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Summary

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South Africa by Rail: Durban to Cape Town with Rovos Rail

Cape Town & Durban Collection Aboard Rovos Rail

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Duration

11 Days

Starts In

Durban

Route

Durban, Pretoria, Kimberley, Cape Winelands, Cape Town

Trade Durban's subtropical coastline for the wide-open interior of South Africa aboard Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa, a journey that runs in reverse but loses none of its magic. This route opens with artisan pottery and Big Five game drives before climbing north to Pretoria's jacaranda streets, then rolls south through goldfields, diamond country, and the timeless Karoo before descending into the Cape Winelands. It's eleven days of shifting scenery and unhurried indulgence, punctuated by boutique stays, formal dinners, and excursions that bring each region's history and wildlife to life. The journey closes where legends are made — Cape Town, with Table Mountain rising to greet you.

RAIL JOURNEY 11 Days / 10 Nights with Five Aboard Rovos Rail Luxury Train from Durban to Cape Town, and Five Nights in Luxury Hotels in Pretoria and Durban. Features Durban, Pretoria, Kimberley and Cape Town. Includes private arrival & departure transfers, your choice of luxury cabin accommodations, room service, all meals, local beer, wine and soft drinks, onboard lectures and guided excursions as indicated in the itinerary. +

Includes

Accommodations as per itinerary
Meals as per itinerary; breakfast (B), lunch (L), dinner (D)
Sightseeing: per itinerary
Special onboard entertainment per itinerary
Keytours 24-hour emergency assistance
Private arrival and departure transfers as per itinerary

Excludes

Items of a personal nature
All other items not mentioned as included
Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
Travel insurance; please inquire with your Keytours travel consultant
Gratuities for drivers, guides, and escorts

Itinerary

Day
1

Day 1: Coastal Arrival — Settling into Durban

Touch down and settle straight into subtropical ease with a private transfer to the Oyster Box Hotel for a one-night stay. Durban's warm Indian Ocean air and laid-back energy make for a gentle first taste of South Africa, whether you spend the afternoon strolling the promenade, exploring the city's Indian and Zulu cultural quarters, or simply easing into the pace of the journey ahead. This is your last night on solid ground before boarding one of the world's most celebrated trains tomorrow, so take the evening to unwind and soak up the coastal atmosphere before the rails take over.

Day
2

Day 2: Departure and Craft — Durban to Ardmore

Late morning brings your transfer to Rovos Rail at Durban Station, where your suite and the rhythm of onboard life await. Shortly after departure, the train pauses for a visit to the internationally acclaimed Ardmore Ceramics Gallery, where vivid hand-painted pottery tells a distinctly South African artistic story. It's a fitting first stop — creative, colorful, and deeply local — before the journey turns inland. Settle into the observation car as Durban's coastal energy gives way to rolling countryside, with a formal dinner marking the close of your first full day aboard the train.

Day
3

Day 3: Wild Terrain — Spionkop and Nambiti

Choose your morning adventure: a game drive through the Spionkop Nature Reserve, its rolling hills home to abundant plains game, or a guided account of the Battle of Spionkop, one of the most storied clashes of the Anglo-Boer War. By afternoon, the wilderness deepens further with a game drive through the malaria-free Nambiti Private Game Reserve, where lion, elephant, rhino, and buffalo roam across sweeping grassland. It's a day that pairs history with raw wilderness in equal measure, setting an early high point for the journey as the train continues toward the interior.

Day
4

Day 4: Jacaranda City — Arriving in Pretoria

Arriving in Pretoria by mid-morning, you transfer to Capital Menlyn Maine for a one-night stay, with the rest of the day yours to shape. Join a guided tour through the city's jacaranda-draped streets and government quarter over lunch, or explore independently at your own pace, taking in the colonial-era architecture and contemporary civic life that define this capital city. It's an easy, engaging pause between train legs — a chance to properly stretch your legs on solid ground before rejoining the Pride of Africa tomorrow for the next stage of the journey south.

Day
5

Day 5: Golden Ground — Across the Witwatersrand

Rejoining the train at Pretoria Station, you set off across the Witwatersrand goldfields, the historic engine of South Africa's mining wealth, before the landscape opens into the broad grassland plains of the Highveld. It's a day for the observation car, as mining headgear gives way to sweeping farmland and open horizons stretching in every direction. Onboard life settles into its familiar rhythm — leisurely meals, easy conversation, and the steady click of the rails — as the train carries you steadily south toward the dramatic mountain scenery still ahead.

Day
6

Day 6: Mountain Bound — Toward the Drakensberg

With Pretoria behind you, the train presses on toward the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa's most dramatic mountain range and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a day for lingering in the observation car, as farmland and grassland give way gradually to the foothills of the escarpment, the light shifting beautifully across the terrain as afternoon turns to evening. Formal dinner service continues the familiar ritual of onboard life as the train arcs steadily south toward one of the journey's great historical detours, diamond country waiting just ahead.

