This 1 600-kilometre 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; this authentic perfectly preserved Victorian Village – founded by Mr Logan as a refreshment stop in 1890 – also boasts an impressive museum on the platform. Another stop is made in Kimberley providing an opportunity to enjoy a city tour and a visit to the Diamond Mine Museum and the world’s largest man-made excavation, the Big Hole.
Available in reverse.
Day 1: Depart from Pretoria
15:00 Depart Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Travel across the goldfields of the Witwatersrand. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car or observation car at the rear of the train.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars. Overnight on board. Dress: Formal
Life on Board Rovos Rail
General make-up of the train: Locomotive, generator car, staff car, guest sleepers, a non-smoking lounge car (26 guests), two non-smoking 42-seat dining cars (if required, plenty of space for the maximum of 72 guests carried), kitchen car, guest sleepers, smoking lounge and Observation Car (32 guests) at the tail.
Cuisine: Meals are served in one sitting only in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the dining cars and are complemented by a selection of fine South African wines. An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for overseeing the very important task of ensuring guests’ every need is catered for. There’s an accent on fresh local ingredients and traditional dishes such as game are a specialty. Breakfast is between 07h00 and 10h00, lunch at 13h00, tea at 16h30 and a formal dinner at 19h30. A gong heralds lunch and dinner.
Dress: For days on the train dress is smart casual. Evening attire is more formal – for the gentlemen a jacket and tie is a minimum requirement while for ladies we suggest cocktail/evening dresses or suits. Please include warm clothing for cold mornings and evenings.
Mobile Devices and Internet: In maintaining the spirit of train travel there are no radios or television sets on board. The use of mobile phones, laptops and essentially anything that has the ability to disturb other passengers is confined to the privacy of your suites only. The reception is poor while the train is moving. It is advised to contact your service provider to ensure the correct settings fornetwork services are activated. WiFi is available at our lounges in Cape Town and Pretoria and at most off-train accommodation.
Smoking: is only allowed in the Club Lounge.
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Day 2: En route to Cape Town
07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:45.
09:30 A shallow lake appears on the right-hand side of the train where, on most occasions, there are spectacular flocks of Lesser Flamingos (approximately 23 000).
09:45 Arrive Kimberley. Disembark for a tour of the city, Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole.
12:30 Depart Kimberley. Travel through the Karoo.
13:00 Lunch is served in the dining cars.
16.30 Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car at the rear of the train.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars. Overnight on board. Dress: Formal
Day 3: Arrive Cape Town
07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00.
08:00 There is a chance for guests to disembark the train at Whitehill Siding and walk the five kilometres into Matjiesfontein. A member of staff will accompany the group. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.
08:25 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.
10:30 Depart Matjiesfontein.
12:00The train arrives at the first of four tunnels on the pass. The second tunnel is 13.5 kilometres long so guests are to be careful when walking through the train and may wish to turn on necessary lights.
13:00 Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train climbs ±750m down the escarpment through the Hex River Valley.
16:30 Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car at the rear of the train.
18:00 The train arrives at journey’s end: Platform 24 at Cape Town Station.