This summer journey aboard Rovos Rail between Durban and Pretoria combines luxury travel with immersive experiences. Along the way, you’ll enjoy game drives in malaria-free reserves teeming with wildlife, hear a vivid account of the Battle of Spionkop from an expert historian, and visit the celebrated Ardmore Ceramics Gallery, known for its imaginative artworks inspired by nature and Zulu folklore. Blending adventure, culture, and refined comfort, this short safari offers a memorable passage through some of South Africa’s most captivating landscapes.
With its beautiful beaches, lively wining and dining scene, and rich cultural heritage, Durban is South Africa’s third largest city and KwaZulu Natal’s tourist hub....
Located between the cities of Johannesburg and Durban in northeastern South Africa, the Nambiti Private Game Reserve is the ultimate escape, offering the Big 5...
10:00 AM – Departure from Durban
The journey begins as Rovos Rail departs from Durban Station. Known for its cultural landmarks, lush botanical gardens, and superb shark-protected beaches, Durban offers a vibrant introduction to this adventure. As the train climbs into the hills, enjoy breathtaking views of the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Settle into your suite or join fellow travelers in the lounge and observation cars for panoramic vistas....
10:00 AM – Departure from Durban
The journey begins as Rovos Rail departs from Durban Station. Known for its cultural landmarks, lush botanical gardens, and superb shark-protected beaches, Durban offers a vibrant introduction to this adventure. As the train climbs into the hills, enjoy breathtaking views of the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Settle into your suite or join fellow travelers in the lounge and observation cars for panoramic vistas.
1:00 PM – Lunch
A gourmet lunch is served in the dining cars, showcasing refined cuisine prepared by the train’s expert chefs. The elegant setting provides the perfect atmosphere to savor your meal as the journey continues inland.
Afternoon – Ardmore Ceramics Gallery
Disembark for a visit to the celebrated Ardmore Ceramics Gallery. This iconic studio is renowned for imaginative pieces inspired by nature, Zulu folklore, and tradition. The gallery provides a fascinating cultural highlight, offering insight into one of South Africa’s most distinctive art forms.
7:30 PM – Dinner
Return to the train for an elegant multi-course dinner served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal. As you dine in the sophisticated ambiance, the train passes historic landmarks en route to Ladysmith. Shortly after Frere, look to the left of the track for a memorial marking the spot where Winston Churchill was captured in 1899 while attempting to free an armored train during the Anglo-Boer War.
6:30 AM – Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure, offering a variety of freshly prepared morning dishes. Enjoy a relaxed start to the day in the elegant dining setting before heading out for excursions....
6:30 AM – Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure, offering a variety of freshly prepared morning dishes. Enjoy a relaxed start to the day in the elegant dining setting before heading out for excursions.
Morning – Spionkop Excursions
Transfer (approximately 30 minutes) to Spionkop Lodge, where you can choose between two experiences:
Learn about the historic Battle of Spionkop, a pivotal event in the Anglo-Boer War, narrated with rich detail.
Set out on a game drive in the 11,000-acre reserve, providing close encounters with Africa’s wildlife in a pristine bush setting.
1:00 PM – Lunch
Return to the train for a gourmet lunch in the dining cars. As you dine, admire views of the majestic Drakensberg Mountains. These peaks, named by the Voortrekkers who thought they resembled the spines of a dragon, rise dramatically as the train makes its way through this spectacular landscape.
Afternoon – Nambiti Game Drive
Enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Nambiti Reserve, a 20,000-acre private Big Five sanctuary. The reserve’s diverse habitats of savannah, thornveld, grasslands, and acacia trees provide an exceptional setting for wildlife viewing, with opportunities to spot elephants, lions, rhinos, and a wide variety of birdlife.
7:30 PM – Dinner
Dinner is served in the dining cars as the train continues toward Vooruitsig. Dress: Formal. This refined multi-course dining experience, complemented by fine wines, is enhanced by the historic landscapes en route. Pass by Glencoe, site of the first battle of the Anglo-Boer War, and Newcastle, home to the largest cella-dome Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere. The evening concludes as the train descends from Majuba Hill, where the decisive battle of the First Anglo-Boer War was fought.
Day 3 : Depart
Room basis: Bed and Breakfast
7:00 AM – Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00 AM. Savor a variety of freshly prepared dishes as the train travels northwest across the goldfields of the Witwatersrand and the open grasslands of the Highveld. Along the way, you’ll pass through Heidelberg, site of the first Rand gold strike, and Balfour, a small mining town in Mpumalanga....
