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. This 1600-kilometre journey is a perfect illustration of South Africa as a world in one country. Travel the grasslands of the gold-rich Highveld to the haunting barrenness of the Great Karoo.

Trundle through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic wine lands of the Cape. Journey's end is Cape Town, the Mother City of South Africa, cradled by the imposing bulk of Table Mountain, Devil's 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 platform. A stop is also made in Kimberley providing an opportunity to enjoy a city tour and a visit to the Diamond Mine Museum and the world's largest man-made excavation, the Big Hole.

This six-day journey commences in Cape Town and ends at the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
On this northbound journey tour the historic village of Matjiesfontein and visit the impressive museum on the
platform, the motorcar and railway carriage museum or wander through the Lord Milner Hotel and its delightful
grounds. Next stop is Kimberley and a guided tour of the world’s largest man-made excavation, the ‘Big Hole’ and it’s supporting Mine Museum.
Arrive in Pretoria at 12h00 on Wednesday where you will be introduced to our beautifully appointed station and 60 acre property. Participate in an optional tour of the city or have the afternoon at leisure before spending the night in your hotel.
The train departs on Thursday morning and slowly meanders westwards through Mafikeng into Botswana and then north towards Mahalapye, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn just after Gaborone. Once the train has passed through the dry reaches of Botswana we arrive at Plumtree in the late afternoon for border formalities with Zimbabwe. The journey continues in a north-westerly direction passing Bulawayo and heads towards Thompson’s Junction and Hwange Game Reserve where animals can be spotted from the train. Journeys end is the incomparable Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River.

Please note that depending upon railways capacity this journey could be routed northwards through
Beitbridge and Zimbabwe.

Your two-night three day adventure begins with the departure from Rovos Rail’s gracious station in
Capital Park Pretoria.
This special journey departs in the morning and slowly meanders westwards through Mafikeng into
Botswana and then north towards Mahalapye, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn just after Gaborone. Once
the train has passed through the dry reaches of Botswana we arrive at Plumtree in the late afternoon for
border formalities with Zimbabwe.
We continue in a north-westerly direction passing Bulawayo heading towards Thompson’s Junction and
Hwange Game Reserve.
Journeys end is the incomparable Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River.

Please note that depending upon railways capacity this journey could be routed northwards
through Beitbridge and Zimbabwe.

This special three-day safari between Pretoria and Durban departs during the summer months and includes game drives in two varied and unique game reserves, a battlefields tour with a world class historian and a visit to an unusual African ceramics studio. Experience the diversity of the Nambiti Conservancy, a Big Five private bush retreat set on 20 000 acres of malaria-free bushveld in KwaZulu Natal.

It has an incredible biodiversity including savannah, grasslands, thornveld and tall acacia trees. The Sundays River flows through the reserve and has two 40 metre waterfalls with magnificent ravine bush, home to several rare bird species. Situated on an expansive game farm, SpionKop Lodge which adjoins a 11 000 acre nature reserve, is the perfect base for exploring the berg, bush, birds and battlefields of the region. The turn of the century farmhouse has been beautifully restored in Natal colonial style and the converted barn now forms a magnificent dining room that boasts spectacular views. Ardmore Ceramic Art is a story about the Zulu people whose sense of rhythm, colour, dance and song, as well as the spirit of the African imagination, is exerting its influence on the other continents of the world.

This six-day journey commences in Durban and ends at the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
After departing Durban visit the world renowned Ardmore Ceramic Art studio and learn about the Zulu people whose sense of rhythm, colour, dance and song, as well as the spirit of the African imagination manifests in a fascinating ceramic collection.
On Tuesday enjoy an excursion to the expansive game farm, Spionkop Lodge which adjoins an 11 000 acre nature reserve and is the perfect base for exploring the berg, bush, birds and battlefields of the region. During the afternoon experience the diversity of the Nambiti Conservancy, a Big Five private bush retreat set on 20 000 acres of malaria-free bushveld in KwaZulu Natal.
Arrive in Pretoria at 16h00 on Wednesday where you will be introduced to our beautifully appointed station and 60 acre property before spending the night in your hotel. The train departs on Thursday morning and slowly meanders westwards through Mafikeng into Botswana and then north towards Mahalapye, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn just after Gaborone. Once the train has passed through the dry reaches of Botswana we arrive at Plumtree in the late afternoon for border formalities with Zimbabwe. The journey continues in a north-westerly direction passing Bulawayo and heads towards Thompson’s Junction and Hwange Game Reserve where animals can be spotted from the train.
Journey’s end is the incomparable Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River.

Please note that depending upon railways capacity this journey could be routed northwards through
Beitbridge and Zimbabwe.

The route between Pretoria and Cape Town is a 27-hour journey of 1 600 kilometres (994 miles), through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent.

On the Southbound trip, the train departs from Pretoria main train sation at 8:50 and arrives in Cape Town train station at 12:00 the following day.

En route to Cape Town there is a stopover and excursion in Kimberley, where we take a step back in time to the days of the diamond rush.

On the Northbound journey, the train leaves Cape Town at 08:50 and arrives in Pretoria at 12:30, in time for high tea the following day. It stops at Matjiesfontein for an off-the-train excursion.

On arrival at Matjiesfontein guests are invited for a glass of sherry at the bar.
The Victorian buildings and original nineteenth century London lampposts impart to the traveller, the uncanny sense of entering a colonial time warp – an oasis suspended in a different age.

The Durban route takes guests from Pretoria to Zimbali Lodge in Durban. The package includes two nights' accommodation on The Blue Train and two nights at Zimbali Lodge. Zimbali Lodge, home to a spectacular 18-hole golf course, is the golfer's ideal retreat. It boasts indigenous trees, natural streams and ponds which create a dramatic and beautiful setting.

Guests who are not interested in golf are treated to leisurely days being pampered with health spa treatments. On the last day, guests are transferred to Durban Station where the train departs for Pretoria.

The Blue Train can be chartered for journeys anywhere in SA where the rail tracks are compatible with The Blue Train's technology.

Chartered journeys can also be customised to suit the needs of the client.