4:00 PM – Departure from Cape Town
Your journey begins as the Rovos Rail departs Cape Town Station, rolling gently through the renowned winelands of the Western Cape. Neat rows of vineyards stretch across the valleys, framed by rugged mountain peaks, while charming farmsteads and historic towns glide by, offering a quintessential Cape landscape.

4:30 PM – Afternoon Tea
Settle into the lounge and observation cars for afternoon tea. A selection of fine teas, coffee, and freshly baked pastries is served as the train continues inland. From the open observation car, watch as the coastal scenery gives way to the fertile valleys and farmlands surrounding Worcester.

7:30 PM – Dinner
Dinner is served in the elegant dining cars as the train begins its dramatic climb, ascending nearly 750 meters up the face of the escarpment. Guests are invited to dress formally for this refined multi-course affair, where fine wines and impeccable service complement a menu crafted from fresh local ingredients. The sophisticated atmosphere of the dining cars is enhanced by the gentle rhythm of the train as it winds steadily into the high country.

Midnight – Tunnels of the Pass
Around midnight, the train reaches the first of four tunnels along the pass. The final tunnel stretches an impressive 13.5 kilometers, one of the longest in the Southern Hemisphere. Guests are advised to exercise caution when moving through the train at this time, as the carriages will be in darkness for an extended period.

7:00 AM – Breakfast
Begin your day with breakfast in the elegant dining cars, served until 10:00. Choose from a spread of freshly baked pastries, fruits, cereals, and hot dishes while the train glides through the awakening landscapes of the Karoo. The morning air outside may be crisp, but inside the dining cars, the atmosphere is warm and refined, a perfect start to the day.

8:00 AM – Matjiesfontein Excursion
Disembark at Whitehill Siding for a short transfer into the historic village of Matjiesfontein. This authentically preserved Victorian town is like stepping back in time. Of particular note is the museum on the station platform, brimming with fascinating relics, and the remarkable collection of vintage cars and railway carriages displayed beside the iconic Lord Milner Hotel. Strolling through the quiet streets, guests gain a glimpse into the charm and eccentricity of a bygone era.

10:00 AM – The Karoo Landscape
Back aboard, the train ventures deeper into the vast Karoo, a hauntingly beautiful semi-desert once covered by an inland sea. Over millennia, volcanic matter was ground down and settled here as silt, creating what geologists now call the Karoo system. Today, the arid expanses, dotted with hardy vegetation and distant koppies, offer a stark yet captivating panorama that unfolds endlessly beyond the windows.

1:00 PM – Lunch
A refined lunch is served in the dining cars as the journey continues. The carefully crafted menu, paired with fine South African wines, makes for an indulgent pause amid the wilderness scenery.

4:30 PM – Afternoon Tea
Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. Relax with a selection of teas, coffees, and light pastries while gazing across the sweeping plains, the ever-changing Karoo light painting the land in shades of gold and ochre.

7:30 PM – Dinner
Dinner is served in the dining cars as night falls and the train continues its steady progress northward. Guests are invited to dress formally for this elegant multi-course affair, where the atmosphere recalls the golden age of luxury rail travel. Overnight on board.

6:00 AM – Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 8:30. Begin your day with a delicious selection of fresh pastries, fruits, cereals, and hot dishes, all enjoyed in the refined atmosphere of the dining cars as the train approaches Kimberley.

8:30 AM – Kimberley Excursion
Disembark for a guided tour of Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole. Capital of the Northern Cape, Kimberley rose to prominence after the discovery of diamonds in 1871. At the museum, explore period exhibits that reveal the city’s glittering past and learn how the diamond rush shaped South Africa’s history. Then, step onto the viewing platform overlooking the Big Hole, the largest hand-dug excavation in the world, a dramatic reminder of the feverish pursuit of fortune that once defined this region.

12:00 PM – Lunch
Return to the train for a sumptuous lunch in the dining cars. As you dine, the journey continues northeast toward the expansive grassland plains of the Highveld, where wide horizons and open skies dominate the landscape.

4:30 PM – Afternoon Tea
Gather in the lounge and observation cars for afternoon tea. A selection of teas, coffees, and pastries is served as the train glides across the plateau, offering sweeping views of the serene countryside.

7:30 PM – Dinner
Dinner is served in the elegant dining cars. Dress: Formal. This multi-course evening meal, paired with fine wines, provides a sophisticated close to the day. Overnight on board as the train continues across the Highveld.

7:00 AM – Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the elegant dining cars until 9:30 AM. Guests can enjoy a leisurely start to the day with a selection of freshly prepared dishes, from pastries and fruits to hearty hot options, while the train makes its way toward Meyerton Station.

10:00 AM – Disembarkation at Meyerton Station
The train arrives at Meyerton Station, located approximately 100 km south of Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. Guests may disembark here for an optional complimentary transfer of about 90 minutes to Rovos Rail Station. For those wishing to enrich their journey further, a visit to the Rovos Rail museum or a guided station tour is highly recommended, with approximately 90 minutes suggested to explore these fascinating insights into the history and heritage of luxury train travel.