disembark the train at Matjiesfontein for a stroll through this quaint and historic little village. Of special interest is the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages to the right of the Hotel. (For refreshments we recommend the pub in the Lord Milner Hotel).
  • 19h00 The train departs Matjiesfontein.
  • 19h30 Dinner will be served in the dining car/s.

Sunday/Tuesday

  • 07h00 Breakfast will be served in the dining car/s until 10h00.
  • 12h30 Lunch is served in the dining car/s.
  • 14h30 The train arrives in Kimberley. Here we disembark and proceed by coach/combi for a tour of the city, the “ Big Hole ” and the Mine Museum.
  • 16h00 Rejoin the train at Kimberley station.
  • 16h10 Ten minutes after departing Kimberley there is a shallow lake on the left hand side facing forward. On most occasions there are spectacular flocks of Flamingos (approx. 23 000).
  • 19h30 Dinner will be served in the dining car/s as we pass through Bloemhof and Leeudoringstad en route to Klerksdorp.

Monday/Wednesday

  • 07h00 Breakfast will be served in the dining car/s until 10h00.
  • The train continues the journey towards Pretoria passing through Krugersdorp, Johannesburg and Germiston.
  • 10h45 The train arrives at Centurion where one or two of our Rovos locomotives will collect us for the final leg of our journey.
  • 12h00 The train arrives at Rovos Rail Station in Capital Park, Pretoria where the journey ends

Note: Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed

Includes: Accommodation on board train Meals and excursions during the train journey Alcoholic beverages whilst on board the train Transfers to and from hotel

Excludes: International Flights Visa fees Travel Insurance Gratuities Personal travel expenses

COSTS

  • Pullman Suite £850 per person sharing
  • Deluxe Suite £1,250 per person sharing
  • Royal Suite £1,675 per person sharing
  • Single Supplement +50% on all suites

Client Comments

Transfers – all very good and efficient and we had no problems at all

Accommodation Pondoro was amazing!!!!! The staff there were all lovely and they all knew our names before we’d even introduced ourselves!! They decorated our bed with rose petals and left us some champagne as well. They also went to amazing effort to give us an am... more
S & N Walsh