Enjoy a complimentary chauffeur transfer to The Blue Train Lounge at Cape Town Station. Registration and check-in take place while you enjoy pre-departure snacks and drinks. Board the train, settle into your luxurious suite, and depart the Mother City. The train glides through the Cape Winelands towards the majestic Hex River Valley. Stay connected to home using the train's complimentary onboard WiFi - though we strongly recommend looking out the window instead.
Disembark at Matjiesfontein, a perfectly preserved Victorian railway village. Enjoy a glass of sherry at the bar of the Lord Milner Hotel and soak in the historical charm of the 19th-century architecture before returning to the train to continue your journey through the starkly beautiful Karoo.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a light lunch as the train winds its way through the Highveld. The train is scheduled to arrive at the main Pretoria Train Station by late afternoon. Upon disembarking, enjoy a complimentary chauffeur transfer to your final destination in Pretoria or Johannesburg.
Enjoy a complimentary chauffeur transfer from Pretoria or Johannesburg to arrive at your check-in in Pretoria; this will either be at Irene Farm (Nellmapius Drive, Irene, Centurion) or the main Pretoria Train Station (note this is separate from Rovos Rail's private station). Enjoy pre-departure beverages, canapes, and live entertainment. When checking in at Irene Farm, a shuttle transports guests the 1km to Irene Train Station. Your butler will welcome you on board and show you to your suite. The train is scheduled to depart at 13h00, after which you can enjoy a light lunch in the lounge car and observation car. Complimentary WiFi is available on board throughout your journey, should you feel the tragic need to check your emails whilst gliding past paradise. Note that departure times are subject to change. Let us know if you would like to extend your experience by staying at Irene Country Lodge the night before your departure.
Breakfast is served on a first-come, first-served basis - a gentle reminder that the early bird gets the best bacon. Stop at Kimberley Station to explore the Railway Museum, from where you will be taken by bus for an exclusive off-train excursion to the Diamond Mine Museum (weather and time permitting), including viewing the Big Hole from an enclosed ramp. Back at Kimberley Station, guests are gifted a glass of sherry engraved with The Blue Train logo as a memento.
Enjoy breakfast and a light lunch before the train's scheduled arrival at 18h00 in Cape Town under the shadow of Table Mountain, concluding your magnificent journey. Note that arrival times are subject to change. Butlers will usher guests from the train to the Arrival Lounge. Enjoy a complimentary chauffeur transfer from the Arrival Lounge to your accommodation in Cape Town.
Arrive at the private Rovos Rail Capital Park Station in Pretoria (this is a dedicated, privately owned station, distinct from the main Pretoria Train Station used by The Blue Train) for check-in between 08h00 and 08h30. Explore working loco sheds, coaches being restored by hand, and a museum of railway memorabilia. Listen to the departure speech before boarding the train, which is scheduled to depart at 10h00 (it is not uncommon for the train to depart late if there is traffic on the mainline - Africa operates on its own elegant clock). Your hostess will take you to your suite and get you settled in. Enjoy lunch as the train travels south through the goldfields of the Witwatersrand. Please note that to preserve the traditional golden-era atmosphere, there is no WiFi on board Rovos Rail; connectivity relies entirely on your mobile device passing close to cellular towers.
Disembark in Kimberley for a tour of the city, the Diamond Mine Museum, and the Big Hole (now filled with water), which is the largest hand-dug excavation in the world - a rather impressive testament to humanity's glittering obsessions. Return to the train for lunch as it traverses the vast, ancient plains of the Karoo.
The train traverses a vast semi-desert region called the Karoo. Enjoy a morning visit to the historic village of Matjiesfontein (there is the opportunity to disembark at Whitehill Siding to walk the last 5km to the town, should you feel the sudden, inexplicable urge for actual exercise). At Matjiesfontein, visit the Lord Milner Hotel, the Marie Rawdon Museum, the Laird's Arms Pub, the historic church, and the post office. On leaving Matjiesfontein, the train descends through the spectacular Hex River Valley.
Scheduled to arrive at Cape Town Station at 15h00, marking the end of your luxurious journey. When you book, ask us to include a complimentary transfer to your destination in Cape Town. To continue the Rovos vibe in Cape Town, many clients request to stay at St James Manor, which is owned by Rovos Rail.
