Cape To Kruger By Rovos Rail

Holiday overview

Enjoy all the extravagances of yesteryear on a luxury journey on Africa’s most luxurious train, enjoying all-inclusive drinks and multi-course dining as you sweep through gorgeous vineyards and remote deserts. We’ve also included plenty of excitement either side, beginning with a stay among Cape Town’s natural icons. Then, after a pause in South Africa’s historic capital, Pretoria, you’ll finish with a luxurious Big-Five safari in one of the world’s greatest parks – Kruger. Expect to pair rhinos and leopards with an all-inclusive spread of sundowner drinks and fine dining.

Holiday itinerary

Day 1: Depart UK

Fly overnight from London to Cape Town, South Africa. After making the most of your complimentary airport lounge access, board your overnight flight to South Africa.

Days 2-4: Cape Town

You’ll be met, on arrival, by a private driver, who’ll see you to your luxury accommodation. Alongside its cocktail bar and spa, it offers a privileged setting on the waterfront, enjoying gorgeous views of Table Mountain. Over your three days here, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to explore this city great, from its gorgeous beaches and penguin colonies to Table-Mountain cable car rides and Robben Island – the imposing site of Mandela’s incarceration. Of course, there’s also the nearby vineyards and the city’s famed dining scene to taste your way through.

Day 5: Rovos Rail

After a private transfer to the station, you’ll settle in to your spectacular wood-panelled cabin. It comes complete with an en suite and, each evening, your steward will convert its plush sofa to a double or twin bed. Then, be sure to head to the open-air balconies of the observation carriages to watch as the sun sets over the Cape Winelands – views best paired with a drink from the open bar. 

Day 6: Rovos Rail

Wake in your cabin and head to the dining car for a delicious breakfast. River valleys, tunnel hops and a chance to explore the colonial-village charm of Matjiesfontein will then see you through to lunch, which you'll enjoy back on board, served to sweeping views of the vast semi-desert known as the Karoo – once an enormous inland sea. You'll then spend a relaxing afternoon taking in more views of central South Africa, either from the bar car, lounge or the privacy of your cabin. Then, having already enjoyed an afternoon tea, you’ll change for a formal dinner, again served in the elegant dining car.

Day 7: Rovos Rail

Between a leisurely gourmet breakfast and lunch today, you’ll disembark in Kimberley for an included tour of its Victorian heritage, Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole – a great open pit claimed to be the deepest hole excavated by hand. Returning to the train, look out on the left for a 23,000-strong flock of flamingos before the train travels northeast towards Klerksdorp and the broad grassland plains of the Highveld. As with the previous day, tea is served in the lounge and a final formal dinner.

Day 8: Pretoria

A last indulgent breakfast and the goldfields of the Witwatersrand will then see you to Pretoria, arriving around midday. Here, a private driver will bring you to your boutique accommodation, a delightful blend of Italian architecture and African landscape. You might want to explore, perhaps taking in the Botanical Gardens, its excellent museums or the grand neoclassicism of the governmental Union Buildings.

Stay: Castello di Monte (Superior)

Days 9-11: Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Included transfers will bookend your flight down to Sabi Sands in Greater Kruger National Park. Here, you’ll stay in a luxury camp themed on the old railway, which used to cross the north-eastern section of Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. You’ll also begin your series of guided nature walks and twice-daily game drives, heading out to uncover everything from rhinos and lions to hyena and hippo. The region is particularly well-known for its leopard sightings. Each day, you’ll return to all-inclusive candlelit dining and drinks, and sweeping views across the South African bush.

Stay: Selati Camp (Deluxe)

Days 12-13: Depart for UK

After breakfast, a last included transfer will see you to the airport for your flight home.

Blog: The Best of South Africa guide

Holiday pricing

Package includes:

• Complimentary UK airport lounge access
• Return flights from London to Cape Town & Johannesburg to London
• Domestic return flights between Johannesburg and Skukuza 
• Private airport transfers
  
• 4 nights accommodation in a mixture of 4* (Superior) and 5* (Deluxe) hotels on a B&B basis 
• 3 nights accommodation in a 4* (Superior) safari lodge on a full-board basis 
• 3 nights aboard Rovos Rail in a Pullman Suite on full-board basis
• Twice-daily shared game drives, house wines and local brand spirits, one hour nature walk, laundry while on safari