Rovos Rail Pride of Africa

Rovos Rail (Pty) Ltd
South Africa
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The Journey

Navigate from Rovos Rail Station, Capital Park, Pretoria to Cape Town Station across a span of 1600km. This is an overnight service.

Scenery Highlights
  • Departure from the private Rovos Rail Station in Capital Park, Pretoria
  • Highveld grasslands around the Gauteng–Free State border
  • The vast, open Great Karoo — one of the most iconic rail horizons on Earth
  • Stop at the Victorian-era village of Matjiesfontein (Lord Milner Hotel)
  • Kimberley Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum excursion
  • Approach into the Cape Winelands through Worcester and Paarl
  • Final approach into Cape Town with Table Mountain as the backdrop
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    72 hours

  • Distance

    1600 km

  • Est. Price

    R32,400 – R75,000 per person sharing (2026 Pullman to Royal on the Pretoria–Cape Town 3-night journey). 50% single supplement. Fares include accommodation, all meals, beverages (excludes international Champagne), 24-hour room service, limited laundry, and guided off-train excursions with entrance fees. Excludes international Champagne, gratuities, visas, travel insurance, and pre/post flights.

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: All-Inclusive (all meals, fine wines, spirits, and most beverages — excludes international sparkling wine)

Ensuite: Yes

Meals: All-Inclusive (all meals, fine wines, spirits, and most beverages — excludes international sparkling wine)

Ensuite: Yes

Meals: All-Inclusive (all meals, fine wines, spirits, and most beverages — excludes international sparkling wine)

Ensuite: Yes

Engine / Locomotive

Diesel-electric locomotives — typically Class 15E, 18E, 19D or 20E (South African Railways / Transnet pool) for the Rovos consist

Locomotive Weight

Approximately 120–140 tonnes per locomotive (Co'Co' wheel arrangement)

Track Gauge

1,067 mm (Cape gauge)

Braking Technology

Air brakes (Westinghouse-style) on all coaches; dynamic/rheostatic braking on the diesel-electric

Route Engineering Challenges

  • 1,600 km route traverses multiple climate zones — Highveld grassland, Karoo semi-desert, and Cape Winelands

  • Significant elevation change from Highveld (1,200 m+) to sea level at Cape Town

  • Aging South African rail infrastructure requiring careful route management and timing recovery margins

  • Long sections of single-track operation between Kimberley and De Aar requiring precise scheduling

  • Diverse motive-power needs on a consist that may traverse routes shared with heavy freight traffic

Maximum line speed

60 km/h (by design — leisurely pacing is part of the experience)

Total route distance

1,600 km (Pretoria to Cape Town)

Consist (typical)

18–22 vehicles: sleeping, dining, lounge, observation, gift shop, smoking lounge, generator/auxiliary vans

Suite dimensions

Pullman ~7 m², Deluxe ~10 m², Royal ~16 m²

Historic rolling stock

Pre-1940 restored Edwardian and early-20th-century South African Railways carriages with original wood panelling

Off-train excursions

Matjiesfontein (Victorian village, Lord Milner Hotel) and Kimberley (Big Hole & Diamond Mine Museum) — both included in fare

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    72 hours

  • Distance

    1600 km

  • Est. Price

    R32,400 – R75,000 per person sharing (2026 Pullman to Royal on the Pretoria–Cape Town 3-night journey). 50% single supplement. Fares include accommodation, all meals, beverages (excludes international Champagne), 24-hour room service, limited laundry, and guided off-train excursions with entrance fees. Excludes international Champagne, gratuities, visas, travel insurance, and pre/post flights.

Official Booking Provider