Enjoy a complimentary chauffeur transfer from Pretoria or Johannesburg to check in at Rovos Rail Capital Park Station in Pretoria between 16h00 and 16h30, where you will hand your passport to the Train Manager. Listen to the departure speech and take a tour of the museum and station if time allows. The train is scheduled to depart at 18h00. Enjoy dinner at 20h00 (formal dress) as the train travels north through Bela-Bela (Warmbaths) and Modimolle (Nylstroom).
There is an opportunity to sleep off any lingering effects of the previous evening's hospitality, with breakfast served until 10h00. Pass through the Soutpansberg Mountains, which form part of the UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere Reserve. The train crosses the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe - if you have completed your e-visas and paperwork correctly, you won't even have to step off the train for immigration at Beitbridge.
Breakfast is served until 09h00. At 13h30, disembark for a 60-minute transfer to Matobo National Park. You will be guided through the granite hills to see historic San bushmen caves with their ancient rock art, as well as the hilltop grave of Cecil John Rhodes at World's View. Return to the train in the late afternoon for a formal dinner.
Breakfast is served until 10h00. The train travels along one of the world's longest stretches of straight railway line (114km) before arriving at Kennedy Siding. Disembark at 15h00 for an afternoon game drive excursion at The Hide in Hwange National Park, where, if you are lucky, you will view lions, cheetahs, serval, and eland.
Ensure your luggage is packed as you enjoy a final breakfast (served until 09h30). The train is scheduled to arrive at the incomparable Victoria Falls Station at 10h00 (delays are common), marking the end of your ultra-luxurious train journey. Walk across to The Victoria Falls Hotel and enjoy a complimentary chauffeur transfer to your accommodation in Victoria Falls.
Enjoy a complimentary chauffeur transfer from Victoria Falls to arrive at The Victoria Falls Hotel on Mallet Drive between 15h00 and 15h30. Check in at the foyer of The Victoria Falls Hotel where you can listen to the departure speech before being ushered across the road to the Victoria Falls Train Station. Enjoy watching a traditional tribal dance before your hostess shows you to your suite. The train departs from Victoria Falls Station at 17h00 (if all runs to schedule). Settle into your suite and join fellow travellers in the lounge or observation car before dinner is served at 19h30 (formal dress code).
Do not party too late into the evening on Day 1, as continental breakfast on Day 2 is at 05h00 to get you fuelled for your 06h00 game drive at The Hide in Hwange National Park. Return to the train for lunch as it travels along one of Africa's longest stretches of straight railway line - 114km from Dete to Gwaai. There is no WiFi on the train, and on this remote stretch cellular reception is practically non-existent, leaving you with no option but to converse with your fellow passengers.
Transfer to the UNESCO-listed Matobo National Park at 08h00 for a guided excursion. Explore the ancient San bushmen caves, marvel at rock art dating back thousands of years, and visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes carved into the granite summit at World's View. Return to the train as it travels through countryside dotted with baobab trees towards the South African border.
You can catch up on sleep as breakfast is served until 10h00. The train crosses the Limpopo River to Musina for South African border formalities. Enjoy a leisurely day on board watching the changing landscapes as the train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn towards the Highveld, ascending the edge of the escarpment.
Enjoy breakfast in the dining cars before arriving at the private Rovos Rail Capital Park Station in Pretoria at 10h00 (scheduled time; delays are common). Join a 90-minute tour of the station and museum. Enjoy a complimentary chauffeur transfer at 11h30 to your accommodation in Johannesburg or Pretoria.
Wood-panelled cabin with a daytime sofa that converts to twin or double beds (or upper/lower bunks on long hauls) and an en-suite shower, basin, and toilet.
Permanent double or twin beds (no daytime conversion needed), a dedicated lounge seating area, bar fridge, and a spacious en-suite bathroom with shower.
Occupies half a carriage. Features a permanent double or twin bed, private lounge area, and a full en-suite bathroom with both a Victorian claw-foot bath and separate shower.