7:00 AM – Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00 AM. Savor a variety of freshly prepared dishes as the train travels northwest across the goldfields of the Witwatersrand and the open grasslands of the Highveld. Along the way, you’ll pass through Heidelberg, site of the first Rand gold strike, and Balfour, a small mining town in Mpumalanga.
1:00 PM – Lunch
A final gourmet lunch is served in the dining cars, offering one last taste of Rovos Rail’s celebrated cuisine and service. This refined meal is the perfect conclusion to your journey on board.
4:00 PM – Arrival in Pretoria
The train arrives at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria, marking the end of your extraordinary adventure. Disembark and bid farewell to your fellow travelers and the attentive Rovos staff, carrying with you memories of a journey filled with luxury, history, and breathtaking landscapes.
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Widely rated as one of the world’s greatest must-see destinations, South Africa has it all. From the spectacular cosmopolitan beauty of Cape Town and its iconic Table Mountain to the spectacular scenery and gastronomic delights of the Winelands – and on to the soaring mountain peaks of the Drakensberg, the scenic Karoo semi-desert region and the majestic national parks, a wealth of exceptional experiences awaits.
Widely rated as one of the world’s greatest must-see destinations, South Africa has it all. From the spectacular cosmopolitan beauty of Cape Town and its iconic Table Mountain to the spectacular scenery and gastronomic delights of the Winelands – and on to the soaring mountain peaks of the Drakensberg, the scenic Karoo semi-desert region and the majestic national parks, a wealth of exceptional experiences awaits.
Added to the many natural attractions of South Africa are its many rich local cultures. Enjoy the world-renowned wines on the estates of the winelands of the Cape, or the striking history of the Kingdom of The Zulu, or many other traditional African cultures. With so much to offer, in South Africa any traveller’s dream itinerary can be accommodated.
Rovos Rail
Since its establishment in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class travel experiences.
Since its establishment in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class travel experiences.
In a series of 11 bespoke train journeys, step aboard the luxurious vintage wood-panelled coaches and sit back as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows. With discreet and friendly service, top cuisine and a selection of South Africa’s finest wines, Rovos Rail harks back to a simpler, more elegant era encompassing the timeless grace and high romance of African exploration.
For Rovos Rail passengers, a highlight of their journey is a visit to the private station at Capital Park, Pretoria. The once-bustling hub of steam locomotions is now the headquarters for Rovos Rail. The gracious railway station serves as the departure or arrival point for most of the train journeys where the Rovos team work assiduously to ensure the locomotives and trains are maintained to the highest standard.
This is the busy hub of a provisioning operation that is world-class in terms of efficiency and attention to detail on board one of the most ‘Great Southern Africa Train Adventures’.
Commonly known as ‘The Kingdom in the Sky’ due to its dramatically high altitude, Lesotho is rather unique in that it is entirely surrounded by South Africa. This tiny and spectacularly mountainous kingdom makes for a wonderful adventure getaway with excellent pony trekking, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, abseiling, birdwatching, mountain biking and even snow skiing on offer. The country’s highlands boast magnificent mountain scenery, clean mountain air, and a myriad of impressive sparkling wa...
Commonly known as ‘The Kingdom in the Sky’ due to its dramatically high altitude, Lesotho is rather unique in that it is entirely surrounded by South Africa. This tiny and spectacularly mountainous kingdom makes for a wonderful adventure getaway with excellent pony trekking, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, abseiling, birdwatching, mountain biking and even snow skiing on offer. The country’s highlands boast magnificent mountain scenery, clean mountain air, and a myriad of impressive sparkling waterfalls and clean streams. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the fascinating local cultures, particularly in the isolated Basotho villages, where a traditional way of life is still celebrated. Itinerary favourites in Lesotho also include the highest waterfall in southern Africa, the Maletsunyane Falls, and the modern yet traditional capital city of Maseru.
A country of stark contrasts, Namibia offers a range of experiences beyond expectation. From the vast and serene dunes of the desert, to the barren beauty of the Atlantic coast, the harsh environment is home to hidden gems that include extraordinary plants and desert-adapted wildlife which make for a safari experience unlike any other.
A country of stark contrasts, Namibia offers a range of experiences beyond expectation. From the vast and serene dunes of the desert, to the barren beauty of the Atlantic coast, the harsh environment is home to hidden gems that include extraordinary plants and desert-adapted wildlife which make for a safari experience unlike any other.
