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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 7am-10am • Lunch 1pm • Tea 4:30pm • Dinner 7:30pm.
Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved.
Travel and cancellation insurance are compulsory
2023 Departure Dates 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 11h00am. Travel across the goldfields of the Witwatersrand. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers 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 5km 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 13.5km 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 ±750m down the escarpment towards Worcester.
Enjoy breakfast, while your train journey continues through the Hex River Valley ending at Cape Town Station.
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July 25, 2024
Helpful service
Fast response from Keith and helful guidance
May 20, 2024
The gentleman Keith assisting me with…
The gentleman Keith assisting me with my booking was absolutely amazing and patient.
May 17, 2024
Safari booked. SA here I come.
I have never been to SA before, so naturally I was a bit apprehensive about booking a safari on my own. I turned to safari.com for help and I'm so glad I did. Keith was so helpful, patient and saved me money! That's a win, win, win. I would recommend safari.com to anyone planning their trip and their experiences in SA.
Jul 25, 2024
Prompt responses to our queries and…
Prompt responses to our queries and always able to accomodate our requests
Jul 25, 2024
Leigh-Ann was awesome
Leigh-Ann was awesome! She listened to my requests and got it all set! She got my desires and requests Booked and set for my trip.
Jul 25, 2024
Helpful service
Fast response from Keith and helful guidance
Jul 25, 2024
Nicole was so helpful!
Nicole was great to work with! Super responsive and was able to make all the changes requested to accommodate our trip. She answered all my questions, and I wouldn't hesitate to use her for Safari vacations in the future.
Jul 24, 2024
Outstanding and professional performance by Pascal John
Pascal John quickly proved his professionalism as well as his in-depth and experienced knowledge of South Africa safaris. He demonstrated the ability to rapidly understand what I was looking for out of a safari trip and how to make that happen. He added real value to the process with his connections to lodging reservations at various lodges and arranged for an itinerary that is not possible to accomplish by oneself on the internet alone. For example, he was able to negotiate away for me a single supplement. He added immediate value and quickly/painlessly everything came together. This includes booking flights, ground transport, lodging and wildlife drives. I can without reservation recommend working with Pascal John at Safari.com.
Jul 24, 2024
Candis was very patient and helpful
Candis was very patient and helpful. She worked with me on various pricepoints and dates of travel. We were abl to come to a great itin within a number of days.
Jul 24, 2024
Wonderful service and help from Tanya…
Wonderful service and help from Tanya who helped in making the booking.
Jul 23, 2024
It has been a pleasure to work with…
It has been a pleasure to work with your agent Leigh- Ann Croeser, she has been extremely helpful, responsive and if all your representatives are like her your company is in great shape!
Jul 23, 2024
Great service
Mel at Safari.com has been more than helpful helping us to choose the right Safari for our up and coming trip in November. She was very friendly, quick to respond and extremely knowledgeable. I’m sure we will be communicating more nearer our travel date. Thank you Mel!
