Rovos Rail Tour

Rovos Rail offers some of the most luxurious and distinctive rail journeys in southern Africa. Often described as a "safari by rail," its restored vintage trains combine old-world elegance with spectacular scenery, fine dining, wildlife experiences and excursions.

What are Rovos Rail tours like?
The experience is deliberately slow and leisurely. The beautifully restored trains feature wood-panelled interiors, elegant lounges, an observation car and spacious en-suite suites. Meals are served in the dining cars, with formal evening dining being an important part of the experience.

For South Africa, the best-known journey is the Pretoria–Cape Town route, a 3-night journey of about 1,600 km. It crosses the Highveld grasslands, the Great Karoo, mountain ranges and the Cape Winelands. Highlights include Kimberley, where guests can visit the Diamond Mine Museum and Big Hole, and Matjiesfontein, a wonderfully preserved Victorian railway village.

Main Rovos Rail journeys involving South Africa:

Pretoria – Cape Town: 3 nights, combining South Africa's interior landscapes, the Karoo and Cape Winelands.

Durban Safari: a 2-night journey into the South African bushveld, combining rail travel with wildlife experiences.

Pretoria – Victoria Falls: 3–4 nights, travelling through South Africa and Zimbabwe to Victoria Falls.

Southern Cross: an 11-night journey through South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Namibia Safari: an 11-night expedition from South Africa into Namibia's desert landscapes.

Golf Safari: a 9-night journey combining golf, scenery and luxury rail travel.

On Rovos Rail, the accommodation is entirely on the train, in private en-suite suites. There are three main categories, with Pullman and Pullman Gold being the two versions of the smallest category.

Why choose Rovos Rail?
The attraction is less about getting from one destination to another and more about the journey itself. You spend your days watching the African landscape unfold from the observation car, enjoying leisurely meals and drinks, and taking excursions when the train stops.

It is particularly suited to travellers who enjoy luxury, history, scenery, photography, fine food and a relaxed pace rather than a conventional fast-paced tour. The company has been operating since 1989 and has built its reputation around restoring classic railway carriages and creating a nostalgic, elegant style of travel.

For a South Africa holiday, the Pretoria–Cape Town journey is recommended first for scenery and culture, or the Durban Safari for wildlife. The Victoria Falls journey is arguably the more spectacular choice for combining South Africa with a major African attraction.