Rovos Rail Luxury Train Journeys

This three-night adventure departs from Pretoria in the morning and slowly meanders north towards Zeerust. After traversing the Magaliesberg Range, it crosses the Tropic of Capricorn just after the station of Soekmekaar. Once over the Soutpansberg Mountains, north of Louis Trichardt, you enter baobab tree country. South African border formalities will take place at Plumtree then, very slowly over Beit Bridge, the train will ease itself into Zimbabwe. A visit will be made (time permitting) to the Museum of Natural History in Bulawayo. The train will continue in a north-westerly direction passing through the Hwange Game Reserve and along one of the longest straight stretches of railway line in the world to journey’s end, the incomparable Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River.

This journey provides the perfect gateway to any of our Southern Africa safaris.

From 2022, guests have the option of choosing this 3-night journey or the new 4-night journey, which includes a local village stop and a chance to explore the game and prolific birdlife of a 1000ha ranch. Inquire with Borton Overseas.

This journey runs in both directions and departs on the following dates:

Pretoria to Victoria Falls departs most Thursdays. Contact us for specific dates.

Victoria Falls to Pretoria departs most Sundays. Contact us for specific dates

Pullman Suite from: $2,435 per person
Deluxe Suite from: $3,670 per person
Royal Suite from: $4,835 per person
There is a 50% single supplement for all suites.

This map is for orientation only.

Departing Pretoria, the train meanders down the Drakensberg escarpment to the picturesque lowveld, towards the famous Kruger National Park. After a 05:00 wake-up call, enjoy tea, coffee, juices and pastries in the dining car/s before embarking on a game drive in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve. The train departs Estcourt and descends the escarpment en route to Lions River Station. Visit the famous Ardmore Ceramics Gallery including an equestrian display and tea overlooking the river. Lunch is served as the train traverses the spectacular Valley of a Thousand Hills. The train ends in Durban on Day 3.

This journey runs in both directions and departs on the following dates:

Pretoria to Durban departs on: monthly, call for dates

Durban to Pretoria departs on: monthly, call for dates

2022-2023 departures:
Pullman Suite from: $1,770 per person
Deluxe Suite from: $2,635 per person
Royal Suite from: $3,570 per person
There is a 50% single supplement for all suites.

This map is for orientation only.

This journey takes the train from the savannahs of the Highveld to the Atlantic in the west. Departing from Pretoria, the first stop is Kimberley, centre of one of the world’s famous diamond rushes where there is an opportunity to savour the 1870s atmosphere of the mining village. The train traverses the stark vistas of the Northern Cape to the Fish River Canyon – second in size to the Grand Canyon – and Garas Park with its quiver-tree forest. Guests continue across the untamed beauty of the Kalahari Desert to a cheetah conservation project and a stop in Namibia’s capital for a tour; Windhoek is a lively, cosmopolitan city with a strong German flavour. Then it’s a short flight to Sossusvlei, a stunning pan in the Namib Desert, for an overnight stay followed by a night in the game-rich Etosha National Park. On the last morning, the train travels the Namib to the perfectly preserved 19th-century German Hansa town of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay – an unforgettable end to a remarkable journey. Available in reverse.

This journey runs in both directions and departs on the following 2022-2023 dates:

Pretoria, South Africa to Walvis Bay, Namibia:
2022: April 5, 27; May 4
2023: April 4, 26; May 18
Walvis Bay, Namibia to Pretoria, South Africa:
2022: April 16; May 8, 25
2023: April 15; May 7, 30

2022 Prices:
Pullman Suite from: $7,740 per person
Deluxe Suite from: $10,335 per person
Royal Suite from: $13,200 per person
There is a 50% single supplement for all suites.

This map is for orientation only.

This 2x annual 14-day epic journey through South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania is destined to become one of the most famous train journeys in the world. Highlights en route include Kimberley, Pretoria, Madikwe, Botswana, Victoria Falls, pass through Lusaka and onto Kasama and Chisimba Falls before arriving at Dar es Salaam. Once there, guests have the option of visiting exotic Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro Crater or the wildlife paradise of the Serengeti.

This journey runs in both directions and departs on the following 2022 dates:

Cape Town to Dar es Salaam departs on: July 2, September 24

Dar es Salaam to Cape Town departs on: February 1, October 11

Pullman Suite from: $13,200 per person | Single supplement from $5,865
Deluxe Suite from: $17,500 per person | Single supplement from $7,605
Royal Suite from: $22,900 per person | Single supplement available on request

This map is for orientation only.