Cape Town Journey: Rovos Rail (Southbound)

The southbound Cape Town Journey spends 3 nights on board, covering about 1,600 km from Pretoria to Cape Town. It crosses the Highveld grasslands, the Great Karoo and the mountains of the Cape, with stops at Kimberley and Matjiesfontein on the way.

The train leaves from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria, and you need to check in at least one hour before departure. If you want to visit the station museum or take a station tour, arrive about two hours early. Lunch is served on board as the train crosses the goldfields of the Witwatersrand.

The train arrives at Cape Town Station on the morning of Day 4. Breakfast is served until 09:30 as the train comes down through the Hex River Valley. Transfers and hotel nights in Cape Town are not included, so plan your arrival arrangements in advance.

On Day 2 you tour Kimberley's Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole, which is often described as the world's largest hand-dug excavation. Kimberley, the capital of the Northern Cape, grew up around the diamond discoveries that led to its founding in 1871.

Matjiesfontein is a perfectly preserved Victorian village, founded in 1890 as a refreshment stop. It has a museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages. On Day 3, after lunch, you can get off at Whitehill Siding and walk about 5 km into the village with a member of staff, or stay on board and stroll around once the train arrives.

The route runs from the goldfields of the Witwatersrand and the Highveld grasslands, through the vast semi-desert of the Karoo, which was once an inland sea. It then descends through the mountains and the Hex River Valley to Cape Town, below Table Mountain. It is a good cross-section of South Africa's landscapes in one journey.

There are three suite types, each available with double or twin beds: Pullman Suites of about 7 square metres, Deluxe Suites of about 10 square metres, and Royal Suites of about 16 square metres, with only two Royal Suites per carriage. Each suite type is priced separately in the departure list on this page.

Fares start from about US$1,122 per person sharing, in the entry suite category, with Deluxe and Royal Suites costing more. Fares vary by departure and suite, so the exact fare for each departure is shown on this page.

Yes. Single fares start from about US$1,627 per person for sole use of a suite. The exact single fare depends on the date and suite type and is shown for each departure on this page.

The fare includes your suite, all meals, all beverages on board, room service and limited laundry. It also covers guided excursions such as the Kimberley tour, entrance fees as listed in the itinerary, an onboard historian and doctor, and government tax.

Flights, transfers to and from the stations, and hotel nights before or after the journey are not included. Nor are travel insurance, visas, gratuities and personal expenses. Beverages outside the included on-board selection are also extra.

Unless the schedule changes, breakfast is served from 07:00 to 10:00, lunch at 13:00, afternoon tea at 16:30 and dinner at 19:30. Meals are served in the dining cars, and afternoon tea is in the lounge and observation cars. On the last morning, breakfast ends at 09:30.

Evenings on board are formal, so pack something smart for dinner each night. During the day, dress is relaxed. For excursions, bring layers, comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sun protection, because mornings and afternoons can change from cool to warm. Rain capes are available if needed.

Excursions may be adjusted to fit the schedule the train actually achieves, and all times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed. The Train Manager announces any changes on board. The Kimberley and Matjiesfontein visits are the core excursions on this route.

Children are booked in two age bands, based on age at departure: under 2, and from 2 up to (but not including) 10. Contact us with your children's ages and we will confirm availability and the child fare for your chosen departure.

A deposit of 30% of the tour cost confirms your booking, and the balance is due 65 days before departure. Your suite is held once the deposit is received.

This is one of the most frequent journeys on the train, with 71 southbound departures on sale from 2 October 2026 to 9 October 2027. The departure list on this page shows live dates, suite availability and fares.

Yes. An onboard historian and a doctor are included in the fare. The historian adds background on the places you pass through, and in your suite you will find a Journeys magazine with articles about the route.

Yes. The same route also runs northbound, from Cape Town to Pretoria, with the Matjiesfontein and Kimberley stops in reverse order. It has its own page and departure list. Ask us if you want to compare dates in either direction.

You can email travel@palacetours.com, call 786-408-0610, or message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/17864080610. A travel specialist or our AI assistant will reply. You can also book any date in the departure list on this page directly: pick your date and suite type and reserve online.