Cape Town to Pretoria
Leave Cape Town through the winelands, cross the Karoo and stop at Matjiesfontein and Kimberley on the way north to Pretoria.
- Cape TownDay 1
- MatjiesfonteinDay 2
- KimberleyDay 3
- PretoriaDay 4
Overview
Heading north from Cape Town, the train climbs through the winelands and up the escarpment into the Karoo. You stroll through the Victorian village of Matjiesfontein, tour Kimberley's Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum, and cross the Highveld grasslands to the train's own station in Pretoria.
- Cape winelands on the first afternoon
- Climb up the escarpment through four tunnels
- Morning stroll in Matjiesfontein
- Kimberley Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole
- Witwatersrand goldfields on the final morning
Day by day
Day 1Cape TownOn board
Check in at the train's lounge in central Cape Town at least 90 minutes before departure. Lunch is served as the train trundles through the winelands towards Worcester, then it climbs about 750 m up the escarpment through a series of tunnels. Dinner is formal.
Meals: Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 2Matjiesfontein & the KarooOn board
After breakfast, step off at Matjiesfontein to wander the historic village, with its platform museum and collection of old cars and railway carriages. The train then crosses the Karoo, a vast semi-desert that was once an inland sea.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 3KimberleyOn board
An early breakfast is followed by a tour of Kimberley's Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole. In the afternoon the train crosses the broad grassland plains of the Highveld.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 4Pretoria
The train crosses the Witwatersrand goldfields over breakfast and lunch. The journey ends at the train's station in Pretoria; if you would like a station tour and museum visit, plan a later pick-up.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch
- Night 1On board
- Night 2On board
- Night 3On board
The map is schematic. Dashed lines are excursions by road.
Royal Suite
- Takes up half a carriage
- Private lounge area
- Victorian bath plus separate shower
- Double or split twin beds
- Minibar, safe and air conditioning
Deluxe Suite
- Own small lounge area
- En-suite shower, toilet and basin
- Double or split twin beds
- Writing desk, fridge and tea facilities
Pullman Gold Suite
- Lengthways twin beds set as sofas by day
- Converts to a lengthways double
- En-suite shower, toilet and basin
- Fold-up writing desk
Pullman Suite
- Comfortable sofa-seat by day
- Side-by-side double or upper and lower bunks at night
- En-suite shower, toilet and basin
- Safe, small fridge and air conditioning
Suite configurations depend on availability, and some Royal and Deluxe suites have a room divider.
- Accommodation on board
- All meals
- All beverages on board
- Room service
- Limited laundry
- Guided excursions where applicable
- Preselected local wines, beers and soft drinks on excursions
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
- Government tax
- Deposit
- 30% of the total at booking
- Final payment
- 65 days before departure
Dates and prices
Live availability. Choose a cabin type, then select Book Now to reserve online, or Join waitlist on sold-out dates.
Pullman suite
Deluxe Suite
Royal Suite
Join the waitlist
This departure is currently sold out. Leave your details and we will contact you the moment a cabin becomes available.
Questions about this journey
How long is the Cape Town to Pretoria journey?
It is three nights and four days, covering about 1,600 km. You leave Cape Town around midday and arrive in Pretoria in the afternoon of day four.
Where do I check in?
Check-in is at the train's lounge in central Cape Town, at least 90 minutes before departure. The train then leaves from Cape Town Station.
What excursions are included?
There is a morning stop at Matjiesfontein to explore the historic village, and a guided tour of Kimberley's Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole. Entrance fees for these visits are included.
Can I see the station museum in Pretoria?
Yes. The journey ends at the train's own station in Pretoria, and guests who want a station tour and museum visit are advised to delay their pick-up by about 90 minutes.
Is this the same as the southbound journey?
It covers the same route and highlights in reverse, but the order of the stops changes. Matjiesfontein comes on day two and Kimberley on day three.
How do I check dates and fares?
Live dates and fares are shown on this page, and our reservations team can help on (866) 484-7882.



