Related regions :
Incorporating a great train journey into your travel itinerary adds a unique perspective to your vacation. With some of the best-escorted rail tours in the world, traveling by train in Southern Africa has become a firm favorite in recent years.
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. Available in reverse.
The train departs on set dates throughout the year.
Meal times on the train: Breakfast from 7 am to 10 am, Lunch at 1 pm, Tea at 4:30 pm, Dinner at 7:30 pm.
Excursions may be changed according to the schedule achieved.
Travel and cancellation insurance are compulsory.
2023 departure dates are available on request from your Safari.com African Safari Expert.
After checking in at Rovos Rail's Station in Pretoria, you depart on your train journey at 11:00 am. Travel across the goldfields of the Witwatersrand. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travelers in the lounge car and observation car.
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 Gemsbok.
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 5 km into Matjiesfontein. A member of staff will accompany the group. 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.
Enjoy 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 13.5 km 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 approximately 750m down the escarpment towards Worcester.
Enjoy breakfast, while your train journey continues through the Hex River Valley ending at Cape Town Station.
December 24, 2024
Very efficient and professional!
Very efficient and professional!
December 20, 2024
Keith did a great job of quickly…
Keith did a great job of quickly responding to our request for a quote and responded quickly with any questions we had and booked our journey very quickly and professionally. I cannot wait for our excursion
November 7, 2024
Keith Chideme is fantastic!
If you’re looking for someone to help you plan the trip of a lifetime, look no further than Keith Chideme. Keith has been nothing short of extraordinary in helping me create a month-long dream trip to South Africa for myself and 11 family members. His patience, kindness, and thoughtfulness throughout the entire process have been remarkable. Keith went above and beyond, engaging in countless conversations to make sure every detail of our six-destination itinerary was just right. He worked tirelessly to balance my budget with my desire for an unforgettable experience, finding deals and creative solutions that I would never have managed on my own. His dedication and expertise gave me complete confidence that this trip will be everything I’ve dreamed of and more. One of my favorite aspects of working with Keith was the personal touch he brought to every interaction. Whether through voice messages, phone calls, or texts, he was always patient, thorough, and thoughtful in explaining every aspect of the itinerary. I never once felt rushed or overlooked—he truly cared about making this trip perfect for us. I can’t imagine planning this trip without Keith. Knowing he has my back has been such a comfort, and I feel completely at ease knowing we are in such capable hands. My entire family is incredibly excited about this incredible adventure, and I know I’ll be contacting Keith for all my future travel plans. He is an absolute gem and a true professional. Thank you, Keith, for everything!