Rovos Rail Cape Town Journey

Duration: 4 Days
Start: Pretoria
End: Cape Town
Languages:
Transportation: Train
Rediscover the old pioneering trail of the Karoo. Travel the grasslands of the gold-rich Highveld to the haunting barrenness of the Great Karoo. Trundle through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic winelands of the Cape and end in Cape Town.

This meander 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 winelands 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 Lion’s Head.

Highlights of the north- and southbound routes include a visit to the historic village of Matjiesfontein, an authentically preserved Victorian Village founded as a refreshment stop in 1890, which also boasts an impressive museum on the platform. Another stop is made in Kimberley to visit the Diamond Mine Museum and the world’s largest man-made excavation, the Big Hole. This journey is available both in southbound direction (departing from Pretoria) and northbound direction (departing from Cape Town).

Day 1: 

Depart Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Travel across the goldfields of the Witwatersrand and the broad grassland plains of the Highveld. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge and observation cars. 
Lunch is served in the dining cars.
Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Klerksdorp. Overnight on board. Dress code: Formal

Day 2:

Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00 en route to Kimberley.
Lunch is served in the dining cars. 
Enjoy a tour of Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole. Capital of the Northern Cape, Kimberley is well known for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871. 
Dinner is served in the dining cars. Overnight on board. Dress code: Formal

Day 3:

Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. The train travels through the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region that was once an enormous inland sea. Over millions of years, volcanic matter was ground down and deposited as silt upon the seabed to form what geologists call the Karoo system.
Lunch is served in the dining cars. After lunch, there is a chance for guests to disembark the train at Whitehill Siding and walk the 5km into Matjiesfontein. A member of staff will accompany the group. 
Disembark at Matjiesfontein for an opportunity to stroll through the historic village. Of special interest is the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages to the right of the Lord Milner Hotel.
Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
About an hour after Matjiesfontein, the train arrives at the first of four tunnels on the pass. The first tunnel is 13.5km long so guests are to be careful when walking through the train and may wish to turn on necessary lights.
Dinner is served as the train climbs ±750m down the escarpment towards Worcester. Dress code: Formal

Day 4:

Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:30. The train travels through the Hex River Valley.
Arrive at journey’s end at Cape Town Station.

 

 

The wood-panelled sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. The Royal Suites each take up half a carriage with their own private lounge area and en-suite bathroom with Victorian bath, separate shower, toilet and basin. They accommodate one or two passengers in double or twin beds. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily.

Suite Facilities

  • Double or twin beds
  • En-suite with bath, shower, toilet and basin
  • Small lounge area
  • Writing desk
  • Luggage shelf
  • Cupboards
  • Safe
  • Air conditioning
  • Fridge
  • Tea facilities
  • Bespoke amenities
  • Robes and slippers
  • Hairdryer (fixed or plug-in)
  • Shaver plugs (2-pin)
  • USB ports
  • Safety glasses
  • Emergency torch
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Laundry bag
  • Shoe bag
  • Internal telephone system
  • Room service

The wood-panelled sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. The Deluxes accommodate one or two passengers in double or twin beds and have their own lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily.

Suite Facilities

  • Double or twin beds
  • En-suite with shower, toilet and basin
  • Small lounge area
  • Writing desk
  • Luggage shelf
  • Cupboards
  • Safe
  • Air conditioning
  • Fridge
  • Tea facilities
  • Bespoke amenities
  • Robes and slippers
  • Hairdryer (fixed or plug-in)
  • Shaver plugs (2-pin)
  • USB ports
  • Safety glasses
  • Emergency torch
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Laundry bag
  • Shoe bag
  • Internal telephone system
  • Room service

The wood-panelled sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. The Pullmans, used on our short journeys, accommodate one or two passengers and have an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. During the day, the suites have a comfortable sofa-seat with a conversion to double or twin beds (side-by-side or upper and lower bunks) for the evening. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily.

Suite Facilities

  • Double or twin beds
  • Upper and/or lower bunk
  • Daytime sofa setting
  • En-suite with shower, toilet and basin
  • Fold-up writing desk
  • Luggage shelf
  • Cupboards
  • Safe
  • Air conditioning
  • Tea facilities
  • Bespoke amenities
  • Robes and slippers
  • Hairdryer (fixed or plug-in)
  • Shaver plugs (2-pin)
  • USB ports
  • Safety glasses
  • Emergency torch
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Laundry bag
  • Shoe bag
  • Internal telephone system
  • Room service

 

Booking enquiry

Do you need more information? Feel free to contact us!

+264-61-375 650 info@natural-destinations.com
Important information
Price includes
Accommodation in the selected Suite; all meals; all beverages; room service; limited laundry; excursions with a qualified guide (where applicable); entrance fees as per itinerary; government tax.
Price excludes
International sparkling wine; gratuities; personal expenses; visas; travel insurance; pre- and post-tour transfers, accommodation and flights.
Cancellation policy
A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the full value of the booking is payable upon confirmation of any reservation. The balance of the full amount is due no later than 8 weeks prior to arrival. Where reservations are made within 31 days of date of arrival, payment is due within 72 hours. All bookings are on request only and you will receive a separate booking confirmation from Natural Destinations together with payment infos. Any booking is only 100% confirmed once payment has been received.
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