Experience tranquillity amongst the world’s highest sand dunes, or the freedom of vast and beautiful coastline, and the tribal life of the Himba and the San people – the choice is yours, and the range of wildlife to be seen is strikingly unusual and distinctive.
Between the vast untouched Kalahari desert and the teeming lush Okavango delta, Botswana provides a range of experiences that are rated as amongst the finest in Africa, with game viewing on a level rarely achieved elsewhere. From bomas tucked away in secluded locations that offer close-up encounters with a wide range of large game to scenic mokoro (canoe) trips through the waterways of the Okavango, Botswana holds a wealth of rar...
Between the vast untouched Kalahari desert and the teeming lush Okavango delta, Botswana provides a range of experiences that are rated as amongst the finest in Africa, with game viewing on a level rarely achieved elsewhere. From bomas tucked away in secluded locations that offer close-up encounters with a wide range of large game to scenic mokoro (canoe) trips through the waterways of the Okavango, Botswana holds a wealth of rare and exceptional experiences that are off the beaten path and awaiting discovery.
We offer you the best of Botswana, whether a combination of desert and delta, or a package that includes a wider itinerary taking in the spectacular Victoria Falls and Zambezi River. Choose the destination that suits your ideal safari, and we’ll assist you in creating memories that will last a lifetime.
From the thundering spectacle that is the mighty Victoria Falls to the awe-inspiring big-game viewing of Hwange National Park, and on to Mana Pools on the Zambezi, Zimbabwe offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will take your breath away, leaving memories that linger.
From the thundering spectacle that is the mighty Victoria Falls to the awe-inspiring big-game viewing of Hwange National Park, and on to Mana Pools on the Zambezi, Zimbabwe offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will take your breath away, leaving memories that linger.
Whether you choose to languish in the luxury of a local hotel or strike out on a train journey, Zimbabwe’s central location places a wealth of experiences at your fingertips. From Vic Falls, you have unfettered access to the best of Botswana, South Africa and Zambia, all within striking distance on an easy day’s travel.
Taking its name from the mighty Zambezi River which runs along its western and southern periphery, Zambia’s highlights cater to those seeking a classic African safari experience. With a wide range of game viewing available across its many national parks and game reserves, spotting big game up close rates as one of the most sought-after activities to be enjoyed on our tours.
Taking its name from the mighty Zambezi River which runs along its western and southern periphery, Zambia’s highlights cater to those seeking a classic African safari experience. With a wide range of game viewing available across its many national parks and game reserves, spotting big game up close rates as one of the most sought-after activities to be enjoyed on our tours.
From hearing and seeing prides of lions in their natural habitat, to admiring the grace of giraffes as they lope through the savannah, and on to the delights of cruises along the Lower Zambezi to view elephants, hippo and crocodiles along the river’s course, or the sublime pleasure of seeing the mighty Victoria Falls from the elegance of a waterside hotel, the sights and sounds of the country make it the quintessential African destination for lovers of wildlife. Whether you’re seeking an up-close walking safari, or viewing from the secluded safety of a game hide at the water’s edge, the choice is yours.
From the mighty Ngorongoro Crater to the vast rolling plains of the Serengeti and on to the dazzling blue coastline and its exotic destinations that include the spice islands of Zanzibar, Tanzania presents the safari traveller with a outstanding range of options that are amongst the very best in Africa.
From the mighty Ngorongoro Crater to the vast rolling plains of the Serengeti and on to the dazzling blue coastline and its exotic destinations that include the spice islands of Zanzibar, Tanzania presents the safari traveller with a outstanding range of options that are amongst the very best in Africa.
Rated as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, the Serengeti is home to the Great Wildebeest Migration every year, when herds begin to move toward the central region in search of fresh pasture. Following the herds as they give birth to a new generation are always the majestic predators that follow in their wake: lion, leopard and hyena, all of which provide for excellent viewing. Beyond the classic safari destinations of the savannah lie many other exceptional experiences which include the alluring island destinations that lie offshore. To the west lies spectacular Lake Victoria, to the east Pemba Island and Zanzibar offer the sensuous delights of the ages-old spice trade – and in the south, the wildly expansive areas of the south such as Nyere and Ruaha. With so much to offer, Tanzania is guaranteed to satisfy the safari dreams of every traveller.