Day
7

Day 7: Diamond Country — Kimberley's Big Hole

Today's highlight is Kimberley, the town whose fortunes were transformed by the discovery of diamonds in 1871. A tour through the Diamond Mine Museum and the legendary Big Hole — the largest hand-dug excavation on earth — brings the drama of the diamond rush vividly to life. It's a compelling change of pace after days of open landscape, trading scenery for storytelling as the town's mining-era history unfolds around you. Back on board, the train continues its southward arc, carrying you deeper into the semi-arid heart of South Africa.

Day
8

Day 8: Into the Karoo — Matjiesfontein and the Hex River Valley

The Great Karoo unfolds today in all its stark, silent beauty — a semi-desert region that was once, remarkably, the floor of an ancient inland sea. A highlight of the day is Matjiesfontein, a beautifully preserved Victorian village frozen in time, complete with vintage cars and period architecture. From here, the train begins its dramatic descent of the escarpment into the Hex River Valley, one of the most scenic stretches of the entire route, as sheer mountain walls give way to a lush, fertile valley floor below.

Day
9

Day 9: Vineyard Approach — Into the Cape Winelands

The journey's final full day carries you from the semi-arid interior into the lush embrace of the Cape Winelands, one of the most beautiful transitions on the entire route. Vine-striped hills roll past the window as the train winds steadily toward the coast, the terrain softening with every passing mile. It's a day to savor from the observation car, a final stretch of open landscape before the energy of Cape Town takes over tomorrow. A formal dinner this evening marks your last night fully immersed in the rhythm of the rails.

Day
10

Day 10: Vineyard to Metropolis — Arriving in Cape Town

The final approach carries you from the Cape Winelands into the vibrant energy of Cape Town, one of the most dramatic closing stretches of any rail journey in the world. Arriving at Cape Town Station, you transfer to St James Manor for a two-night stay, with Table Mountain rising unmistakably over the city skyline. Use your time here to explore the Waterfront, ride the cable car, or simply soak in the atmosphere of a city that rewards lingering — a fitting, indulgent close to a journey that has spanned coast, mountain, desert, and vineyard.

Day
11

Day 11: Journey's End — Cape Town Farewell

Your final morning is unhurried, with time for one last coffee against the backdrop of Table Mountain before a private transfer to Cape Town International Airport brings this remarkable journey to its close. From Durban's coastline to the Cape's vineyards, you'll have traced the very best of South Africa's landscapes, wildlife, and history aboard one of the world's most storied trains. Should you wish to extend your stay in Cape Town or explore the surrounding Winelands further, additional accommodation can be arranged on request.

Dates & Prices

24 of Jan, 2027

Sunday

5 of Sep, 2027

Sunday

3 of Sep, 2028

Sunday

Frequently Asked Questions

What destinations are included in the Cape Town & Durban Collection Aboard Rovos Rail package?

The Cape Town & Durban Collection Aboard Rovos Rail package includes several stunning destinations in South Africa: Durban, Pretoria, Kimberley, the Cape Winelands, and Cape Town. Travelers will experience a diverse range of landscapes and cultures, from the subtropical coast of Durban to the dramatic mountains and vineyards of the Cape.

How many days and nights does this itinerary last, and where do I stay?

This itinerary lasts for 11 days and 10 nights. Travelers will spend the first night at the Oyster Box Hotel in Durban, followed by one night at the Capital Menlyn Maine in Pretoria. The remaining nights are spent aboard the Rovos Rail luxury train, which offers unique accommodations as you journey through South Africa.

What meals and beverages are included in the Rovos Rail journey?

This package includes all meals throughout the journey, which consist of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additionally, local beer, wine, and soft drinks are provided on board. Guests can enjoy formal dining experiences as well as casual meals while taking in the beautiful scenery.

Are there any optional excursions or activities during the trip?

Yes, this itinerary offers a range of guided excursions and activities. For instance, travelers can choose between a game drive in the Spionkop Nature Reserve or a historical tour of the Battle of Spionkop. While many excursions are included, some may be optional and can be arranged through your Keytours travel consultant.

Can I customize my accommodations or add extra nights to this tour?

Yes, accommodations and the length of stay can be customized to suit your preferences. Keytours Vacations can assist you in selecting luxury cabin options on the Rovos Rail and arranging additional nights in Cape Town or other destinations if you wish to extend your journey.

What should I know about transfers included in this itinerary?

This package includes private arrival and departure transfers as per the itinerary. Transfers are provided between the airport and hotels, as well as between hotels and the Rovos Rail stations. However, any transfers not specifically mentioned in the itinerary are not included.

What is not included in the Cape Town & Durban Collection Aboard Rovos Rail package?

While this package offers a comprehensive experience, certain items are not included. These include personal expenses, travel insurance, gratuities for drivers and guides, and any transfers not mentioned in the itinerary. Travelers are encouraged to consult with their Keytours travel consultant for more details on travel insurance options.

Book Your Trip

Include Flights?

Yes

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