Rovos Rail – Cape Town to Pretoria

16:00 – Depart from Cape Town Station. Trundle through the winelands of the Western Cape towards Worcester.

16:30 – Tea in the lounge and observation cars.

19:30 – Dinner is served in the dining cars as the train climbs ±750m up the face of the escarpment. Dress: Formal Around midnight, the train arrives at the first of four tunnels on the pass. The last tunnel is 13.5km long so guests are to be careful when walking through the train.

07:00 – Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00.

08:00 – 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.

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.

13:00 – Lunch is served in the dining cars.

16:30 – Tea in the lounge and observation cars.

19:30 – Dinner is served in the dining cars. Overnight on board. Dress: Formal

06:00 – Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 08:30.

08:30 – 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.

12:00 – Lunch is served as the train travels northeast towards Klerksdorp and the broad grassland plains of the Highveld.

16:30 – Tea in the lounge and observation cars.

19:30 – Dinner is served in the dining cars. Overnight on board. Dress: Formal

07:00 – Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:30.

10:00 – Arrive at journey’s end at Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria.

In addition to the luxury cabins and dining cars, the Rovos Rail has a lounge car with comfortable seating, a well-stocked bar, and even a cigar lounge for those who enjoy a post-dinner smoke (smoking regulations apply). There’s also an observation car with large windows, perfect for relaxing and gazing out at the passing scenery.

The Rovos Rail encourages smart casual attire during the day and elegant attire for dinner in the evenings (often the evenings are themed). Think comfortable slacks or dresses for daytime, and cocktail dresses or suits for gentlemen in the evenings.

While children are welcome aboard the Rovos Rail, it’s important to consider the pace of the journey. This luxurious experience might be better suited for older children who can appreciate the finer details and slower pace of travel.

From Rovos Rail, you’ll see dramatic scenery of the Cape Winelands and the open plains of the Karoo. Keep your eyes peeled for rolling hills, vineyards, mountains, and unique South African wildlife along the way.

Matjiesfontein is a Victorian village, which has been preserved as a national monument. While here there is time to explore its quaint shops, Victorian architecture, and the renowned Lord Milner Hotel.