There is something special about seeing Southern Africa by train. You get to kick back and watch the world go by, enjoying the trip just as much as the stops along the way.
The second you step on board, it feels like you are in a different world. It’s beautifully finished with polished wood and classic decor, giving you that sense of luxury, but it still feels like a place where you can truly relax. The food is a great highlight; every meal is freshly prepared and beautifully presented, paired perfectly with some of South Africa’s best wines.
Everything slows down the moment the train pulls away. Whether you’re having your morning coffee or a drink in the evening, watching the hills and vineyards roll by is incredibly peaceful. It’s the kind of journey that encourages you to just stop and appreciate the scenery.
Set-up in the dining cart
Durban to Pretoria (2 nights)
This two-night journey through KwaZulu-Natal brings together history, culture and wildlife in a relaxed way. Time at Nambiti Private Game Reserve offers a malaria-free safari experience, where open grasslands and bushveld make for an exciting game drive.
At Spionkop Lodge, the region’s history is shared through engaging stories, with wide views over the surrounding hills and valleys. A visit to Ardmore Ceramics in the Midlands adds colour and creativity – a vibrant space celebrating Zulu art.
Storytelling at Spioenkop
Some of the most memorable moments happen on the train itself. Travelling through the Valley of a Thousand Hills at sunset and watching the landscape change outside the window is something that really stays with you.
Our Kerstin, Lizette and Mirjam have all travelled this route. They loved the game drives and the storytelling, and for Lizette especially, the atmosphere on board – the service and the ever-changing scenery – made it feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Lizette at dinner on board the Rosvos Rail
Victoria Falls to Pretoria (3 or 4 nights)
Traveling between the massive Victoria Falls and Pretoria, this route feels incredibly vast and remote. A major highlight is stopping at Hwange National Park for a game drive, which includes a bush breakfast – there is nothing quite like having coffee and breakfast right in the middle of the savannah.
The journey includes a stop at Matobo Hills, a fascinating area full of dramatic granite rocks and ancient caves. It’s a place that adds a deep sense of history and culture to the trip. From there, the train continues its journey south, crossing the Limpopo River and the Tropic of Capricorn before finally arriving at the Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria.
Kerstin and Mirjam on board the Rovos Rail
The combination of these carefully chosen stops and the indulgent service on board makes the journey truly memorable. Whether you’re watching the sunset over the plains or enjoying a quiet moment in the lounge car, the pace of the trip allows you to really take in the scale of the landscape.
Our Mirjam, Kerstin, and Ryan have all experienced this journey. For Mirjam, this remains her absolute favourite route because of those wide-open, remote landscapes. Ryan was equally impressed, but for her, the food was the star of the show. She loved the dining experience – everything from the starters and cheese boards to the snacks available at every turn – finding the whole trip incredibly relaxing.
Ryan in one of the cabins on board
Cape Town to Pretoria (3 nights)
This journey is the perfect way to see just how much the South African landscape changes in a few days. The train starts in the lush Cape Winelands before crossing the beautiful Great Karoo and finally moving into the open grasslands of the Highveld.
One of the highlights is stopping at Matjiesfontein, a perfectly preserved Victorian village that feels like a time capsule of railway history. The journey also includes a visit to the Diamond Mine Museum in Kimberley to see the Big Hole. It is a massive sight, but what really sticks with you is the history – specifically the fact that the hole was dug out by hand.
The Big Hole in Kimberley
Watching the mountains turn into dry, open plains and then into green fields is a great reminder of how diverse the country is. One of the most unique sights along this route is passing Kamfers Dam, where you can often see flocks of flamingos gathered in the water as the train rolls by.
Our Mirjam and Karolin have both experienced this journey for themselves. For Mirjam, the standout moment was the sunset at Kamfers Dam – seeing the flamingos silhouetted against the water was a quiet, magical moment that really stuck with her. Karolin loved the start of the journey in the vineyards and was particularly impressed by the on-board team; even with a small delay, they made sure everything felt seamless and relaxed.
Kamfers Dam in Kimberley
Rovos Rail is about more than just getting from point A to B – it is a completely different way to see Southern Africa. Whether it’s the wildlife, the history, or just the view from the window, every journey has its own rhythm. For our team, these journeys reminded us why “slow travel” is so special; when you are on the train, the travel part is just as much a highlight as the places you’re visiting.