Rovos Rail - Cape Town to Pretoria - Vice Versa (2 Nights)

Combine the opulence of a legendary Rovos Rail journey with a stay at the 5* Castello Di Monte as you make your way between Pretoria and Cape Town.

Cape Town to Pretoria – 2 nights
For many visitors to South Africa, there is no finer way to see the country than on the popular 48-hour weekly journeys between Pretoria and Cape Town.

Check in at 10am.

Day 1
11h00: Depart from Platform 23 at Cape Town Station and travel inland through the winelands.
13h00: Lunch is served in the dining car/s.
15h00: The train reaches Worcester in the Hex River Valley before climbing 750m up the face of the escarpment.
15h30: The train arrives at the first of four tunnels on the pass. The third tunnel is 13.5 kilometres long so guests are to be careful when walking through the train and may wish to turn on necessary lights.
16h30: Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
17h45: Disembark at Matjiesfontein for an opportunity to stroll through the historic village. Of special interest is the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages to the right of the Lord Milner Hotel.
19h00: Depart Matjiesfontein. Continue overnight through the Karoo.
19h30: Dinner is served in the dining car/s.

Day 2
07h00: Breakfast is served until 10h00.
12h30: Lunch is served in the dining car/s.
14h30: Upon arrival in Kimberley board the bus for a tour of the renowned city, the Diamond Mine Museum and the extraordinary Big Hole.
16h00: Depart Kimberley.
16h30: Tea is served in the lounge car.
19h30: Dinner is served in the dining car/s.

Day 3
07h00: Breakfast is served in the dining car/s until 10h00 as the train travels via Krugersdorp and Johannesburg through the goldfields of the Witwatersrand towards Pretoria.
12h00: Arrive at journey’s end at Rovos Rail Station in Capital Park, Pretoria.

The Track:
The track over which we travel is inconsistently maintained. If you wake at night imagining the train is travelling at high speed, be assured it is the state of the track below creating that impression. We restrict the train to 60km/h (37mph) and over bad sections reduce speed to as little as 20km/h (12mph). If you find it noisy, earplugs are available.

Dress:
For days on the train dress is smart casual. Evening attire is more formal for gentlemen a jacket and tie is a minimum requirement while for ladies we suggest cocktail/evening dresses or suits. For off-train excursions, we strongly recommend comfortable walking shoes, sun lotion and hats. If required, blankets and rain capes are available. For game drives, which are on open vehicles, please dress accordingly: mornings can be cool then warm up considerably; afternoons can be warm then cool down considerably. Please see average temperatures as a guide.

Mobile Devices and Internet:
In maintaining the spirit of travel of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets on board. The use of mobile phones, laptops and essentially anything that has the ability to disturb other passengers is confined to the privacy of your suites only. The reception is poor while the train is moving. It is advised to contact your service provider to ensure the correct settings for network services are activated. Internet is available at our lounge in Cape Town, Rovos Rail Station, Tau Game Lodge, Victoria Falls Hotel, Mokuti Lodge and most of the other Namibia Safari accommodation.

Laundry:
There is a limited laundry service on board comprising household washers, dryers and steam irons. The turnaround is 48 hours so we are not able to handle a week’s worth of washing. Please note that while we are providing a complimentary service we cannot be held responsible for items that may be damaged or lost in the process. There are no dry-cleaning facilities en route or on board the train.

Luggage:
Each suite has a luggage rack that runs its length providing ample space for storage. On selected annual journeys, guests are provided with a Rovos Rail tog bag that can be used for overnight trips or hand luggage on aircraft.

Gift Shop:
There is a small gift shop on the train and at Rovos Rail Station. Due to the varying exchange rates, credit cards are preferred. The host/ess on duty has a basic First Aid Kit and personal essentials (toothbrushes, razors, earplugs etc.). He/she will also fulfill any administrative requirements and check your onward arrangements. Stamps are available for sale and postcards may be posted in the post box at the entrance to the Observation Car or at Rovos Rail Station.

Gratuities:
Gratuities for the staff are at your discretion. If you wish to show your appreciation in this manner, there is a suitably marked envelope in your suite that you can hand directly to the Train Manager who will distribute any amounts on a pro-rata basis (share) amongst the staff on board. An amount between ZAR100 to ZAR200per person per night is suggested, depending on the length of your journey.

Locomotion:
Use of steam has become increasingly difficult over the years as more and more water and coaling facilities have been scrapped. Diesel or electric locomotives are used while steam is used in and around the area of Rovos Rail Station only.

Cuisine:
Meals are served in one sitting only in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the dining cars and are complemented by a selection of fine South African wines. Breakfast: 07h00-10h00. Lunch: 13h00. Tea: 16h30. Formal Dinner: 19h30.
All meals are served at these times unless otherwise stated in the timetable. A gong heralds lunch and dinner.

Dietary requirements:
If a special request has not been made, the chefs will endeavor to prepare suitable meals with the ingredients available on board. They will be unable to prepare meals requiring strict religious observance in the preparation.

Smoking:
On board the train, smoking is allowed in the Club Lounge only. Please ensure you have advised upfront if you wish to be allocated to a smoking or non smoking room.

For Information contact : res@rufaro.co.za