4 Days (3 nights). A deliberately unhurried, leisurely pace that allows for deeper immersion into the landscape (and the wine list).
Victorian Edwardian elegance. Expect rich wood panelling, openable windows in the observation car, traditional silver-service dining, and a classic, romantic ambience where guests dress formally for dinner.
Intentionally devoid of WiFi, televisions, or onboard radios to preserve the historic golden-era atmosphere and encourage a true, inescapable digital detox.
Operates from its own magnificent, privately owned Capital Park Station, which functions as a working locomotive restoration depot, railway museum, and exclusive departure lounge.
Includes two off-train excursions in both directions - a visit to the historic Victorian village of Matjiesfontein and a tour of Kimberley's Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole.
During the July 2026 floods, Rovos Rail demonstrated high adaptability by rerouting affected journeys to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), providing guests with a viable luxury travel alternative alongside refund options.
Elegant daytime lounge that converts into twin beds (with en-suite shower) or a double bed (with three-quarter bath and handheld shower), complete with 24-hour personal butler service.
Extended suite offering an extra metre of cabin length, twin or double bed configurations, a full-sized en-suite bathtub with overhead shower, and a private digital entertainment system.
3 Days (2 nights). A slightly faster journey, ideal for fitting into a tighter travel schedule without sacrificing five-star luxury.
Contemporary five-star luxury. Think of a modern boutique hotel on wheels with soundproofed carpeted carriages, gold-tinted picture windows, personal butlers, and a dedicated post-dinner Cuban cigar lounge car.
Complimentary WiFi and in-suite entertainment screens are available throughout the train for guests who wish to stay connected (or who simply cannot bear to be parted from their inbox).
Departs from the main Pretoria Train Station (or occasionally Irene Station in Centurion), where guests are hosted with canapes and live music in a dedicated VIP pre-departure lounge.
Features a single focused off-train excursion depending on direction - the Kimberley Diamond Mine Museum (southbound to Cape Town) or historic Matjiesfontein (northbound to Pretoria).
During the July 2026 floods, The Blue Train maintained a firm focus on its primary Cape mainline schedule, cancelling affected Pretoria - Cape Town services while offering guests full refunds or alternative dates.
Luxury train travel is not merely a mode of transport; it is a return to the golden age of exploration. Traversing vast, untamed landscapes - from the arid expanses of the Great Karoo to the lush hills of Southeast Asia - offers a perspective that simply cannot be replicated by air travel or a standard road trip.
Aboard iconic locomotives like Rovos Rail and The Blue Train, guests are immediately immersed in five-star elegance, creating a striking contrast between the rugged African wilderness outside and the refined luxury inside.
The on-board experience is designed to be completely effortless. You can expect spacious, wood-panelled suites with en-suite bathrooms, dedicated room service, and impeccable attention to detail. Dining is a grand affair, featuring multi-course meals prepared by top chefs using fresh, locally sourced ingredients - all expertly paired with award-winning South African wines.
The pace of the journey is deliberately unhurried, encouraging you to disconnect from modern distractions and savour the passing scenery from a dedicated observation car, perhaps with a classic gin and tonic in hand. Depending on your chosen route, the itinerary often includes curated off-train excursions, such as private game drives or historical town tours, adding rich context to your holiday.
Securing your suite on these high-demand routes requires careful planning. Cabins - particularly the premium Royal and Deluxe suites - are strictly limited and often book out many months in advance. To make securing your journey as straightforward as possible, we manage all enquiries through a direct, personalised booking service via WhatsApp and email.
When you find a route and date that aligns with your travel plans, simply click the "Book on WhatsApp" button on the relevant itinerary card above. This will automatically open a pre-filled message directly to our dedicated booking team. If you prefer, you can also reach out via email with your preferred travel dates and cabin class.
From that initial contact, we take care of all the logistics. We personally verify real-time availability with the train operators, confirm the exact pricing per person sharing (pps), and place a provisional hold on your suite. Once you review the details and are completely satisfied to proceed, we will guide you through the secure payment process and issue your official travel documents. You pay the exact public rates set by the train operators - there are no hidden markups or booking fees. Our goal is to provide honest, efficient support from your very first enquiry until the moment you disembark.