Cape Town & Rovos Rail Pride of Africa
Overview
Relive the golden age of travel on this unforgettable 12-day journey from Pretoria to Cape Town, where timeless elegance meets the soul-stirring beauty of South Africa. Your adventure begins in the historic capital and culminates in the vibrant charm of Cape Town, with the highlight being a luxurious voyage aboard Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa. These beautifully restored vintage carriages, with their polished wood, period furnishings, and gentle rhythm, evoke a bygone era when travel was as much about the experience as the destination.
There is simply no finer way to see the African continent than from the comfort of this rolling masterpiece. Whether sipping a sundowner as the savannah rolls by or dining in style as the train glides through dramatic landscapes, every moment feels like a step back into a more gracious time. This journey is also available in reverse and can be tailored to your wishes—just let us know how we can make it your perfect escape. And for those seeking even more, Rovos offers a range of routes across Africa, from safaris and golf to battlefield tours and the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls. Let the romance of rail carry you away.
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1 – Depart UK. Depart London on an overnight flight to Johannesburg.
Day 2
Day 2 – Johannesburg to Pretoria. Once you arrive in Johannesburg, transfer to your 5-star hotel in Pretoria for the night.
Day 3
Day 3 – Rovos Rail. Today you’ll be taken to the train station where you’ll be met at the spacious private reception to enjoy a glass of something cold before stepping on board Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa for a three-night luxury rail experience. Once on board the vintage carriages, your dedicated steward will show you to your very spacious cabin and allow you to settle in. Take a moment to soak up the atmosphere of the historic and lovingly restored wood panelling and tasteful décor of this most illustrious train. Your evening meal will be a sumptuous experience and while you eat your cabin will be transformed into a comfortable bedroom where you can drift off to sleep listening to the sounds of the track beneath you.
Day 4
Day 4 – Rovos Rail. 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. The rest of the time you can relax on board the train in the observation car, one of the bar carriages or in your spacious private cabin outside of mealtimes.
Day 5
Day 5 – Rovos Rail. 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. 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.
Day 6
Day 6/10 –Cape Town. On arrival in Cape Town you’ll disembark and be transferred to your 5-star hotel in Camps Bay for a five-night stay. Camps Bay has an idyllic location just to the west of Cape Town with a beautiful beach and backdrop of the Twelve Apostles mountains. While in Camps Bay, there are 3 optional excursions you are able to enjoy, ask our travel specialists for details.
Day 7
Day 11 - Return Home. You’ll have a day at your leisure to enjoy your 5-star hotel's facilities, you’ll then be transferred to Cape Town airport for your overnight flight home.
Day 8
Day 12 – Arrive Home