The Pride of Africa

The Pride of Africa links some of Africa’s greatest destinations, from Cape Town to Dar-Es-Salaam in Tanzania, journeys lasting from 24 hours to 13 days. Scenic splendours as diverse as the game reserves of Mpumalanga to the Victoria Falls, the desert landscapes of Namibia and the stark beauty of the Karoo, the lush cane fields of KwaZulu-Natal and the magnificent Garden Route along the Cape South Coast can be experienced on The Pride of Africa.

Decorated with period Edwardian features, the exquisite wood paneled sleeper coaches are the epitome of luxury, offering every modern convenience.

Simple, elegant cuisine is served with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients and a selection of fine wines complement your dining.

Stop-overs along the Pride of Africa routes afford guests the opportunity to visit towns and sights of interest, as well as the chance to spot some of Africa's big game from open vehicles in the care of experienced game rangers.

Cape Town to Pretoria
Matjiesfontein - Village Visit
Kimberley - 'Big Hole Tour'

For many visitors to South Africa, there’s no finer way to see the country than on the popular 48-hour weekly journeys between Pretoria and Cape Town. Cape Town offers a blend of cosmopolitan city life, magnificent mountains and superlative wine lands, while the twin cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg form the economic heartland of South Africa and the ideal departure point for Mpumulanga’s world-famous Game Reserves.

This 1600-kilometre journey is a perfect illustration of South Africa as a world in one country. Travel the windswept grasslands of the gold rich Highveld to the haunting barrenness of the Great Karoo, the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic wine lands of the Cape to the Mother City of South Africa, Cape Town, cradled by the imposing bulk of Table Mountain, Devils’ Peak and Lions Head.

Highlights of the north and southbound routes include a visit to the historic village of Matjiesfontein. This authentic, perfectly preserved Victorian Village, which was founded by Mr. Logan as a refreshment stop in 1890, also boasts an impressive museum on the Station platform. A stop is also made in Kimberley with an opportunity to enjoy a city tour, the Mine Museum and visit the world’s largest man-made excavation, the ‘Big Hole’.

Durban to Pretoria
Mkhaya Reserve in Swaziland - game drive Komatipoort
Malelane – Kruger Park game drive & boma dinner

This three-day safari on the most luxurious train in the world includes game drives in two varied and unique game reserves. Experience the diversity of the Kruger Park, or Mkhaya in Swaziland, or Hluhluwe Nature Reserve in Zululand and wind your way from Pretoria to Durban through some of the most spectacular scenery South Africa has to offer.

Pretoria to Victoria Falls Hotel/Livingstone Hotel
Game drive, boma lunch + Cheetah Project at Kapama
Depart Pietersburg for Livingstone Airport

Victoria Falls Hotel/Livingstone Hotel to Pretoria
Depart Livingstone Airport for Pietersburg
Game drive, boma lunch + Cheetah Project at Kapama

This two-night adventure begins as the train departs Rovos Rail’s gracious station at Capital Park in Pretoria. It pauses in Witbank, a rich coal-mining area, where Rovos Rail was founded in 1986, before descending the breathtaking Drakensberg Escarpment. The descent between the quaint towns of Waterval Boven and Waterval Onder is one of the most challenging rail tracks in the world as the train winds through many switchbacks and tunnels. Journey on in comfort and style through the lush, sub-tropical Mpumalanga bushveld to Nelspruit and the Crocodile River valley. Follow the edge of the world-famous Kruger Park towards Hoedspruit, the heart of South Africa’s celebrated game-viewing paradise for a visit to the Kapama Game Reserve.

Ascend the Highveld through the tangled indigenous forests of Magoebaskloof, with its deep gorges and ancient cliffs where “living fossil “ cycads flourish, before arriving in the high-lying land of the primeval Baobab tree. Travel past tea estates, trout streams, natural woodlands and then alongside some of South Africa’s vast citrus estates.

At Pietersburg board a classic aircraft for the two-hour flight to journeys end, the incomparable Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River.

Cape Town to George
Worcester
Ashton

This spectacular 550-kilometre 24-hour trip runs between Cape Town and George during the summer months and is rated one of the most beautiful in the world.

From the Mother City the train, with the Hex River Mountains as a backdrop, travels through the Tulbagh Valley towards Worcester. Grapes are grown in vast quantities in this area, and apart from several co-operative wine cellars, there are a number of brandy distilleries. The KWV Brandy Distillery is visited on the George to Cape Town leg.

The train continues along the Breë River Valley towards Robertson, home of the largest brandy distillery in southern Africa, and then onto Ashton, largest producer in the southern hemisphere of canned fruit, jams and vegetables. On the Cape Town to George leg a stop is made to sample the wines of a local wine estate. Then it is on towards the coast passing through stations such as Merwepoort, and South Africa’s third oldest town, Swellendam.

Leaving the coast behind the train passes near Mossel Bay, a commercial seaport that enjoyed a boom in the 1990’s due to the discovery of offshore oil. George is a quiet inland town, founded in 1811 and named after King George 111. Available to our guests is the optional 67km stretch between George and Knysna aboard the local Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe run by the Transnet Museum.

Please Note:

• All routes are quoted one-way only
• Off-Train/Air excursions cannot be guaranteed and will be undertaken only if time permits
• Departure/Arrival times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed