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4 Days on Africa's Most Luxurious Train

Pretoria → Kimberley → Matjiesfontein → Cape Town aboard Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa

5
Days
15
Places
$180
/day avg
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Rovos Rail Pride of AfricaKimberley Big Hole diamond mineKaroo desert crossingCape WinelandsTable Mountain

Day 1 — Pretoria: Jacaranda City

09:00

🏛️ Voortrekker Monument & Freedom Park

Visit two monuments representing different chapters of South African history — the Afrikaner heritage site and the post-apartheid memorial side by side.

$15
12:30

🍜 Lunch at Mosaic at The Orient

Fine dining in the Francolin Conservancy outside Pretoria. Chef Chantel Dartnall's botanical cuisine earned a Michelin star equivalent.

$95
16:00

🚄 Board Rovos Rail at Capital Park Station

Board at Rovos Rail's private station with welcome champagne. Tour the locomotive workshop, then settle into your Royal Suite as the train departs south.

$1200

Day 2 — Kimberley: Diamond City

06:30

🌿 Sunrise Over the Highveld

Watch the South African sunrise from the open observation car as the train crosses endless golden grasslands. Coffee and rusks served.

10:00

📍 Kimberley Big Hole & Diamond Mine Museum

Visit the world's largest hand-dug excavation — 240 meters deep. The museum tells the story of the 1871 diamond rush that shaped South Africa.

$12
19:30

🍜 Five-Course Dinner with South African Wines

Formal dinner in the dining car featuring Cape Malay bobotie, Karoo lamb, and paired Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wines.

Day 3 — The Great Karoo

08:00

🌿 Karoo Desert Observation

A full morning on the observation deck as the train traverses the semi-arid Karoo — vast plains, flat-topped hills, and endless sky.

13:00

🏛️ Matjiesfontein Village Walk

Step off into this perfectly preserved Victorian village — a surreal time capsule in the middle of the Karoo. Visit the museum and the Lord Milner Hotel.

21:00

🌿 Stargazing from the Observation Car

The Karoo has some of the darkest skies in the world. The train pauses for a guided stargazing session with the Milky Way blazing overhead.

Day 4 — Cape Town Arrival

08:00

🌿 Hex River Mountains Approach

The most scenic stretch — the train winds through the Hex River Mountains into the Cape Winelands. Vineyards appear as you descend.

12:00

📍 Arrive Cape Town & V&A Waterfront

Disembark at Cape Town Station and head to the V&A Waterfront. Browse craft markets, enjoy waterfront restaurants with Table Mountain views.

$40
17:00

📍 Table Mountain Cable Car at Sunset

Ride the rotating cable car to the summit of Table Mountain. The sunset views over the Atlantic and city below are extraordinary.

$25

Day 5 — Cape Winelands

09:30

🍜 Stellenbosch Wine Tram

Hop-on-hop-off tram through the Stellenbosch wine region. Visit 3-4 estates for tastings of Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, and red blends.

$45
13:30

🍜 Lunch at Babylonstoren

Farm-to-table lunch at one of the Cape's most beautiful wine estates. The 3.5-hectare garden supplies the kitchen with fresh produce.

$65
17:00

🏛️ Bo-Kaap Neighborhood Walk

Stroll through Cape Town's colorful Malay Quarter with its pastel houses, cobblestone streets, and spice shops. Rich cultural heritage.

Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa is often called the most luxurious train in the world, and a journey from Pretoria to Cape Town aboard this restored vintage train is one of Africa's most iconic travel experiences. Over four days, you'll traverse 1,600 kilometers of South Africa's most diverse landscapes — from the highveld grasslands around Pretoria, through the diamond-mining town of Kimberley, across the vast semi-arid Karoo, and into the lush Cape Winelands before arriving at Cape Town beneath the shadow of Table Mountain. The train itself is a masterpiece of Edwardian elegance, featuring wood-paneled Royal Suites with full-size baths, a formal dining car serving five-course meals with South African wines, and an open-air observation car at the rear. Rovos Rail limits capacity to just 72 guests, creating an intimate atmosphere reminiscent of the golden age of rail travel. En route, you'll stop at the Big Hole in Kimberley — the world's largest hand-dug excavation — and the quirky Victorian village of Matjiesfontein frozen in time. The final approach into Cape Town through the Hex River Mountains is spectacular, with vineyards carpeting the valleys below. This journey combines South Africa's rich history, stunning natural beauty, and world-class hospitality into one unforgettable rail experience. Whether you're continuing to a Cape Winelands tour or heading up Table Mountain, Cape Town is the perfect finale.

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