Rovos Rail: Cape Town to Pretoria
- 9 Days
- From £1,699
- South Africa
- Enjoy two full days in Cape Town with time to explore this stunningly situated city
- Enjoy a luxurious journey aboard the Pride of Africa by Rovos Rail
- Take a day trip to Kimberley Diamond Mine
- Spend a night in Pretoria at the end of your trip
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- 5* hotel accommodation in Cape Town and Pretoria with breakfast
- A 2-night journey aboard the Pride of Africa including all meals, drinks and excursion to Kimberley Diamond Mine
- Transfers from airport to hotel in Cape Town and Pretoria Hotel to Johannesburg Airport
- Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets, hotel vouchers and other documentation
- All credit card surcharges and complimentary delivery of your travel documents
Suggested Itinerary
You will be met at the airport on arrival today and taken by private transfer to the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel (or similar) where you have a 3-night stay.
Settle into your luxurious hotel and relax after your journey. There are plenty of leisure facilities to choose from, including an outdoor swimming pool and a spa, along with tempting on-site restaurants for dinner.
Spend two full days enjoying the sights of Cape Town. Not-to-be-missed attractions include Table Mountain, which is accessible by rotating cable car or on foot and offers spectacular views of the city and sea from it’s broad summit. You can also take a boat across Table Bay to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held as a political prisoner for 18 years. Tours are offered around the island, conducted by former inmates of the prison.
For shopping and dining opportunities, head to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront where you’ll find plenty of boutiques, bars and restaurants.
After a leisurely breakfast this morning, make your way to Cape Town Station where you will board the train for your fantastic journey across South Africa. There’s time to freshen up in your suite before meeting fellow guests in one of the lounge cars.
Lunch is served in the dining cars as the train reaches Worcester in the Hex River Valley. Disembark at Matjiesfontein for an opportunity to stroll through the historic village before returning to the train for a formal dinner en route to Kimberley.
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10am this morning, so there’s plenty of time to watch the changing landscapes pass by your window, or head to the lounge car for coffee.
After lunch onboard, there will be a stop at Kimberley where guests are invited to disembark for a tour of the town, the Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole. Just after leaving Kimberley, there’s a shallow lake on the left-hand side of the train which is often home to flocks of over 20,000 flamingos. After dinner, this evening, why not enjoy a drink with your fellow guests?
This morning, the train travels northeast through the goldfields of the Witwatersrand before arriving around noon at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. Make your way to your hotel, the Menlyn Boutique Hotel (or similar) for an overnight stay.
There’s time this afternoon to spend some time exploring South Africa’s administrative capital, which is famous for its historic sites and jacaranda trees which decorate the city with a profusion of blossom in October and November.
Usually, your flight home isn’t until the evening, so you’re free to leave your bags at your hotel today and spend another day exploring Pretoria.
Your transfer driver will meet you back at the hotel and drive you to Johannesburg Airport for your flight back to the UK (not included).
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Enjoying a superb location at the foot of Table Mountain, and just a short stroll from downtown, this resort offers the perfect combination of tranquility and buzz. The rooms are a blend of understated charm and modern luxury with most offering balconies and Cape Town views. Facilities include two swimming pools, two restaurants, spa and fitness centre.
The Menlyn Boutique Hotel is a modern luxury hotel located near to the Menlyn Shopping Centre in Pretoria. All bedrooms come with complimentary Wi-Fi access, air-conditioning, a satellite LCD TV and a kettle. In-house restaurant The Black Bamboo specialises in fine dining and is renowned across the city. There is also an outdoor pool, a wellness centre and a gym.