CAPE TOWN JOURNEY

For many visitors to South Africa, there is no finer way to see the country than on the popular 48-hour weekly journeys between Pretoria and Cape Town. 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, which was 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.

Pretoria – Cape Town

Day 1
Depart from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria at 15h00. Dinner and overnight on the train.
(Breakfast 07h00-10h00 • Lunch 13h00 • High Tea 16h00 • Dinner 19h30)

Day 2
The train arrives in Kimberley at 09h45. Passengers visit the Big Hole and the Diamond Mine Museum.  Depart Kimberley at 12h30 and proceed overnight via De Aar and Beaufort West to Matjiesfontein.

Day 3
Enjoy a visit to the historic village of Matjiesfontein at 08h15. The train departs at 10h30 and proceeds via Touws River and Worcester to Cape Town. Arrive at Cape Town Station’s Platform 24 at 18h00.

DURBAN JOURNEY

Pretoria – Durban

Join this three-day safari and experience the splendour of KwaZulu-Natal. Take in the Big Five,
a battlefields tour with a world-class historian and unusual African ceramics. Experience the Nambiti Conservancy – a Big Five private bush retreat set on 20 000 acres of malaria-free bushveld in KwaZulu-Natal. It has an incredible biodiversity including savannah, grasslands, thornveld and tall acacia trees. The Sundays River flows through the reserve and has two 40-metre waterfalls with magnificent ravine bush, home to several rare bird species. Situated on an expansive game farm, Spionkop Lodge – which adjoins an 11 000-acre nature reserve – is the perfect base for exploring the mountains, bush, birds and battlefields of the region. Ardmore Ceramics is a story about the Zulu people whose sense of rhythm, colour, dance and song, as well as the spirit of the African imagination, is exerting its influence on the other continents of the world. Pay a morning visit to this charming centre in the rolling hills of the Midlands before the train makes its way to Durban.

Day 1
Depart Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria at 10h00. Lunch is served as the train passes through Heidelberg (1 903m).  At 18h15 the train departs Vooruitsig and climbs to 2 146m as it traverses Majuba Hill.  Arrive at Elandslaagte at 22h30 for overnight stop.
(Breakfast 07h00-10h00 • Lunch 13h00 • High Tea 16h00 • Dinner 19h30)

Day 2
After a 06h00 wake-up call, enjoy tea, coffee, juices and pastries in the dining car/s before embarking on a game drive in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve. Return to the train for brunch at 11h00 and head for Estcourt.   Disembark at 14h00 for a 40-minute drive to Spionkop Lodge where a choice of two excursions is available: an escorted tour of the battlefields or a game drive in the Spionkop Game Reserve. Return to the train for dinner.

Day 3
The train departs Estcourt and descends the escarpment en route to Lions River Station. Disembark at 10h00 for a visit to the famous Ardmore Ceramics Gallery including an equestrian display and tea overlooking the river.  After a 12h00 departure, lunch is served as the train traverses the spectacular Valley of a Thousand Hills.    Arrive in Durban at 16h00.

VICTORIA FALLS JOURNEY

Pretoria – Victoria Falls

Day 1
Departs from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria at 09h30. Lunch is served in the dining car/s en route to Zeerust. After traversing the Magaliesberg Range, dinner is served as the train heads westwards to Mafikeng for border formalities.
(Breakfast 07h00-10h00 • Lunch 13h00 • High Tea 16h00 • Dinner 19h30)

Day 2
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served as the train travels northwards through Mahalapye and Serule en route to Plumtree for Zimbabwe border formalities.

Day 3
Breakfast and lunch are served as the train passes through the Hwange Game Reserve and along one of the longest straight stretches of railway line in the world – 114kms – en route to Dete and the Zambezi River. Occasional sightings of wild animals can occur from the train. Arrive in Victoria Falls at 17h00.

RATES:

The above rates are in South African Rands at May 2024  R19 = US $1.00

​If you are using a mobile device, call us for the dates of each journey.

Call or text for rates and dates  (818) 353-9500