Pretoria to Cape Town (Rovos Rail)
For many visitors to South Africa, there is no finer way to see the country than on the popular journey between Pretoria and Cape Town. This 1000-mile journey aboard one of the most luxurious trains 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.
Day 1
Arrive Johannesburg, South Africa / Pretoria
Upon arrival into Johannesburg, you are met by an A&S representative and transferred to your boutique hotel in Pretoria.
Day 2
Pretoria / Johannesburg / Pretoria
Enjoy a half-day tour to Johannesburg and the Apartheid Museum, the first of its kind which illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid. The Museum sets out by means of blown-up photographs, artifacts, newspaper clippings, and film footage, to graphically portray the apartheid story. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3
Pretoria / Johannesburg / Pretoria
Enjoy a half-day tour of Johannesburg and experience the cultural diversity of the City of Gold. Johannesburg is the major international gateway to South Africa, and is a vibrant and dynamic city. Your tour may include a visit to Soweto, a township with a turbulent history as well as a tour of Gold Reef City, Johannesburg’s favorite theme park that brims with activities including thrill rides along with a reconstruction of an old mining town complete with train station and stores from a bygone era.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4
Pretoria / Rovos Rail
After breakfast, transfer a short distance to the rail station to board the luxurious Rovos Rail for the journey to Cape Town. The train departs at 3:00 PM and proceeds to Kimberely where you visit the Big Hole and the Diamond Museum. You then continue overnight via De Aar and Beaufort West for Matjiesfontein.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5
Rovos Rail
This morning, visit the historic village of Matjiesfontein.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6
Rovos Rail / Cape Town
Depart Matjiesfontein and proceed via Touws River, De Doorns and Worcester to Cape Town. Arrive in Cape Town at 6:00 PM where you are met and transferred to your hotel for the night.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7
Cape Town
This morning enjoy a half day tour of Cape Town, South Africa’s ‘Mother City’, including a trip to Table Mountain for spectacular views. The afternoon is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8
Cape Town / Cape of Good Hope / Cape Town
Today you drive to the Cape of Good Hope, proclaimed by Sir Francis Drake in 1580 to be “… the most stately thing and the fairest Cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth.” Enjoy the rest of the day here.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9
Cape Town
Enjoy the day at leisure in Cape Town. You may choose to undertake the many optional activities available in and around the city on your own. Some of these include:
- Robben Island
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
- Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
- Two Oceans Aquarium
- Beaches
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10
Cape Town / Winelands / Cape Town
Today you depart for the Winelands for an overnight stay. Here you will enjoy wine tasting and cellar tours. With towering mountains as their backdrop, the winelands towns offer history, spectacular scenery, outdoor activities and award winning restaurants for elegant or casual dining.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11
Cape Town / Depart
Today you are transferred to the international airport in Cape Town to board your homebound flight.
Meals: Breakfast
- Meet and greet on arrival at Airport.
- Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner).
- Entrance fees where applicable.
- Tours as indicated in the itinerary.
- Professional English-speaking guide/driver guide.
- Transfers
- Travel Protection is offered on all packages at an additional cost.
